20th
October
2009
Today we received our new Minichamps delivery for the week.
The hottest release is the long-awaited third and final 1:43 replica from the James Bond ‘Quantum Of Solace’ film, which is Camille’s Ford Ka in gold (P120500C).
Other new releases in 1:43 are the Ford Escort Cosworth in metallic grey (P082107) and the Bentley Continental Supersports in grey (P139800), and in 1:18 we also now have the BMW M3 GTR in orange (PG012106).
In Formula One diecast news, Amalgam announced two new 1:8 subjects today. These are Jenson Button’s Brawn BGP001 from this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix (AML938), where of course he won the world championship, and Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari F60 from this year’s Belgian Grand Prix (AML939), which looks like being Ferrari’s only victory this year.
posted in Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
19th
October
2009
Congratulations to Jenson Button, 2009 Formula One World Champion! Brazil once again provided a fantastic race, with Jenson fighting through the field to do what was necessary to make sure of his title.
We’ve had several requests today about our 1:18 World Champion presentation, and when we will be offering it. It looks like this year will be the first year in Grand Prix Legends’ existence that a 1:18 replica of the world champion’s car won’t be available in time for Christmas. We haven’t yet finalised the details of what form our 2009 presentation will take, but as soon as everything is confirmed, you will find details of it on our website and in this blog.
We started off this week with a new delivery from Sun Star, which had new releases in 1:18 and 1:12 on it.
In 1:18, there is Ari Vatanen’s Ford Escort from the 1980 Acropolis Rally (SS4444), Petter Solberg’s Citroen Xsara WRC from the 2009 Cyprus Rally (SS4471), and the Ford Escort RS1600i in red (SS4996).
In 1:12, there is the Morris Minor Traveller in green (SS4791), and the Volkswagen Beetle in black (SS5201).
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
16th
October
2009
Today IXO confirmed what we will see from them in November and December, and there will be no less than three new La Storia releases! These will be Chris Amon’s 1967 Ferrari 312 (IXSF21), Gerhard Berger’s 1994 Ferrari 412 (IXSF22), and Mike Hawthorn’s 1954 Ferrari 553 (IXSF23).
We will also receive their two Valentino Rossi 2008 Ford Focus WRC rally cars, from Rally GB (RAM351), and the Monza Rally (RAM370).
As well as that, IXO announced two exciting new 1:43 rally subjects; Colin McRae’s Ford Sierra from the 1989 RAC Rally (RAC176), and Mikko Hirvonen’s Ford Focus WRC from this year’s Acropolis Rally (RAM376).
In Formula One diecast news, Minichamps supplied us with a sample image of their 1:43 replica of the Sebastian Vettel First Win special from the 2008 Italian Grand Prix (DC28415M). It looks great, and hopefully this means that we will see it released in time for Christmas. I think it’s doubtful that we will see the 1:18 version (DC2815M) before 2010 now.
Finally today, we were excited to see the announcement of a new 1:6 Ayrton Senna statue (AS1993F)! It is from the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix, and has Ayrton’s arms raised in the air, holding his helmet aloft. It will be a limited edition of just 2,500 pieces worldwide, and comes with a certificate of authenticity included. We’ve not had much notice on this one, as it is due in with us in just a couple of weeks, so if you want one order soon to ensure that you don’t miss out!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
15th
October
2009
Today we received a new Norev delivery, and had notification of what will be on the next one as well!
On today’s delivery the highlights were the two menacing 1:18 2008 DTM Audi A4s, of Mattias Ekstrom (NV188325) and Tom Kristensen (NV188326).
We also received two 1:18 Formula One replicas, both Renaults, of this year’s R29 showcar (DC2907P), and Nelson Piquet Jnr’s race version (DC2908NV) as well.
Meanwhile, on the next delivery, we (or more specifically I!) were very excited to see that it will contain the two 1:18 ‘Wrooom’ Fiat 500s of Kimi Raikkonen (NV187733) and Michael Schumacher (NV187732) from a fun ice race that was held at Ferrari’s pre-season ski event in 2008. After the cancellation of the Massa, Badoer and Gene versions, I wondered if we would ever see these released!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
14th
October
2009
Today we received the new Mattel delivery, headlined by their 1:43 Ferrari 2008 Constructors’ Champions two-car set of the F2008s of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa (HW8784). It is an individually numbered limited edition of 5,000 pieces worldwide.
Also new on the delivery was their next 1:18 Elite roadgoing Ferrari replica, the 550 Barchetta (HW2054).
The big news today though was that we heard that we will finally see AUTOart’s first colourway of their infamous 1:18 Koenigsegg CCX, black (AA79002), at the beginning of November! Hurrah!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
13th
October
2009
Today there are two big pieces of news involving signed diecast replicas.
The first is that we can now confirm that Mario Andretti will be signing Minichamps’ 1:18 replica of his 1978 F1 World Championship winning Lotus 79 for us (PG780005S)! We are very excited to have another piece of F1 Championship winning diecast in our product range!
The other bit of signed news is that we received the Roy Salvadori signed 1:18 Shelby Collectibles Aston Martin DBR1 that won Le Mans in 1959 (DC559S). This one is rather exclusive as it is limited to just 100 examples, and after fulfilling our pre-orders only have a dozen left. This is not one to hang about on before ordering!
We also received a couple of samples from CMC, of two of their most exciting subjects yet. They are both Ferraris, and are the 1958 Testa Rossa (CMC071), and the 1961 250 GT Competizione that finished third at Le Mans in the hands of Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet (CMC079). Both of these look absolutely stunning, and the Testa Rossa in particular is bound to be a huge hit. It’s not uncommon for first shipments of new CMC replicas to not be sufficient to meet demand, so to make sure you don’t end up waiting longer than you have to it would be best to get your pre-orders in for these soon! Both are due to be released next month, by the way.
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
12th
October
2009
Today we received our latest signed replica into stock. It is Kyosho’s 1:18 replica of the Mini Cooper that Paddy Hopkirk drove to victory on the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally, autographed by the man himself (KY8102AS)!
We also received a batch of Minichamps samples of replicas that are on their new release schedule.
The highlights are definitely the two 1:18 Lotus 79s from 1978, of World Champion Mario Andretti (PG780005) and his team-mate Ronnie Peterson (PG780006). They look amazing, and have lift-off bodywork at the rear to show off the engine and other mechanical detail.
We also received samples of the next three Rossi figures, from 1998 (P980056), Valencia 2003 (PO30186), and Phillip Island 2007 (PO70196). We’d already seen samples of the latter two at Nuremberg earlier this year, so it was the 1998 ‘wheelie’ figure that has provided the most fascination amongst our staff! It comes with a special stand included, which extends out from the section that holds the rear wheel in place to form a ‘cradle’ that you sit the front of the bike in, to hold it securely in the wheelie position. Click on the link to see the photos and you will see what I mean! Another winning original idea from Minichamps!
The other long anticipated release is of the 1:43 Robert Kubica First Win special, of his BMW F1.08 from the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix (DC28404C). It will be a limited edition of 4,824 pieces, and comes with the specific aero package that BMW ran in that race, the most visual difference being that it didn’t run with the ‘horns’ on the nosecone that the team campaigned for most of the season.
It’s going to be an exciting few weeks from Minichamps!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Moto GP, Formula 1 |
9th
October
2009
WITs gave us some new announcements today of three new 1:12 replicas, and only two of them are motorbikes. There are two colours of the Kawasaki 750 z2, blue (WH004) and red (WH005). The third announcement is an interesting 1:12 engine replica, of the Kawasaki KZ1000 Mk II four-stroke engine to be precise (WH006).
The new announcements didn’t end there. Kyosho also revealed two colours of the popular Mini Cooper convertible, one in yellow (KY8749Y) and the other in blue (KY8749BL).
posted in Diecast, Other Cars |
