Diecast Models

I thought that I would blog about some of the diecast models that I have accumulated over the years. I have quite a few and will have many more posts to come on the subject. All of these models are 1:43 scale.

 To the left are three models that are all racing cars, as are most of my models. The first one, to the left is a Toyota TS010 that competed at the 1993 Le Mans 24 hour race and was driven by David Brabham. The model is from IXO models. The centre model is a Mazda 727 from the 1983 Le Mans race and was made by Bizarre Models, whilst the model on the right is the 1967 Ford XT GT that won at Bathurst and was made by Classic Carlectibles.

 

Above are some Nissans sports racing cars from over the years. The extreme left model is Quartzo’s Nissan R391 from the 1999 Le Mans race. Next to it are a Nissan R89C from the 1989 Le Mans and a Nissan R91CK from the 1991 Daytona 24 Hours, a race which it took victory. Both of these models are by Japan’s Q-Model, while the car on the extreme right is a Nissan R390 by Quartzo, which took third place at the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The final two models that I will showcase in this post are both Martini Lancia’s. I do think that the red white and blue Martini livery is the best. At the left is a Madyero white metal model of a Lancia LC2 from the Monza 1000kms of 1983, whilst at the right is a Lancia LC2 of 1982 by Le Mans 43. 

The Batmobile

Two of my greatest loves are comics books and cars. For as long as I can remember, I have been a comic book and car nut. With this in mind, it is perhaps no surprise that my favourite comic book character is Batman. Let’s face it, the Batmobile is the coolest car ever made. UK toy manufacturer Corgi have released a range of diecast Batmobiles for collectors to buy. You can view them at Corgi’s website. These look pretty good considering that they are a relatively cheap buy. My favourites are the 1960s Batmobiles. For some reason they just look really good.

As these are based on the Batmobiles from the Batman comic book, you won’t find the most famous Batmobile of them all, the one from the 1960s TV show. Corgi used to manufacture this car back in the 1960s and 1970s, but they are no longer able to due to licencing issues. My cousin used to own one of these and I always wanted one as a kid. I don’t know why my parents never bought me one, but I know if they did, it would probably have ended up being trashed like all my other toy cars. If you want one of these cars now you have to go to ebay and spend at least $200 for one that it is in OK condition. I have seen one TV Batmobile recently, complete with box, for $500. I suppose that the moral of this story is for any kids out there to keep your toys in good condition because you never know how much they’ll be worth in twenty years time.

Finally, I have heard a rumour that Mattel may be making the TV Batmobile. As previously mentioned, the reason this car has not been made since the early 1980s, is due to licencing issues. From what I’ve heard, the issue revolves around who would get any royalties from sales of this car. George Barris, who created and still owns this car, would have to take a cut, as would 20th Century Fox, the people who made the TV show. DC Comics/Time Warner, would also take a cut of the profits, which means that there would be very little money to made by any manufacturer who built this car. I have also heard that DC Comics have always vetoed anything that has to do with the TV show, so as to distance the current grim and gritty version of Batman, from the campy one in the TV show. (Time Warner may also not like the fact that a rival entertainment comapany, Fox, would profit from a character that they own!)

Anyway, it looks as though Mattel has paid off all the interested parties and will make the most famous Batmobile of all in various scales. Mattel already make the Batmobile from the 1989 movie and the one from Batman Begins. They also have the licence to make all the other movie Batmobiles, so this one would be a natural.

Information on Mattel gaining the rights to 1966 Batmobile from DC Message Boards