Got my issue 110 yesterday, the back cover says issue 111 will be ford thunderbird from Thunderball......i was pleasantly surprised at the high quality of the damaged Aston....it really is a nice model
Glad to hear positive feedback on the damaged Aston - it'll be a few weeks before I get my hands on one, unfortunately. I know it wasn't received well as a 'series finale' but as I posted before in its defence, I really think Fabbri went out of their way to please everyone with this model.
Again, with this thread having literally OVER HALF A MILLION VIEWS, you'd think, I dunno, at least one of the 5,000+ unique users who stopped over here *might* defend it
Half a million??? Where did you get that from? I feel stage-fright coming on.....
Yes, the very first ads for Corgi Whizzwheels had it as "Whizz Wheels". Dad bought an early brochure from 1970 whilst in Britain in 1983. ONE GBP! I wonder how much that would go for now...
Unfortunately, probably not as much as you might think - most higher value catalogues seem to be pre 1970. Certainly for a lot of UK collectors, Whizz Wheels are a bit of a 'no thanks' when it comes to Corgi, mostly preferring the older models fitted with rubber tyres. I think WW also failed miserably trying to compete with a similar product in the States - something like Johnny Lightning or Hot Wheels?
Back to topic, I'm going to place a bet on 112 being the Merc 450.
MovieCarFan, regarding the views, we supposedly have (as of when I'm posting this) 589,338 views of this thread. As I said, over half a million. You can find it the column right next to the amount of posts listed.
I think WW also failed miserably trying to compete with a similar product in the States - Johnny Lightning cars?
Sort of. Johnny Lightning and Hot Wheels were the two big ones at each other's throats, with Hot Wheels ultimately prevailing because Johnny Lightning simply didn't have the money, even if they were the better product as some people thought at the time. There was already no room for a third competitor (unless one counts Matchbox, but they went for a different demographic) and as such, WW failed in the US.
Certainly for a lot of UK collectors, Whizz Wheels are a bit of a 'no thanks' when it comes to Corgi, preferring the older rubber tyred models.
Again, it depends on what you grew up on, probably moreso than where, as well. Dad had all the rubber-tired Corgi from the 1960's and gave me the Whizzwheels he'd inevitably get in the auction lots he bought. So I would say they do hold a special place in my childhood and helped me get into enjoying the hobby.
I'm going to place a bet on 112 being the Merc 450.
Not going to make any bets against you, especially since I still remember the talk about Ixo where the question was posited: "how do you make the 280SE instead of the 450SEL?" The 280SE was maligned, but was in actuality a good model...the only reason it was not well received was because it wasn't the 450SEL. I'm betting Ixo probably planned a 450SEL on the W116 chassis at some point (all they have to do is look at how it outstripped expectations at Minichamps), but with the slow-down at Ixo Classic combined with the build-up for PremiumX Diecast and trying to decide which models went into the PremiumX Resin range, Ixo likely put off releasing it like they always do.
Now of course you need a longer wheelbase for the 450SEL, but really, there aren't that many changes Ixo needs to make if they choose to use the 280SE mould/their likely-planned 450SEL mould never got off the ground (the actual wheelbase change isn't that significant, either, and should be easy...112.8 inches vs. 116.7 inches on the real cars). I bet this one works quite well in terms of its merits as a model car, at the very least. You'll also get the buyers who missed the boat on the Minichamps model, which came in metallic blue as well as the exact same color as Locque's car.
MovieCarFan, regarding the views, we supposedly have (as of when I'm posting this) 589,338 views of this thread. As I said, over half a million. You can find it the column right next to the amount of posts listed.
Wow - I'd never noticed that. I wonder how this figure reflects on Fabbri's overall worldwide sales (presuming the forum has a worldwide following)- you get the impression there's only a comparative handful of us buying into the series, but I'm sure that's far from true. Certainly whenever I phone The Database Factory there's always a customer queue and the sound of very busy customer advisors in the background.
Dad had all the rubber-tired Corgi from the 1960's and gave me the Whizzwheels he'd inevitably get in the auction lots he bought. So I would say they do hold a special place in my childhood and helped me get into enjoying the hobby.
Sounds like a great dad. There were, of course, several 1:43 scale Corgi models that only ever appeared in the Whizz Wheels era and these remain fairly valuable, one famous example being the DAF Mach One Mustang. I was lucky enough to pick one up mint boxed at a car boot sale for £3 some years ago when it was actually worth £100. I think it's currently worth twice that
On the Bond theme there was also a 1:43 silver GF DB5 fitted with Whizz Wheels (and flared arches!) which I also have in my collection.
Have not received 110 Damaged Aston. I for one was very critical of this as a model and what was the planned conclusion to the collection. I am pleased it will no longer carry that responsibility thus it will stand as an issue for what it is. By the sounds of it , GEFabbri have listened and made a good job of it. The blunder-bird, thunder turd, turkey bird is now almost as infamous as the Anglia. Maybe just maybe the one we have seen is a pre production model and the one we receive will be much better. I hope so as it unfortunately has made the 111 spot. If it appears as is I will complain. A bad model is almost acceptable within a collection of so many issues but a rehashed issue done badly is unacceptable. I hope GEfabbri pay attention and take note and learned from earlier mistakes
Maybe just maybe the one we have seen is a pre production model and the one we receive will be much better.
I can understand your raised hopes due to the improvements made to the wear on the DBS (it seems like they "flared" the tampo-printed dirt a bit more looking at the eBay auctions), but the changes made to the Turkey-Bird would have to be extremely radical to a model that surfaced relatively recently; we'd actually seen and known about the DBS for some time now. And yes, they made a change, but it was a minor one to the tampo-printing. For the Turkey-Bird to succeed as a model...
-You need completely new tail lights.
-You need a completely new front grille.
-You need new plastic pieces added to the sides of the car for the fake air vents.
-The tampo-printing itself has to improve.
In my opinion, that's asking a LOT of any company where they've likely already delivered the models.
There were, of course, several 1:43 scale Corgi models that only ever appeared in the Whizz Wheels era and these remain fairly valuable, one famous example being the DAF Mach One Mustang. I was lucky enough to pick one up mint boxed at a car boot sale for £3 some years ago when it was actually worth £100. I think it's currently worth twice that
On the Bond theme there was also a 1:43 silver GF DB5 fitted with Whizz Wheels (and flared arches!) which I also have in my collection.
Most of the stuff I got was common (Dad did know the rare stuff and sold it before showing it to me), but I did get the DB5 of which you speak! Most of the paint is gone, and was when I got it, but the great thing is that everything worked, so it had plenty of play value. I also had one other Bond-related Whizzwheels car: the Jaws Telephone Van, which was Corgi Junior. It was too small, looked NOTHING like the Leyland Sherpa in the film, and it was one of the few items I actually LET Dad have to sell. 'Course, Dad has the Corgi bronze "James Bond DB5" with rubber tires and allows me to display it in "the Dinky Cabinet" (which has Corgi and Tri-ang Minic in it, too, but it's over 80% Dinky Toys). The tires are all cracked, but original and oddly not flattened. I would put the paint and metal finish in over 90% condition, but no original box. The figure that gets ejected out the top is original, though! I take it out every once in a while to play with it and I must say, it is fun!
I agree...but what about a re-hashed issue done well? I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on this one. For example, we already know there will be a rehashed model in the next 20: the Ixo Mercedes-Benz W115. However, the models will be different colors (one white, one black), one will be RHD, one LHD, you'll have different interiors, and I think the trim is different, too. As an Ixo M-B guy, to me these models won't be rehashed and will be quite different. But I can see some other people claiming so. But, again, what if both are well done?
"I agree...but what about a re-hashed issue done well? I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on this one. For example, we already know there will be a rehashed model in the next 20: the Ixo Mercedes-Benz W115. However, the models will be different colors (one white, one black), one will be RHD, one LHD, you'll have different interiors, and I think the trim is different, too. As an Ixo M-B guy, to me these models won't be rehashed and will be quite different. But I can see some other people claiming so. But, again, what if both are well done?"
I think the MB issue will be acceptable. I think GEFabbri underestimated us with the Blunderbird. I think they thought nobody would notice and charge us for the pleasure. Oh well lets see when it arrives.
"I agree...but what about a re-hashed issue done well? I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on this one. For example, we already know there will be a rehashed model in the next 20: the Ixo Mercedes-Benz W115. However, the models will be different colors (one white, one black), one will be RHD, one LHD, you'll have different interiors, and I think the trim is different, too. As an Ixo M-B guy, to me these models won't be rehashed and will be quite different. But I can see some other people claiming so. But, again, what if both are well done?"
I think the MB issue will be acceptable. I think GEFabbri underestimated us with the Blunderbird. I think they thought nobody would notice and charge us for the pleasure. Oh well lets see when it arrives.
Me too. There's plenty of repetition in the series but none quite so blatant as the TBird, even down to the first version's base being reversed - and without even a figure on the background card let alone inside the car it was unforgivable IMHO. If Fabbri were so desperate they should have made it bright red with white upholstery, top down, beach scene background and made up the Bond connection - the TBird is such a nice car I'd have bought it with no questions asked!
I'm pretty sure IXO M-Bs are pretty safe if the colours change at least.
If they re-issued the Anglia after complaints about the lettering on the base then they darn well ought to correct and re-issue the TBird if they dont do grille and lights and at least tampo print the vents. Every subscriber should ring their distributor and ask them to complain to Fabbri along the lines of "I stuck with this collection and this is rubbish now thinking of stopping it".
As a cherry pickjer I will comment when I next order that I was disappointed and hadn't bought it because it was unexcusably innacurate.
Well the Velox is underway. First issue is that the Velox has 2 offset screw holes to connect it to the base and not one central one so I had to keep the Corgi Box. Second the Corgi box is not the same size so you can't just use a JBCC as a guide for backdrop. As yet I have not painted and dressed the base or got the Number Plate from the film sorted but the wheels have had embellishers over-painted with a mix of grey and green paint.
The back drop is the picture from www.imcdb.org doctored in Photoshop Elements to remove the Velox itself and then enlarged and flipped horizontally since it made more sense as a backdrop that way round. Does show that it would have made a good car for the collection. Who knows I may do the Hillman from same film seen alongside Anglia some time if I can find the red and white Corgi Minx. At which point the series will be extended and Fabbri will announce.....
Nice job, it's looking really good If fabbri ARE in talks with Hornby re Vanguards moulds, and if they're looking at this, I bet this one makes an appearance in the JBCC. I just wonder how many other Vanguards models might get a look in if such a deal is made.
On a side note, I personally also prefer the look of the Vanguards models that were supplied in perspex boxes and cannot understand why they've gone back to the old cardboard boxes. I reckon your Velox proves the point, it looks so much better presented like this.
Me too. There's plenty of repetition in the series but none quite so blatant as the TBird, even down to the first version's base being reversed - and without even a figure on the background card let alone inside the car it was unforgivable IMHO. If Fabbri were so desperate they should have made it bright red with white upholstery, top down, beach scene background and made up the Bond connection - the TBird is such a nice car I'd have bought it with no questions asked!
I'm pretty sure IXO M-Bs are pretty safe if the colours change at least.
Haha! I would agree with you here! Besides, a '64 T-Bird in red with the top down would actually look nice...plus you could easily stick your own figure in it. Regarding the Ixo M-B's, even though Locque's black W115 that we don't see for too long is a better looking car to me, I think the real seller will be the TMWTGG W115 in white because of the RHD. I can potentially see all sorts of possibilities as a Code 3 for this car as well (most noticeably replacing the inexplicably Thai license plates for British number plates or Australian, Kiwi, South African, or even Indian or Pakistani number plates).
If they re-issued the Anglia after complaints about the lettering on the base then they darn well ought to correct and re-issue the TBird if they dont do grille and lights and at least tampo print the vents. Every subscriber should ring their distributor and ask them to complain to Fabbri along the lines of "I stuck with this collection and this is rubbish now thinking of stopping it".
I would tend to agree with this, though if I had to guess, Fabbri realizes they screwed the pooch already. Also, I'm not sure Universal Hobbies can do any new moulds. They can make mould alterations to the trim, I imagine (which would allow them to fix the grille), but the tail lights will in all likelihood still be wrong, unfortunately.
By the way, your Velox looks brilliant! Even though I myself don't do dioramas...that's just GREAT Code 3'ing considering you're forced to work with the Corgi base! I'll also pop Dr. No into my DVD player and see what I can do about the number plates. By the way: what mixture and brand of paints did you use on the wheels? I'd very much like to try my own hand at that.
On a side note, I personally also prefer the look of the Vanguards models that were supplied in perspex boxes and cannot understand why they've gone back to the old cardboard boxes.
Even though I despise the cardboard boxes, I'm going to defend their use here. The less the cardboard box costs to make, the more they can afford to put into the car. Corgi's closest analog in Australia is Trax Models. Their display stands are available seperately for $5+$5 shipped (and their shipping is actually pretty inexpensive...it shocks me how cheap it is to the US). $5 may not sound like much, but for that amount of money, you can get a new set of headlights, at the very least.
Paint mix for Velox was made of Citadel paints which are warhammer gaming paints which I find mix and cover better than humbrol or revell. Mixed Fortress Grey and Goblin green. If using testors or simialr you can see th Citadel colours on the warhammer site to help you choose. I find matt paint over the silver wheels gives a fair finish since wheel rims were rarely high gloss finished.
One other Vanguards car is the Hillman Minx Series III sat next to the Anglia in Dr. No. Which was done in Red and White already. One day when I have a moment I will look through the IMCDB and see if there are more possibilities.
Thanks for the praise this is an easy conversion compared to many a bit of paint and plates and whatever you decide to do to the box. At least if the eventually do release the model in JBCC you wan't have spent too much time on it!
Paint mix for Velox was made of Citadel paints which are warhammer gaming paints which I find mix and cover better than humbrol or revell. Mixed Fortress Grey and Goblin green. If using testors or simialr you can see th Citadel colours on the warhammer site to help you choose. I find matt paint over the silver wheels gives a fair finish since wheel rims were rarely high gloss finished.
Thanks!!! Looks like I'll have to do some ordering, but I bet I can find uses for said paints, anyway, once I've used them on my Velox's wheels. Any particular percentage mixture you used?
A seller on eBay has listed a number of JBCC 'pre-sales' as the following:
111 - The dreaded TB T-Bird
112 - TMWTGG 68 Merc W115
113 - GE Zhiguli Police
114 - FYEO 74 Merc 450
115 - OP FX4 Taxi
No idea how accurate this might be!
My guess is he's either jumping the gun OR knows something. In both the email to Jag and the email to my dealer friend, the first cars were in that order (though we KNOW the Turkey-Bird will be 111...that has been confirmed), BUT Bissett told Jag it was a "tentative list" and my dealer was told by his distributor that the order of the list was subject to change (though in the email he forwarded me, nothing was mentioned regarding actual change of the models themselves).
Paint mix was mostly fortress grey with green added in slowly until shade roughly matched sorry cant be more scientific than that. Seems to dry the same colour it goes on unlike some paint combos. You will also need a very fine brush. I span wheels slowly with brush in groove to apply paint.
On another subject if Fabbri had paid Universal I bet they could have moulded a new grille and rear lights relatively easily even if every other difference would need to be printed. I suspect this car was simply to use up UH contract and buy time for the IXO models and if they have any sense they wont order too many either since I reckon sales will be down on the secondary market by massive amount once faults are discussed on other boards
A seller on eBay has listed a number of JBCC 'pre-sales' as the following:
111 - The dreaded TB T-Bird
112 - TMWTGG 68 Merc W115
113 - GE Zhiguli Police
114 - FYEO 74 Merc 450
115 - OP FX4 Taxi
No idea how accurate this might be!
I notice the previous GF Ford Thunderbird had figures of Felix Leiter and partner.
Will the Thunderball version be empty, or perhaps have a Largo figure at the wheel?
It is a UH model who do figures, as opposed to IXO who do not.
Bleuville. "Hey no parking! Oh pardon Monsieur Largo!"
A seller on eBay has listed a number of JBCC 'pre-sales' as the following:
111 - The dreaded TB T-Bird
112 - TMWTGG 68 Merc W115
113 - GE Zhiguli Police
114 - FYEO 74 Merc 450
115 - OP FX4 Taxi
No idea how accurate this might be!
I notice the previous GF Ford Thunderbird had figures of Felix Leiter and partner.
Will the Thunderball version be empty, or perhaps have a Largo figure at the wheel?
It is a UH model who do figures, as opposed to IXO who do not.
Bleuville. "Hey no parking! Oh pardon Monsieur Largo!"
I am just hoping the one we have all seen is not the finished article. Maybe I am an optimist but I don't think GEFabbri can afford to be complacent with this one but they need to keep subscribers onside so any improvement will be welcome otherwise expect flak from the masses. Maybe UH will supply figures. I still can't believe at a pre- production meeting it was signed off as a good idea. Yes for UH as it uses an existing model/cast but GEFabbri should have blown the whistle early on this one .
A seller on eBay has listed a number of JBCC 'pre-sales' as the following:
111 - The dreaded TB T-Bird
112 - TMWTGG 68 Merc W115
113 - GE Zhiguli Police
114 - FYEO 74 Merc 450
115 - OP FX4 Taxi
No idea how accurate this might be!
I notice the previous GF Ford Thunderbird had figures of Felix Leiter and partner.
Will the Thunderball version be empty, or perhaps have a Largo figure at the wheel?
It is a UH model who do figures, as opposed to IXO who do not.
Bleuville. "Hey no parking! Oh pardon Monsieur Largo!"
HIGHLY unlikely, unfortunately. There's several on eBay now, including the seller 'Kingsmodel', and none of them have a figure. If you are a subscriber, I would suggest fitting a raspberry inside it and sending it back.
I still can't believe at a pre- production meeting it was signed off as a good idea.
I can. I bet they lost the licensing money AND needed to throw SOMETHING out there to give Ixo time to modify existing moulds (if either the '68 M-B W115 from TMWTGG or the '75 450SEL from FYEO are the next model, those are two where you have to make alterations to the interior and the wheelbase, respectively).
Paint mix was mostly fortress grey with green added in slowly until shade roughly matched sorry cant be more scientific than that. Seems to dry the same colour it goes on unlike some paint combos. You will also need a very fine brush. I span wheels slowly with brush in groove to apply paint.
I still can't believe at a pre- production meeting it was signed off as a good idea.
I can. I bet they lost the licensing money AND needed to throw SOMETHING out there to give Ixo time to modify existing moulds
If this were to happen again, i.e. needing to come up with something to buy time, I'd suggest the plain non-gadget DB5 from GE to match the Ferrari in the GE race scene. Very easy to do and IMHO a desirable model to have in the collection anyway. This, I think, is what they SHOULD have done instead of the TurkeyBird, it might even have refreshed the series - from the Bond point of view at least.
"I can. I bet they lost the licensing money AND needed to throw SOMETHING out there to give Ixo time to modify existing moulds (if either the '68 M-B W115 from TMWTGG or the '75 450SEL from FYEO are the next model, those are two where you have to make alterations to the interior and the wheelbase, respectively)."
I understand this argument but don't accept it as a reasonable solution . We have had delays already so another would make no odds for a decent issue. I'm with moviecarfan if there was a need for any stop gap model a non gadget aston would have been welcome more than this. In fact they had it already the damaged Aston. I have said this time and no doubt say it again I am a subscriber and welcome the collection extention however I do not like being taken for granted and this issue is taking me and every subscriber for granted. Its unacceptable and one i will complain about on its delivery. I am probably more tolerant than most but on this occasion the blunderbird is unexcuseable. This model should not have been given the green light especially in the way it has been presented as seen already.
I understand this argument but don't accept it as a reasonable solution . We have had delays already so another would make no odds for a decent issue. I'm with moviecarfan if there was a need for any stop gap model a non gadget aston would have been welcome more than this.
You misunderstand...I'm simply saying what I THINK happened, not what I wanted to happen (FAR from it!!!). I'm in a full agreement with MovieCarFan (who did understand my point) that if you absolutely HAVE to make something as a "stop-gap", then let it be a gadget-less Aston-Martin DB5. With the DBS, I think that WAS originally intended to be the stop-gap, but we saw more smeared-looking (i.e. more realistic) tampo-printing on the final product, meaning that UH was actually busy doing something else at the time.
I do understand what you are saying and also realise it is what you thought happened and not what you wanted to happen, read my post again. I also support moviecarfans view of a non gadget Aston over a bit part lesser car in this case not even accurately depicted in a half hearted presentation. The point I was trying to make was if your theory was actually the case
I actually read it a few times before responding because the first sentence...
"I understand this argument but don't accept it as a reasonable solution ."
...seemed to be ambigous as to whether you meant my theory OR the model itself. Then I think I misread the first part of your second sentence...
"We have had delays already..."
...as being a refutation of my theory. In hindsight, with your extra post, I do understand it now. Don't worry...we all make the occassional "what's he trying to say?" type post that elicits an equally confusing response. Looking forward to Issue 111, but only to see the back cover, as I'm sure you are!
Speaking of that, though, and to change the subject more than a bit slightly, I'm really wondering about the release order of what is really starting to become a very widely circulated list. Undoubtedly Ixo and Fabbri have something along these lines in mind, but you have to figure they'll be some changes in order, especially with all the caveats we've gotten in the emails so far saying, basically, "here's the list in essentially random order". It's actually a fairly solid order as-is, because it's always good to mix around vehicle types, which they do a nice job of until we hit the Lada Niva, where they give us three out four Communist Bloc cars and one implied to be communist-affiliated car (the second W115). Also, the Dodge Ram Pickup followed by the Chevrolet 1-Ton Pickup isn't what I'd call ideal, since they're the only two pickups announced in the extension. I know this is really nit-picky, but I really like variety on themes in my partworks.
I have just realised I too have the Vanguard 'Velox' so will also try and make JBCC code 3. Will post pictures of mine as and when, also came across this picture on the net after searching bond 23 cars. Nothing official but certainly a contender
Aston Martin Zagato V12, would make a nice addition to the 1/43 collection. Also read the Bentley GT could be a possibility following the route the recent books have taken.
Comments
Glad to hear positive feedback on the damaged Aston - it'll be a few weeks before I get my hands on one, unfortunately. I know it wasn't received well as a 'series finale' but as I posted before in its defence, I really think Fabbri went out of their way to please everyone with this model.
Half a million???
Unfortunately, probably not as much as you might think - most higher value catalogues seem to be pre 1970. Certainly for a lot of UK collectors, Whizz Wheels are a bit of a 'no thanks' when it comes to Corgi, mostly preferring the older models fitted with rubber tyres. I think WW also failed miserably trying to compete with a similar product in the States - something like Johnny Lightning or Hot Wheels?
Back to topic, I'm going to place a bet on 112 being the Merc 450.
Sort of. Johnny Lightning and Hot Wheels were the two big ones at each other's throats, with Hot Wheels ultimately prevailing because Johnny Lightning simply didn't have the money, even if they were the better product as some people thought at the time. There was already no room for a third competitor (unless one counts Matchbox, but they went for a different demographic) and as such, WW failed in the US.
Less than three GBP (seriously, that's my actual guess)?
Again, it depends on what you grew up on, probably moreso than where, as well. Dad had all the rubber-tired Corgi from the 1960's and gave me the Whizzwheels he'd inevitably get in the auction lots he bought. So I would say they do hold a special place in my childhood and helped me get into enjoying the hobby.
Not going to make any bets against you, especially since I still remember the talk about Ixo where the question was posited: "how do you make the 280SE instead of the 450SEL?" The 280SE was maligned, but was in actuality a good model...the only reason it was not well received was because it wasn't the 450SEL. I'm betting Ixo probably planned a 450SEL on the W116 chassis at some point (all they have to do is look at how it outstripped expectations at Minichamps), but with the slow-down at Ixo Classic combined with the build-up for PremiumX Diecast and trying to decide which models went into the PremiumX Resin range, Ixo likely put off releasing it like they always do.
Now of course you need a longer wheelbase for the 450SEL, but really, there aren't that many changes Ixo needs to make if they choose to use the 280SE mould/their likely-planned 450SEL mould never got off the ground (the actual wheelbase change isn't that significant, either, and should be easy...112.8 inches vs. 116.7 inches on the real cars). I bet this one works quite well in terms of its merits as a model car, at the very least. You'll also get the buyers who missed the boat on the Minichamps model, which came in metallic blue as well as the exact same color as Locque's car.
Wow - I'd never noticed that. I wonder how this figure reflects on Fabbri's overall worldwide sales (presuming the forum has a worldwide following)- you get the impression there's only a comparative handful of us buying into the series, but I'm sure that's far from true. Certainly whenever I phone The Database Factory there's always a customer queue and the sound of very busy customer advisors in the background.
Depends on the catalogue: One like this on the UK market £5 - £10 on a good day
Or this: UK Market £1 - £5 possibly:
Sounds like a great dad. There were, of course, several 1:43 scale Corgi models that only ever appeared in the Whizz Wheels era and these remain fairly valuable, one famous example being the DAF Mach One Mustang. I was lucky enough to pick one up mint boxed at a car boot sale for £3 some years ago when it was actually worth £100. I think it's currently worth twice that
On the Bond theme there was also a 1:43 silver GF DB5 fitted with Whizz Wheels (and flared arches!) which I also have in my collection.
I can understand your raised hopes due to the improvements made to the wear on the DBS (it seems like they "flared" the tampo-printed dirt a bit more looking at the eBay auctions), but the changes made to the Turkey-Bird would have to be extremely radical to a model that surfaced relatively recently; we'd actually seen and known about the DBS for some time now. And yes, they made a change, but it was a minor one to the tampo-printing. For the Turkey-Bird to succeed as a model...
-You need completely new tail lights.
-You need a completely new front grille.
-You need new plastic pieces added to the sides of the car for the fake air vents.
-The tampo-printing itself has to improve.
In my opinion, that's asking a LOT of any company where they've likely already delivered the models.
I'm still very, very close to my Dad. I wouldn't trade him or my experiences with him for the world.
So it's worth more than 3 GBP? Oh, well, that's good!
Most of the stuff I got was common (Dad did know the rare stuff and sold it before showing it to me), but I did get the DB5 of which you speak! Most of the paint is gone, and was when I got it, but the great thing is that everything worked, so it had plenty of play value. I also had one other Bond-related Whizzwheels car: the Jaws Telephone Van, which was Corgi Junior. It was too small, looked NOTHING like the Leyland Sherpa in the film, and it was one of the few items I actually LET Dad have to sell. 'Course, Dad has the Corgi bronze "James Bond DB5" with rubber tires and allows me to display it in "the Dinky Cabinet" (which has Corgi and Tri-ang Minic in it, too, but it's over 80% Dinky Toys). The tires are all cracked, but original and oddly not flattened. I would put the paint and metal finish in over 90% condition, but no original box. The figure that gets ejected out the top is original, though! I take it out every once in a while to play with it and I must say, it is fun!
I agree...but what about a re-hashed issue done well? I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on this one. For example, we already know there will be a rehashed model in the next 20: the Ixo Mercedes-Benz W115. However, the models will be different colors (one white, one black), one will be RHD, one LHD, you'll have different interiors, and I think the trim is different, too. As an Ixo M-B guy, to me these models won't be rehashed and will be quite different. But I can see some other people claiming so. But, again, what if both are well done?
I think the MB issue will be acceptable. I think GEFabbri underestimated us with the Blunderbird. I think they thought nobody would notice and charge us for the pleasure. Oh well lets see when it arrives.
Me too. There's plenty of repetition in the series but none quite so blatant as the TBird, even down to the first version's base being reversed - and without even a figure on the background card let alone inside the car it was unforgivable IMHO. If Fabbri were so desperate they should have made it bright red with white upholstery, top down, beach scene background and made up the Bond connection - the TBird is such a nice car I'd have bought it with no questions asked!
I'm pretty sure IXO M-Bs are pretty safe if the colours change at least.
As a cherry pickjer I will comment when I next order that I was disappointed and hadn't bought it because it was unexcusably innacurate.
The back drop is the picture from www.imcdb.org doctored in Photoshop Elements to remove the Velox itself and then enlarged and flipped horizontally since it made more sense as a backdrop that way round. Does show that it would have made a good car for the collection. Who knows I may do the Hillman from same film seen alongside Anglia some time if I can find the red and white Corgi Minx. At which point the series will be extended and Fabbri will announce.....
On a side note, I personally also prefer the look of the Vanguards models that were supplied in perspex boxes and cannot understand why they've gone back to the old cardboard boxes. I reckon your Velox proves the point, it looks so much better presented like this.
Haha! I would agree with you here! Besides, a '64 T-Bird in red with the top down would actually look nice...plus you could easily stick your own figure in it. Regarding the Ixo M-B's, even though Locque's black W115 that we don't see for too long is a better looking car to me, I think the real seller will be the TMWTGG W115 in white because of the RHD. I can potentially see all sorts of possibilities as a Code 3 for this car as well (most noticeably replacing the inexplicably Thai license plates for British number plates or Australian, Kiwi, South African, or even Indian or Pakistani number plates).
I would tend to agree with this, though if I had to guess, Fabbri realizes they screwed the pooch already. Also, I'm not sure Universal Hobbies can do any new moulds. They can make mould alterations to the trim, I imagine (which would allow them to fix the grille), but the tail lights will in all likelihood still be wrong, unfortunately.
By the way, your Velox looks brilliant! Even though I myself don't do dioramas...that's just GREAT Code 3'ing considering you're forced to work with the Corgi base! I'll also pop Dr. No into my DVD player and see what I can do about the number plates. By the way: what mixture and brand of paints did you use on the wheels? I'd very much like to try my own hand at that.
Even though I despise the cardboard boxes, I'm going to defend their use here. The less the cardboard box costs to make, the more they can afford to put into the car. Corgi's closest analog in Australia is Trax Models. Their display stands are available seperately for $5+$5 shipped (and their shipping is actually pretty inexpensive...it shocks me how cheap it is to the US). $5 may not sound like much, but for that amount of money, you can get a new set of headlights, at the very least.
111 - The dreaded TB T-Bird
112 - TMWTGG 68 Merc W115
113 - GE Zhiguli Police
114 - FYEO 74 Merc 450
115 - OP FX4 Taxi
No idea how accurate this might be!
One other Vanguards car is the Hillman Minx Series III sat next to the Anglia in Dr. No. Which was done in Red and White already. One day when I have a moment I will look through the IMCDB and see if there are more possibilities.
Thanks for the praise this is an easy conversion compared to many a bit of paint and plates and whatever you decide to do to the box. At least if the eventually do release the model in JBCC you wan't have spent too much time on it!
Thanks!!! Looks like I'll have to do some ordering, but I bet I can find uses for said paints, anyway, once I've used them on my Velox's wheels. Any particular percentage mixture you used?
My guess is he's either jumping the gun OR knows something. In both the email to Jag and the email to my dealer friend, the first cars were in that order (though we KNOW the Turkey-Bird will be 111...that has been confirmed), BUT Bissett told Jag it was a "tentative list" and my dealer was told by his distributor that the order of the list was subject to change (though in the email he forwarded me, nothing was mentioned regarding actual change of the models themselves).
On another subject if Fabbri had paid Universal I bet they could have moulded a new grille and rear lights relatively easily even if every other difference would need to be printed. I suspect this car was simply to use up UH contract and buy time for the IXO models and if they have any sense they wont order too many either since I reckon sales will be down on the secondary market by massive amount once faults are discussed on other boards
I notice the previous GF Ford Thunderbird had figures of Felix Leiter and partner.
Will the Thunderball version be empty, or perhaps have a Largo figure at the wheel?
It is a UH model who do figures, as opposed to IXO who do not.
Bleuville. "Hey no parking! Oh pardon Monsieur Largo!"
I am just hoping the one we have all seen is not the finished article. Maybe I am an optimist but I don't think GEFabbri can afford to be complacent with this one but they need to keep subscribers onside so any improvement will be welcome otherwise expect flak from the masses. Maybe UH will supply figures. I still can't believe at a pre- production meeting it was signed off as a good idea. Yes for UH as it uses an existing model/cast but GEFabbri should have blown the whistle early on this one .
HIGHLY unlikely, unfortunately. There's several on eBay now, including the seller 'Kingsmodel', and none of them have a figure. If you are a subscriber, I would suggest fitting a raspberry inside it and sending it back.
I can. I bet they lost the licensing money AND needed to throw SOMETHING out there to give Ixo time to modify existing moulds (if either the '68 M-B W115 from TMWTGG or the '75 450SEL from FYEO are the next model, those are two where you have to make alterations to the interior and the wheelbase, respectively).
Thanks for the info!
If this were to happen again, i.e. needing to come up with something to buy time, I'd suggest the plain non-gadget DB5 from GE to match the Ferrari in the GE race scene. Very easy to do and IMHO a desirable model to have in the collection anyway. This, I think, is what they SHOULD have done instead of the TurkeyBird, it might even have refreshed the series - from the Bond point of view at least.
I understand this argument but don't accept it as a reasonable solution . We have had delays already so another would make no odds for a decent issue. I'm with moviecarfan if there was a need for any stop gap model a non gadget aston would have been welcome more than this. In fact they had it already the damaged Aston. I have said this time and no doubt say it again I am a subscriber and welcome the collection extention however I do not like being taken for granted and this issue is taking me and every subscriber for granted. Its unacceptable and one i will complain about on its delivery. I am probably more tolerant than most but on this occasion the blunderbird is unexcuseable. This model should not have been given the green light especially in the way it has been presented as seen already.
You misunderstand...I'm simply saying what I THINK happened, not what I wanted to happen (FAR from it!!!). I'm in a full agreement with MovieCarFan (who did understand my point) that if you absolutely HAVE to make something as a "stop-gap", then let it be a gadget-less Aston-Martin DB5. With the DBS, I think that WAS originally intended to be the stop-gap, but we saw more smeared-looking (i.e. more realistic) tampo-printing on the final product, meaning that UH was actually busy doing something else at the time.
I actually read it a few times before responding because the first sentence...
"I understand this argument but don't accept it as a reasonable solution ."
...seemed to be ambigous as to whether you meant my theory OR the model itself. Then I think I misread the first part of your second sentence...
"We have had delays already..."
...as being a refutation of my theory. In hindsight, with your extra post, I do understand it now. Don't worry...we all make the occassional "what's he trying to say?" type post that elicits an equally confusing response. Looking forward to Issue 111, but only to see the back cover, as I'm sure you are!
Speaking of that, though, and to change the subject more than a bit slightly, I'm really wondering about the release order of what is really starting to become a very widely circulated list. Undoubtedly Ixo and Fabbri have something along these lines in mind, but you have to figure they'll be some changes in order, especially with all the caveats we've gotten in the emails so far saying, basically, "here's the list in essentially random order". It's actually a fairly solid order as-is, because it's always good to mix around vehicle types, which they do a nice job of until we hit the Lada Niva, where they give us three out four Communist Bloc cars and one implied to be communist-affiliated car (the second W115). Also, the Dodge Ram Pickup followed by the Chevrolet 1-Ton Pickup isn't what I'd call ideal, since they're the only two pickups announced in the extension. I know this is really nit-picky, but I really like variety on themes in my partworks.
Bond cars, model Bond cars.
Or not
I have just realised I too have the Vanguard 'Velox' so will also try and make JBCC code 3. Will post pictures of mine as and when, also came across this picture on the net after searching bond 23 cars. Nothing official but certainly a contender
Aston Martin Zagato V12, would make a nice addition to the 1/43 collection. Also read the Bentley GT could be a possibility following the route the recent books have taken.
Still not received 110 or replacement Anglia ??