3/28/05 UPDATE: The winter doldrums have come to an end. Lots of new stuff arriving at The Motorsport Collector this week, including the rest of the Minichamps 2004 Formula One Collection (we've posted the 1/43 scale models today. The 1/18 scale and other assorted 1/43 and 1/18 scale models that have arrive in the past couple of weeks will be posted tomorrow). Check out the New Die Cast page.
We also expect the 1/18 scale Mark Donohue #6 1969 Sunoco Camaro from GMP ($109.95), the 1/18 Tom Sneva Norton Spirit McLaren M16 from Carousel 1($129.95) and the highly anticipated DVD '50 Years of Formula One OnBoard' ($34.95). We still have a few slots open on our initial shipments of those hot new items.
We are also taking orders for a fantastic new book by Willem Oosthoek and Michel Bollee on 'Maserati 450S: The Fastest Sports Racing Car of the 50's'. Our first shipment is due next week. A must have for LeMans, early US road racing and sports car fans alike. $84.95 plus shipping.
Visit us often for photos of the latest arrivals!
3/17/05 UPDATE: Some great news regarding automotive Folk Artist Stu Povick, who was critically injured in a motorcycle accident a few months ago. Stu came out of a coma about a month ago and is making slow but steady progress. We spoke with him yesterday and although his legs are still in pretty tough shape, his hand/eye co-ordination is looking good and he hopes to resume his craft in the near future. As we announced in December when we heard the news, all proceeds from our selection of Folk Art pieces will be forwarded to Stu to help with his medical bills. You can view them HERE.
On display at our Downers Grove gallery is a driver suit worn by Michael Andretti at the 1999 Road America CART race. Details and additional photos HERE.
3/15/05 UPDATE: You may want to get in early on this one: This new Limited Edition (500) print from Kane Rogers features the evolution of the Chaparral 2. Each copy (24" x 18") will be hand signed by both Jim Hall and Phil Hill. Priced at just $99.00, it's not going to be around long. April release. We're accepting reservations now (a 50% deposit is required).
JUST IN: GMP'S latest 1/12 scale Ford GT is the Dan Gurney / Jerry Grant Ford Mk II that sat on the Pole Position at LeMans in 1966. Complete with Gurney 'hump' in the driver door and AAR stickers on the windows. Limited to 500 pieces. $499.95. More photos on the New Die Cast page.
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3/14/05 UPDATE: Seen above, a few additions to our Hard To Find diecast page this afternoon. All three items are new in the box.
One of the finest books ever written on the sport of Grand Prix racing is Robert Daley's emotional photo essay 'The Cruel Sport', published in 1963. Horrified by the driver mortality rate (and spectator deaths) of the 1950s and early 1960s, Daley profiled the drivers and teams of the day - getting too close, personally, to some of the sport's legends in the process.
Out of print for decades, first edition copies of 'The Cruel Sport' have been very hard to find in recent years. And if you find a copy, chances are it isn't in very good condition. The original version was printed on porous paper that did not allow for sharp photo reproduction and a dust jacket that would tear if you looked at it the wrong way.
All that has changed. Robert Daley has revised, updated and expanded his original photo selection and text (his essay on Portago paints a vivid picture), and a new edition of 'The Cruel Sport: Grand Prix Racing 1959 - 1967', printed on heavy, coated stock, is scheduled for release in April.
If you are interested in why men raced in that dangerous era, we strongly recommend 'The Cruel Sport'. If you already have an original copy in your collection, this expanded Edition is also a must have, for its superior photo reproduction and Daley's updated text.
3/11/05 UPDATE: One of our all time favorite racing books is 'Stand On It: A Novel by Stroker Ace', written by Bill Neely and Bob Ottum and published back in the early 70's. Forget about the Burt Reynolds movie, 'Stand On It' will keep you laughing whenever you pick it up. Out of print for years (decades?), we occasionally acquire a copy. This one's special. It's a softbound copy, printed in 1973 and signed by author Bill Neely. The cover is not perfect, but the content will keep you rolling for years to come. $59.95 plus shipping.
As you can see by the banner above, the 2004 LeMans yearbooks have arrived. We're offering them for just $29.95 for a limited time only. They'll be $44.95 after that. That's STILL cheaper than the $60 + they sell for in most of the world. We also have the Chronosports Formula One, Rally and Motorcycle Yearbooks, which are tremendous values at just $19.95 each. They always sell out fast, so get your order to us soon.
3/9/05 UPDATE: The latest addition to our DVD selection is 'Faster' a film by Mark Neale that explores the world of MotoGP. This 2 disc set includes the original 'Faster' movie (in 5.1 surround sound) along with its sequel 'Faster & Faster '03-'04'. Ride with Rossi, Biaggi and Gibernau with extensive use of on board footage, including 4 epic last lap battles from multiple angles. 'Faster' also features interviews with legends such as Barry Sheene, Wayne Rainey, Max Biaggi and Kevin Schwantz. Narrated by Ewan McGregor. We've heard great things about this film. In stock now for $29.95.
We've added a rare Swede Savage autographed photo to the Autographed Items page this afternoon.
Several new arrivals from Auto Art this afternoon. Check out the photos on the New Die Cast page.
3/8/05 UPDATE: Getting an early start to our website 'Spring Cleaning' with some changes to our Memorabilia Section. We added more than 40 pieces to our new Autographed Items page today and will continue cleaning up the section for the rest of the week.
After being out of print for many years, Hungness Publishing has released a Sixth Edition of Jack Fox's classic history 'The Mighty Midgets' ($59.95). Originally published in 1977, 'The Mighty Midgets' chronicles Midget racing in the US through 1976. Well illustrated. Belongs in the library of anyone interested in American racing. Early edition copies trade in the $175 + range so don't miss out on what could be your last chance to pick one up at a good price.
CMC Collectors - In stock Today 1/18 Mercedes Benz Transporter, Auto Union Type C, Auto Union Type C Engine, Auto Union Type D. Very limited quantities. Don't miss out!
3/7/05 UPDATE: Some diecast updates for you today. More new arrivals from Minichamps have been posted to the New Die Cast page and we've set up a pre order page for the 2005 Minichamps Formula One Collection and an 'in stock' die cast list for Australian Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella, if you need to fill some gaps in your collection for this potential World Champion.
We've also posted photos of a 1/20 scale Creative Masters Shelby Mustang GT350H, the world's fastest rent a car on our Hard to Find Die Cast page.
3/4/05 UPDATE:
FINALLY! SOME OPEN WHEEL RACING!!!
The 2005 Formula One season kicks off this weekend in Australia. The 2005 Minichamps 1/43 scale Formula One Collection now posted HERE. Reserve now and be patient. We don't expect to see these pieces for quite some time.
The 2004 Minichamps 1/43 scale Renaults and Toyotas arrived today. More photos on the New Die Cast Page. Come back for more new arrivals from Minichamps on Monday.
The 2005 IRL season also kicks off on Sunday. We'll all be cheering for Danica Patrick in her Team Rahal IRL debut. TMC spotted Danica back in 2000 when she finished second to Anthony Davidson in the prestigious Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. We still have the photo set on line HERE
3/2/05 UPDATE: A few 'odds and ends' to tell you about today. We're offering 3 very hard to find 1/64 MicroChamps DTM cars from Minichamps. Two are Mercedes-Benz from the 1992 DTM season (Rosberg and Lohr) and the third is a 1994 DTM Alfa driven by Christian Danner. They're priced at $15.00 each or $40.00 for all three. More photos on the Hard To Find diecast page.
For you Michael Turner card collectors, we have a set of 1972 Turner Cards in mint condition with envelopes. The six images feature LeMans, World Manufacturers Championship and Formula One subjects. $45.00 takes all six. See close up photos below. SOLD
Tomorrow, a fresh shipment from Minichamps will include the 2004 Formula One cars of Alonso, Trulli, Sato, daMatta and Panis in 1/43 scale ($34.95 each) along with what might be the last shipment of 1/18 scale Brumos Porsche 917/10 Can Am cars and a few more 1/43 scale Red Bull Audi A4s of 2004 DTM Champion Mattias Ekstron ($44.95).
