RAMI ~ 1928 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Racer ~ # 6

  R.A.M.I.  ~ RAMI ~ Rami,   however you spell it,  it translates and stands for "les Retrospectives Automobiles Miniature",  and per Uncle Ed (Dr. Ed Force),  most of their models are based on the actual cars located in the French Auto Museum, in the castle of Rochetaillee, near Lyons, France. 

 This fine example, my first from RAMI,  is the iconic Type 35 from Bugatti.  Competing in both sports and grand prix races, the only difference being fenders over the wheels.  As this model doesn't have the fenders,  it would represent a Grand Prix version.

  Model was made in France in 1959,  and features a cast body, chassis, red seats, unpainted grille, front springs, and exhaust pipe, chrome spoked hubs !  Black tires.  Ref # 6.   I'll say that I'm overall impressed with the model,  and specifically the wheels, an important unique feature to these classic iconic Bugatti's !

Eligor ~ Dinky ~ 1925 Opel Cabriolet ~ Studebaker Petrol Truck ~ # 30P

Happy Holidays to all Diecast addicts across the World !

"A Christmas Poem" by Bert Donnelly,  originally published in C.A.R.S.  back in 1967.

            On Xmas I was heard, uttering great sounds of joy,
            For there in my stocking,  was an old Tootsietoy,
            My wife,  God Bless Her, had found a La Salle,
            She placed it in my stocking,  a real true pal,
            My pulse really quickened, and my eyes shone like stars,
            For this was like seeing,  a man straight from Mars,
            I hope others among you,  were as happy as me,
            By finding a Tootsie,  nestled under the Tree.

2 models this time,  and of course in Holiday colors !   First,  another nice Eligor model from France, a 1925  Opel Cabriolet with top up,  featuring boat tail back.  Cast body,  plastic roof, wheels,  and rubber tires.    Second,  a 1950-53 Dinky Studebaker "Petrol" Tanker,  cast body and hubs, black sheet metal base, silver grille, bumper, headlights and filler caps -  Made in England - no number on base.

 

 

 

Dinky ~ Hudson Commodore Sedan ~ # 171G

Happy Thanksgiving to all Diecast Enthusiast everywhere !  The holidays are quickly coming and thought I'd post another classic Dinky model,  this time with an interesting photographic twist !   Always thought of this car as a gangster - mafia type car that you'd see down at the docks !  This particular example has been restored / re-painted,  usually I find these not the best,  but this one I think came out really nice and is a good representation of the original.  Have a great weekend,  and be nice,  Santa is coming and he has lots of nice diecast models for those nice collectors   :)

 Featured this week is Dinky # 171G,  The Hudson Commodore Sedan.  Made in England between 1954 - 1959, features cast body, cast or turned hubs, black tires, black sheet metal base, silver grille, bumpers and headlights.  Identical to 139b until 1954 when new type base with big lettering was introduced.  Variants include :
1. Cream body,  maroon roof and hubs
2. Blue body,  tan roof and hubs
3. Red upper body and hubs,  turquoise lower body
4. Blue upper body and hubs, light gray lower body

 

Dinky ~ Triumph 1800 Sedan ~ # 40B

  A real classic this week from who else,  Dinky.  Model has some paint chips so it shows that someone had some FUN !     I just love these real old ones,  with the headlights set in on the fenders.  Made in England 1948 to 1954,  model features cast body,  turned hubs,  black tires,  no interior or windows, black base - no reference number.
1.  Dark Blue body, blue wheels
2.  Blue body
3.  Black body
4.  Cream body
5.  Grey body

Dinky ~ Fiat 1800 Station Wagon ~ # 548

  From one station wagon to another,  this week's is a little more modern :)   Must admit before seeing this one in the Dinky catalog I didn't know Fiat made a station wagon.  Looks really sharp in this 2 tone light blue / blue paint job,  definitely a useful car for hauling around building supplies, wood or how about long baguette breads from the bakery.   Model features cast body,  turned hubs, white tires,  suspension,  steering wheel, black sheet metal base with number,  red plastic interior, windows, silver trim, grille, bumpers and headlights, red taillights.  Made in France 1960-1963
1. Light yellow body,  brown roof
2. Light yellow body, black roof
3. Pale Blue gray,  dark blue roof
4. Dark blue and black
5. Ivory body
6. Green body

Ziss ~ 1909 Ford T Ranch Wagon ~ # 44

 Nothin like a wagon !   Haul a piano, deliver some tires to the slot racing team,  and cart away a ton of gravel from the construction site when no one is looking ;)    Sadly this 1909 Ford has run into a little mechanical trouble,  so our mechanic "Mike Fixit"  will have a look,  just as the racing team was expecting the new tires to be delivered !   Love the heavy feel of these Ziss models,  nice attention to the front suspension,  as opposed to typical wire for axle.  Made in Germany ~ Auf Wiedersehen

Rio ~ 1936 Hispano Suiza Spider ~ # 84

  A real classic beauty this week from Italy.   Probably one of my favorite Rio diecast models,  the color scheme of simple black / white really works well on this body shape in my opinion.  Who wouldn't dream of driving this on the open roads in the 30's,  headed for the Alps for a skiing weekend,  or to the Côte d'Azur for a walk on the beach -  of course the destination is not important,  it's the journey !

Typical Rio quality,  this one released in 1985  according to Paolo Rampini's book Modelcars Made in Italy 1900-1990.  Features removable engine cover to reveal full detail,  plastic wire wheels, rubber tires.   Reference number is 84.     One of the qualities of Rio models I admire a lot is the attention to detail on the chassis,  including motor,  drive shaft,  axles & suspension, and exhaust pipes,  a lot of detail for sure.  
Felice Automobilismo  ~  Ciao

 

Solido ~ Fiat Abarth Land Speed Record Car ~ # 113

  So curvy a model, my camera had difficulty focusing !!  A real interesting car & model, which I've been looking to get for awhile.  From my research, it was designed by Pininfarina in 1960, its engine is a 982cc / 105 horsepower 1 litre inline 4,  revving @ 8000rpm, propelling this very slippery bodied car to a top speed of 220 kilometers per hour !    

  The model,  made in France by Solido in 1961 to 1970,  features cast body, opening cockpit hatch, gray chassis,  plastic windshield and steering wheel, turned hubs,  tires, suspension,  Fiat / Abarth emblem decals,  silver lights if body color permits **
1.  Silver body  **
2.  Red body
3.  Dark Red body
4. Orange or orange red body
5. Metallic blue body

Eligor ~ 1938 Renault Juva 4 Berline ~ # 1014

  An attractive little Renault Berline this week,  in a very nice light green color.  Model features an opening "boot"  with spare wheel / tire,  a nice added touch to this model.   Eligor while not in the same top league with makes such  as Dinky,  Solido,  Corgi  etc...  did produce some nice models which would look good in any collection. 

Made in France  ~   Years  ?   ~   Ref # 1014
4 Door sedan features cast body,  plastic base,  wheels and tires.  opening trunk / boot with spare wheel and tire. 

Changing the  flat !     Merde !

Solido ~ Aston Martin 3L DBR1 ~ # 107

  The classic British sports car,  the DBR1  3L  from Aston Martin.  Made by Solido in 1959-1968,  features cast body,  gray or black chassis, plastic windshield, interior details and driver,  turned hubs,  tires,  suspension, big or small racing number decal,  painted grille,  silver headlights.   According to my info released in 3 colors,  Red, Yellow,  and Green.  The racing cars just look so much better with a driver in them to me.  I'm sure this particular model was involved in many races during its days,  some little damage,  but happy to know it provided hours of entertainment,  and might have won a race or two !

Dinky ~ Austin A105 Sedan ~ # 176-G

 A classy Brit sedan this week from who else -  Dinky.   You just have to love the red trim and wheels,  another beauty from my favorite manufacturer of all time.

Made in England 1958 to 1963.
Sedan with cast body,  cast or turned hubs,  black or white tires,  black sheet metal base with number, windows, silver grille, bumpers and headlights

1. Cream body and hubs, dark blue trim,  black tires.
2. Cream body and hubs, lighter blue roof and trim,  white tires.
3. Turned hubs,  otherwise same as 2
4. Light gray body,  red trim and hubs,  black tires.
5. Light gray body, red trim and roof, white tires.
6. Turned hubs,  otherwise same as 5.

Mercury ~ Ferrari 330 P4 Prototype ~ #65

Ciao Everyone !
  Sorry for the extended absence from our weekly model of the week,  summertime and all jobs - I mean "vacations" -  associated with this time of the year has kept me away from updating the blog.

Don't forget CARS now has its own Youtube Channel,  which will be updated as often as I can possibly get to it.  "CARS ~ Diecast Models" 

Now for a classic Racer !   Made in Italy 1969,  the beautiful Ferrari P4 prototype from Mercury.  This particular model is # 19,  not sure of how many different variants they produced over the years. Features opening doors and engine cover,  silver mirrors and windshield wiper,  plastic headlights and engine cover.   All I need now is a Solido Ford GT !

Dinky ~ Jaguar 3.4 Litre Mk II Sedan ~ # 195

Hey Everyone,
Sorry for the long delay in a new model of the week,  life just gets in the way sometimes.
This week we have a classic Jag  ~  3.4 Litre Sedan.  Ref # 195.
1960 - 1966.  Cast body, turned hubs,  black tires, suspension, steering, black sheet metal base with number, red plastic interior,  windows, silver grille, bumpers and headlights, red taillights.
1. Light yellow body
2. Light gray body
3. Red body
4. South African issue ?