June 2002 - August 2002 Archive
28-August-2002 A couple of Porsche promotional models have surfaced on German eBay. The first is a promo of the UPS Porsche Junior Team which ran in 1997 and was piloted by Dirk Muller - this is the sister to the #2 car of Marc Bassang promo model which we have known about for some time.
The second model is a later version of the Danny Pfeil BERU sponsored Supercup car which is already available on the secondary market.
And by no means least the part numbers for the 1/43 BMW Z4 models. Unfortunately it appears that the larger 1/18th versions will not be made by Minichamps but Kyosho.
80 42 0 144 052 - TIT.SILVER
80 42 0 144 053 - STER.GREY
80 42 0 144 054 - ATL.BLUE
80 42 0 144 055 - CARB.BLACK
26-August-2002 The BAR Sato Test Car in Suzuka GP packaging we featured a few days back is genuine and not a fake ! It is the first release of the "Suzuka Circuit Original Series" which means more special models will be made in the future and will go on sale next month.
The main purpose of these models is to attract people to the circuit therefore the only way to get one is to go to the circuit which will make it an expensive proposition - you can not purchase them by ringing up the shop and they are limited to one per customer.
Another rarity has surfaced at Toronto Motorsports - this one is a Canadian GP Event Car produced exclusively for Honda Canada. These models were originally intended for distribution to Honda Corporate guests and employees in attendance at the 2002 Canadian GP. Apparently very few exist as they come out of the original 2002 piece run and their existence is similar to the "SAP USGP" versions, they come with a Honda logo near the airbox and front nose.
24-August-2002 It seems that the Audi RS6 DACD Edition (German Audi Owners Club) we featured a few weeks ago is in fact a regular Audi RS6 promotional model that comes with a hand written edition number under the box and a numbered "certificate" card in addition to the special base.
If anyone wishes to purchase one of these models then contact John Best JohnBest@t-online.de who has a number for sale - he can either post at cost to your home address or alternatively you can pick it up from him at the NEC swapmeet at the end of September.
23-August-2002 The McLaren M8B Can-Am cars appear to have a box variation depending on the source ! The European sourced models are in the standard black Can-Am McLaren Collection box whereas the US/Canada items have been shipped in the older style McLaren F1 GTR style boxes - both versions come with the same UPC code sticker on the base.
22-August-2002 Yet another promotional model has surfaced in Japan ! This time it's a Sato BAR Test Car in a special box depicting the Suzuka circuit and is limited to 300 pieces - according to sources in Japan these have been advertised for sale at the Suzuka circuit however this is all the information we have at this stage.
Here's an update for all the BMW fans out there on the latest availability of the BMW Dealer Edition models in the UK. All the following models are available from stock :
1/43 Scale :
1/18th Scale :
The 1/18th Ralf Schumacher 2002 Race Car is due for release 14th October 2002, Montoya date yet to be confirmed.
One interesting point is that the part numbers are already known for the new BMW Z4 however we don't think these will go on sale until the car goes on sale next year. There are four part numbers for both 1/43 and 1/18 so it appears that means four colours in each scale.
20-August-2002 A 1/18th version of the 1989 Bathurst Ford Sierra RS500 in the Dick Johnson Racing livery (product number 103 898017) has been released in Australia ! The model has been produced for BIANTE by Paul's Model Art and is reported to be "close to Exoto quality" - in order to order view this item you will need to visit the BIANTE website.
16-August-2002 The latest release page on the Minichamps NA website has been updated once again - this time it shows a couple of detailed photos of the F1 models which can only be described as taking Minichamps into another dimension, namely detailed engines with lift-off engine cowlings. I suspect the James Hunt McLaren M23 of 1976 will be one of Minichamps best selling 1/43 models over the last few years.
The Williams FW07 of Alan Jones is also a stunning model, Click Here! to view a photo.
13-August-2002 A Japanese collector kindly contacted me to put the record straight on the Kyosho released Lamborghini LP 400 we mentioned at the weekend. He points out that the Kyosho release has a black interior whereas the normal Minichamps release is beige, the UPC code for this model is 433 103103, however the confusing thing about this is that the photograph in the Edition 2 catalogue shows the model with yes you've guessed it - a black interior !
A Panasonic Promotional model has surfaced in Japan - it's a Toyota TF 102 showcar in 1/18th scale ! The models are not on open sale but are presented by Panasonic as a promotional gifts, however it is not known at this stage if any 1/43 versions have been produced.
10-August-2002 According to reports Kyosho have once again commissioned a series of models for "Japanese only" release however this time they are road cars. These will include a Lamborghini Countach LP 400, BMW E36 M3 and an Alfa Romeo 156 however to date we have only seen a picture of the Lamborghini - the only difference evident between this and the standard Minichamps release is the fact that it has "Exclusive for Kyosho" printed on the base.
An interesting post was made this week on the Autobarn message board which highlights the need to do your homework if you are ever going to pick up a bargain or something unusual. A recent eBay auction featured a Porsche 911 GT1 in Warsteiner livery which the seller claimed had been "recalled" due to errors on the model such as incorrect wheel colour, wrong rear spoiler decal (Warsteiner instead of Porsche) and also Warsteiner logo on the roof instead of GT1 (see photo below).
It transpires that the model is actually genuine and one collector had picked up a similar model from the Porsche stand at the Motorshow in the UK. Not only that but he had done his homework and knew that the car had in fact run in June 1996 at Norisering in Germany in that very same "incorrect" livery which was supported by photographs of the actual car in the Porsche 911 GT 1 books of 97, 98 & 99. The model also differs from the normal release as it has no seat or roll cage inside. (Well done Terry!)
05-August-2002 In yet another slow week it's German eBay which has been throwing up some interesting items. The first is a special edition Audi RS6 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of DACD (DACD I have been reliably informed is an Audi Owners Club in Germany)
A second Audi promotional model is this Audi R8 "Individual".
There also appears to be a special Maybach "Presspack" in circulation. Click Here! If Porsche is more your marque then this 1995 IAA Porsche 993 Targa may be of interest.
I attended the Donington Park swapmeet yesterday - for anyone not familiar with this event then let me tell you that it is the premier event on the diecast calendar, well organised, plenty of free car parking, a bar plus lots of decent diecast to boot.
As well as hunting for diecast for my own collection I spend a large proportion of my time at these events chatting to dealers and collectors alike in order find out the "news on the street" but mainly to source information for the site. As a result of one such chat with a dealer I discovered that the models which are being snapped up with increasing regularity are both versions of the Ford RS 200 - namely the white road car and the Rally of Sweden Grundel/Melander version.
The reason these models are so popular is quite simple - the only version available until now of the RS 200 was the "Starter" kit and lets say even the pre-built ones aren't exactly state of the art, consequently people have left them alone. Secondly the Minichamps Rally of Sweden version is a limited edition of just over 2,400 which doesn't leave a lot of product to go round and thirdly, the Ford RS Owners Club and every other rally collector wants one to fill the gap in their collections. In other words if you want one you had better hurry as these could become the most sought after models in months to come.
31-July-2002 The Minichamps NA website has been updated with a further batch of forthcoming releases including the Alpine Renault A 442B 1978 Le Mans Winner of Pironi/Jaussaud and from the photograph already looks as though it could be a nomination for "model of the year".
27-July-2002 A further batch of models has been announced
by Minichamps which do not appear in the latest Edition 2 catalogue.
P028927 Ford Focus RS Rallye Monte Carlo 2002 KREMER/WICHA
P028934 Ford Focus RS Catalunya 2002 KREMER/SCHNEPPENHEIM
P018997 Ford Focus WRC RAC Rally 2001 MARK HIGGINS/BRYAN THOMAS
Plus the following Formula 3 models :-
P010306 Dallara British F3 2001 Champion TAKUMA SATO
P010307 Dallara French F3 2001 Champion RYO KUKUDA
One collector has contacted me to point out that there is a slight variation with the Jenson Button Renault F1 B201 Testcar (Model Number 400 020185) relating to the rear brake light light recess - one has the correct detail with silver paint whilst the second is left completely blank.
25-July-2002 It appears that at the moment Minichamps are churning models out like there is no tomorrow, so much so that Minichamps NA have updated their website again with some more new releases ! Included in this weeks update is the Audi R8 ALMS "Petit Le Mans" Road Atlanta car of Johansson & Lemarie (limited to 1,440 pieces) plus the March BMW 792 F2 Teo Fabi car of 1979 in "ROL OIL" livery.
Also BMW appear to have released a promotional M3 E30 in red complete with the normal clapper box.
23-July-2002 The UK Minichamps importer Amerang have managed to obtain a small number (53 pieces to be precise) of a Limited Edition Troy Bayliss 2001 World Superbike 996R Ducati from RIPA the Italian Minichamps distributor. These were issued in Italy only, as a 1021 piece limited edition to celebrate World Ducati Week. The bike is the same as the version already released in the UK (P011221) but with a slightly different box.
Minichamps.Com is already taking orders for these.
22-July-2002 Those Steiff Senna teddy bears reported over the weekend are expected to retail at 179 Euros each (that's around £120 taking into account current exchange rates) so if you were thinking of buying one for a loved one hell of an expensive gift. If you didn't know already these bears are adult collectables the same way that Minichamps are marketed and regularly fetch several thousand pounds for the rarer and more sought after items - if you don't believe me just check out eBay.
A Saab 9-3 promotional model has surfaced on eBay. It seems this item was given out at the press launch of the actual car at Stockholm in Sweden.
And also on eBay in the "if it doesn't exist then why not make one" category is this David Coulthard Mercedes CLK DTM Test Car !
20-July-2002 I can tell you I had to had to read this twice before it really sunk in and before you start emailing its not a wind up ! I dread to think what's coming next after I received this news item.
"Minichamps have continued to announce new and varied releases for their collectors. In addition to their range of Ayrton Senna model cars Minichamps will be producing a series of teddy bears wearing the race suits that Ayrton wore during his career. These bears will manufactured by Steiff from Germany. For those that are not familiar with Steiff they are one world best producers of collectible bears. These bears will be approximately 35cm tall and will be limited to 1,111 pieces per release".
One consolation is that I suppose it's better than all that Harry Potter stuff that's been doing the rounds of late !!
17-July-2002 As you have probably gathered it's been real slow over the last week - I was just about to nod off when this hot news item turns up from Auto Fanatics ! It's a Ferrari 550 Marenello in Ferrari promotional packaging - I don't know about you but I certainly haven't seen one before.
A whole host of items are due for release next week in the UK according to the Motorsport Products website including the Edition 2 Catalogue !
10-July-2002 The information I posted yesterday regarding the Audi releases was somewhat unclear so I would just like to clear up a few points. All four Le Mans runners will be produced in standard Minichamps boxes with just the winner and second placed car being produced by Audi in their dealer edition boxes. There will be a Minichamps packaged individually numbered boxed set of the 1-2-3 cars from the 2002 race with Audi producing a dealer boxed set of the 2000, 2001 & 2002 winning cars.
Here is a complete product listing from Minichamps of the 2002 Le Mans releases :
P021301 Audi Sport Team Joest R8 - Pirro/Kristensen/Biela
P021302 Audi Sport North America R8 - Capello/Herbert/Pescatori
P021303 Audi Sport Team Joest R8 - Krumm/Peter/Werner
P021205 Audi Sport Japan Team Goh R8 - Ara/Dalmas/Katoh
P021450 Dodge Viper GTS-R - Bouchut/Goueslard/Vosse
P021452 Dodge Viper GTS-R - Belloc/Cochet/Treluyer
P021463 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R - Fellows/O'Connell/Gavin
P021464 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R - Pilgrim/Collins/Freon
P026972 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - Alphand/Lavielle/Thevenin
P026975 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - Hindery/Baron/Kester
P026977 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - Iida/Yogo/Nishizawa
P026980 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - Dumas/Maassen/Bergmeister
P028822 Panoz LMP - Policand/Duez/McCarthy
P020123 Audi Gift Box
As we suspected Minichamps will also be releasing the Williams BMW FW24 in "HP" livery for both drivers in 1/18 and 1/43 scale.
09-July-2002 STOP PRESS ! The four Audi 2002 Le Mans cars will be released by Minichamps in October/November ! Also to accompany these will be two limited edition boxed sets - the first will commemorate this years 1,2,3 finish whilst the other will feature the 2000, 2001 & 2002 winning cars, prices expected to be £80.00. Motorsport Products is already taking pre-orders for these.
07-July-2002 Remember those "Thanks For the Memories" 1.43 McLaren sets that were doing the rounds on German eBay a few weeks ago ?? Well a 1:18 Mika Hakkinen version has appeared. We are still awaiting to hear from anyone who can state 100% that these are in fact the genuine article so until then we must assume that they are fake.
It was the NEC Toyfair in Birmingham today however collectors and dealers alike were not out in their usual numbers, probably as a result of many being away on summer holiday or simply a case of stopping at home to watch the Grand Prix or tennis. The dealers who did attend reported good trade.
06-July-2002 The mystery of the Porsche 911 featured yesterday has been solved ! In Aachen there is a car park called the "Bendplatz" and twice a year a large parish fair is held there called "Öcher Bend" - "Öcher" is a dialect of Aachen so "en Öcher company" translated is "a company from Aachen" so it would make sense that as Minichamps is domiciled in Aachen they would participate in such an event. Well you certainly learn something new every day.
05-July-2002 Here's your chance to solve a mystery - does anyone know anything about this model which has appeared on German eBay this week ?? It's a Porsche 911 GT3 limited to 250 pieces and appears to be some sort of promotional model made for a company named "Ocher Bend" - it even features some nice graphics ! Answers on an email please to the usual address.
02-July-2002 Hot off the press ! The BMW 2002 launch cars in both scales are now in the BMW AG warehouse, however the race cars are not expected for a while yet. It is not known at this stage if they will carry either Compaq or Hewlett Packard logos however we suspect the latter.
Here are the part numbers for the respective models :
1/43rd Scale
WilliamsF1 BMW FW23 Launch Ralf Schumacher. 80 42 0 146 624
WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 Ralf Schumacher 80 42 0 146 631
WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 Juan Pablo Montoya 80 42 0 146 632
1/18th Scale
WilliamsF1 BMW FW23 Launch Ralf Schumacher 80 43 0 139 187
WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 Ralf Schumacher 80 43 0 146 633
WilliamsF1 BMW FW24 Juan Pablo Montoya 80 43 0 146 634
30-June-2002 If anyone can cast their minds back to last year you may remember a candy floss pink BMW Z8 that appeared on German eBay. Well another one is up for auction at the moment however this one gives a full description - it seems that the model was made for a contest held in the German model car magazine "MODELL FAHRZEUG" in the year 2000 and only 90 pieces were made and came mounted on a black base with description and are individually numbered. Another mystery solved !
One other interesting BMW model which has been released recently is the 3 series to commemorate 25 years of BMW driver training. Click Here! to view a photograph.
28-June-2002 I received some sad news this week by way of a letter from Doug and Sue Atkinson of Hadrian Models. It seems that due to a combination of difficult trading conditions and illness their business ceased trading on the 12 June. Anyone who knows Doug and Susan will know they are an extremely nice couple and always gave good deals at swapmeets - it's definitely a sad loss to model collectors everywhere and I only hope the 'illness' mentioned is not too serious.
All is not lost however and their son Dylan who has worked in the family business for the last five years is keen to carry on and has started his own business named Triple 'R' Models which will concentrate on what was the core business of Hadrian Models and any orders previously placed with Hadrian Models will be honoured.
Here is the winner of the German eBay "fake of the week" competition.
25-June-2002 The Minichamps boxed BMW M3 GTR ALMS cars are now appearing on the Minichamps NA website. These are not exactly the same as the models that BMW released a few months back due to the different driver line-ups - in this instance the # 42 car was piloted by Lehto, Ekblom & Wendlinger and the # 43 J Muller & D Muller, the latter carrying an incorrect spelling of both drivers surnames on the base !
The "Hologram" security feature which appears on the BMW Williams Ralf Schumacher model recently seems to be an addition of BMW and not Minichamps - one collector has kindly pointed out that other BMW team merchandise also carries this as standard.
23-June-2002 As reported yesterday the BMW Dealer Edition Williams 2002 Launch Car of Ralf Schumacher has been released, part number 80420146624.
One interesting point to note is that it is the first model produced by Minichamps to include a security feature ! As you can see a hologram is present on the reverse of the packaging - whether this will feature on standard releases or if it is just on BMW models is not known at this stage, however it is a brilliant idea.
Also the part numbers for the Audi Sebring 2002 Dealer Editions - Biela, Pirro & Kristensen #1 car 2.00.000.01347, the Capello, Herbert & Pescatori #2 car 2.00.000.01348.
Apologies for the standard of the photos however they were taken through a glass case after all ! Also available was the BMW Dealer Edition Ralf Schumacher 2002 launch car.
21-June-2002 More news on those Toyota F1 dealer edition models. It now appears that these have only been available through dealers in Germany which is the home of the Toyota F1 team.
We have it on good authority that the number of Toyota dealers in Germany totals 648 which just happens to coincide with number of McNish models produced. Now you don't have to be a mathematical genius to work out that's one McNish model per dealership meaning that the chances of these being on general release to dealers in the UK or anywhere else for that matter is a big fat zero !
Also the range of 1:2 scale helmets from Minichamps is branching out from Formula 1 to the World Superbike Championship. The Helmets of Bayliss, Bostrom, Xaus,and Hodgson will be produced with full race livery, detailed interior including a chin strap, and working visor.
19-June-2002 As reported yesterday - pictures of the Infineon Audi R8 Sebring 2002 cars.
18-June-2002 There have been a further three Minichamps 1/43 F2 cars announced today complete with detailed engines which are expected late 2002 - early 2003.
Also some exciting news for any Audi collectors out there - Motorsport Products have taken delivery of the Audi Dealer Edition Sebring 2002 cars of E.Pirro #1 & R.Capello #2 !
It appears that a couple of long awaited models have been released and made an appearance at the 24 hours of Le Mans this weekend ! The Minichamps Alpine Renault (1978 winner) which was described as "excellent" as was the Chapparal 2D complete with full engine detail - hopefully these will be on general sale at your local retailer before too long.
16-June-2002 Congratulations to Audi on a Le Mans 1-2-3 and more importantly the Biela, Pirro & Kristensen driver line-up who won the race for a third consecutive year - the first time in race history this has been accomplished ! Lets hope Minichamps will be quick off the mark to get the models off the production line and into the shops - how about a triple car boxed set featuring the 2000, 2001 & 2002 cars complete with driver figures to commemorate the occasion ?
More news received via email, albeit conflicting on those Toyota models :
Email 1 - Our North of England office checked out a local Toyota dealership who had the models listed but with no description of the base card colours - as soon as clarification is received we will of course let you know.
Email 2 - Information received direct from Toyota UK indicates that some items will be released for sale in September for the UK market however they doubt if either of the McNish Team models or the 1/18th Salo will make it here due to the low issue numbers.
Email 3 - The models were only made for the German market and that most dealers in Germany only had one or two in stock.
15-June-2002 Apologies for the lack of updates over the last week however I have been enjoying a much earned holiday in the sun - normal service has now been resumed ! Apart from a whole host of new arrivals on Minichamps NA website I don't appear to have missed all that much.
Unfortunately despite being armed with the correct part numbers for the Toyota Promotional boxed launch cars I have yet to find a Toyota dealer in the UK who is stocking these and I am met with the same response - they have been asked for them already but they do not appear on the Toyota UK parts system. If anyone can solve this mystery I'm sure our readers will be pleased to know.
05-June-2002 A whole host of new 1/43 models have been announced by Minichamps which will appeal to DTM and Sportscar fans - time to put your credit card company on warning !!
The ALMS models from Sebring 2002 are as follows :-
03-June-2002 Our North of England office spent last Wednesday at the Silverstone test day and even managed to chat to Alan McNish. It seems that he is one of the most approachable people in F1 and is willing to talk and sign autographs for fans for extremely long periods - not being one to miss an opportunity such as this he asked him to sign a couple of 1/43 Audi R8's he'd driven including both versions of the Crocodile car.
Our intrepid reporter even managed to raise the question of the "finned" and "unfinned" versions of the model ! Apparently the "unfinned" Croc model was made by Minichamps using just the standard Le Mans moulding of the R8 when informed by Audi that such a car would be racing in the Adelaide leg, and when a prototype colour scheme was presented.
However the R8 Le Mans configuration proved to understeer around the tight Adelaide track so trim tabs were added to the car, and in the intervening time slight artwork amendments had been made, hence the darker blues etc. These alterations led Minichamps to alter the moulding as the Adelaide car was no longer a standard Le Mans R8. McNish on signing the unfinned model actually commented that our reporter had a rare model so he actually knows his stuff !
