- I have made several acquisitions in the past few months. Some of these acquisitions were of models that I refrained from purchasing in the past. But with so many models going out of production, according to scale18.com, the collector has to think hard these days about what to get and what to leave.
- Following up my purchase, in Paris, of Norev's 1937 Peugeot 402 Eclipse, I have purchased their 404 convertible. Although from the early 60s, this car is very cute and since there aren't too many older Peugeot models available, I decided to get this one. This model is of the same good quality as the earlier Peugeot.
- Speaking of French cars, I have acquired my first 1/18 Solidos. These are recent releases by this venerable (one-time) French company. Earlier 1/18 Solidos were quite poor. In fact, many of them weren't even 1/18! The 1938 Citroen and (approx 1962) Panhard that I bought are not great models, but are competent and worthy of a B to B- rating.
- At the Edison Winter Estate in Fort Myers, Florida (where Henry Ford also wintered) I bought a Yat Ming 1932 Ford 3-window coupe. Although this model has been in the catalog for years, the paint and finish seemed to be improved recently. Since this is also listed at scale18.com as being no longer available, I decided to get it. I have also bought Yat Ming's 1953 Packard Caribbean. I can't help think that, like the 1955 Caribbean, this car should be wider. Otherwise decent in the usual Yat Ming manner. I received Yat Ming's 1952 Lincoln Capri as a gift. Usual YM quality.
- Other models that I acquired for fear of not being available in the near future are from Motor City. I ordered from scale18.com a camper, which bears a close similarity to an Airstream, for a friend who loves the older examples of this famous make. When it arrived we put it behind my gunmetal grey 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Woody, and it looked great. So I decided to order one for myself. At the same time, I ordered their 1939 Chevrolet Woody wagon and woody trailer. I had to get the surfboard edition of the wagon, but the surfboard is totally separate. If the (actually nicely made) board doesn't appeal to you, be assured that it does not affect the model in any way. The only thing is that there are decals of a surfing theme on the back windows. My major beef is that the trailer hitch is quite gross... not at all respecting the design or scale of the original. It is too bad that Motor City couldn't do the car with a proper trailer hitch. I display with the trailer perched on the bumper. Perhaps I will make something to suit.
- I have added Minichamp's Mercedes 300SL roadster to go along with their Gullwing. No complaints. Same with AUTOart's 1969 Corvette.
- I have had varying success with Signature's Premium series. No problems with their 1937 Maybach SW38. But the Mercedes 770K cabriolet has only so-so paint. They will have to do better than this to justify a "Premium" designation.
- No problems with the latest releases from Sun Star in their Platinum line (Fiat 124, 1958 Lincoln Mark III, 1951 Kaiser Henry J, 1952 Nash Ambassador, 1956 Mercury Montclair). These models are very well done, are reasonably priced, and can be highly recommended. Details like engines, wheels, interiors, and so on, won't disappoint. They even include a reproduction of the original sales brochure for that car. Thank you, folks!
- LATEST UPDATE: Recently I acquired more Norevs. These aren't top quality models but are competently done and, being models of older French cars, are very welcome. I now have a Citroen Pallas DS23 (despite my predeliction for convertibles, I did NOT get the convertible because the hardtop model is THE DS profile) and a Peugeot 302 DarlÕMat coupe. I saw a blue roadster 302 in the Peugeot shop in Paris. Fabulous. Even though this is slated for release by Norev, and even though I plan to acquire it, I wanted the coupe, too. Very French...
- My major purchases recently have been premium models from CMC and BBR. From CMC, who seem to release mostly race cars, I got the 1931 Mercedes SSKL and 1954 Mercedes W196R Streamline race car. The SSKL acquisition won't surprise anyone. It is a stunning model and it is ludicrous to compare with Bburago's SSK. The W196R I got because I had a tintoy of this amazing-looking car in England as a boy and I wish I still had it. The toy made it to Canada, but I have no idea where it went!
- The other premium model I purchased is the BBR 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus (street). I am not familiar with this car, but relying on BBR quality, I purchased the model based on its looks. Unfortunately, BBR don't make models of cars that I covet, but this one fits right in with the collection.
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