News Nr 4_2010_ Toy fair edition part 2 - Mercedes Benz ...

News
Nr. 4 – February 2010
International Toy Fair report – part 2
In this issue of the News, we shall look at what other manufacturers
of scale models have been presenting at Nuremberg.
AutoArt:
Nothing as far as models of Mercedes-Benz cars are concerned, with
the notable exception of a black AMG G-Class in 1:18.
CMC:
We shall see the Mercedes-
Benz SSKL, with the
starting number “8”, which
won the 1931 Nürburgring
Race at the hands of Rudolf
Caracciola.
Believe it or not, the
starting number, which was
applied on pieces of fabric
and affixed on each side of
the original car, has been
reproduced in exactly the
same way on the model,
i.e. on a small square of
fabric.
Now, that’s what I call
accuracy and love of detail!
Production of this 1:18
scale model is limited to
4000 pieces. (Quite a high
limit!)

In the last News, I mentioned that IXO is going to produce the
Mercedes 190 (W110) fintail ambulance. The question was of course, if
this 1:43 model would look the same as the Binz-bodied one, which
Minichamps released at the end of 2009. Well, apparently not. When
taking a closer look at the pictures of the prototype, it seems that IXO
chose to miniaturize the Miesen-bodied ambulance – the same which
can be seen in the 1965 James Bond movie “Thunderball”).

Hotworks/Wits (distr. in Germany by Schuco):
This manufacturer is starting a new series of resin models in the 1:43
scale, which will be called: “Absolute Hot”. First in this new range will
be the Mercedes-Benz SL AMG “Black Series”.
In 1:18 th scale, this company will release the Lorinser, AMG and
Brabus versions of the current SL. Each one of these 1:18 models has
functioning head- and brake lights, and a working “Vario”-roof.
Minichamps…
…announced the McLarenMercedes SLR
“Stirling Moss” (Z199) in orange, in 1:18 th
scale. The model has an opening hood and
an opening trunk.
In 1:18 th scale as well, Minichamps
displayed a L6600 die-cast fire-truck with
a 1.56m long die-cast ladder when fully
extended, 3.1 Kilo heavy (over 6 pounds)
available for the nice price of 799€ (which
depending on the day, means anywhere
between US$ 1,100 and US$ 1,200 !)
This model will be produced in the limited
quantity of a little above 2000 pieces.
If I can get a picture or two, I’ll publish
them in an upcoming News.
Norev
Few Mercedes-Benz models in the
1:43 scale, but two interesting ones
in the 1:18 th scale: the Mercedes-
Benz 600 (W140) and the Mercedes
190 c (W110). Both prototypes
shown in Nürnberg looked ready for
production. The 600 (W140) is
scheduled to be released in the
second half of this year.

As well, Norev displayed a French fire dept. version of the Mercedes-
Benz L406 panel van in 1:43, and a “deco sample” of the Mercedes
300SLR, as driven by Juan-Manuel Fangio in the 1955 “Mille Miglia”
race, which he finished, 2 nd behind Moss/Jenkinson in their Nr. 722.
PremiumClassiXXs…
…promises us, that towards the end of the year, we can count on the
release of both “Gullwings”, old and new, meaning there will be a 1:12
scale model of the 300SL, as well as a 1:12 th model of the SLS AMG.
Just imagine these two under your Christmas-tree….

Rio
Good old Rio!
Eons ago, their
models were
some of the
best ones then
available.
Unfortunately,
today in 2010,
they are still
using the same
old moulds of
way back then…
Improvements?
None, except
maybe a few
chrome strips
here and there, unfortunately badly applied sometimes as well…
How they can survive with models like the 1:43 MB 300 ambulance of
1959 vintage, which they displayed in Nuremberg, is beyond me! I like
the fact that they still proudly manufacture in Italy and not in China,
but you’ll pardon my English: the model is so crappy; it doesn’t even
deserve a description!
Spark
Lots and lots of new 1:43 scale models have been announced by
Spark, but no new Mercedes. It seems that we shall see a few more
versions of the W196R 1954 and 1955 GP racers (streamliners and
“Monopostos”), representing the cars as they started in various races,
taking into account all the various modifications, which were made by
Daimler-Benz prior to each race.
Also, there will be a Mercedes 320 Cabriolet (W142), the same
previously made for Mercedes-Benz Accessories, but this one will be
blue. Dieter Mäurer, who visited the Spark stand, liked the looks of
the car a lot.
However, during the course of the year, despite that there were no
new Mercedes models announced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, we
should nevertheless get a nice 1:43 surprise from Spark, so I’m told…

Trust is everything!
Until next time,