[slartibartfast229]

More delectable subjects I can't afford to import!

The JPS Mustang is something I really want to own (along with a 'Kermit' version).
In case anyone thinks this JPS car is a phantom - it's most certainly not.

 

[slartibartfast229]

That JPS Mustang is a very intriguing model. Would be cool to have.

This was the only race series (two races in New Zealand) that the car ran in these iconic colours.
http://www.touringcarracing.net/Races/1986%20Wellington.html

 

[slartibartfast229]

I know that the PR spiel claims that it's all their own work, but does anyone know if this is true?
They must be using the existing production facilities of someone bigger, I can't imagine they had the money to start from scratch.

 

[slartibartfast229]

I'd love an updated Efigy too, just so I can actually get one without mortgaging the house! I'm not sure who actually makes their models, but whoever it is does a pretty good job, especially of the older Australian road cars. The EH Holdens and the new Cortina MK1 for example are very well made models with proper bonnet hinges, soft-feel seats, some have working suspension, real metal trim, see-through photo-etch grilles etc...and fully opening diecast with proper engine details. We're fortunate in Australia that we have more than one company producing good quality models of many of the unique cars that have graced our roads.

Is it possible the Cortina is a re-worked AUTOart?
I have an Alan Mann Lotus circuit racer and it's pretty good, considering they first appeared at least 15 years ago.

 

[slartibartfast229]

Yes I like the Alan Mann versions, Autoart did a couple of Australian race Lotus Cortinas too, one for the Neptune Racing Team (Jim McKeown) and at least one of Allan Moffats cars. I don't think the GT500 is a rework of the Autoart version, the boot doesn't open on the Carlectables version (although looking at the casting it appears that it may have been designed to open originally), in the booklet that comes with the GT500 it says that two 1:1 cars were scanned in Australia to create the tooling (it even names the owners of the cars), so I think it's new. CC don't have a relationship with Autoart as far as I know, unlike Biante who get Autoart to produce many of their models. Happy to be corrected on this one of course. They can do a few different race versions of the GT and GT500, as well as road derivatives, and I don't see why they can't do a Lotus version as well.

Hopefully we in Europe will see an official distributor appointed so that the shipping costs will be more reasonable.
I still can't understand why Australian model car manufacturers won't do this.

 

[slartibartfast229]

Purr Pull.....

 

[slartibartfast229]

VERY frustrated that they say 'limited number ????? worldwide'.
But those of us living in that same 'worldwide' can't buy them here.....

 

[slartibartfast229]

Is there a reason you can't just order it from AU and have it shipped? Is the shipping cost prohibitive? I've paid between 30-40 CAD per diecast to ship to CA which is about double what I'd pay if buying from a CA retailer, but in line with shipping from the US once currency conversation is calculated.

Rule changes introduced by the EU late last year in relation to package content details and new hi tech labels had caused problems with OZ post.
I bought a Nissan Bluebird from a well established e-bay seller which was held for weeks in Australia before being returned to the seller.
In the end the whole excercise lost me €30 and I didn't get the model I wanted.
I don't fancy going through all of that again.
I have successfully bought from OZ e-bay before this change in the rules, so was prepared to accept the pain of the additional costs.

 

[slartibartfast229]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an AU retailer that ships to the US? I have sent several emails out to some dealers, but I wondered if anyone had a recommendation.

I have bought from these people several times over the last 5 years or so.

Diecast Models Car | Kollectable Kaos Adelaide, South Australia

Are you looking for diecast models car? Kollectable Kaos is one of the best store to provide your desired products. Get in touch with us at (08) 8262 8234.

www.kollectablekaos.com.au

Parcels were sent with a value of AUS$50 in each case - only one was stopped and customs charges applied (€17.50 all in).
However, I would strongly recommend contacting them considering the customs changes that have been applied recently.
I know you are not in the EU, but I think the rule changes were agreed and applicable to all postal companies in 'western' countries.....

 

[slartibartfast229]

Their concept of 'Worldwide' seems to be well wide of the mark.
Unless they think that the continent of Australia represents the whole world.

 

[slartibartfast229]

The Vegemite van is out now, and looks great. Might have to get one.

You can keep the Vegemite van, I tasted that stuff as a child - yuk!

 

[slartibartfast229]

Yep, and they have absolutely lousy correspondence skills. So do some of their retailers as well. I am about to give up on their product line and just stick with the 4 open wheel I have from them.

You would think that a company would look to supply as many markets as possible where there is a demand for their products.
I also wrote to all of the big diecast manufacturers based in Australia - and only one replied to say they didn't see any interest overseas.

 

[slartibartfast229]

I also dealt with Kollectable Kaos in the past.
Now if I buy from outside the EU the chances of having a parcel slip through without customs involvement is virtually nil.
I recently posted a note in the delays, delays thread about a shipment of Spark being held up by German customs.
In June I had a €15 package stopped by local customs, it cost me €11 in various charges to get it cleared.
Perhaps if the Australian companies now understood that there ARE collectors for local models, and that buying direct is now so much more expensive.
Shipping something from China, Indonesia or Bangladesh to Australia and then all the way back around the world is completely daft....

 

[slartibartfast229]

It's possible they are satisfied with the market share they currently have and see no need in risking expansion.

From my observations, their primary competitor's, Biante, output has slowed down and with AutoArts turn to composites, their older molds are seemingly mothballed now (I'd imagine if they owned the molds they'd shift them to another manufacturer, but it's possible AA retains control of the molds and won't let them, but I obviously don't know). CC still outputs many of their older molds in different colours and trims and they continuously churn out new molds. If you want some of the classic Fords and Holdens only CC still releases new versions.

So from a business aspect why deal with international distribution when everything you produce is easily handled locally especially since expansion produces higher risk and potentially not that much greater return.

Not that I don't agree with you, but I can fathom why they don't.

Fair points.
Although I don't recall any company restricting sales anywhere they can get them.
One big retailer or perhaps a distributor such as Toms could probably handle the restricted market for those few of us (in Europe) who would want to buy.
I don't see any evidence of ZModels/Otto or similar turning down the same option in the other direction.
When I take a rare look on bigger Japanese retailer sites car models representing the real thing that have never been sold in Japan, usually sell out quickly.
Case in point - Hobby Search/1999.co.jp sell imported models, often the whole batch is gone before the product arrives into the country.
I guess it's one of those issues that will continue to rankle, the most desirable items are usually those that are very difficult to get.....

 

[slartibartfast229]

Similar, but slightly different livery, seems I've had it for a while.
Anyone know the backstory about the difference between the two?

I have had this happen once or twice!
As for the Camaros, Bartlett tried to win Bathurst with these cars for several years.

 

[slartibartfast229]

Sadly I've had the opposite happen where I was positive I had a certain diecast only to discover I didn't.

Yeah, I have had this happen too!
At least a search didn't turn up anything - perhaps there's a forgotten stash behind my wardrobe in Narnia.....

 

[slartibartfast229]

These are really nice!!! Somw very unique liveries. I'm assuming though none of them were very successful overall?

Interesting how CC is taking advantage of their Camaro mold now. I wonder if it went missing/was misplaced for the better part of a decade and was only recently located? Or perhaps something to do with licensing? Regardless, it's nice they're taking advantage of it giving us collectors more options.

For most of the time the Camaro was in use in Australia it was required - by the rules - to stick with drum rear brakes.
The road car versions still came this way, and the racer had to continue to use them, and on a relatively heavy car this was a major handicap.
So you guess correctly, there were no major race results for any of the versions shown above - indeed for the Camaro in general.
I'd still like to be able to afford to import a Bartlett Bathurst version myself.....

 

[slartibartfast229]

Yes the brakes were a real problem, Kevin Bartlett was very vocal about it at the time and in his pit lane interview that can be found on YT at Bathurst he didn't hold back - Kev is a real character. The car itself was on pole twice at Bathurst so it had plenty of grunt, but it would run out of brakes too quickly and lap times would drop off. It also won a few Championship races and after discs were added in 1981 it was very competitive. Bartlett offers a brief insight in the following article:
GALLERY: KEVIN BARLETT TALKS ABOUT HIS CHANNEL NINE CAMARO
It's funny reading about the weight reduction they were able to achieve - Dick Johnson was able to get his Falcon down to a couple of hundred kilograms lighter again than the Camaro as the paperwork the Ford crew submitted for homologation for the XD Falcon was for the ute version, not the sedan - it's only illegal if you get caught!
I'm still really enjoying the Camaro model, it has to be one of CC's best efforts. They are still around at retail price down here so you could still take the plunge, I know it's not cheap but I think it's worth it.

Ford originally homologated the Ford Capri at 900kgs by taking the bumpers off the prototype RS2600 and fitting fibreglass panels for the FIA tests.
No road going Capri was ever sold down at that sort of weight, and then Ford convinced the FIA that the MKII and MKIII were essentially the same car with slightly different bodywork!
So all race versions of the Capri in 'production' form could run at 900kgs according to the yellow rule book.....