10/31/01 UPDATE: In stock
now - a small quantity of Gordon Kirby's new book 'Mario Andretti:
A Driving Passion' autographed by Mario himself. Hardbound, $74.95
plus shipping.
In other 'Book Notes', we will soon be stocking the reprint of Leo Levine's 'Ford: The Dust and the Glory' and his newly released 'Ford: The Dust and the Glory, Volume 2' ($39.95 each).
We are also negotiating to host a book signing wirh Mr. Levine in early 2002. Watch this space for details.
GMP has just sent production samples of their latest 1/18 Dirt Champ and Vintage Midget releases. Here's a sneak peak at the Eddie Sachs / Clint Brawner / Al Dean Dean Van Lines Special Dirt Champ. A full photo set has been posted on the COMING ATTRACTIONS page.
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10/30/01 UPDATE: Sometimes, 'vapor' happens. Action has released their 1/18 scale Limited Edition (7,704 piece) Tony Stewart Target Chip Ganassi Racing G-Force Oldsmobile as raced at the 2001 Indianapolis 500. The model features removable cowling, detailed engine (badged as a Chevrolet - we're trying to find out why they're pushing the clock forward a year), removable kickplate and detailed shocks. We have them in stock for $74.95. A complete photo set is now online at our New Release Die Cast Page.
10/29/01 AFTERNOON UPDATE: Let's deal with the 1/18 Chaparral 2 situation, shall we? The photo above (and the photos in our Hobby Show Report) is the new 1/18 scale diecast from Auto Art planned for release in late November. TMC will stock this car as soon as it's released and will take reservations at a tentative retail price of $69.95.
Several of you have called my attention to a blast email sent out by another die cast manufacturer last week announcing their own 1/18 Chaparral 2C. This email DOES NOT GIVE A DELIVERY DATE (they say 'sometime next year', when asked) for their version of the Chaparral 2. This company produces great models, but they seldom, if ever, releases models in a timely fashion. The Auto Art Chaparral 2 is the only version that will be available here at TMC for Christmas.
Auto Art is also doing the Chaparral 2 in 1/43 scale. We'll keep you advised as to its price and release date.
10/29/01 UPDATE: An extensive photo set of the two new George Bignotti tuned, Parnelli Jones and Mario Andretti driven Ford DOHC Indy Engine powered Lola T-70 has now been posted HERE.
The new F1 Annual we announced a few days ago sounds quite exciting, but we're not abandoning Autocourse. Due to the early finish of the 2001 Grand Prix season, we expect this year's 'air shipment' of Autocourse 2001/02 ($54.95 plus shipping) to arrive in plenty of time for Christmas delivery. We're taking reservations now. The Autocourse CART 2001/02 will miss Christmas again, but it looks like a late January (instead of early spring) delivery this year.
Again, reservations on ALL season review books and tapes are now being accepted.
10/26/01 UPDATE: Production samples of the 1/18 GMP George Bignotti Lola T-70 powered by the Ford DOHC Indy engine have just arrived. Both the 1967 version, driven by Parnelli Jones at the Riverside Can Am and the 1968 version, driven by Mario Andretti at the Elkhart Lake and Bridgehampton Can Am rounds, have been produced in rather small Limited Edition runs. 1500 of the Parnelli cars have been produced and only 1000 of the Mario cars, so reserve now. Both pieces are priced at $89.95. Delivery of the main shipment is expected in about 4 weeks. Photo sets will be posted over the weekend.
Looks like we may be able to offer one additional copy of the new Alan Fearnley Limited Edition Print 'Just Another Day at the Office', autographed by Michael Schumacher, at the issue price of $895.00. Contact Paul for details. Several new Fearnley prints have just been released. We'll post photos later today. If you're going to be in London next weeek, stop by The Air Gallery in Dover Street to view an Exhibition of Alan Fearnley's work.
10/25/01 UPDATE: Many of you have already seen the superb new British monthly Formula One Magazine that launched earlier this year. We've spoken to the publisher and hope to have the magazine available here at TMC later this fall.
The publishers of Formula One Magazine have just announced an impressive 670 page, full color hardback review of the 2001 Grand Prix season to be released in a few weeks. The book will include a full report of the news and events of year, including a seven page review of each of the 17 rounds of the 2001 World Championship, complete with the result, and details of every practice and qualifying session. There will also be individual profiles of all 25 drivers and 11 teams that participated in the 2001 World Championship. The book will also contain a technical review of the season written by Giorgio Piola and John Barnard that tracks the cars race by race and team by team with technical drawings and detailed text. A 24 page index will include every individual and corporate participant in the 2001 Championship. If that isn't enough, the book will contain a 72 page statistical section, covering every round of the Formula One World Championship from 1950 to 2000 AND seven, count them, SEVEN full color photo sections.
Perhaps the most amazing feature of this epic tome is the price: $39.95 plus shipping. Our first shipment is expected to arrive before December 1. If this thing is half as good as it sounds, it's going to be a must have. Reserve now!
With the early end of the F1 season this year, we're hoping that Autocourse 2001/02 will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas delivery as well. We are now accepting reservations at $54.95 plus shipping.
We hope to make an announcement regarding a book signing here at TMC in the next few weeks. We're pretty excited about it, but it's too soon to drop any major hints. Don't want to jinx it.
We've added a few new 1/43 scale rally cars to our selection of Kyosho die cast. Photo sets are now posted on the New Release Die Cast Page. Take a look at the great engine detail on these $29.95 models.
10/22/01 UPDATE: Every once in a while we see a real bargain and like to pass it along. Last year, Hot Wheels commissioned 18 paintings from German racing artist Uli Hack to create a set of Formula One posters-one for each 2000 race, plus a 'cover art' poster, seen at left.
Produced to sell in the $200 range, we are offering the full set of 18 (including the USGP and Monaco posters) for just $75.00 plus shipping. The posters measure approximately 16.5" x 23.5" each.
We've admired Hack's work for years, and offered Uli's print of Denny Hulme's McLaren Can Am car several years ago. This is a great deal! Take a look at all 18 posters HERE.
10/20/01 UPDATE: While rummaging around the back room this afternoon, I came across 3 of the 1/18 scale Action 2000 Corvette C5-R Limited Edition (2,268) models (new, in box) as driven by Ron Fellows, Chris Kneifel and Justin Bell. We'll put them out, first come first served, at the original issue price of $79.95 plus shipping.
Will I find more buried treasure? Stay tuned.
10/19/01 UPDATE: Three major 1/18 scale new arrivals today. Pictured above, the 1atest Lang Ayrton Senna Collection piece, the 1986 Lotus Renault 98T ($69.95), the 1962 Jim Rathman / Smokey Yunick Watson Roadster (with the experimental wing) from Carousel 1 ($109.95) and the Tony DeLorenzo Corvette L-88 that won at Meadowdale in 1969 ($129.95), also from Carousel One. Full photo sets are posted on the New Release Die Cast Page.
I've uploaded Greg's report on last month's Chicago Hobby Show. Enjoy!
Details on autographed copies of 'Autumn Thunder' have now been posted.
10/18/01 UPDATE: On the 40th Anniversary of Phil Hill's World Driving Championship, a comprehensive new book on the Ferrari 156 'Sharknose' has just arrived. Filled with period photos - including 2 great color sections - this is a terrific study of one of the most beautiful and distinctive Grand Prix cars ever built ($44.95).
Two other highly anticipated new books arrived today as well. 'Rally Cars' by Reinhard Klein is the latest masterpiece from Koneman Publishing - the folks that brought you 'Grand Prix Fascination - Formula One'. This 600 page epic covers rally cars from the late 1950's to the present day with literally thousands of full color photos! Pound for pound (7 in this case) and dollar for dollar (just $39.95) Koneman books are the best values around!
The other new arrival is Giorgio Piola's Formula One Technical Analysis 2000 ($29.95). Frankly, we had almost given up on this one. They were due in April. Grab one while you can!
Greg is finishing up his review of the National Hobby Show from a few weeks ago. We'll try to upload it by the end of the day.
Tomorrow, we'll tell you about one of our little year long 'projects': a very exclusive autographed 'sub-edition' of our 'Autumn Thunder' Limited Edition Print. Stop back!
10/17/01 EVENING UPDATE: Minichamps has just announced a 'subset' of US Grand Prix 'flag cars' in 1/43 scale. The Williams of Ralf Schumacher (sorry, Juan is not listed), Benettons of Fisichella and Button and Minardis of Yoong and Alonso will be produced with the American Flag markings worn at Indy. A 2002 release is planned. Quantities will be limited, so we're encouraging advance orders. We expect the cars to be priced as normal.
Also, a special 'Spirit of America' #38 Auda R8 as driven at the Petit LeMans by Johnny Herbert and Andy Wallace will also be released with $2 from the selling price going to the FDNY and NYPD. Again, this will be a very small production run so order now. Price should be between $40 and $45 on this one.
Talk to you tomorrow.
10/17/01 UPDATE: For those of you who ordered a CMC Auto Union Type D at the USGP (and since October 1), all orders were shipped on Tuesday. If you STILL haven't added this model to your collection, we have a few pieces left in stock (a rare occurance) priced at $139.95.
10/16/01 UPDATE: The
latest limited edition muscle cars from Lane's Exact Detail Series
is this pair of 1968 SS/RS 427 Camaros, massaged by Chicago's
famous Nickey Chevrolet. Both Street ($79.95) and Drag
($89.95) versions are available in limited editions of
1,500. I've posted photo sets of both cars on the New
Release Die Cast Page.
A fresh shipment arrived from Minichamps today. Highlights include the Essex Porsche 935/78's as driven at LeMans in 1979, the fabulous Red Bull Ducati and BASF BMW M1's and a few other odds and ends. Photos of everything are now posted on the New Release Die Cast Page.
We're also expecting 2 new models from Carousel 1 this week, the Tony DeLorenzo Corvette (as raced at Meadowdale) and the Jim Rathman / Smokey Yunick Watson Roadster. Photos as soon as they land.
Also due this week are the signed copies of the new Stirling Moss biography. Unsigned copies are now in stock ($45.00).
I took the weekend off and attended the Ford Racing Centenial Festival at Greenfield Village. Amongst the luminaries were Dan Gurney, Jackie Stewart, Carroll Shelby, John Force, Ned Jarrett, Parnelli Jones and George Follmer. It was a great weekend, despite the weather. I'll post a few photos later in the week.
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10/12/01 UPDATE: LOTS OF NEW STUFF TODAY:
Big Hot Wheels F1 shipment today! The 1/18 scale Ferraris, McLarens, Williams, Jaguars and the Trulli Jordan are all in stock ($49.95 each) along with the 1/43 scale Jaguars of Irvine and de la Rosa, Barrichello's Ferrari and Jarno Trulli's Jordan ($24.95 each). They look pretty good! Photos of everything have now been posted to the New Release Die Cast Page.
Gordon Kirby's fabulous biography of Mario Andretti is now in stock in both softbound ($29.95) and hardbound ($49.95) editions. Looks like a winner!
Alan Fearnley's new Michael Schumacher signed Limited Edition print 'Just Another Day at the Office' has arrived from Europe. Reserved copies will be shipped today. We have ONE copy remaining unsold ($895.00 plus shipping. The Certificate of Authenticiy includes a photo of Schumacher signing the prints.
Last but not least, the second 1/43 scale Lola T-70 from Fly is the 1966 Can Am Championship winning car of John Surtees ($99.00). They are now in stock along with several new 1/32 scale slot cars including the 2001 Daytona Winning Corvette C5-R, a silver and black 1999 C5-R and two stunning Lister Storms (all $47.95 each). I've just posted photos of everything on the New Release Die Cast Page.
Have a great weekend!
10/10/01 UPDATE: Spent some time playing with the new Formula One 2000 Season Review DVD last night. It's maybe the best 20 bucks you can spend on race 'stuff' this fall. The program is completely interactive, so keep that remote control handy. You proceed race by race, with a choice of viewing the narrated highlights uninterupted, or switching to separate viewpoints ( track camera, pits, on board camera or race data ) along the way, depending on the prompts at the top of your screen. For example, while watching the Belgian Grand Prix highlight footage ( the 'super' option on the interactive menu ), you see Mika Hakkinen using Riccardo Zonta's BAR as a 'pick' to make a brilliant pass of Michael Schumacher's Ferrari for the lead. The footage uses several camera angles, nicely edited and narrated. You can then click on the 'track' option to view the unedited sequence from the end of the long straight as Mika makes his move. After that, you can click on the OBC (on board camera) option to put you in the cockpit with Zonta as he blasts down the straight after Eau Rouge only to be overwhelmed by the Championship leaders - one on each side - as he approaches his braking point. Great stuff! You can also view each race's track camera, pit, OBC and race data highlights uninterupted using the interactive menu. The race data option is a bit boring but the pit view has it's moments, showing Eddie Jordan expressing his disappointment virtually every weekend. All tolled, more than 4 hours of 2000 Formula One coverage is included on this DVD Review. Although the narrator and the basic race highlights package is the same as found on the VHS Review, the script and feature highlights are different. The DVD spends little time on qualifying but the clarity of DVD over video tape is ( as you already know ) dramatic.
Our first shipment of Formula One 2000 is sold out but additional copies are expected later this week, so reserve now ( $19.95 plus shipping ). If we have a complaint about this breakthrough product, it's that we don't see complete OBC laps. Maybe next year, Bernie?
10/9/01 UPDATE: A mixed bag of new arrivals today, including the 1/18 scale Hot Wheels Ferrari F2001 of World Champion Michael Schumacher ($49.95). Mattel has improved their Formula One models quite a bit since their first offerings a few years ago. With Schumi's 4th World Championship and his new record for GP victories, you may have to break down and buy one of these. For years, people have been asking us for a 1/18 Ferrari 333SP. Here it is, a mere 7 years after the car's introduction. It's a Hot Wheels as well ($64.95). While not quite up to Auto Art quality, it's not too bad. At the left is the Momo 96 Daytona 'post race' version (dirt can hide anything, I guess). A 'prototype' car is also available ($29.95). The latest 1/24 Top Fuel Dragster from 1320, Inc is here. It's 'The Joker' piloted by Dick Kalivoda ($59.95). After the reaction to the Richie Ginther Honda RA300 Formula One car, we've stocked the John Surtees version, featuring a different paint job and wild exhaust system ($99.95). Models of 2001 Champ Cars have been rare this year, but we have the only two pieces currently in production, a Michael Andretti Motorola Reynard from Racing Champions ($54.95) and a Kenny Brack Team Rahal Lola from Action (SOLD OUT). Quality on both is just 'average' but if you want a 2001 Champ Car, you don't have much choice. Last, but not least is a 1/12 scale model of the 1999 LeMans winning BMW V12 LMR from Carson Model Sport. At $59.95 it's not a bad deal, since it comes in it's own display case but for another 30 bucks, you can have a Radio Controlled version from the same company. Both are in stock.
You can find photos of all of the above on our New Release Die Cast page.
Against my better judgement, we now have the Sylvester Stallone epic racing film 'Driven' on DVD for $24.95. If you were too embarassed to be seen buying a ticket for this fiasco, we'll be happy to send you a copy in a plain brown wrapper. Our Review of 'Drivel' is still on line if you need a good laugh.
I'll be 'test driving' the new 2000 Formula One Season Review DVD tonight. Watch for my review on Wednesday - if you can tear me away from my TV.
10/5/01
UPDATE: Back in 1985, the first item
offered by The Motorsport Collector when we began operations was
an Alan Fearnley Limited Edition print entitled 'World Champion'.
At the time, the concept of driver-signed limited edition artwork
was unique. Fearnley and his publishers, Grand Prix Sportique,
were the leaders in this field and TMC became their first, then
largest, North American dealer. Fearnley developed his skill to
become one of the world's finest automotive artists with a distinctive
style that set a mood that transcended mere 'car art'.
A fabulous book of Alan Fearnley art has just arrived at TMC, featuring some familiar scenes previously published as limited edition prints, but containing dozens of paintings from private collections rarely seen outside Europe. The 128 page 'coffee table book' contains 57 Fearnley oil paintings and more than 70 sketches, primarily racing scenes before the mid - 60's accompanied by some of the most stunning classic car studies I've ever seen. If you have a Fearnley print in your collection, or love classic racing cars, we highly recommend this book. $60.00 plus shipping.
The latest addition to our selection of resin cast, pewter coated Classic Racing Car Sculptures is this beautiful Ford GT 40 Mk II. priced at just $65.00. This little beauty measures 8.5 inches long, weighs nearly 3 pounds and is in stock now. Several more great pieces will be added in November. Click on the photo for a larger view. You can view our complete selection HERE.
10/4/01 UPDATE: Fly will produce a specially packaged Viper GTS-R 1/32 scale slot car decorated in red, white and blue with 40% of the $59.95 selling price to go directly to the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund. Reserve now. Delivery in November (No FB discounts on this piece). Click on the photo for a larger view.
10/3/01 UPDATE: Our 800 number is back up and running after an Ameritech problem here in the midwest. All 800 and 888 numbers were down this morning.
The 2001 LeMans Review Video is now in stock for $29.95 plus shipping.
The model pictured above is the latest 1/18 scale 2000 DTM Opel V8 Coupe from Minichamps (packaged as Action). The C.Menzel 'Irmscher Motorsport' car is now in stock for $64.95. Other new arrivals include the sharp 1/25 scale GMP US Print Outlaw Sprint Car driven by Dale Blaney ($44.95 - a real bargain!!), a selection of 1/18 scale Mini Coopers from Auto Art ($59.95 each) and the ill-fated 2001 GM Goodwrench Oreo Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Dale Earnhardt in this year's Daytona 500 ($29.95).
Photos of all the new cars are now available on the New Release Die Cast page.
10/2/01 UPDATE: Back home again after a beautiful weekend at the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis. It was good to see so many of our 'mail order' customers face to face for the first time at our display on 16th Street. Glad you stopped by. For those of you who are visiting TMC for the first time, we hope you like what you see and will return often. I try to update this site on a daily basis with every new item that reaches our Downers Grove, Illinois Gallery - sometime within minutes of it's arrival. We like to put a LOT of photos up here for you to check out each new model or piece of artwork as if you were standing in our shop. This fall, we will increase our emphasis on books, both new and out of print. We will also introduce some new lines that I think may be of interest to you. Stay tuned.
We've still got some unpacking and paperwork chores to handle today, but I hope to have some photos of the latest arrivals posted here before 5pm Chicago time.
-Paul
