Leigh’s Diecast Diary

Today we received news that the 1:18 Jim Clark 1963 Lotus 25 (SPA18S038), which was due for a January release, has now been delayed until March.

In other news, Minichamps announced more than 15 new road car subjects. There was just one 1:18 model: the 1976 Citroen 2CV in green (PG111502).

Highlights in 1:43 include the 2009 BMW Z4 in red (P028131), the 2010 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in white with silver wheels (P069405), the 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RS in metallic blue (P069101), and the 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 in black (P069102).

Today, IXO gave us details of the replicas that are due to be released in February.

Obviously, there are a myriad of rallying subjects with highlights including a ‘dirty’ version of Sebastien Loeb’s DS3 WRC (RAM464A), and a Citroen DS3 WRC which comes with a French flag adorned with the number ‘8’ draped over the windscreen (RAM464B). Both are from the 2011 Rally GB.

Other replicas of interest include the 1:43 Ken Done BMW M3 Art Car (CLC232), and the 1:43 McLaren F1 GTR from the 1996 Spa 24 Hours (GTM084), which was driven by Thomas Bscher and John Nielsen. There is also the 1:43 #1 2009 Audi R15 from the Le Mans 24 Hours (LMM161) that was driven by Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish.

Click here to see everything due from IXO in February.

Today Mattel announced a very exciting 1:18 replica, which we have been campaigning to have replicated in that scale for a few years now.

It is none other than Stirling Moss’s winning Ferrari 250 SWB from the 1961 Goodwood Tourist Trophy (HW5489). We are also thrilled to be able to offer this very significant replica signed by Stirling Moss as well (HW5489S).

Other exciting news from Mattel today is that by the end of the month we are due to receive their 1:18 Ferrari FF in red (HW1105), and the 1:43 Jose Froilan Gonzalez 1951 Ferrari and Fernando Alonso 2011 Ferrari two car set (DC211405B2).

Today we received the full new release schedule from Minichamps. You can click here to see every Minichamps replica that is due to be released over the next four weeks.

Highlights include the 1:12 Ducati 750 SS (P120750) and the 1:18 Button 2011 McLaren showcar (DC21104P), which are both scheduled to be released in the week beginning 23rd January.

Today Minichamps confirmed what we will see from them next week, with their 1:18 Porsche 918 Spyder in grey metallic (PG060030) the definite highlight. Also due to be released is Hans-Joachim Stuck’s 1:18 Audi V8 from the 1992 DTM series (PG921044). We hope to receive a full Minichamps release schedule in the very near future.

For today’s last blog entry of the year we received a new delivery from Minichamps and some Mattel samples.

The Minichamps delivery contained their first 1:43 2011 F1 race cars: namely Nick Heidfeld’s Renault R31 (DC211409) and Kamui Kobayashi’s Sauber C30 (DC211416). You can click here to see all of Minichamps’ latest new releases.

Mattel sent us samples of their 1:18 Ferrari FF in blue (HW1118) and their 1:43 Ferrari FF in red (HW1187). Hopefully this means that we will see them released pretty early in 2012.

All that remains is for me to wish all Diecast Legends customers and Leighs Diary readers and forum users a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May everything under your tree be 1:18, 1:12 or 1:43!

Today, Amalgam released the 1:4 2011 Red Bull RB7 steering wheel (AML1123). This, of course, is the steering wheel used by this year’s world champion, Sebastian Vettel.

We also received some release dates for Minichamps’ forthcoming 2011 Formula One replicas.

On the 28th of December we should see the 1:43 Kamui Kobayashi 2011 Sauber C30 (DC211416), as well as the 1:43 2011 Lotus Renault R31s of Nick Heidfeld (DC211409) and Vitaly Petrov (DC211410).

A week after that on the third of January, we will be receiving the 1:43 Sebastian Vettel 2011 Red Bull RB7 (DC211401).

Today, we received several new replicas from AUTOart.

The highlight of the December shipment has to be the 1:18 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1 (AA70196); it looks gorgeous!

Other replicas of note include the 1:18 Jaguar XJS cabriolet in red (AA73572) and white (AA73571), as well as the 1:18 Jaguar XJS coupé in black (AA73577); the 1:18 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 in yellow (AA74621), and the 1:18 Signature Collection Willys Jeep (AA74006).

There was also an announcement from CMC today: they are now going to be producing a bespoke 1:18 Ferrari transporter display case (CMC084C).

In other news, Spark’s 1:18 1963 Jim Clark Lotus 25 (SPA18S038) replica, which was originally due in just before Christmas on the 23rd of December, has been delayed, and is now scheduled to be released in the middle of January.

Today, we received new releases from Minichamps and Paragon.

The highlight of our Minichamps delivery today was the long awaited 1:18 2010 Jenson Button McLaren MP4/26 (DC21001). We also received the 1:43 2011 Jenson Button McLaren showcar (DC211404P). Also worthy of note is a 1:43 replica of Jacques Laffite’s 1979 Brazilian Grand Prix winning Ligier JS11 (P790126).

New diecast brand company Paragon released their first ever subject today, in the form of the 1:18 1968 Rolls Royce Mulliner Park Ward Coupé in silver (PA98201).

In other news, Minichamps revealed that their 1:12 Valentino Rossi 1997 Brno figure (P970246) will be arriving next week!

Today we received the Mark Webber signed Minichamps 1:18 2010 Red Bull RB6 (DC21006S). It is a limited edition of just 250 pieces worldwide.

We also received the latest Minichamps release schedule, which at seven weeks must be some sort of record! That takes us up to the end of the year.

The first week of the schedule (week beginning 14th November) sees the release of Carlos Reutemann’s 1:43 1979 Lotus 79 from the Italian Grand Prix (P790102), while the following week sees the release of Ayrton Senna’s 1:18 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix winning McLaren MP4/8 (AS190B), and the 1:12 Valentino Rossi 2009 Estoril figure (PO90146).

In the week beginning 28th November Lewis Hamilton’s 1:43 2011 McLaren showcar (DC211403P) will be released, followed a week later by Jenson Button’s 1:43 2011 McLaren showcar (DC211404P), when we will also receive the 1:12 Valentino Rossi 2010 Ducati Valencia test bike (PO110876).

The week after that sees the release of the 1:18 Jenson Button 2010 McLaren MP4/25 (DC21001), while the week before Christmas (week beginning 19th December) sees more McLaren action in the form of the 1:18 Lewis Hamilton 2010 McLaren MP4/25 (DC21002) and the 1:43 Jenson Button 2010 Australian Grand Prix winning McLaren MP4/25 (DC210401A).

The final week of the schedule, which is after Christmas, we will see Valentino Rossi’s 1:12 2010 Yamaha YZR-M1 (PO103046). You can click here to see the release schedule in its entirety.