What's the old expression - "Talk of the Devil?". The 450 has appeared on eBay, and it looks like there's been an attempt to make it seem as though it's balancing on a wall! -
Right, I'm off to find a 1.43 Roger Moore 'kicking' figure to add to this one
That was fast! )
But seriously, other than telling us the model was made by Ixo, we unfortunately can't tell if they changed one, big, really important thing: the wheelbase. Here's an Ixo 280SE that's also a W116...
It's a pretty nice car and Mercedes-Benz actually gave away upscale versions as dealer samples (with their only other Ixo dealer samples being the terrific W111's)...but the 280SE has a shorter wheelbase than the 450SEL. There's not really any huge giveaway between the two models, but the doors are noticeably longer on the 450SEL. Matter of fact, go over to IMCDB and you'll find a debate raging about the car actually being a 450SEL or a 280SE! They're THAT close. Fortunately, in case the car IS a 280SE, this scene is actually portrayed correctly. Not wanting to drop the super-expensive 450SEL over the cliff, Locque was gripping onto Bond's tie for dear life out the door of an identically-painted 280SE. Were we expected and meant to believe it was a 450SEL? Yes. But was it? Nope. So in a way, even if Ixo doesn't get the wheelbase right, they will have made a correct car considering the scene.
This might answer your question - another one's appeared!
In theory then, thanks to the diorama, it's a bit of an 'everybody wins' situation as to whether the car is correct or not?
It's still a bit too difficult to tell, although part of me wants to say the outline of the of the rear wheel wells is different. The rear door also seems to be stretched a bit, although that could just be the angle. I will say this: the wheels are completely new and actually appear to be an improvement over the ones you see on the Ixo M-B Partwork model I linked to.
Still, even if it is a 280SE, you're correct: they can't really get it wrong since even though Locque was driving a 450SEL throughout the film (except in the snow, when he had the 200D and 220D; BOTH appeared due to a continuity error), it magically turned into a 280SE dangling over the cliff, which is probably why we only got very minimal side shots of the car during this scene. They just didn't want to toss the 450SEL off the cliff for whatever reason.
This might answer your question - another one's appeared!
In theory then, thanks to the diorama, it's a bit of an 'everybody wins' situation as to whether the car is correct or not?
It's still a bit too difficult to tell, although part of me wants to say the outline of the of the rear wheel wells is different. The rear door also seems to be stretched a bit, although that could just be the angle. I will say this: the wheels are completely new and actually appear to be an improvement over the ones you see on the Ixo M-B Partwork model I linked to.
Still, even if it is a 280SE, you're correct: they can't really get it wrong since even though Locque was driving a 450SEL throughout the film (except in the snow, when he had the 200D and 220D; BOTH appeared due to a continuity error), it magically turned into a 280SE dangling over the cliff, which is probably why we only got very minimal side shots of the car during this scene. They just didn't want to toss the 450SEL off the cliff for whatever reason.
You're a hard guy to please, D110! - but what about this? Yet another one's turned up on eBay (!) with a much clearer photo:
What do you reckon?
(By the way, there's no driver figure in it everyone, but it looks to me like the driver's side front headlamp assembly is either 'damaged' as per the screen car or the orange lens is missing. There's also what appears to be a person, presumably Sir Roger, shown on the background card.)
Would it be an idea for you guys to have a poll on your fave cars/vehicles (or veh-hecles if you're JW Pepper) so far, on this site?
I think we've had a go at that a few times. If memory serves the Octopussy Range Rover and SWLM Lotus Sub came out rated pretty highly. Anybody think of another model they'd grab if the house was on fire?
It looks to be short wheelbase IE an SE not an SEL. I have the Minichamps SEL (which only cost about £26 or something like that despite all the comments about it being so much more expensive than a regular Minichamps) and the door on that is way longer.
That said, it looks OK and I'm looking forward to it.
I've just collected my Mercedes 450,and that is Roger behind the car on the diorama.The car contains no Locque figure.There is 'damage'to the front headlamp,bumper&bonnet,also bullet holes to the windscreen,as in the movie.The model is in the large case again.The magazine confirms that part 121 will be the Volga M-24.
All in all,I like this model a lot,it has a good diorama and base.The 'damage' to the car perhaps won't suit some of the car-centrics amongst us,but their never happy anyway.
P.S
The model has a Daimler hologram sticker on the underside of the blister pack.I've also noticed the back of the diorama doesn't have the film title printed on the back,after part 120 mistake.
I've also noticed the back of the diorama doesn't have the film title printed on the back,after part 120 mistake.
I bet 120's mis-print was a mistake by the graphics artists (it happens). At least the Merc won't have 'Thunderball' on the back which will save EMFabbri a double embarrassment.
Winnie is right the fact it is a SE not an SEL and car is "damaged" means I will possibly give it a miss. But us car centrics will console ourselves by getting more than one PLymouth Savoy instead...
The magazine confirms that part 121 will be the Volga M-24.
1) Yay!
2) Very interesting they settled on "Volga M-24" (which really WAS shorthand for the Scaldia-Volga M24 made in CKD form for Benelux, albeit not the actual GAZ-24 Volga made for the USSR) as opposed to "GAZ-24 Volga" or "Scaldia-Volga M24". They logically couldn't do "GAZ-24 Volga" because that's not what the car was sold as, yet I'm wondering if they're worried they'll scare off a few buyers by labelling it a "Scaldia-Volga". Very interesting.
I think it's great news that a bit of life is being put back into these these models with some 'battle damage' on the Merc 450, I'll definitely be buying it with that as an added reason.
Now, EMFabbri, do you think you can supply the prospective Morris Minor either blown to bits or trampled by a herd of enraged elephants - or didn't any of that happen in the movie?
I'd love to upload? some images of the Mercedes Mr.D,but my computer skills are still quite basic at the moment and I have yet to try that out.I will try to fathom it out in the near future.
ok, here is a couple of pics that will suffice until someone posts a better one
has anyone heard any concrete facts concerning the 2 x week issue????
Wow - they've actually incorporated the damage into the die-cast bodywork from the look of it, the bonnet/hood appears to be buckled. I didn't think they'd go beyond tinkering with the plastic inserts like the bumper and light lenses. Strange that they should go to all that trouble but not incorporate a figure in the car to finish the whole thing off - the production budget ran out perhaps?
Terrific model of the "stunt car" that was actually dropped (a 280SE, not a 450SEL)! I like how they changed the wheels for something a bit smaller, which was one of the weaknesses that the original 280SE had (the wheels were a tiny bit oversized). It's not that Ixo is incapable of doing damage...as you can see, they did a really nice job of it here (and another excellent example is the "crashed" Simca 9 Aronde from the "La Route Bleue" partwork)...but they don't do it very often. It's also nice to see Bond again, even if he does appear in the diorama background only. Kudos to Ixo for giving us a great, Bond-centric model that a car-centric like myself can also enjoy! Now, back to the Scaldia-Volga M24...I'm really interested in that one!
has anyone heard any concrete facts concerning the 2 x week issue????
No, BUT as I mentioned, the guy I get my cars from is convinced it's the same situation we saw with Issues 111 and 112: that is, they consider speeding up, realize they can't keep up, and then slow right back down. He told me the distributor told him there was no indication that there would be any speeding up at all.
When I ordered my last back orders from database warehouse I asked when to call next to order next parts I was given a date of about 6 weeks ahead so there seems to be no way UK is going back to one a fortnight. We may be lucky to get them at 3-4 weeks apart. Jbcc have no control over this at all it depends on ixo and ships from china.
On the topic of the pre-release trader with an address very near warehouse Jbcc use I can only think of 2 things the models arrive so late he can't ship them earlier or bosses have clamped down or dispensed with his services. All pure conjecture,
Dalko I hadn't forgotten ford ranch wagon just know that it what be a while........
I would agree completely. The fastest Ixo can crank out even partwork cars with unpainted interiors and iffy quality control is about 15 days. With something similar in quality (at least on paper) to the JBCC in things like the Atlas DDR Trucks collection or Atlas DDR Auto-Kollektion, you get them released once every four weeks because quite frankly, you'd start having problems if you tried to put them together any sooner.
The other factor to take into account is that ixo has never had a lead in to give a chance to get ahead of the game. I also suspect jbcc are also not ordering all at once but are having one run made for newstrade and if they don't sell out using balance for subscribers. But if they sell well they have to reorder for subscribers hence big delays for some models in the past.
PLUS as we have said before jbcc are not ixo biggest or best customer
I've just collected my Mercedes 450,and that is Roger behind the car on the diorama.The car contains no Locque figure.There is 'damage'to the front headlamp,bumper&bonnet,also bullet holes to the windscreen,as in the movie.The model is in the large case again.The magazine confirms that part 121 will be the Volga M-24.
All in all,I like this model a lot,it has a good diorama and base.The 'damage' to the car perhaps won't suit some of the car-centrics amongst us,but their never happy anyway.
Regarding a figure of Loque for this Merc. There was one in No. 81- the G.P Beach Buggy, (but he faces forward-not looking sideways.) So for all you modelmakers, if you could get to the Merc's interior, having bought a duplicate beach buggy, maybe you could put Locque in there. I won't attempt it myself.
A friend has had his model Merc, and it is much better than expected, as it might've been a plain Merc on a flat road, but as described it is damaged and on clifftop rock road in imitation of the FYEO scene.
The only thing is, that the picture Roger Moore is "kicking" an empty car-as is.
Bleuville. Sheriff in DAF- "I gotcha now! " Bond to Tiffany in Mustang - "Lean over".
Just got it today! Three words: I love it! It's actually very passable as the less common 450SE model with the optional second side mirror deleted, since the interior trim, hubcaps, twin tailpipes, and paint color in general...that car had the same wheelbase as the 280SE, but was significantly upgraded on the inside. Indeed, Ixo details the inside very nicely.
The bullet damage, dented hood, and "shot out" headlight and turn signal are all clever additions by Ixo that we've seen lacking from previous issues. Oddly enough, it's the second issue in the series that makes absolutely no mention of manufacturer (the Continental was the first), with "Eaglemoss Copyright 2012" on the outside of the packing.
Unscrew the car from it's base and you'll be in for quite a surprise: not one, but rather TWO Ixo logos can be found on the bottom. One is stamped at an angle, while the other is stamped straight on. One appears to be the older, worn stamp that was found on the original Ixo 280SE, while the other, much deeper one appears to have been re-applied. I'm guessing that in re-doing/revitalizing the mould, they probably damaged the previously existing logo and simply added another one to meet deadlines.
One of the more vexxing questions the car raises, though, are its license plates. The only three countries that come close are Czechoslovakia (but pre-1960 only), Sweden (but the font is different and Sweden employed a space instead of a hyphen), and perhaps appropriately, Albania (minus the communist star and letter code at the end of the plate). Personally, I think they were trying for Albania, since it does resemble an Albanian truck license plate although is in the wrong format (which was the prefix, the hyphen, and the alphanumeric code on what could be best described as an American-style license plate). Albanian license plates were extremely rare, with cars being more restricted at the time than in almost any other country since the onset of the First World War. The handful of cars that were imported were made to order and almost always from Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, ZIS when they had relations with the USSR, and various French cars obtained from trade ally China prior to the Sino-Albanian Split. With EON dabbling in an area where not even most license plate collectors have access to, is it really any wonder they were almost certainly forced to guess?
Just got it today! Three words: I love it! It's actually very passable as the less common 450SE model with the optional second side mirror deleted, since the interior trim, hubcaps, twin tailpipes, and paint color in general...that car had the same wheelbase as the 280SE, but was significantly upgraded on the inside. Indeed, Ixo details the inside very nicely.
Interesting as ever, particularly about the car situation in Albania; thanks. I am looking forward to the S Class. By the way, the Minichamps 450SEL 6.9 I bought new for about £26 about 10 years ago is metallic green, not grey or silver, so perhaps a) they have gone up in value, or b) it's only the silver - grey one that is sought after. I am sure you will have thoughts on this and I would love to hear them. In any event, I think it looks pretty good in metallic green, though I would be interested in one in Ronin-brown.
Interesting as ever, particularly about the car situation in Albania; thanks. I am looking forward to the S Class. By the way, the Minichamps 450SEL 6.9 I bought new for about £26 about 10 years ago is metallic green, not grey or silver, so perhaps a) they have gone up in value, or b) it's only the silver - grey one that is sought after. I am sure you will have thoughts on this and I would love to hear them. In any event, I think it looks pretty good in metallic green, though I would be interested in one in Ronin-brown.
Regarding the car situation in Albania, they were mostly banned because Enver Hoxha's wife didn't like the sound of the engines turning over!
I've not seen one for sale in metallic green, by the way. The two predominant colors are both dealer exlusives: silver-gray as you mention and also dark blue metallic. Neither car is inexpensive in the least and while both are (somewhat) common, they're also both very desirable. I've seen the brown and green cars, but neither one often enough to actually gauge how much it would be worth. The brown car wasn't selling for particularly much, but the green one was the typical, through-the-stratosphere pricing you'd expect.
Ah, that makes perfect sense - the arbitrary decisions of a dictator. I read that Saddam passed a law in Iraq stating that no-one in Iraq was allowed to own a Ferrari apart from his family. In the Bond context, perhaps Colonel Moon was the only person in North Korea allowed a Diablo!
Interesting about the 450SEL. I bought three Minichamps cars that day in a shop in the UK. I remember it well as I was on my way to the airport to go on vacation and was wondering about the logic of buying things and then taking them both directions on the aircraft. Anyhow, I bought three cars, and it seems all three of them have gone up in value a lot judging by the eBaymometer, the others being the Dakar Yellow BMW M3 E46 and the yellow 2001 Audi RS4. I have no plans to sell any of them ever, but it's still nice to know values have gone up.
Regarding the Merc 450 just released, I was reading somewhere that when Corgi altered existing moulds to create new models back in the 60s, the mould was changed forever. For example Corgi's DB4 mould was altered to create the James Bond DB5, which meant no more DB4s could be made and likewise, they altered their Oldsmobile 88 mould to create the Man From Uncle car. Out of interest, I was just wondering if this still applies in 2012, did IXO sacrifice a mould to create the damage on the Merc 450? Anybody know?
Regarding the Merc 450 just released, I was reading somewhere that when Corgi altered existing moulds to create new models back in the 60s, the mould was changed forever. For example Corgi's DB4 mould was altered to create the James Bond DB5, which meant no more DB4s could be made and likewise, they altered their Oldsmobile 88 mould to create the Man From Uncle car. Out of interest, I was just wondering if this still applies in 2012, did IXO sacrifice a mould to create the damage on the Merc 450? Anybody know?
Thanks to duplicate moulds, Ixo didn't sacrifice anything. The "damaged" Simca 9 Aronde, for example, was later released in another partwork. Also, they've altered several police car moulds to get civilian variants and then changed them back into police cars. Further, the Lada Niva mould has been changed at least five times, yet they returned it to the very first of those iterations with the Romanian partwork Masini de Legenda. They've played around with a LOT of their moulds, actually, and never permanently.
Regarding the Merc 450 just released, I was reading somewhere that when Corgi altered existing moulds to create new models back in the 60s, the mould was changed forever. For example Corgi's DB4 mould was altered to create the James Bond DB5, which meant no more DB4s could be made and likewise, they altered their Oldsmobile 88 mould to create the Man From Uncle car. Out of interest, I was just wondering if this still applies in 2012, did IXO sacrifice a mould to create the damage on the Merc 450? Anybody know?
It's possible that Ixo have altered the mould, but there are two alternatives: the damage might have added by milling after moulding (I haven't seen the model up close so can't venture an opinion as to whether this could actually be the case here), or Ixo could have a so-called complex die for this model - this is made up of multiple sides, any one of which can be substituted by a custom one for a particular moulding run (for example think of Corgi's Ford Transit, VW T1, Morris J2, etc - the van version vs the minibus version - side windows vs closed sides - those versions are not made from entirely different moulds).
A good series on the die-casting process was posted on the The Diecast Zone forums some months back, put together by a guy who used to do development at Franklin Mint & GMP - here's the main link: http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/forums/bulletinboard/viewMessage.asp?id=296364&start=296364
Check out in particular link#3 (on the tooling process) and link #6 (on post-moulding milling) in that thread.
Comments
That was fast!
But seriously, other than telling us the model was made by Ixo, we unfortunately can't tell if they changed one, big, really important thing: the wheelbase. Here's an Ixo 280SE that's also a W116...
http://mb143.ru/assets/images/models/15/DSC09574_800.jpg
It's a pretty nice car and Mercedes-Benz actually gave away upscale versions as dealer samples (with their only other Ixo dealer samples being the terrific W111's)...but the 280SE has a shorter wheelbase than the 450SEL. There's not really any huge giveaway between the two models, but the doors are noticeably longer on the 450SEL. Matter of fact, go over to IMCDB and you'll find a debate raging about the car actually being a 450SEL or a 280SE! They're THAT close. Fortunately, in case the car IS a 280SE, this scene is actually portrayed correctly. Not wanting to drop the super-expensive 450SEL over the cliff, Locque was gripping onto Bond's tie for dear life out the door of an identically-painted 280SE. Were we expected and meant to believe it was a 450SEL? Yes. But was it? Nope. So in a way, even if Ixo doesn't get the wheelbase right, they will have made a correct car considering the scene.
In theory then, thanks to the diorama, it's a bit of an 'everybody wins' situation as to whether the car is correct or not?
It's still a bit too difficult to tell, although part of me wants to say the outline of the of the rear wheel wells is different. The rear door also seems to be stretched a bit, although that could just be the angle. I will say this: the wheels are completely new and actually appear to be an improvement over the ones you see on the Ixo M-B Partwork model I linked to.
Still, even if it is a 280SE, you're correct: they can't really get it wrong since even though Locque was driving a 450SEL throughout the film (except in the snow, when he had the 200D and 220D; BOTH appeared due to a continuity error), it magically turned into a 280SE dangling over the cliff, which is probably why we only got very minimal side shots of the car during this scene. They just didn't want to toss the 450SEL off the cliff for whatever reason.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
You're a hard guy to please, D110!
What do you reckon?
(By the way, there's no driver figure in it everyone, but it looks to me like the driver's side front headlamp assembly is either 'damaged' as per the screen car or the orange lens is missing. There's also what appears to be a person, presumably Sir Roger, shown on the background card.)
I think we've had a go at that a few times. If memory serves the Octopussy Range Rover and SWLM Lotus Sub came out rated pretty highly. Anybody think of another model they'd grab if the house was on fire?
That said, it looks OK and I'm looking forward to it.
All in all,I like this model a lot,it has a good diorama and base.The 'damage' to the car perhaps won't suit some of the car-centrics amongst us,but their never happy anyway.
The model has a Daimler hologram sticker on the underside of the blister pack.I've also noticed the back of the diorama doesn't have the film title printed on the back,after part 120 mistake.
LOL! That's you off a few Christmas card lists!!
I bet 120's mis-print was a mistake by the graphics artists (it happens). At least the Merc won't have 'Thunderball' on the back which will save EMFabbri a double embarrassment.
And let us not forget the world's first commercial release of a Scaldia-Volga, as well as what I imagine will eventually be a Ford Ranch Wagon!
LOL, not bad! But seriously, should probably be a fun car anyway. Any chance of you getting some images of the damage up, Winnie?
By the way, the gray Minichamps 450SEL in dealer packaging goes for over $80 here. Trust me, if you found one for 26 GBP, pat yourself on the back!
1) Yay!
2) Very interesting they settled on "Volga M-24" (which really WAS shorthand for the Scaldia-Volga M24 made in CKD form for Benelux, albeit not the actual GAZ-24 Volga made for the USSR) as opposed to "GAZ-24 Volga" or "Scaldia-Volga M24". They logically couldn't do "GAZ-24 Volga" because that's not what the car was sold as, yet I'm wondering if they're worried they'll scare off a few buyers by labelling it a "Scaldia-Volga". Very interesting.
Now, EMFabbri, do you think you can supply the prospective Morris Minor either blown to bits or trampled by a herd of enraged elephants - or didn't any of that happen in the movie?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
has anyone heard any concrete facts concerning the 2 x week issue????
Wow - they've actually incorporated the damage into the die-cast bodywork from the look of it, the bonnet/hood appears to be buckled. I didn't think they'd go beyond tinkering with the plastic inserts like the bumper and light lenses. Strange that they should go to all that trouble but not incorporate a figure in the car to finish the whole thing off - the production budget ran out perhaps?
Thanks for posting, YMMB!
No, BUT as I mentioned, the guy I get my cars from is convinced it's the same situation we saw with Issues 111 and 112: that is, they consider speeding up, realize they can't keep up, and then slow right back down. He told me the distributor told him there was no indication that there would be any speeding up at all.
On the topic of the pre-release trader with an address very near warehouse Jbcc use I can only think of 2 things the models arrive so late he can't ship them earlier or bosses have clamped down or dispensed with his services. All pure conjecture,
Dalko I hadn't forgotten ford ranch wagon just know that it what be a while........
I like it when when you get a realistic-looking car. I'll make my own diorama for it and switch out the license plates, but I really like this one!
I would agree completely. The fastest Ixo can crank out even partwork cars with unpainted interiors and iffy quality control is about 15 days. With something similar in quality (at least on paper) to the JBCC in things like the Atlas DDR Trucks collection or Atlas DDR Auto-Kollektion, you get them released once every four weeks because quite frankly, you'd start having problems if you tried to put them together any sooner.
PLUS as we have said before jbcc are not ixo biggest or best customer
Regarding a figure of Loque for this Merc. There was one in No. 81- the G.P Beach Buggy, (but he faces forward-not looking sideways.) So for all you modelmakers, if you could get to the Merc's interior, having bought a duplicate beach buggy, maybe you could put Locque in there. I won't attempt it myself.
A friend has had his model Merc, and it is much better than expected, as it might've been a plain Merc on a flat road, but as described it is damaged and on clifftop rock road in imitation of the FYEO scene.
The only thing is, that the picture Roger Moore is "kicking" an empty car-as is.
Bleuville. Sheriff in DAF- "I gotcha now! " Bond to Tiffany in Mustang - "Lean over".
The bullet damage, dented hood, and "shot out" headlight and turn signal are all clever additions by Ixo that we've seen lacking from previous issues. Oddly enough, it's the second issue in the series that makes absolutely no mention of manufacturer (the Continental was the first), with "Eaglemoss Copyright 2012" on the outside of the packing.
Unscrew the car from it's base and you'll be in for quite a surprise: not one, but rather TWO Ixo logos can be found on the bottom. One is stamped at an angle, while the other is stamped straight on. One appears to be the older, worn stamp that was found on the original Ixo 280SE, while the other, much deeper one appears to have been re-applied. I'm guessing that in re-doing/revitalizing the mould, they probably damaged the previously existing logo and simply added another one to meet deadlines.
One of the more vexxing questions the car raises, though, are its license plates. The only three countries that come close are Czechoslovakia (but pre-1960 only), Sweden (but the font is different and Sweden employed a space instead of a hyphen), and perhaps appropriately, Albania (minus the communist star and letter code at the end of the plate). Personally, I think they were trying for Albania, since it does resemble an Albanian truck license plate although is in the wrong format (which was the prefix, the hyphen, and the alphanumeric code on what could be best described as an American-style license plate). Albanian license plates were extremely rare, with cars being more restricted at the time than in almost any other country since the onset of the First World War. The handful of cars that were imported were made to order and almost always from Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, ZIS when they had relations with the USSR, and various French cars obtained from trade ally China prior to the Sino-Albanian Split. With EON dabbling in an area where not even most license plate collectors have access to, is it really any wonder they were almost certainly forced to guess?
Interesting as ever, particularly about the car situation in Albania; thanks. I am looking forward to the S Class. By the way, the Minichamps 450SEL 6.9 I bought new for about £26 about 10 years ago is metallic green, not grey or silver, so perhaps a) they have gone up in value, or b) it's only the silver - grey one that is sought after. I am sure you will have thoughts on this and I would love to hear them. In any event, I think it looks pretty good in metallic green, though I would be interested in one in Ronin-brown.
Regarding the car situation in Albania, they were mostly banned because Enver Hoxha's wife didn't like the sound of the engines turning over!
I've not seen one for sale in metallic green, by the way. The two predominant colors are both dealer exlusives: silver-gray as you mention and also dark blue metallic. Neither car is inexpensive in the least and while both are (somewhat) common, they're also both very desirable. I've seen the brown and green cars, but neither one often enough to actually gauge how much it would be worth. The brown car wasn't selling for particularly much, but the green one was the typical, through-the-stratosphere pricing you'd expect.
Interesting about the 450SEL. I bought three Minichamps cars that day in a shop in the UK. I remember it well as I was on my way to the airport to go on vacation and was wondering about the logic of buying things and then taking them both directions on the aircraft. Anyhow, I bought three cars, and it seems all three of them have gone up in value a lot judging by the eBaymometer, the others being the Dakar Yellow BMW M3 E46 and the yellow 2001 Audi RS4. I have no plans to sell any of them ever, but it's still nice to know values have gone up.
Thanks to duplicate moulds, Ixo didn't sacrifice anything. The "damaged" Simca 9 Aronde, for example, was later released in another partwork. Also, they've altered several police car moulds to get civilian variants and then changed them back into police cars. Further, the Lada Niva mould has been changed at least five times, yet they returned it to the very first of those iterations with the Romanian partwork Masini de Legenda. They've played around with a LOT of their moulds, actually, and never permanently.
A good series on the die-casting process was posted on the The Diecast Zone forums some months back, put together by a guy who used to do development at Franklin Mint & GMP - here's the main link:
http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/forums/bulletinboard/viewMessage.asp?id=296364&start=296364
Check out in particular link#3 (on the tooling process) and link #6 (on post-moulding milling) in that thread.