Leigh’s Diecast Diary

The big news today was that we received one of the most popular models in the history of Diecast Legends!

It was, of course, the 1:43 Lewis Hamilton ‘First Podium’ special, of his McLaren MP4/22 from the 2007 Australian Grand Prix (DC27402A). It is a limited edition of 9,999 pieces worldwide. And, while that may not seem like the lowest limited edition of all time, it is already an instant sell-out with the UK importer, and we will probably have to remove it from our website by the end of tomorrow.

We also received several pre-production sample images from Mattel. The first two are from the 1:43 ‘Ferrari 200 Wins’ collection. They are Niki Lauda’s 1974 312 B3 (win number 50, HW5601B), and Alain Prost’s 1990 F641 (win number 100, HW5602B).

Then in 1:18, there were the Dino 246 GT (HW2044), the Coca Cola F430 Challenge (HW2069), and the Super Elite Mondial (HW7119) and Batmobile (HW7131).

We weren’t expecting some of these cars in time for Christmas, so the fact that we have already seen pre-production samples now may mean that some will make it in time for this year. We’ll see!

Maisto released a new replica today too, although it’s fair to say that it was overshadowed by the new Hamilton release! Maisto’s 1:18 replica is of the 2008 Hummer HX concept car (R36171).

The last diecast news today is that we are now accepting pre-orders for a 1:12 motorbike from a new diecast manufacturer. That is to say, new to the UK, not new to the diecast industry! It is a Japanese company called WIT’S, who seem keen (and able) to take on Minichamps in the world of high quality bike replicas. Their first subject that we will be importing is the Kawasaki Z1000 Mk.II (WH001), and we expect to see it released towards the end of the year.

Finally today, just to say that there will not be a diary entry tomorrow (unless something exciting happens during my absence, which, let’s face it, is often the case!), as I’m off to Valencia for the European Grand Prix. Normal service will be resumed on Tuesday after the Bank Holiday.  

Today we received the new Minichamps delivery. It included two new subjects in the ever more popular 1:43 White Line collection; the Porsche 911 Carrera (P063021), and the Bentley Continental GTC (P139031). There was also the 1:18 Mercedes 300SL Roadster (PG039030), and Takuma Sato’s 1:43 2002 Jordan EJ12 testcar (P024399).

Meanwhile, we finally received the signed Freddie Spencer 1:12 1985 Honda NSR 500 (P850004S). There had been a delay getting the panels through customs, but now the signed bikes are on our shelves!

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

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

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 42 [4:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 42 [4:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

1/18 Ford Focus WRC Rally Of Sweden 2007 #3 M. Gronholm - Sun Star
1/18 Ford Focus WRC Rally Of Norway 2007 #4 M. Hirvonen - Sun Star
1/18 Ford Focus WRC Monte Carlo Rally 2007 #10 H. Solberg - Sun Star
1/18 Ford Focus WRC Monte Carlo Rally 2007 #16 M. Wilson - Sun Star
1/24 Signed Routemaster Bus Winston Briscoe - Sun Star
1/18 Bentley Continental GT 2008 Red - Minichamps
1/8 AGV Rossi Helmet - Pre Season 2007 - Minichamps
1/43 McLaren MP4/5 Honda Raceday 2002 #2 T. Sato - Minichamps (SOLD OUT)
1/43 March 792 Euro F2 1979 #7 D. Daly - Minichamps
1/43 Mercedes CLS White Line - Minichamps
1/43 McLaren Mercedes SLR White Line - Minichamps
1/43 Sauber Mercedes C8 Le Mans 1986 #61 J. Nielsen/M. Thackwell - Spark
1/43 TVR Cerbera Speed 12 2005 Red - Spark
1/43 Lotus 19 1st Karskoga 1960 #1 S. Moss - Spark
1/43 Jaguar XJR14 Le Mans 1991 #4 - Spark
1/43 Porsche 356 Speedster Le Mans 1957 #36 M. Slotine/ R. Bourel - Spark (SOLD OUT)
1/43 Jaguar XJR8 Le Mans 1987 #5 J.Watson/J.Lammers/W.Percy - Spark
1/43 Ferrari 250 GTO 2nd Le Mans 1962 #20 - Red Line
1/43 Ford Capri 2600RS Two Car Set - Nurburgring 6Hr 1971 - Trofeu
1/43 Lotus 18 Dutch Grand Prix 1960 #6 J. Clark - SMTS
1/43 Lotus 18 1st Monaco Grand Prix 1961 #20 S. Moss - SMTS
1/18 Ferrari 125S Piacenza 1947 #56 - Mattel Elite

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 forty-first Leigh’s Diary Vidcast, reviewing all the new diecast replicas that were released last week. As we managed to upload and finish it all early this week, we thought we would treat you by showing it a couple of days earlier!

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

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 41 [5:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 41 [5:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

1/12 Honda NSR500 Test Bike 2000 V. Rossi - Minichamps
1/8 AGV Rossi Helmet - Mugello 2007 - Minichamps
1/12 Yamaha YZR500 1979 #1 K. Roberts - Minichamps
1/12 Signed Ducati 999 F06 2006 #21 T. Bayliss - Minichamps
1/43 Williams FW14 1991 #5 N. Mansell - Minichamps
1/43 Super Aguri SA07 2007 #22 T. Sato - Minichamps
1/43 Super Aguri SA07 2007 #23 A. Davidson - Minichamps
1/43 BMW Showcar 2008 N. Heidfeld - Minichamps
1/43 BMW Showcar 2008 R. Kubica - Minichamps (SOLD OUT)
1/43 Jaguar XJR15 1990 Orange - Spark
1/43 TVR Grantura Mk 3 1962 Red - Spark
1/43 Porsche 911s 2nd Monte Carlo Rally 1972 #4 - Spark
1/43 Ferrari 250 GTO 2nd Le Mans 1963 #22 J. Blaton/G. Van Ophem - Red Line
1/18 Ferrari F430 1st Silverstone Challenge 2007 #28 B. Senna - Mattel Elite
1/18 Ferrari F2002 1st French Grand Prix 2002 #1 M. Schumacher - Mattel Elite
1/18 Lamborghini Gallardo Cesam Black - Norev
1/18 Volkswagen Golf GTi 2004 Black - Norev
1/18 Porsche 911 GT2 2007 Red - Norev
1/50 Renault Magnum AE500 Cabin Red - Universal Hobbies
1/50 Renault Magnum Curtainsider Haig - Universal Hobbies
1/18 Ferrari 512BB 1976 Red - Kyosho

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.

The Minichamps delivery had arrived while I was away at the dramatic Hungarian Grand Prix, headlined by two new Valentino Rossi releases; his 1:12 2000 Honda NSR 500 testbike (PO06186), and the delayed 1:8 helmet from Mugello 2007 (PO70876).

There were also several 1:43 Formula One subjects; Nigel Mansell’s 1991 Williams FW14 (P910005), the 2007 Super Aguri SA07s of Takuma Sato (DC27422) and Anthony Davidson (DC27423), and the 2008 BMW showcars of Nick Heidfeld (DC28403P) and Robert Kubica (DC28404P). The Kubica version was already sold out to pre-orders before it arrived however.

There’s also some Mattel news today. We received Bruno Senna’s 1:18 car from his guest appearance in the Silverstone round of the Ferrari F430 Challenge in 2007 (HW2068), and were also given some sample images of some forthcoming 1:18 subjects.

These were the Ferrari F2008s of Kimi Raikkonen (DC2801) and Felipe Massa (DC2802), and the new Ferrari road car, the California (HW2042). Hopefully this means that we will see them in the next couple of months.

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

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

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 40 [4:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 40 [4:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

1/18 Signed Aston Martin DBR9 1st GT1 Le Mans 2007 #009 D.Brabham/D.Turner/R.Rydell - AUTOart
1/12 Lotus 97T - 1st Portuguese Grand Prix 1985 #12 A.Senna - Minichamps
1/18 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Le Mans 2006 #80 J.Van Overbeek/P.Long/S.Neiman - Minichamps
1/43 Williams FW14 1991 #6 R. Patrese - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Capri Turbo DRM 1982 #1 K. Ludwig - Minichamps
1/43 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 1st GT Le Mans 1975 #58 J.Fitzpatrick/G.Van Lennep/M.Schurti - Minichamps
1/43 Jaguar XK Coupe 2005 White Line
1/43 Aston Martin Vantage 1978 Oscar India - Spark
1/43 Ferrari 312PB 1st Daytona 24hr 1972 #2 M. Andretti/J. Ickx - Red Line
1/43 Ferrari Millchili Concept 2005 - Red Line
1/43 Ferrari Fiorano Concept 2005 - Red Line
1/18 Opel Manta 400 1985 - Revell
1/18 Mini Cooper S JCW Challenge 2007 Green - Kyosho
1/12 Honda RC30 - Universal Hobbies

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.

Today there’s some Revell news. They’re a manufacturer I don’t mention much, as they don’t do that many 1:18 replicas, but when they do release one it tends to be a very popular subject. As is the case with their latest replica which we received today, the Opel Manta 400 rally car (RV8916).

They also announced a new 1:18 subject in two colourways, the sporty looking Artega GT. It will be available in silver (RV9024) and blue (RV9025).

Amalgam also announced two of their imposing 1:8 replicas of the forthcoming Ferrari California. It will be available with the roof up (AML844), and the roof down (AML845).

Mattel sent us a sample of their Elite 1:18 replica of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2002 from the 2002 French Grand Prix, the race in which he won his fifth world championship (HW2076), so hopefully it won’t be long before we see that released.

Finally today, probably the biggest news was that Minichamps announced the cars that it would be replicating from the new James Bond film ‘Quantum Of Solace’, in 1:43 scale.

There will be 007’s trusty Aston Martin DBS of course (P137622), and a black Alfa Romeo 159, which I believe will be the baddies’ car (P120500B). The last car is the new Ford Ka (P120500C), which I’m not sure how big a part it has in the film. It may be a bit of product placement, like with the Ford Mondeo in ‘Casino Royale’. There will also be a limited edition two car set of the DBS and the 159 (P121300).

There won’t be an entry tomorrow or on Monday, as I continue my summer of Raikkonen jinxing with a visit to the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Today we received new deliveries from Minichamps and from Spark.

On the Minichamps delivery were the 1:18 Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR from Le Mans 2006 (PG066480), Riccardo Patrese’s 1:43 1991 Williams FW14 (P910006), and Klaus Ludwig’s 1:43 1982 DRM Ford Capri (P828501).

Spark released the 1:43 1978 Aston Martin V8 (SPK576), and, through its luxury Red Line brand, the winning 1972 Daytona Ferrari 312 PB (RL124). Two other Red Line releases were the two Ferrari concept cars, the Fiorano (RL144), and the Millechili (RL145).

Today we received the new Minichamps release schedule, which actually encompasses a full six weeks, so it takes us up to the middle of September. If memory serves me right, Minichamps then closes for about two weeks at the end of September for its annual stock take, so there will be no new releases then.

Next week the biggie (literally) will be the 1:6 Kawasaki 900 Z1 (PG164100). Another very significant release will be Valentino Rossi’s 1:12 2000 Honda NSR 500 testbike (PO06186), and his 1:8 helmet from pre-season testing in 2007 (PO79046).

From Formula One, there will be Nigel Mansell’s 1:43 1991 Williams FW14 (P910005), and Anthony Davidson’s 1:43 2007 Super Aguri SA07 (DC27423).

The following week we will see the 1:18 Bentley Continental GT in red (PG139620), and the re-release of Rossi’s 1:12 2005 Yamaha YZR-M1 (PO53046).

The week after that (beginning 18th August) we will see the 1:18 Mercedes 300SL Roadster in silver (PG039030), and Takuma Sato’s 1:43 2002 Jordan EJ11 testcar (P024399).

Seven days later will see the release of Roberto Moreno’s 1:18 1991 Benetton B191 (PG910019), and, much more importantly, Lewis Hamilton’s 1:43 ‘First Podium’ special of his McLaren MP4/22 from the 2007 Australian Grand Prix (DC27402A).

The big release on the penultimate week of the schedule is Kenny Roberts’ 1979 Yamaha YZR 500 (P793001), as well as Mika Hakkinen’s 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup guest car (P936033).

Finally, the last week of the schedule sees the next 1:12 Rossi figure, and the first for an Aprilia, the 1997 riding version (P970146), and Martin Brundle’s 1:18 1992 Benetton B191B (PG920120).

It’s going to be a busy end to the summer!

The other big news today was that we at last received a final production sample of Universal Hobbies’ 1:12 Honda RC30 (UH88030), complete in its ‘proper’ packaging! We’ve been waiting four years now to see its release, and expect to receive the shipment in September, so the hundreds of you who have pre-ordered it don’t have much longer to wait now!

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

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

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 39 [4:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Leighs Diary Podcast Episode 39 [4:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

1/18 Bugatti Veyron 2005 Red/Black - AUTOart
1/18 Honda NSX JGTC 2004 #18 - AUTOart
1/18 Honda NSX JGTC 2004 #32 - AUTOart
1/18 Porsche RS Spyder Carbon Fibre 2007 - AUTOart
1/18 Porsche RS Spyder ALMS 2007 #6 S.Maassen/R.Briscoe - AUTOart
1/18 Mercedes G55 AMG 2005 Silver - AUTOart
1/18 Mercedes G55 AMG 2005 Black - AUTOart
1/12 Rossi Sitting Figure 2006 - Minichamps
1/12 Rossi Standing Figure Sachsenring 2006 - Minichamps
1/8 AGV Rossi Helmet 125CCM 1997 - Minichamps
1/12 Yamaha YZRM1 2007 #5 C. Edwards - Minichamps
1/43 Bentley State Limousine 2002 - Minichamps
1/43 Porsche 935 Le Mans 1976 #40 R. Stommelen/M.Schurti - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Cortina Mk1 Monte Carlo Rally 1963 #129 Taylor - Minichamps
1/43 Ford Transit Super 3 Royal Mail Van - Spark
1/43 Gemballa GT750 2007 Black - Spark
1/43 Ferrari F2007 Constructors Presentation 2007 - Mattel
1/43 Ferrari 126C2 1982 #27 G. Villeneuve - Mattel Elite
1/43 Ferrari 250 TR 1958 Red - Mattel Elite
1/43 Ferrari FXX 2006 #30 M. Schumacher - Mattel Elite

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.