To get this somewhat back on topic, I figured I'd post a picture of what I consider to be one of the best Code 3's of any JBCC car I've ever seen. I rarely (and I mean rarely) ever purchase Code 3's off eBay, but this was just too good. I got it a few months ago and finally got around to snapping a photo. The wheels are incorrect, as is the added antenna, but it's just such a work of art that I can forgive it.
Yep, he put the Lada 1500 back together (and, when I took it off the display plinth, I got the rather pleasant surprise that he'd detailed the bottom!). For 15 GBP including shipping, I couldn't resist. Apparently, he'd done one for himself as well, thinking the "splitting car" was too silly. Of all the various minor tweaks and full-blown Code 3's I've seen from the JBCC, I've never seen one for sale I've considered to be this good.
"Not bad with that put-back-together Lada ... interesting idea.
For his next trick he's probably going to panelbeat the Cougar or the Monaco"
Funny you should say that. He actually said he was going to make a plain (i.e. no visible gadgets) DB5 when I asked him if he had anything else in the works. Panel-beating the Cougar and Monaco are alas impossible, but actually, I imagine you could remove the Cougar's skis and ski rack, fair over the four holes holding the ski rack in place, and then get an equally interesting model of the car.
By the way, are you gonna eat that?
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
"Not bad with that put-back-together Lada ... interesting idea.
For his next trick he's probably going to panelbeat the Cougar or the Monaco"
Funny you should say that. He actually said he was going to make a plain (i.e. no visible gadgets) DB5 when I asked him if he had anything else in the works. Panel-beating the Cougar and Monaco are alas impossible, but actually, I imagine you could remove the Cougar's skis and ski rack, fair over the four holes holding the ski rack in place, and then get an equally interesting model of the car.
I personally like the body damage to the Cougar, but wish the chasis had the front wheels in the straight position (for play value!) ...so maybe another model of a Cougar can be swapped with a little adjustments?
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
"...so maybe another model of a Cougar can be swapped with a little adjustments?"
Unfortunately, those "turned" front wheels by UH are very hard if not impossible to change out. The only way I can imagine doing so is literally cutting the base apart on two different models and giving one model the rear wheels from another. Of course, this totally destroys the other model.
Amid all the delays I will try and provide some cheer and come back to why we started the collection in the first place - the cars themselves! I have spotted a few Bond cars recently and here they are :
Nice photos, myhandle! I wish I would see a classic Aston on the street sometimes. All I ever see are modern Astons which are all painted grey. Are they only available in silver, grey, charcoal – or is colour an extra-cost option?
Anyway, back to 1/43 – and even more silver Astons ...
As I was lucky to find one the French test Z8’s on Ebay a few weeks ago, I thought that I'd post some pictures of "The French Collection", the early JBCC test issues sold in France. These models were introduced in late 2005, and the test run ended after five issues in January 2006. The release order was the same as the international release a year later, except that issue 5 was Zao’s Jaguar XKR instead of the 2CV. I don’t know if the magazine layout or content is different from the later editions, as I have never received a magazine with the cars, nor have I ever seen one on Ebay.
The French test models were produced by Eligor and Norev and can easily be identified by the gold lettering on the diorama base. The film titles are in French (not much of a difference though in the case of "Goldfinger"). If still sealed in the blisterpack, the cardboard base is also black with gold lettering, instead of the later black on white.
Opinions on these models vary from
... test-run items which have the black cardboard, the diorama and models are better than the usual items
to
... the models were made by Norev. The UK models are made by Universal Hobbies and are far superior
(quotes from ajb members). Regardless of how one thinks about the quality of these cars: they are incredibly difficult to find. I have now obtained the last Bond(-driven) car, the BMW Z8, but I am still looking for Zao’s XKR. Maybe a nice AJB member can help out?
Issue 1:
ASTON MARTIN DB5 • GOLDFINGER
This is particularly interesting as two distinctive models of the DB5 were released on Nov 17, 2005 in two different French regions. (The infos on the release dates are from http://cntrois.over-blog.com/article-kiosques-doc-sommaire-des-series-tests-collections-miniatures-presse-53995313.html ).
These even had different prices, to compare which model would lead to better sales of future issues: the better model from Norev for €4.95 (sold in the Nancy region), or the cheaper but inferior Eligor model for only €2.95 (in the Lens region).
Norev (left) and Eligor DB5, with the standard Universal Hobbies model in the background.
The Norev (Nancy region) DB5 is the same as the standard Norev model (no. 270501), except for some slight simplifications (e.g. no print on the side DB5 emblems). Bond modifications are the driver figure, the tyre slasher and the BMT 216A number plates. The Eligor and Norev models do not have the ejector seat roof opening engraved, unlike the later UH model. (As the Road Car used for filming in Switzerland didn’t have the roof opening, one could argue that this is actually more prototypical.) The Norev is my favourite 1/43 DB5 model, I think that it looks accurate, except for too thick bumpers perhaps.
I have never seen one of the Norev or Eligor DB5's still sealed in their blisterpack - was the first model issued without? I would like to know if both came with the same manufacturer's address.
The Eligor (Lens region) DB5 is easily recognized as the worst of the three. It is the darkest (although the paint differences don't show well in my photos with too much lights and flash, the Norev is not that light) and has ugly, crude wire wheels. Comparing the castings, the Eligor isn't that bad - in fact it is the same model as the UH! Shows that decent wheels can change the appearance of a model completely. I couldn't find a DB5 in Eligor's range or an older model on Ebay, so I don't know what happened to the casting, why it is reappearing as a UH model? Universal Hobbies has a French address, so is UH a joint-venture between Norev, Eligor, maybe Solido?
The UH is the former Eligor model down to the baseplate; the Eligor logo has been changed to Universal Hobbies. Silver detailing on the Eligor is omitted, but the rear silencer is now a separate, chrome-plated part.
The diorama bases of the two French models are also different, they are not from the same batch. However, both are marked with "Crafted by Eligor" and (the planned issue number?) "2" - the UH base has "1". I guess that the bases for the Norev were produced first. The gold lettering is notably larger and it is offset to the left (as is the car), so that the dot dividing DB5 and GOLDFINGER is exactly in the center.
For the Eligor DB5 this was changed so that the complete text is centered. Probably it had been decided that a text like BMW Z8 • LE MONDE NE SUFFIT PAS would look strange if not centered. (The painting of the two bases also differs slightly, but I think these are unintentional variations.) The road is painted a lighter grey which matches the background illustration better than the later UH base. Although it looks similar, the base for the UH is a different mould, and it is angled more because it is slightly higher on the rear. Note that the lids are different – the 007 sticker is positioned in an elongated rectangle on the early versions. Only issue 1 used these boxes, from issue 2 on the box lids are identical to the later UH.
The UH box lid (bottom) is tapering more towards the top; the early boxes cannot be stacked properly. Note the extra transport protection unique to the Eligor DB5, a clear plastic piece securing the roof. This does not fit on the Norev, and because of the different box lids it is too large for later boxes. Norev and UH have number plates like the film car, the Eligor just a standard Helvetica or Arial font.
The diorama background has changed as well. Because of the more tapering boxes, the side panel is angled more on the UH box (bottom). Obvious differences are additional clouds and the position of the Mustang and the marker stones. Closer examination reveals that even the railway catenary has changed (funny that neither position of the wire is prototypical).
The outside shows an added Aston Martin licence. The copyright has changed from 2005 to 2006. "Les voitures de James Bond" is gone from the international release.
Issue 1 is not enough - "The French Collection" will return with issue 2:
ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH • MEURS UN AUTRE JOUR
"so is UH a joint-venture between Norev, Eligor, maybe Solido?"
Universal Hobbies is its own company. My guess is they were looking at potential alternative manufacturers in case something went wrong (eventually finding an alternative in Ixo). Eligor (along with UH, Norev, and Ixo) has made some vehicles for the "La Route Bleue" series of dioramas, which is in my opinion superb. In fact, I'm rather surprised by how poor the quality of that model is.
Norev also regularly does partworks and from my experience with these partworks, quality is excellent. In fact, with the exception of the lack of the lines around the roof section, I'm tempted to say that the Norev model is the one I like best. I was especially impressed with their Japanese Car series from about three years ago. Their Renault-Hino 4CV, Mazda Carol, and Nissan Cedric Light Van (Japanese term for a station wagon/estate wagon) were superb AND unique and I also was impressed by their Subaru 360 and Nissan Fairlady 1600. No, it wasn't Ebbro (in my opinion, the gold standard for Japanese models, followed closely by Aoshima DISM), but it was really good and I could get three of them for the price of one Ebbro. Likewise the Nissan Cedric 30 Series Sedan.
More detailed pics of the Bondola posted on another forum. I have to say as far as this model goes I'm really glad I'm not a subscriber!
has the person who posted this changed the color of the base i.e. done a code 3, or is this one entirely grey due to it being "st marks square" and thus being some form of holy grail...??? Can't help but think even if the base is to be grey, the wall sides should still be black, in order to be in-keeping with the rest of the diorama bases
More detailed pics of the Bondola posted on another forum. I have to say as far as this model goes I'm really glad I'm not a subscriber!
has the person who posted this changed the color of the base i.e. done a code 3, or is this one entirely grey due to it being "st marks square" and thus being some form of holy grail...??? Can't help but think even if the base is to be grey, the wall sides should still be black, in order to be in-keeping with the rest of the diorama bases
I'm pretty sure the base is as it comes, and not a code 3 (The original post with the pics is on MI6Forums.com New Bond Car Magazine page 205).
If you have a look back at the Ixo models in the range to date, a few of them have now have been supplied with very basic or unpainted bases, so might it be something to be expected from now on? 8-)
More detailed pics of the Bondola posted on another forum. I have to say as far as this model goes I'm really glad I'm not a subscriber!
has the person who posted this changed the color of the base i.e. done a code 3, or is this one entirely grey due to it being "st marks square" and thus being some form of holy grail...??? Can't help but think even if the base is to be grey, the wall sides should still be black, in order to be in-keeping with the rest of the diorama bases
I'm pretty sure the base is as it comes, and not a code 3 (The original post with the pics is on MI6Forums.com New Bond Car Magazine page 205).
If you have a look back at the Ixo models in the range to date, a few of them have now have been supplied with very basic or unpainted bases, so might it be something to be expected from now on? 8-)
based on the model the bondola in the real life would be just under 23feet long.
AND NO BOND FIGURE:(
Is it just me or did this scene take place in St Marks Square?.... If it did why is the tower from St Marks Square pictures way off to the left in the diorama? Or am I just an arse?
Is it just me or did this scene take place in St Marks Square?.... If it did why is the tower from St Marks Square pictures way off to the left in the diorama? Or am I just an arse?
Because it's the campanile of San Giorgio Maggiore, an island visible from St. Mark's square ... all questions answered?
What really bothers me is that the lettering is not only on a grey background, but that this is much higher than on the other boxes. And you can see wheels.
I have plenty of spare models that arrived in damaged cases and had to be replaced. I'm sure I can find a spare Roger Moore James Bond there.
I would take one of the too small figures from either the Impala convertible or the "Lightweight Land Rover" (supposed to be Dalton but a figure has to be repainted anyway) to make the gondola look larger.
I thought I'd revisit a car done a while ago after getting in another version today: the Lada 1500. I'll take the time to note that yes, the Lada 1500 was a Code 3 and put back together with an antenna added behind the flasher, but I'm using it so you can better compare the two cars.
First, Universal Hobbies...
And now, Ixo for Foxtoys...
The thought "are these even the same car?!?" comes to mind. However, perhaps unfortunately for us, the Ixo is the more realistic of the two. It represents an early import to Czechoslovakia and isn't badged as a Lada 1500, but rather a VAZ-2103, but this SHOULD be the only cosmetic difference. Instead, well...there are quite a few. The UH model seems to have some early Lada 1600/VAZ-2106 features thrown in as well...plastic wiper blades and newer-style door handles, for example. This could be chalked up to the continuity errors in TLD wherein Lada 1500's and Lada 1600's were swapped around quite a bit...
And indeed, the siren and flasher on the movie car were unfortunately the wrong shape. However, they are closer to a real Czechoslovakian VB police car than the UH model's. Also omitted is the white "identification bar" aft of the siren and light, which was used to identify all VB cars from the air. Presidential guard cars had blank strips. If the prop guys left this off, okay, I really don't blame them. Ditto the chrome strips on the sides, although oddly, these along with the right hubcaps show up correctly on some of the Lada 1600's ( http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_18446-Lada-1600-2106-1977.html ). But what did UH screw up on that the prop guys got right?
Firstly and most obviously, the font of "VB." It's the correct, bold, large font on the movie car and seems extremely skinny and small on the UH car. Second, the side mirror. Check out the "painted to match the car" mirror on the UH whilst both the movie car and the Ixo have regular mirrors. The spacing of the tail lights is also far better on the Ixo car and much closer to that of the movie car. Also, the rear pillar vents are correctly painted in on the Ixo. They are not on the UH. The UH is also oddly a tad bit wider than the Ixo, although they are the same length. Also, the bumpers on the car are a little closer to a VAZ-2106, as is the downward-facing tail pipe. Bottom line: UH sadly did a worse job on this one than I'd thought. I wonder what would have happened had Ixo made this one like they did with the Maserati Biturbo due to having existing moulds as opposed to having UH make their own.
Incidentally, I know one of the points often made is that "well, it only costs 8 GBP, what do you expect?" After all, I will admit that Foxtoys specifically is NOT cheap. However, here we have a superbly-detailed car by Ixo, the cheapest variation of which you can buy for roughly $10. Ixo had also made Lada 1200's for Foxtoys and had experience painting the cars in the correct livery.
Very interesting indeed, dear Dalkowski. However, on close examination, I'm not sure that the IXO car is so much better than UH. Yes, some bits are better, but others are not. The VB mark on the side is more realistic on the UH car, it doesn't have the silver side stripes (just like in the movie), and the flasher on the IXO, regardless of its shape, is simply unrealistically huge. Also the bumpers on the UH model have the correct, black stripes. IXO has better wheels and indicators. The flaws you pointed out on the UH car can be easily fixed with a little paint (though probably I wouldn't even notice without your help - after all examining 110 cars must take a long time). Thanks!
I wouldn't say the siren and flasher are unrealistically huge and would disagree quite strongly about the "VB" logo on the side (see next pic...the 1200 and 1500/1600 had differently painted doors)...take a look at this REAL (and quite rare, as most were decomissioned and had the siren/flasher assembly ripped out) Czech VB Lada 1200 (decommissioned during the communist era, as instead of whiting out the identification bar on the roof, it was simply painted over)...
The Lada 1500 and Lada 1600 cars had similar arrangements regarding the siren.
As for the doors and chrome stripes, check this out. This 1500 was decommissioned quite a while ago and the light bar and siren are incorrect replacements (Soviet-style and much cheaper than Czech examples...also note the whited-out roof identification number)...the original had the siren you'd see on the Ixo and the above 1200...
No, this car DOES represent very well a real Czech VB police car from the early 1980's (mid 1980's models would have had 1500 badging as well as usually two side mirrors). I can tell you that because I've seen the real thing.
Comments
Yep, he put the Lada 1500 back together (and, when I took it off the display plinth, I got the rather pleasant surprise that he'd detailed the bottom!). For 15 GBP including shipping, I couldn't resist. Apparently, he'd done one for himself as well, thinking the "splitting car" was too silly. Of all the various minor tweaks and full-blown Code 3's I've seen from the JBCC, I've never seen one for sale I've considered to be this good.
For his next trick he's probably going to panelbeat the Cougar or the Monaco
For his next trick he's probably going to panelbeat the Cougar or the Monaco"
Funny you should say that. He actually said he was going to make a plain (i.e. no visible gadgets) DB5 when I asked him if he had anything else in the works. Panel-beating the Cougar and Monaco are alas impossible, but actually, I imagine you could remove the Cougar's skis and ski rack, fair over the four holes holding the ski rack in place, and then get an equally interesting model of the car.
I personally like the body damage to the Cougar, but wish the chasis had the front wheels in the straight position (for play value!) ...so maybe another model of a Cougar can be swapped with a little adjustments?
Unfortunately, those "turned" front wheels by UH are very hard if not impossible to change out. The only way I can imagine doing so is literally cutting the base apart on two different models and giving one model the rear wheels from another. Of course, this totally destroys the other model.
Anyway, back to 1/43 – and even more silver Astons ...
As I was lucky to find one the French test Z8’s on Ebay a few weeks ago, I thought that I'd post some pictures of "The French Collection", the early JBCC test issues sold in France. These models were introduced in late 2005, and the test run ended after five issues in January 2006. The release order was the same as the international release a year later, except that issue 5 was Zao’s Jaguar XKR instead of the 2CV. I don’t know if the magazine layout or content is different from the later editions, as I have never received a magazine with the cars, nor have I ever seen one on Ebay.
The French test models were produced by Eligor and Norev and can easily be identified by the gold lettering on the diorama base. The film titles are in French (not much of a difference though in the case of "Goldfinger"). If still sealed in the blisterpack, the cardboard base is also black with gold lettering, instead of the later black on white.
Opinions on these models vary from to (quotes from ajb members). Regardless of how one thinks about the quality of these cars: they are incredibly difficult to find. I have now obtained the last Bond(-driven) car, the BMW Z8, but I am still looking for Zao’s XKR. Maybe a nice AJB member can help out?
Issue 1:
ASTON MARTIN DB5 • GOLDFINGER
This is particularly interesting as two distinctive models of the DB5 were released on Nov 17, 2005 in two different French regions. (The infos on the release dates are from
http://cntrois.over-blog.com/article-kiosques-doc-sommaire-des-series-tests-collections-miniatures-presse-53995313.html ).
These even had different prices, to compare which model would lead to better sales of future issues: the better model from Norev for €4.95 (sold in the Nancy region), or the cheaper but inferior Eligor model for only €2.95 (in the Lens region).
Norev (left) and Eligor DB5, with the standard Universal Hobbies model in the background.
The Norev (Nancy region) DB5 is the same as the standard Norev model (no. 270501), except for some slight simplifications (e.g. no print on the side DB5 emblems). Bond modifications are the driver figure, the tyre slasher and the BMT 216A number plates. The Eligor and Norev models do not have the ejector seat roof opening engraved, unlike the later UH model. (As the Road Car used for filming in Switzerland didn’t have the roof opening, one could argue that this is actually more prototypical.) The Norev is my favourite 1/43 DB5 model, I think that it looks accurate, except for too thick bumpers perhaps.
I have never seen one of the Norev or Eligor DB5's still sealed in their blisterpack - was the first model issued without? I would like to know if both came with the same manufacturer's address.
The Eligor (Lens region) DB5 is easily recognized as the worst of the three. It is the darkest (although the paint differences don't show well in my photos with too much lights and flash, the Norev is not that light) and has ugly, crude wire wheels. Comparing the castings, the Eligor isn't that bad - in fact it is the same model as the UH! Shows that decent wheels can change the appearance of a model completely. I couldn't find a DB5 in Eligor's range or an older model on Ebay, so I don't know what happened to the casting, why it is reappearing as a UH model? Universal Hobbies has a French address, so is UH a joint-venture between Norev, Eligor, maybe Solido?
The UH is the former Eligor model down to the baseplate; the Eligor logo has been changed to Universal Hobbies. Silver detailing on the Eligor is omitted, but the rear silencer is now a separate, chrome-plated part.
The diorama bases of the two French models are also different, they are not from the same batch. However, both are marked with "Crafted by Eligor" and (the planned issue number?) "2" - the UH base has "1". I guess that the bases for the Norev were produced first. The gold lettering is notably larger and it is offset to the left (as is the car), so that the dot dividing DB5 and GOLDFINGER is exactly in the center.
For the Eligor DB5 this was changed so that the complete text is centered. Probably it had been decided that a text like BMW Z8 • LE MONDE NE SUFFIT PAS would look strange if not centered. (The painting of the two bases also differs slightly, but I think these are unintentional variations.) The road is painted a lighter grey which matches the background illustration better than the later UH base. Although it looks similar, the base for the UH is a different mould, and it is angled more because it is slightly higher on the rear. Note that the lids are different – the 007 sticker is positioned in an elongated rectangle on the early versions. Only issue 1 used these boxes, from issue 2 on the box lids are identical to the later UH.
The UH box lid (bottom) is tapering more towards the top; the early boxes cannot be stacked properly. Note the extra transport protection unique to the Eligor DB5, a clear plastic piece securing the roof. This does not fit on the Norev, and because of the different box lids it is too large for later boxes. Norev and UH have number plates like the film car, the Eligor just a standard Helvetica or Arial font.
The diorama background has changed as well. Because of the more tapering boxes, the side panel is angled more on the UH box (bottom). Obvious differences are additional clouds and the position of the Mustang and the marker stones. Closer examination reveals that even the railway catenary has changed (funny that neither position of the wire is prototypical).
The outside shows an added Aston Martin licence. The copyright has changed from 2005 to 2006. "Les voitures de James Bond" is gone from the international release.
Issue 1 is not enough - "The French Collection" will return with issue 2:
ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH • MEURS UN AUTRE JOUR
Universal Hobbies is its own company. My guess is they were looking at potential alternative manufacturers in case something went wrong (eventually finding an alternative in Ixo). Eligor (along with UH, Norev, and Ixo) has made some vehicles for the "La Route Bleue" series of dioramas, which is in my opinion superb. In fact, I'm rather surprised by how poor the quality of that model is.
Norev also regularly does partworks and from my experience with these partworks, quality is excellent. In fact, with the exception of the lack of the lines around the roof section, I'm tempted to say that the Norev model is the one I like best. I was especially impressed with their Japanese Car series from about three years ago. Their Renault-Hino 4CV, Mazda Carol, and Nissan Cedric Light Van (Japanese term for a station wagon/estate wagon) were superb AND unique and I also was impressed by their Subaru 360 and Nissan Fairlady 1600. No, it wasn't Ebbro (in my opinion, the gold standard for Japanese models, followed closely by Aoshima DISM), but it was really good and I could get three of them for the price of one Ebbro. Likewise the Nissan Cedric 30 Series Sedan.
More detailed pics of the Bondola posted on another forum. I have to say as far as this model goes I'm really glad I'm not a subscriber!
i was cleaning my collection the other day and i must say that some of the dioramas are great but others are a bit, umm, boring / basic ??!!
has the person who posted this changed the color of the base i.e. done a code 3, or is this one entirely grey due to it being "st marks square" and thus being some form of holy grail...??? Can't help but think even if the base is to be grey, the wall sides should still be black, in order to be in-keeping with the rest of the diorama bases
I'm pretty sure the base is as it comes, and not a code 3 (The original post with the pics is on MI6Forums.com New Bond Car Magazine page 205).
If you have a look back at the Ixo models in the range to date, a few of them have now have been supplied with very basic or unpainted bases, so might it be something to be expected from now on? 8-)
based on the model the bondola in the real life would be just under 23feet long.
AND NO BOND FIGURE:(
This is from the deleted scene where Bond was busting for the toilet.
That's gonna be the one issue about Ixo...you won't be able to count on figures.
What really bothers me is that the lettering is not only on a grey background, but that this is much higher than on the other boxes. And you can see wheels.
I would take one of the too small figures from either the Impala convertible or the "Lightweight Land Rover" (supposed to be Dalton but a figure has to be repainted anyway) to make the gondola look larger.
First, Universal Hobbies...
And now, Ixo for Foxtoys...
The thought "are these even the same car?!?" comes to mind. However, perhaps unfortunately for us, the Ixo is the more realistic of the two. It represents an early import to Czechoslovakia and isn't badged as a Lada 1500, but rather a VAZ-2103, but this SHOULD be the only cosmetic difference. Instead, well...there are quite a few. The UH model seems to have some early Lada 1600/VAZ-2106 features thrown in as well...plastic wiper blades and newer-style door handles, for example. This could be chalked up to the continuity errors in TLD wherein Lada 1500's and Lada 1600's were swapped around quite a bit...
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_3204-Lada-1500-2103-1974.html
(Have a look at the car's badge).
And indeed, the siren and flasher on the movie car were unfortunately the wrong shape. However, they are closer to a real Czechoslovakian VB police car than the UH model's. Also omitted is the white "identification bar" aft of the siren and light, which was used to identify all VB cars from the air. Presidential guard cars had blank strips. If the prop guys left this off, okay, I really don't blame them. Ditto the chrome strips on the sides, although oddly, these along with the right hubcaps show up correctly on some of the Lada 1600's ( http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_18446-Lada-1600-2106-1977.html ). But what did UH screw up on that the prop guys got right?
Firstly and most obviously, the font of "VB." It's the correct, bold, large font on the movie car and seems extremely skinny and small on the UH car. Second, the side mirror. Check out the "painted to match the car" mirror on the UH whilst both the movie car and the Ixo have regular mirrors. The spacing of the tail lights is also far better on the Ixo car and much closer to that of the movie car. Also, the rear pillar vents are correctly painted in on the Ixo. They are not on the UH. The UH is also oddly a tad bit wider than the Ixo, although they are the same length. Also, the bumpers on the car are a little closer to a VAZ-2106, as is the downward-facing tail pipe. Bottom line: UH sadly did a worse job on this one than I'd thought. I wonder what would have happened had Ixo made this one like they did with the Maserati Biturbo due to having existing moulds as opposed to having UH make their own.
Incidentally, I know one of the points often made is that "well, it only costs 8 GBP, what do you expect?" After all, I will admit that Foxtoys specifically is NOT cheap. However, here we have a superbly-detailed car by Ixo, the cheapest variation of which you can buy for roughly $10. Ixo had also made Lada 1200's for Foxtoys and had experience painting the cars in the correct livery.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3311177613_d65f81a214.jpg
The Lada 1500 and Lada 1600 cars had similar arrangements regarding the siren.
As for the doors and chrome stripes, check this out. This 1500 was decommissioned quite a while ago and the light bar and siren are incorrect replacements (Soviet-style and much cheaper than Czech examples...also note the whited-out roof identification number)...the original had the siren you'd see on the Ixo and the above 1200...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32718655@N08/3311177615/in/photostream/
No, this car DOES represent very well a real Czech VB police car from the early 1980's (mid 1980's models would have had 1500 badging as well as usually two side mirrors). I can tell you that because I've seen the real thing.