Leigh’s Diecast Diary

Today we received Amalgam’s 1:4 replica of the 2007 McLaren MP4/22 steering wheel, as handled by Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton (AML705). It looks great and Amalgam have also done a very nice job on the packaging, with it being silver like the MP4/22 itself.

As the end of each year looms on the horizon we start looking at which replicas are still on for Christmas, and which ones will not see the light of day until after the end of December. To that end, we contact all of the diecast manufacturers and ask them to confirm which subjects we definitely will not see until the New Year. As soon as we have this information we relay it to our customers, to keep them as fully informed as possible.

Last thing today Minichamps got back to us, so in tomorrow’s entry there will be a listing detailing all of their ‘biggies’ that we will definitely not see before Christmas. That’s not to say that other replicas might not also join that list between now and Christmas, but as we get further news on specific releases it will be posted in the diary. 

Spark announced a whole host of new 1:43 subjects today. They range from classic Lotuses that Stirling Moss and Graham Hill raced at Laguna Seca in the 1960s to Saleen S7Rs from this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, Gemballa road cars and Can-Am McLarens! All of these can now be found at the top of our ‘New Announcements’ category.

AUTOart announced a new 1:12 motorbike replica, so it’s interesting to see that they’re getting into that market. The subject is the 2005 Norton Commando 952, available in red (AA12161) and black (AA12163).

We had a bit of a samples extravaganza today.

From Mattel, we received samples of the 1:18 2007 Kimi Raikkonen Australia special (DC2706A), and the 1:43 Michael Schumacher Five Ferrari Championships presentation (HW6237).

The Raikkonen special is limited to 3,333 pieces and both of the driver figure’s arms are raised, as Kimi’s were when he crossed the finish line to celebrate his hat trick in Melbourne of pole position, fastest lap, and the win.

The Schumacher special is a bit different, with his five championship winning Ferraris fanned out on the display. Specifically, these are his Ferraris from the 2000 Japanese Grand Prix, 2001 Belgian Grand Prix, 2002 British Grand Prix, 2003 Austrian Grand Prix, and 2004 Hungarian Grand Prix. It is limited to 5,555 pieces, and like the Raikkonen Australia special we expect it in time for Christmas.

Not to be outdone, Universal Hobbies also sent us a sample of a very significant forthcoming replica, of their 1:16 Massey Ferguson 135 tractor (J2698). There will be only one delivery of this before Christmas, and we have already sold most of our allocation, so if you don’t want to end up waiting until 2008 for this one you should get your order in soon.

Last thing we also heard that the price of the Mattel 1:18 Lewis Hamilton First Win special (DC2702MC), mentioned on the 5th October, has been confirmed at £79.99.

Welcome to the fourth Leigh’s Diary Vidcast, reviewing all the new diecast replicas that were released last week.

As always, I have listed the products below that have been featured in this week’s vidcast. Keep the comments rolling in. You will need quicktime installed to view the video on this post.

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 4 [4:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Leighs Diary Podcast Episode 4 [4:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

These are the products featured on this week’s podcast:

1/18 2007 F1 World Champion Presentation - Grand Prix Legends
1/18 2007 F1 World Champion Presentation signed by Kimi Raikkonen - Grand Prix Legends
1/18 Ferrari 166M - Mattel
1/12 Massa 2007 Ferrari Nosecone - Amalgam
1/12 Raikkonen 2007 Ferrari Nosecone - Amalgam
1/12 2007 McLaren Nosecone - Amalgam
1/12 VW Camper Van - Sun Star
1/24 AEC Regent Bus - Sun Star
1/43 Rouse/Soper Sierra BTCC diorama - Trofeu
1/18 1983 Porsche 911 Carrera - Minichamps
1/43 1964 Ford Mustang Convertible - Minichamps
1/43 1964 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider - Minichamps
1/12 Rossi 2007 Yamaha YZR-M1 Phillip Island - Minichamps
1/8 Rossi 2007 Mugello Helmet - Minichamps
1/18 Hamilton 2006 McLaren Testcar - Minichamps

Remember you can subscribe to the podcast by clicking the purple podcast icon at the top right or use this link if you wish to subscribe via itunes.

I hope you enjoyed watching or listening to the podcast. Please feel free to leave any comments on what you thought of it or anything you would like me to feature in future shows below.

It was the Grand Prix Legends quiz night last night. Sadly, it was general knowledge rather than motorsport, so I was next to useless. The team I was on still performed well though, doing the ‘Raikkonen Special’, going into the last round in third place to then snatch victory, and all the glory that goes with it, by just a single point.

Anyway, diecast news. Today AUTOart announced a whole raft of new replicas, in both 1:18 and 1:43 scale.

In 1:18 scale, we have race and road cars, including the menacing 2007 Porsche RS Spyder in carbon fibre (AA80773), three versions of the Porsche 908/3 from the 1970s, three colours of the Porsche 997 GT3, and the Subaru Impreza S204 (AA78671). All of these are currently at the top of our ‘New Announcements’ category.

In 1:43, we have the cars that have proven so popular in 1:18, the Koenigsegg CCX in orange (AA59001), black (AA59002) and silver (AA59003), and the Bugatti Veyron in black/red (AA50906), black/blue (AA50907) and pearl/blue (AA50908).   

Minichamps announced a few new 1:43 releases today, in the form of the leading BMWs from the 2007 World Touring Car Championship. There will be replicas of Andy Priaulx (P072601), Jorg Muller (P072602), Augusto Farfus (P072603), and Alex Zanardi (P072604).

Minichamps also announced a 1:18 replica of Sebastien Vettel’s BMW F1.07 from this year’s American Grand Prix (DC2710V).

Meanwhile, we received some new deliveries too. From Amalgam, we saw the 1:12 2007 McLaren MP4/22 nosecone (AML706). It comes with #1 and #2 decals included, so that you can choose whether your nosecone will be Fernando Alonso’s or Lewis Hamilton’s.

We also received Trofeu’s 1:43 two car Ford Sierra British Touring Car set, commemorating Andy Rouse and Steve Soper’s famous battle from Brands Hatch in 1988 (TR002). It’s actually quite a dynamic piece, with the blurry background and position of the cars really giving it a sense of speed.

Amalgam have been quick off the mark; they have already announced a 1:8 replica of Kimi Raikkonen’s victorious Ferrari F2007 from the Brazilian Grand Prix (AML710SP). This should be available just before Christmas.

We received a new signed replica into stock today; Jason returned from Nigel Mansell’s abode with the 1:18 Exoto carbon fibre Williams FW14B (GP97114S) signed by the 1992 World Champion.

Mattel also provided us with an image of their 1:18 Super Elite Ferrari 125 S (HW7118), so hopefully we should see that in a few weeks.

This is something new for the diary. Every month we receive a delivery date list from Minichamps. It details the models that are going to be coming into us for the following four weeks. I thought it would be great to share. Please note that this is the only official release date information that we receive, from anyone! 

Big news! I can now excitedly confirm that 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will be signing replicas exclusively for us at Grand Prix Legends!

Currently we are able to offer the following replicas signed; his 1:18 2007 ‘standard’ Ferrari (DC2706S), his 1:18 2007 Australian Grand Prix Ferrari (DC2706AS) and also, of course, our own 1:18 World Champion presentation (DC2007S). We can also offer the Amalgam 1:4 Ferrari F2007 steering wheel (AML702S) and 1:12 Raikkonen F2007 nosecone (AML732RS) signed by ‘The Iceman’.

In other diecast news, we received Minichamps’ release schedule for the next four weeks.

Next week we are scheduled to receive the 1:12 Rossi 2005 Laguna Seca sitting figure (PO50096), the 1:43 2007 Honda F1 showcars of Button (DC27407P) and Barrichello (DC27408P), the 1:43 2007 Le Mans winning Audi R10 (P071601), and the 1:43 1982 Ford Escort XR3i in white (P085070).

The week beginning 5th November is a big Rossi week. We are down to get his 1:2 2005 helmet (PO52046), his 1:8 2003 Valencia helmet (PO30886), and his 1:12 1999 ‘standard livery’ Aprilia 250CCM (P990086). Aside from that, we will also receive the 1:18 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet in red (PG063030), Gary Paffett’s 1:43 Mercedes from this year’s DTM (P073609), and, after a wait of many years, the 1:43 McLaren MP4-98T two-seater (P984378), which was only being discussed on this site last week!

The week after that is considerably quieter, with the 1:43 Bell/Pescarolo 1975 Spa 1000km winning Alfa Romeo 33 (P751202) and 1:43 2007 DTM cars of Ickx (P071521), Stoddart (P073514) and Lauda (P073618) the notable highlights.

The final week of the schedule, for the week beginning 19th November, sees a real biggie released, in the shape of the 1:18 #8 Bentley Blower from the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours (PG139530). We will also see the 1:12 Ducati 999R (P120500).

Finally, IXO announced a couple of new 1:43 rally releases today. First up is probably the late, great Colin McRae’s most famous rally car. It is the Subaru Impreza 555 that he campaigned to victory in the 1995 Rally of Great Britain (RAC093), to secure himself the world championship. There is also Marcus Gronholm’s 2007 Ford Focus WRC (RAM281). So far, as with last year, it does not look like we are going to see this replicated in 1:18.

Just wanted to tell you about Danger Rocks! clothing.

If you don’t already know by now, I work at Grand Prix Legends (GPL). The company does not rest with only selling the best range of diecast in the world, but also keeps its trained eye on the lifestyle fashion world. GPL have just introduced a new brand called Danger Rocks! to the UK market. It has a mix of style, technical ability and value.

There are ranges for both ladies and men. 

Check it out at www.dangerrocks.co.uk.

If you buy an item of Danger Rocks! clothing from GPL before Christmas you will also receive a free mug worth £9.99