Leigh’s Diecast Diary

Today we launched our biggest diecast sale in quite some time! We’ve reduced the prices on over 300 replicas, up to 50% off in some cases, so there’s some real bargains to be had!

You can click here to see our 1:18 diecast sale replicas, here to see our 1:43 diecast sale replicas, and here to see our 1:12 diecast sale replicas.

Today we arranged signing dates for two of our most popular signed motorbike replicas of the year! Kevin Schwantz will be signing the Minichamps replica of his 1993 500cc championship winning Suzuki RGV 500 (P932034S) for us at the Misano Moto GP on Sunday 5th September. Thatís only two days after the model gets released, which will surely be a record for getting a model signed after its release! Then, just a few days later, Jorge Lorenzo will be signing the Minichamps replica of his 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 for us (PO93048S). We hope to receive this by Friday 10th September.

Today I have another diecast warning for you! We currently have only eight examples left of the Minichamps 1:12 Jorge Lorenzo 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 (PO93048), and then it is sold out. That’s probably got something to do with us keeping several of our Minichamps 2009 Jorge Lorenzo Yamahas back for our signing with him later in the year (PO93048S)! We still have some of these available to pre-order, by the way, but these are also selling fast.

SMTS announced their next four 1:43 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight cars today, complete with sample model images already. You can click here to see all the info. Once all 13 Lightweights have been released they are going to make a stunning collection!

Today’s diary entry starts with a warning! At the time of writing we only have 12 pieces left of Norev’s 1:18 Ford Capri (NV182712). At the rate we’re getting through them that will not be enough to last us until the Bank Holiday. If you’re thinking of getting one, act quickly!

We do know that there will be a second colourway of Norev’s 1:18 Ford Capri, however (NV182712B). We don’t know what colour it’s going to be yet, but if you like your Capris no matter what colour they are, and want to get your name down for one early, then please feel free to pre-order it!

Other news today is that we can now offer Minichamps’ 1:18 replica of Mark Webber’s 2010 Red Bull RB6 signed by the man himself (DC21006S). The 2010 Formula One World Champion, perhaps?

Today we received CMC’s latest stunning 1:18 replica; the 1955 Uhlenhaut Mercedes 300 SLR (CMC076). Our first delivery has been completely consumed by our pre-orders, but we hope to receive restocks in about four weeks.

We also received the TrueScale Miniatures 1:18 1979 Le Mans winning Porsche 935 K3 of the Whittington brothers and Klaus Ludwig (TSM10182).

It’s not often you see two highly detailed replicas like those get released in one day!

Today we received the week’s new Minichamps delivery, which included a part shipment of the 1:12 Valentino Rossi 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 (PO93046). This was nowhere near enough to cover all of our pre-orders so, as ever in this situation, we have despatched them to our customers giving priority to our earliest pre-orders first. We expect the balance of this model to arrive in October or November.

Also new on the delivery was Jorge Lorenzo’s 1:12 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 (PO93048). We are also offering this replica signed by Jorge Lorenzo (PO93048S), and as soon as he has a gap in his Moto GP schedule we will plug it with a signing!

Staying with a Moto GP theme, we also received the latest 1:8 Valentino Rossi helmet, which is from Assen 2007 (PO70866).

Our busy week was completed today by a new Kyosho delivery and some Minichamps samples of models that are going to be released soon.

Highlights on the Kyosho delivery were the beautiful blue and white 1:18 1980s Fiat 131s. We have received Walter Rohrl’s 1980 Monte Carlo Rally winning Fiat 131 (KY8373A), and Markku Alen’s 1981 Portugal Rally winning Fiat 131 (KY8373B). You can click here to see all of Kyosho’s latest releases.

The Minichamps samples include Casey Stoner’s 1:12 2009 Ducati Desmosedici (PO90027), Kevin Schwantz’s 1:12 1993 Suzuki RGV 500 (P932034), the ‘15th anniversary’ 1:43 Ayrton Senna 1985 Lotus 97T, which is #30 in the Ayrton Senna Racing Car Collection (AS854312), and the ‘15th anniversary’ 1:43 Ayrton Senna 1992 McLaren MP4/7, which is #33 in the Ayrton Senna Racing Car Collection (AS924301).

Today we received a very exciting new replica into stock; the 1:18 Mercedes dealer edition Mercedes SLR Moss in silver (PG038400B)! It comes presented in special packaging and has been manufactured by Minichamps.

These days the most desirable colourways of a roadgoing replica tend to be exclusive to the respective car manufacturers’ ‘dealer’ outlets, and the same is true of this model, but we have been able to obtain this special car in its most recognisable colour; silver. As you can see from the photos, it looks absolutely stunning. It doesn’t get much more exclusive than this!

Today we received the new Minichamps delivery for the week, and, very excitingly, samples of the Minichamps Button Brazil specials! You can click here to see the Minichamps 1:18 Jenson Button 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix Brawn (DC2922SP) and you can click here to see the Minichamps 1:43 Jenson Button Brazilian Grand Prix Brawn (DC29422SP).

In terms of new Minichamps releases, the highlight was the latest 1:8 Valentino Rossi helmet, which is from Laguna Seca 2005 (PO50896). Also released were the latest two 1:43 2008 Williams FW30 pre-season test cars of Nico Rosberg (DC28407T3) and Kazuki Nakajima (DC28408T2), the 1:43 Rolls Royce Drophead cabriolet in brown and silver (P134732), and the 1:43 #40 Ford GT from the 2009 Nurburgring 24 Hours (P098440).

Today I have so much diecast news I’m not sure where to start!

First off, we are delighted that Ben Spies has agreed to sign Minichamps’ 1:12 replica of his 2010 Yamaha YZR-M1 exclusively for us (PO103011S). This, of course, is his first ‘full-time’ Moto GP bike. Once he takes Valentino’s seat next year, as everyone expects him to, and starts racing at the front consistently, this will be a signed replica to keep under lock and key!

We also received some interesting news today regarding Minichamps’ Jenson Button 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix Brawn specials. First off, they will NOT be part of the Minichamps World Champions Collection, as I thought they might be. We now know the limited editions in each scale as well. The 1:43 Jenson Button 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix Brawn (DC29422SP) will be a limited edition of 6,333 pieces, while the 1:18 Jenson Button 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix Brawn (DC2922SP) is limited to a mere 4,209. If you want either of these, particularly the 1:18 version, you’d better not wait for long!

We received the new IXO 1:43 delivery today too. Highlights include the latest 1:43 La Storia car, which is Rene Arnoux’s 1985 Ferrari 156 (IXSF24). We also received the first Kimi Raikkonen rally car replica, which is his Fiat Punto from the 2009 Rally Finland (RAM393). New endurance racing replicas on the delivery include the #008 Aston Martin LMP1 from the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours (LMM167), and Bruno Senna’s #10 Oreca AIM 01 from the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours (LMM170). You can click here to see IXO’s latest releases.

All in all, quite a day!