Another Deuce goes wild….

“Genius” is a term that gets bandied about a lot in the diecast industry (never here in the CRM offices, unless parlayed in a sarcastic tone), but you’d have to agree that GMP’s decision to tool up a 1932 Ford was at least an inspired turn from a maker with a certain cleverness on tap. The model is a basic one - no noble materials, no high-tech gadgetry - but that fits the aesthetic of this car. Deuces were the most customized cars of the era, and GMP’s mold set has seen over 20 different iterations since its first go ‘round a couple of years ago. This time, it’s done in a sweet satin black, with a tobacco gut, a real wood floorboard, and a wood-lined trunk. And that makes this version desirable all over again. Did we say genius? Damned straight we did. 

GMP Diecast

NEO Goes Stateside - and we get happy…

NEO’s latest additions to its resin bodied 1:43 lineup - a ‘67 Cadillac Eldorado, a 1968 Pontiac Bonneville, and a 1978 Chevrolet Camaro LT - are pulling at the heartstrings of a lot of collectors who never gave the scale a glance. The cars are beautifully detailed and finished off, and tap into three subjects that haven’t yet been done in ready-to-display form before. With a new distributor in this country (American Excellence) and a great sense of what collectors are looking for, making these wee, limited edition cruisers seems like a good call on this Dutch maker’s part. Even better, more American iron is waiting in the wings. Go, go, NEO.

NEO/American Excellence

Hard-to-top hardtop…

Back when fins were still growing, Cadillac’s top-of-the-line coupe was the swoopy, swept-back Eldorado Seville, a hardtop version of the Eldorado. Danbury Mint’s 1:24 model of the 4,800 pound cruiser has all of that car’s stately presence, in Thebes Green with a tan top and dark green interior, and it’s been detailed with pinpoint-perfect badging and chrome. Old American iron, done right? You bet.

The Danbury Mint

It’s Only Rock and Roll….

Ah, yes… the life of the landed English Gentleman. For Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, the accouterments of the Rock and Roll life includes a collection of classic machines that contains this slick Ferrari 512S. Nick got together with Mattel to detail out this model of this former race machine, and the resulting piece is one of the surprises of late 2010.

Mattel Hot Wheels Elite

Another “Golden Oldie”....

Large scale model collecting gained a lot of credibility when Danbury Mint started putting great working features into their bigger models. But nobody could have expected what this amazing 1930 Cad roadster would be bringing to the party. The gadget list is impressive: working headlights (operated from a dash switch), steerable, changeable wheels, and a working convertible top are only the beginning. Check out this video from the Car Room vaults!

The Danbury Mint

Mighty Miniatures

TWH has made a huge name for themselves by providing the ever-hungry rescue and construction equipment collectors with some of the very finest in 1/50 scale models. This latest - a 1:50 Pierce Quantum pumper wearing the designation “Engine 2” - is a great follow-up to the company’s recent Seagrave Tractor-Drawn Aerial, as well as any of the impeccably realized pieces they’ve been supplying to the hobby. The inner detailing is amazing, and the outer beauty is so well rendered that the machine almost seems real - and that made it a prime candidate for this clip from Car Room LIVE!.

TWH Collectibles

Minichamps’ Mini-masterpiece

The real thing was a legendary machine that revolutionized motorcycle design - and this model of the Vincent Black Shadow follows every strut, cable, nut, and bolt in exacting 1:12. Yeah, we’re impressed. Foregoing advanced working features in favor of scale fidelity, Minichamps has twisted up a superb replica of the hellaciously fast, hysterically rare motorcycle, using great castings, noble materials, and a surgically clean build. 

Minichamps, North America

Barris’ baby…

The roots of Car Room TV were in these “Playing With Cars” video reviews - the first time anyone had attempted to give models a fully produced, hands-on assessment from a collector’s point of view. We’ve recently found a sizeable stash of these older vids - and we’re only too happy to bring ‘em back! Each clip featured original music, and was taped over the course of several days, then edited into segments that were played on the original “Car Room” site.  We’re calling these golden oldies “Car Room Retro” - and we hope you’ll enjoy the trip!