Leigh’s Diecast Diary

Like yesterday, today’s news is all about Minichamps as well!

They started the day with four brand new 2009 Formula One announcements, the first two being replicas of Jenson Button’s Brawn BGP001 from the Brazilian Grand Prix, in 1:18 (DC2922SP) and 1:43 (DC29422SP). Brazil, of course, is the race where he won this year’s world championship.

The third new announcement was the first Formula One pit stop diorama that we have seen in a few years, which is another one for your 2009 Jenson Button collection (DC29422PS)!

Finally, there is a 1:43 replica for Kamui Kobayashi’s Toyota TF109 (DC29410K) from the end of the season.

We also had another cancellation from Minichamps. The replica to get the chop today was their David Coulthard First Win special from the 1995 Portuguese Grand Prix (P950206).

And on top of all that, we also had Minichamps’ release schedule for the rest of the year!

It is heavily dominated by Formula One replicas. In the week beginning 30th November we will see the 1:43 2009 Toro Rosso showcars of Sebastien Bourdais (DC29411P) and Sebastien Buemi (DC29412P), as well as the first release in the 1:43 Ayrton Senna ‘15th anniversary’ collection which we still haven’t been told too much about, which is his 1987 Lotus 99T (AS874312). 

The following week we are down to receive Mark Webber’s 1:43 2009 Red Bull RB5 (DC29414), and the next 1:12 classic bike, the Yamaha Vmax (P163700).

Then the week beginning 14th December we will see Timo Glock’s 1:43 2009 Toyota TF109 (DC29410).

In the last week of the schedule (week beginning 21st December), just in time for Christmas, we will see the two 1:18 2009 BMW F1.09s of Robert Kubica (DC2905) and Nick Heidfeld (DC2906), and Lewis Hamilton’s 1:43 2008 McLaren MP4/23 from the Brazilian Grand Prix (DC28422B). We will also receive the 1:12 Kawasaki Mach III (P164700).

Conspicuous by their absence from the schedule are Valentino Rossi’s 2008 1:12 Yamaha (PO83046) and the 2009 1:43 Jenson Button Brawn BGP001s from Australia (DC29422A) and Britain (DC29422), but I am hoping that these will be added to the weekly release schedules as the end of 2009 approaches!

Today sees the launch of a new website from GPL towers, The Really Useful Gift Company. It was created in order to provide gifts and presents to people that are both useful and be something you too would be happy to receive. There is currently free UK delivery when you spend over £50. Once you have caught up on all the diecast news give the link a click and make Christmas shopping that little bit easier this year. The Really Useful Gift Company.

After all the excitement of the last few days, everyone seemed to be having a bit of a breather today in the diecast industry! We did receive restocks of Minichamps’ 1:43 Sebastian Vettel 2009 Red Bull RB5 (DC29415) though, so that is available straight from stock again, but at the rate it’s going I’m not sure how much longer it is going to be available.

Welcome to the eighty first Leigh’s Diary Vidcast, the first episode filmed in a brand new studio located in a multi-million-dollar complex in Los Angeles. As much as the webcasts have grown in recent months, Leigh is still all about the diecast…and maybe some Red Bull gear on the side. In the brand-new studio this week, we are brought new releases from AUTOart, Minichamps, Spark and Shelby Collectibles. There’s also an exclusive look at CMC’s Audi 225 Roadster, built to commemorate Audi’s 100th anniversary.

Keep the comments rolling in. You’ll need quicktime installed to view the video on this post.

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 81 [6:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (370)

You can also view this podcast on youtube by clicking here

The replicas featured on this weeks podcast are;

1/18 Mercedes C Class DTM 2007 #1 B. Schneider - AUTOart
1/18 Mercedes C Class DTM 2008 #3 B. Spengler - AUTOart
1/18 Mercedes C Class DTM 2007 #6 M. Hakkinen - AUTOart
1/18 BMW Z4 Coupe ADAC Cup 2006 #676 - AUTOart
1/18 Lamborghini Espada Gold - AUTOart
1/12 Suzuki Katana - AUTOart
1/43 McLaren MP4/4 1988 #12 A. Senna - Minichamps
1/43 BMW M3 GTS Nurburgring 24hr 2008 #10 - Minichamps
1/18 McLaren MP4/5 1989 #1 A. Senna - Minichamps
1/43 Ford GT 2006 Orange/Blue - Minichamps
1/43 Mercedes 220S 1956 White/Grey - Minichamps
1/43 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet 2007 Black - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Mondeo 2007 Dark Blue - Minichamps
1/18 Audi R10 1st Le Mans 2008 #2 - Spark
1/43 Sunbeam Speed Record Car 1927 - Bizarre
1/18 Porsche 935 K3 Le Mans 1980 #42 - Truescale Miniatures
1/18 Aston Martin DBR1 1st Le Mans 1959 #5 - Shelby Collectibles
1/18 Audi 225 Roadster 1935 Red/White - CMC

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.

Welcome to the seventy ninth Leigh’s Diary Vidcast. This week, Sir Leigh Hobden is looking for a diecast apprentice. With three promising candidates competing for the top job, Sir Leigh has given them the task to present the latest diecast releases, and model the new range of Brawn GP clothing. But who will he hire, and who will he fire? Sir Leigh’s hunt for his apprentice begins…..

Keep the comments rolling in. You’ll need quicktime installed to view the video on this post.

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 79 [8:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You can also view this podcast on youtube by clicking here

The replicas featured on this weeks podcast are;

1/43 Subaru Triple Car Set McRae/Burns/Solberg  - IXO
1/43 Subaru Impreza WRC Twin Car Set 2008 #5 P. Solberg #6 C. Atkinson - IXO
1/43 Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 #5 P. Solberg - IXO
1/43 Ford Focus WRC 1st Rally Of Turkey 2008 M Hirvonen - IXO
1/43 Ford Focus WRC Twin Car Set 2008 Hirvonen & Latvala - IXO
1/43 Ford WRC Triple Car Set Vatanen Delecour Gronholm - IXO
1/43 Seat Leon WTCC 2008 #12 Y. Muller - IXO
1/43 Seat Leon WTCC 2008 #11 G. Tarquini - IXO
1/43 Seat Leon WTCC 2008 #10 R. Rydell - IXO
1/43 Seat Leon WTCC 2008 #18 T. Monteiro - IXO
1/43 Seat Leon WTCC 2008 #9 J. Gene - IXO
1/43 Audi R10 1st Le Mans 2008 #2 - IXO
1/43 Aston Martin DBR9 Le Mans 2008 #53 - IXO
1/43 Citroen C4 WRC Hymotion Presentation 2008 #1 S. Loeb - IXO
1/43 Subaru Impreza WRC Tour de Corse 2008 #5 P. Solberg - IXO
1/43 Ford Focus WRC Monte Carlo Rally 2008 #8 F. Duval - IXO
1/43 Ford Focus RS07 Monte Carlo Rally 2008 #14 H. Solberg  - IXO
1/43 Lotus 25 F1 World Champion 1963 #8 J.Clark - Spark
1/43 Lola T260 1st St. Jovie 1971 #1 J. Stewart - Spark
1/43 Epsilon Judd Le Mans 2008 #21 - Spark
1/43 Mini Sprint 1969 Metallic Green - Spark
1/43 Triumph GT6 MkI 1967 Green - Spark
1/43 RUF CTR3 2007 Matt Black - Spark
1/43 VW 1200 Beetle 1983 ‘Pest Control’ - Minichamps
1/12 Yamaha YZR-M1 Assen 2007 #5 C. Edwards - Minichamps
1/43 Porsche RS Spyder Le Mans 2008 #34 - Minichamps
1/43 Porsche Cayman S Highway Patrol - Minichamps
1/43 Porsche Boxster S Highway Patrol - Minichamps
1/18 Peugeot 908 HDI FAP 2nd Le Mans 2008 #7 - Minichamps
1/12 Honda RC212V 2007 C. Checa - Minichamps
1/12 Honda RC212V 2007 D. Pedrosa - Minichamps
1/12 Honda RC212V 2007 N. Hayden - Minichamps
1/18 Porsche 911 Carrera 1983 Black - Minichamps
1/43 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24 Nurburgring 24hr 2008 #7 - Minichamps
1/43 BMW M3 GTS Nurburgring 24hr 2008 #10 - Minichamps
1/43 Porsche RS Spyder 1st Sebring 12hr 2008 #7 - Minichamps
1/43 Brabham BT44 1974 C. Reutemann - Minichamps
1/43 BMW 3 Series Touring Red - Minichamps
1/43 Dodge Charger HT Coupe 1968 White - Minichamps
1/43 Ford GT 2006 Light Blue - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Ka 2009 Black - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Mondeo 2007 Blue - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Mondeo Turnier 2007 Red - Minichamps
1/43 Mercedes 220S White/Dark Grey - Minichamps
1/43 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet 2007 Black - 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.

Welcome to the sixty ninth Leigh’s Diary Vidcast. We see the arrival of the stunning Bugatti Royale, there’s a world-first this week with Fernando Alonso’s 2008 Renault (the first 1:18 replica with a shark-fin), and Leigh becomes a fashion model. New releases are from Bauer, Minichamps, Norev, SMTS and Spark. Keep the comments rolling in. You’ll need quicktime installed to view the video on this post.

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 69 [5:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You can also view this podcast on youtube by clicking here

The replicas featured on this weeks podcast are;

1/18 Bugatti Royale Coupe De Ville 1937 - Bauer
1/12 Yamaha YZR-M1 Australian MotoGP 2007 #5 C. Edwards - Minichamps
1/43 Mercedes 300 SLR Le Mans 1955 #19 Moss/Fangio - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Escort MkII RS1800 1st RAC Rally 1975 #1 T. Makinen - Minichamps
1/43 Volvo 740 1986 Metallic Red - Minichamps
1/43 Courage LC70 Le Mans 2008 #24 Terada/Katoh/Takahashi - Spark
1/43 Chevrolet Corvette C6R Le Mans 2008 #73 Blanchemain/Pasquali/Goueslard - Spark
1/43 Pescarolo P01 Le Mans 2008 #4 Nicolet/Faggionato/Hein - Spark
1/43 Aston Martin DBR9 Le Mans 2008 #59 Borcheller/Fittipaldi/Menten - Spark
1/43 Lotus 34 Indianapolis 500 1964 #6 J. Clark - SMTS
1/43 Brabham BT49C 1981 #5 N. Piquet - SMTS
1/18 Renault R28 2008 #5 F. Alonso - Norev
1/18 Porsche RS Spyder Le Mans 2008 #31 Nielsen/Elgaard - Norev
1/18 Fiat 500 Sport 2007 Red - Norev
1/18 Renault Alpine A310 Police Car 1981 - Norev
1/18 Peugeot 402 Eclipse 1937 Marine Blue - Norev
1/18 Simca 1000 LS 1974 White - Norev

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.

We received the new Minichamps delivery today.

The new 1:18 releases were the Bentley Azure in blue (PG139501) and Kinnunen’s 1973 Porsche 917/10 (PG736101).

In 1:43 there was Rubens Barrichello’s 1:43 2008 Honda RA108 from the Turkish GP (DC28417T), Bruno Giacomelli’s 1978 British GP McLaren M26 (P784333), and Timo Scheider’s 2008 DTM Audi (P081810), the latter being sold out to pre-orders.

We also had the next 1:8 Rossi helmet, from Phillip Island 2007 (PO70896), and after fulfilling all our pre-orders, have less than a dozen spare for stock. That won’t last long.

Shelby Collectibles announced an exciting new 1:18 replica today, in the form of the 1959 Le Mans winning Aston Martin DBR1 of Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori (DC559). We won’t see it until later in the year but it is bound to be a big seller.

Finally, Spark announced a trio of Peugeot 205 T16s from the 1985 World Rally championship. They are all from Monte Carlo, and are of event winner Ari Vatanen (SPK1267), that year’s champion Timo Salonen (SPK1268), and Bruno Saby (SPK1269).

The London Toy Fair starts tomorrow, but for the first time since the dawn of time itself, we won’t be going. Why? Because none of the diecast importers are going this year. I’m devastated that my Minichamps London Toy Fair collection has come to an end!

The new lifestyle catalogue from Grand Prix Legends’ leisure arm LegendsInc is now available.

Most of our customers will know us for our motorsport merchandise and our diecast products, but much as we love everything with wheels and engines we’ve long felt a need to spread our wings.

And so, last year, we set out to create a catalogue of cool street clothing and branded it LegendsInc . We’ve sought out the kinds of brands we ourselves like to wear.

But often these ranges are still connected, in some way, with our heritage; that is to say with racing, engines, bikes and so on.

Fox, for example, still makes protective clothing and is heavily involved in motocross.

Lambretta may not make scooters any more but in the fifties and sixties, it was the marque to own ­ the real thing.

Alpha Industries is a maker for the military but, in truth, our love of planes isn’t far behind our love of cars and bikes.

Dainese speaks for itself. The coolest bike gear around and the coolest casual clothing too.

Oakley is another brand that’s heavily into car racing, particularly in the US. They’re also pretty active in two wheels, both bikes with motors and bikes without.

Okay, so Canterbury has nothing to do with cars, wheels or engines. But they do make sportswear to die for.

Schott is another military name but, historically, they have made some of the most famous biker jackets of all time; jackets like the Brando Perfecto and the Easy Rider jacket.

Onfire very much comes out of bike racing, although these days, they’re quite into the game with an oval ball too. It’s great gear at amazing prices.

Which just leaves Danger Rocks!; a brand that encompasses everything we love. Cars, bikes, planes, bicycles ­ it’s all about the adrenalin. And there’s no range of clothing out there that embodies the spirit of action, adventure and excitement better than Danger Rocks!

Anyway, we hope you like the collection we’ve put together. If you would like a legendsinc catalogue drop us a line on 08704603456.

Diecast news from Leigh later.

We received Minichamps’ new delivery today, and can now finally supply straight from stock their 1:12 replica of the Lawrence of Arabia Brough Superior (P135500). We had pre-sold so many that it’s taken three deliveries just to clear all of our existing orders, but now we finally have some available straight off the shelf! That was the last delivery we will ever get of them however, so once they sell out, that’s it.

For new releases, there were Mark Webber’s 1:43 2007 Red Bull RB3 (DC27415) and the 1:43 1993 Volkswagen Golf cabriolet in dark blue (P055530). From Spark, we now also have Alex Zanardi’s 1:43 2007 WTCC BMW 320 Si (SPK406).

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