New Diecast Forum

I have had many requests from readers of my diary to have a forum so that discussion can be continued away from the comments on posts here. There has certainly been some heated discussion about Mattel, especially from Darren! So I had a word with our IT boys and here it is. Let me know your comments below.

You will need to sign up in order to post but you will only need to come up with a username, password and an email address. The email address will not be used for anything other than notifying you of replies to your posts.

Click here to go to The Diecast Forum 

 The Diecast Forum

I’ll see you there!!

21/11/07 We know there is a problem with the forum and we are looking into it. Regards

There are currently 59 responses to “New Diecast Forum”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On November 14th, 2007, peter cavellini said:

    As the song nearly goes - “so this is christmas” substitute “and what have we got”-not very much and no intimation of a Chrissy catologue! are there going to be some surprises or are the manufacturers going on holiday next week!.I like diecast but sometimes it really boils my radiator!

  2. 2 On November 16th, 2007, jXision said:

    Why does the forum only have so few topics, I suggest more topics like ‘Off-Topic’ so that people can chat other things as well!

  3. 3 On November 29th, 2007, kieran vernon said:

    hi. forum is good but needs to be more sections and me less specific on each section.

    for example, a section for general diecaast talk, annoucements, a section for minichamps, a section for hotwheels, a section for specials, then maybe a section for things off topic to those, liker talking about general talk

  4. 4 On December 3rd, 2007, peter cavellini said:

    Hi Leigh.
    got any surprises for us before Christmas!

  5. 5 On December 4th, 2007, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    Not really! As soon as I find out about anything I post it on the diary straight away, I don’t save up any ’surprises’.

  6. 6 On December 6th, 2007, Ken said:

    I collect 1:18 scale Ferrari’s (F1, sport and road cars) and have models by BBR, CMC, Exoto, Kyosho and Mattel. I think that Kyosho models detail for the price beats all the others in terms of value for money. The Elite range by Mattel, which are around the same price, are disappointing with cheap looking plastic trim and poor door hinges, generally. I would like to see you push Kyosho to expand their range and in particular, would like to see a decent model of the 348, 355, and 360 in the near future.

  7. 7 On December 7th, 2007, peter cavellini said:

    just read your heads up on exoto grreat news i also was on exoto’s own site and saw the Nissan R89 car in prototype ie.”BLUE” i hope the racing version will look better.I ca’nt wait to get my hands on a Porsche 936 especially in martini livery.

  8. 8 On December 10th, 2007, peter cavellini said:

    what does anyone think about exoto?

  9. 9 On December 14th, 2007, peter cavellini said:

    Hi Leigh.
    like the new set a vast improvement on the previous set.Pity EXOTO did’nt deside to release GT105 first after all it was a winning car.May i take this opportunity to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year and hope your diary is as good as this year dodgy haircut aside(just kidding)- seeyou in 2008.

  10. 10 On December 31st, 2007, Arthur Nijmeijer said:

    Have been following Mattel’s efforts to supply more “upmarket” models.Seeing they have the Ferrari monopoly,I have specifically been looking at pictures of the new Elite 250 GTO. Looks a bit better than their former efforts, but the bonnet latches!!!
    Scaled up they look like they are made of 2″ NB pipes!
    Come on Mattel, more effort is required.
    Also they need to release more of the earlier Ferrari sports cars from the fifties and sixtes in 1/18 scale. I.e 250 TR, 250 LM, 365P2, 330P4, 512S/M, 250GTO64 etc.

  11. 11 On January 20th, 2008, Rob Watson said:

    I would be interested to know that as a few Can-Am models are being scheduled for release why they are only those of fairly obscure (apart from Mark Donohue)drivers. It would seem that the Orange ‘Bruce and Denny Show’McLarens are an obvious omission.They have the potential to be a popular seller, well to me at least.There were a number of other manufacturers producing excitingly engineered cars as a result of minimal regulations, something sadly lacking in the over regulated in F1, or Formula TV Advert as it truly is.

  12. 12 On January 28th, 2008, peter cavellini said:

    Well Rob Watson can-am is to some a 1970’s thing and not often produced in anything larger tha 1/43 which i agree is rather annoying!You really have to trawl through the net to find anything near decent quality.I’M AFRAID WE ARE ALL AT THE MERCY OF THE MANUFACTURERS,but hopefully with the increase in the price of Zinc and buying with our pocket they’ll come down in price and make what we really really want!

  13. 13 On February 10th, 2008, Andy Child said:

    Hi. I collect mainly Formula 1 models and like models of racing engines - but these are incredibly difficult to find. Die Cast legends had a Ferrari V10 recently and some years ago Renault dealerships had a model of their 1990s V10 - I was amazed to see it on display at the parts counter! But I’ve yet to find a decent and affordable model of even such an obvious subject as a Cosworth V8 or Ferrari Flat 12. Unusual engines such as the BRM V16 and H16, would be appreciated as well. Will anyone make these or is it a bit too specialist?

  14. 14 On February 10th, 2008, jon said:

    Totally agree with past comments about Kyosho. By far the best value for money, incredible detail. Cmc still lead the way and make Exoto models second best. Recently found an Italian website which had an incredible range of models although mostly 1:43 scale. Purchased a resin model of Ferrari 166 Inter and dissappointed at detail compared to diecast.
    Recently bought the VW campervan as a present and again for the price it was annoyed to find the windscreen wipers fell off and the wheel caps impossible to fit on and these were both parts ot the model they say you can play about with.
    As a Ferrari collector would love to see more of the older cars even if they are a bit old fashion looking nowadays.
    Revival models also seem great quality but have felt the autographed versions very steep when put next to the same autograph on a 1:43 model. cheers for listening

  15. 15 On February 10th, 2008, Gary Wilson said:

    Hi everyone im new to the forum.
    I have a large collection of Autoart,kyosho,minichamps,and unfortunatly some Elite ferraris which for the same money as some kyosho and autoart are much poorer in quality,needless to say im waiting for kyosho ferrari equivalent models such as 250 gto,and testarossa.
    I recently sold one of 4 Autoart aston martin db5s (goldfinger)with weapons for £150 on ebay,i only paid £55 for it year prior so you can imagine my surprise.

  16. 16 On February 15th, 2008, peter cavellini said:

    Got my jag XRJ9 -D (GT105)-i was’nt disapointed - its a little bit better made too!

  17. 17 On February 19th, 2008, Malcolm Dobson said:

    For Jaguar anoraks!!

    In the 1/43 scale you offer two 1953 C-types, the Le Mans winner 1953 supposed to be the same car: (1)Auto Art (AA65387) and (2)IXO(LM1953). It is interesting to see that the AA model has a red number plate with white letters whilst the LM model has a white plate with red letters. Similarly the AA model has a badge on top of the nearside wing, the LM does not!!!
    Now I do have a photograph of this car when it was racing at Le Mans, this is black and white but it clearly shows that the AA model is incorrect. the car had a light colored plate with dark letters and no badge on the wing!!

    A further bit of JaguarAnoraking - 3 years later, a D-type, number 26, raced at Rheims with the same road registration plate - 774 RW.

    So, there’s some useless information!!! but AA should be more accurate with their “legendary” quality!!!

  18. 18 On February 21st, 2008, James Hunt said:

    Dear Sir.

    I am a very keen model car collector.I have purchased a high percentage of my 1/18 scale road car model collection throught gran prix ledgens and I am very pleased with the service. My main request is to ask if you would be so kind as to find out from minichamps whether they are considering manufactureing a 1/18 scale model of any of the new Rolls Royce Road Cars in 1/18 scale. I am desprate for a 1/18 scale model of a new Rolls Royce to add to my extencive collection. I am aware of the 1/43 scale minichaps model of the Rolls Royce Drophead. this is the exact car and the salloon car, that I am after but I am desperate for them to be made in 1/18 scale. I would really apreciate it if you could put in this request, and if you could tell me the outcome by conacting me be email on (hunts4uk@aol.com)
    Thank You and I look forward to hearing from you.

    Regards, James Hunt

  19. 19 On February 24th, 2008, peter cavellini said:

    Dear mr Hunt
    if you go to their website thef have an e-mail address and are usually good at replying.

  20. 20 On February 26th, 2008, Ryan said:

    Hi,

    I dont know if this being really sad or not, but i’ve noticed on the new mattel 1:18 hamilton 1st win that the car is not the actual one from the canadian gp in which lewis brilliantly won his first race. I noticed the model featured doesn’t have the bridge on the nosecone nor does it have the modifications to the rear of which GPL pointed out. Is it actually legal to publish this as the ‘1st win car’ when the car on the model clearly isn’t the one lewis won the race in? i feel sorry for the people who have now sold out the model so fast as i dont think it represents any value at all. its simply the normal mattel mclaren on a new base with a figure for an extra £35 i think.

    Regards

    Ryan

  21. 21 On February 26th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    You’re not the only one who’s noticed! This model has sparked quite a passionate thread about it on our forum. I can’t comment on the ‘legality’ of it, as at the end of the day we are but a humble retailer, and not the manufacturer.

  22. 22 On March 4th, 2008, Ryan said:

    Hi,

    Just a quick word on the new Amalgam A1 GP models. I received my Team GB car today and it looks stunning! It just goes to show Amalgam really are top of the pile even in 1/43 scale of which minichamps specialise in.
    And of course, the parcel was so well packaged i thought i was receiving a gold bar or something! Keep up he good work all at GPL!

    Regards Ryan

  23. 23 On March 11th, 2008, Gary Wilson said:

    Hi Leigh.
    Ive been hunting hi and low for 1/18 minichamps porsche 924 in red and cant find one anywhere.
    Tried ordering from various web sites that say they have it but the usual being they dont.
    Do you have one stashed away anywhere on your shelves that hasnt made the catalogues?
    Any info appreciated.

  24. 24 On March 12th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    Unfortunately we’re completely out of this replica too - sometimes you can never predict which models will disappear quickly and which will be hanging around for a good while! We don’t tend to have anything ’stashed on the shelves’ - anything that we only have tiny numbers of that isn’t worth going in our catalogues will still go on our website. Apart from the obvious solutuon of Ebay, I’m afraid there isn’t anything else I can suggest.

  25. 25 On March 12th, 2008, Gary Wilson said:

    Thanks for the quick reply.Ill keep waiting for one to appear on ebay,has been some time.Thanks

  26. 26 On March 31st, 2008, andy bee said:

    Hi

    Just purchased Rossi figure with new bike stand in the box (Minichamps model number: 312 060146)….have set up figure and stand on bike and works very well….do you know if minichamps will bring a ‘bag of stands’ out so avid collectors can convert their other riding figures and bikes. If not any chance of giving minichamps a friendly kick?

  27. 27 On April 1st, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    Minichamps haven’t announced any plans along those lines (they haven’t announced anything recently), but that is a good idea. Hopefully they will take note!

  28. 28 On April 14th, 2008, Gary Wilson said:

    Have to ask.
    What is the quality of Schuco models like?
    They are goin to do 2 models which i would really like,the porsche 356 speedster and the bay camper bus but they are both £110.
    Now i could be wrong but i thought they made toys not collector piece cars.
    Can you tell me are they as good as exoto,autoart etc?

  29. 29 On April 15th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    These high end models are very good quality - they certainly won’t look out of place alongside Exotos or CMCs.

  30. 30 On April 16th, 2008, Gary Wilson said:

    Thanks for that Leigh.Have placed an order with you for the camper bus but dont see the porsche 356 speedster on your site yet.

  31. 31 On April 17th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    They’re under codes SCH301 and SCH305.

  32. 32 On April 17th, 2008, Gary Wilson said:

    Thanks again.i must have nearly a grands worth on back order.Porsche ordered to,will look good with my kyosho version.

  33. 33 On April 21st, 2008, John Fielding said:

    Why dont they make 1:12 helmet replica’s.
    So I could put with or on seat of my 1:12 Bikes.
    They only make 1:8 which are too big. I have a couple of these, but if there where 1:12 I would like quite a few.
    Regards
    John

  34. 34 On April 21st, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    I think because they make the 1:12 figures to go on the bikes (most of which have helmets) they can’t see the value in making the helmets separately in that scale as well, which is why they are replicated in 1:8.

  35. 35 On May 1st, 2008, Joe Ward said:

    Hi is there any news of the McLaren MP4-22 of Alonso in 1:18 scale yet?

  36. 36 On May 2nd, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    Still nothing yet!

  37. 37 On May 9th, 2008, Ryan said:

    Hi,
    Just thought i’d ask if minichamps are planning at all to do a special model of Coulthards 2007 Red Bull from Fuji? I think it would be a good idea and even a fitting tribute to the great Coin Mcrae. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to buy one!

    Ryan

  38. 38 On May 12th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    I think Minichamps would have announced it by now if they were planning anything along those lines.

  39. 39 On May 19th, 2008, peter cavellini said:

    Hi Leigh.
    have you heard of a company called accuratediecast?.In my may copy of TOPGEAR i came upon this company their web page is www.accuratediecast.com.The mag showed a model of a Corvette C5-R it looks pretty good and is priced at £499.99.

  40. 40 On May 20th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    Accurate diecast is an importer, not a diecast manufacturer. The Corvette is probably from GMP.

  41. 41 On May 27th, 2008, Steven Lam said:

    Hi Leigh

    I bought the Montoya 2007 NASCAR from you recently, and you’re the only supplier in the UK I’ve found. I was enquiring if this will be something you plan to continue in the future with further cars coming out, and their sponsor variants as well. You have both of the Earnhart Jr cars, so will the other Montoya cars be coming?

    Do you plan to stock the 08 Montoya car as I’ve seen that you have several of the other drivers already.

    Steven

  42. 42 On May 28th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    We’ll see what the response is to the NASCARs we have already imported; it’s not cheap bringing them in, plus it’s very difficult getting hold of the stock. We couldn’t get any 2008 Montoya cars which is why we went with the 2007 version. It’s really a case of ‘watch this space’!

  43. 43 On June 1st, 2008, Jayson said:

    Hi Leigh,

    I saw an online interview of yours which you said have a 1:43 F1 World Champions Collection. I am new in diecast collecting and would like to start with them. Can you give me the list of your F1 World Champs Collection? I would really appreciate if I could follow the same collection from an expert like yourself.

    Thank you so very much!

  44. 44 On June 2nd, 2008, Gary said:

    Hi.Ive been looking for a 1/18 scale 1961 ferrari 250 gt California.
    Are you aware of any one that makes it?

  45. 45 On June 2nd, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    This collection certainly requires some patience - I started mine in 1994 and it still isn’t finished yet! My cars from 1950 to 1964 are made by Brumm, while 1965 is an SMTS. 1966 is one of the two gaps I still have, which hopefully SMTS will plug shortly. 1967, 1968 and 1969 are from Quartzo. 1970 through to 1979 are all from Minichamps, with the exception of 1977, which is the second gap, but luckily both IXO and Mattel have announced that they will be doing this. These Minichamps 1970s cars are quite rare now though. 1980 is also a Minichamps, while 1981 is a Quartzo, then 1982 through to 1999 are all Minichamps. Mattel takes over from 2000 to 2004 with the Schumacher Ferraris, then back to Minichamps for the 2005 and 2006 Alonso Renaults, then back to Mattel for the Raikkonen 2007 Ferrari. Phew! That’s just the way I’ve built my collection up though - you could get a lot of the Ferrari champs through the IXO La Storia Collection for example. Good luck!

  46. 46 On June 2nd, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    I’m not aware that anyone has replicated the 250GT California in 1:18 scale so far.

  47. 47 On June 2nd, 2008, Jayson said:

    Thanks so much for the information Leigh. One more thing though, did you have to spend premium price to get the rare ones? Cause that’s what I’m worrying about. I’m very patient for looking and waiting but I don’t have a big budget for this. Enlighten me, should I go for it?

    Cheers!

  48. 48 On June 3rd, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    I’d say go for it, but then I’m biased! I did have to shell out about £80 for a couple of the Minichamps 1970s cars, but the all the Brumms, Quartzos and Mattels should be fine I would have thought. The SMTS cars are quite dear as well at about £95 a time. However, spread out over the 14 years I’ve had this particular collection going, on average the outlay doesn’t seem that bad! Maybe it would be best to work ‘backwards’, then there will always be a clear focus on what the next model to get will be. Also, World Championship winning cars will always remain fashionable, as that achievement automatically makes them extremely popular.

  49. 49 On June 3rd, 2008, Jayson said:

    All I need to know. Thank you for the insight bud. Good man!

  50. 50 On June 25th, 2008, Gary said:

    Hi.I have been made aware that revell are doing a 1/18 scale eleanor mustang,just wanted to know if your getting it and if it is of better quality than the shelby collectables mustang.Thanks

  51. 51 On June 25th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    We weren’t planning on doing it as they have missed the boat a bit, and at best I would expect the quality to match the Shelby Collectibles version.

  52. 52 On July 20th, 2008, peter cavellini said:

    is the credit crunch going to affect model prices?

  53. 53 On July 22nd, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    I wouldn’t have thought so, but I would think that it’s more likely to affect collectors being able to afford them.

  54. 54 On July 28th, 2008, peter cavellini said:

    So would diecast vendors help them to afford up and coming diecast buy say increasing he discount for bulk ordering say two or three diecast?.I know you have a scheme just now, maybe if you increased the discount it might appeal to serious collectors,what do you think Leigh?

  55. 55 On July 28th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    It’s a difficult one, because no matter what the discount, it will be even harder for consumers to be able to afford purchasing diecast models ‘in bulk’ rather than one at a time in the current economic climate. And, also because of the current economic climate, vendors might not be able to afford to give away margin anyway.

  56. 56 On August 5th, 2008, Joe Ward said:

    Hi. Do you know if mininchamps are planning a Kovalainen 1st win special?

  57. 57 On August 11th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    Minichamps haven’t confirmed anything yet regarding a Kovalainen First Win special.

  58. 58 On August 12th, 2008, Dylan Miles said:

    Hi. Quick query on the Rossi minichamps bikes….the ‘98 Aprilia which I thought was the standard one, is listed on the box as being the ‘Assen GP’ bike. Does this mean they’ll bring out another ‘98 bike do you know?

    Also I assume they wont be releasing the new 2000 Honda test bike without the logos like most of your photos in your catalogues? Thanks

  59. 59 On August 14th, 2008, Leigh 'Diecast' Hobden said:

    I don’t think there will be another 1998 Aprilia - I think Minichamps just wanted to make the 1998 Aprilia more desirable by making it his first 250c win bike, as otherwise there wouldn’t have been much to distinguish it from the normal 1999 Aprilia which looks almost the same.

    It doesn’t look like they will be releasing the test bike without the logos - that was just our sample that we used until the real thing came along.

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