12/31/01 UPDATE: Today's your last chance to reserve an Auto Art 1/18 scale Chaparral 2 at the old price. As of midnight tonight (all right, when we re-open Wednesday morning) the price goes to $79.95 - still a heck of a bargain for one of the leading nominees in our Model of the Year Poll.
Check out some of the early 2002 releases from GMP HERE.
Happy New Year!!!
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12/27/01 UPDATE: Lots of phone calls the past few days regarding the car on the left - the forethcoming 1/18 scale GMP works McLaren M8B as driven by Dan Gurney in the 1969 Michigan Can Am. The GMP website lists the car as sold out, even though its release is several months away. I think it is a phenomenon we're going to see quite a bit in 2002 as die cast companies cut back production in anticipation of a soft economy worldwide.
Well, fear not - we still have spots open on our advance order list for both the Dan Gurney and Bruce McLaren M8B's at the issue price of $99.95 plus shipping. The Bruce McLaren 1969 CanAm Championship winning M8B is due in early March. We don't have a release date on the Gurney car at this time but we hope to have a GMP 'sneak preview' page up by the weekend. Advance orders may be more important than ever in '02, so speak up early on the pieces you crave.
One of those pieces that will probably sell out quickly is the first GMP 1/18 scale Don Garlits 'Swamp Rat' dragster, seen below and scheduled for release in January. We'll get some additional information to you very soon.
12/26/01 UPDATE: Back to normal (?). Since 2001 saw the release of some absolutely exquisite die cast models, we've decided to ask you, our loyal Collectors, which particular model you thought was the best. We'll be taking nominations for the rest of the year and will start the voting in early January. Details HERE.
12/24/01 UPDATE: I'll be open until 2pm today, Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas everyone!
12/20/01 UPDATE: Good news from Minichamps this afternoon. They will be producing the die cast models for the new Toyota F1 Panasonic effort in 2002. First to be announced are 1/8 (yes, one-eighth) Salo and McNish versions of the TF102, and Showcars in 1/18 and 1/43 (non-driver specific). We'll accept pre-orders on everything, but if you want the big one, please let us know asap.
Our first and second shipments of the Auto Art Chaparral 2 are sold out. We're taking reservations for the next batch, due in January.
All US Christmas orders received today must go UPS Second Day Air in order to arrive on time. Deadline: 4pm today. Tomorrow, it's overnights only.
12/19/01 UPDATE: All US 'in stock' orders received today will be shipped via UPS Three Day Select so they can be delivered in time for Christmas. Today is the final day for 3 Day Select. Most items from our Holiday Gift Guide and Holiday Newsletter are still available (some in very limited quantities) so call or email early for the best selection. All non-US orders from here on will ship after Christmas day.
12/18/01 UPDATE: After years of rumor, speculation and damn lies - the first high quality 1/18 scale die cast of a Chaparral race car arrived at TMC today. It's Auto Art Millenium's 1965 Chaparral 2, the car that dominated the 1965 United States Road Racing Championship in the hands of it's creator - Jim Hall and the late Hap Sharp. It features more detail than you would expect from anyone in a model under $100 (WAY under $100) and is sure to be a condender for TMC's Collector Survey Model of the Year for 2001 (watch for more information on our little poll after the Christmas rush subsides). Our first shipment is completely sold out, more are expected before the New Year. Reserve now, they will disappear quickly. You can view a full photo set HERE.
12/17/01 UPDATE: It's rare that your boyhood heroes turn out to be even more impressive in real life. Hope the above photo brightens your day. Click on the image for the full effect - reproduced courtesy of our friends at All American Racers.
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12/15/01 UPDATE: Now in stock: Two new Limited Edition Prints (300 s/n) from Colin Carter featuring the Schumacher brothers in their 2001 rides. $175.00 each plus shipping.
Holiday Hours: We'll be open tomorrow (Sunday) from 1 to 4 pm. I'll also be here Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night until at least 8pm.
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12/14/01 UPDATE: AUTOCOURSE IS IN (for those with advance orders)!!! So is the Official 2001-2002 Formula One Record Book (additional copies in stock). Advance orders ship today. Reserve now for Christmas pickup or delivery.
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12/13/01 UPDATE: The most anticipated new model of the Holiday season, 1/18 Minichamps Porsche 917/30 driven by Mark Donohue to the 1973 Can Am Championship is now in stock. All advance orders will ship by the weekend.
We have
a limited number of 917/30's remaining for Christmas delivery
($119.95 plus shipping). We'll post the other new arrivals
from Minichamps on Friday.
CMC has raised the bar yet again with it's stunning new Mercedes Benz W125 - seen above and at right. The detail on this baby is breathtaking, from the vented brake drums to the heat discoloration on the exhaust. The overall engine detail and cockpit appointments must be seen to be believed. A full photo set has been posted on the New Release Die Cast page. Limited pre-Christmas availability, so order early ($139.00).
Middle-aged midwest drag racing fans will remember the legendary Arnie 'The Farmer' Beswick. A new company called Highway 61 Collectibles has released a highly detailed 1/18 replica of 'The Farmer's' 1966 Pontiac GTO, seen at left and in a rather large photo set on our New Release Die Cast page. This impressive first effort features a removable body, 'flip-front' hood and incredible detail at a very reasonable price ($69.95). Check it out! While we're on the subject, 1320, Inc. has released the 5th in their series of 1/24 scale vintage Top Fuel Dragsters: The Fighting Irish'. Now in stock for $59.95.
12/12/01 UPDATE: The 1/18 GMP Dan Gurney McLaren M8D is now in stock ($99.95). Advance orders will ship by Friday, they will be available for pickup after 3pm today.
Autocourse, the new Formula One Yearbook and the 1/18 Minichamps Porsche 917/30 are expected on Friday. Pickups may begin after 3 on Friday. All advance orders will ship in time for Christmas.
We have a few other new die cast arrivals. We will post photo sets this afternoon.
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12/7/01 UPDATE: We highly recommend John Tipler's new book 'Lotus 25&33' ($39.95) to our many Jim Clark fans. The book is a comprehensive study on Jimmy's two World Championship winning mounts. Lots of black and white as well as color photos. The 2001 LeMans Yearbook ($76.50) is in. We have a limited supply, so order early. 'Jaguar at LeMans' by Paul Parker ($44.95) is a pleasant surprise and continues this fall's interest of the GTP era in sportscar racing. It's about time! Jaguar's earlier LeMans victories are also covered, of course.
GMP's latest Trans Am car, the Scott Sharp Rain-x Camaro (seen at right), is now in stock for $89.95. Photos HERE.
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12/6/01 UPDATE: Wow! The new 1/18 scale 1957 Corvette SS from Auto Art's Millenium Collection arrived today. What a stunner! A full photo set has been posted on the New Release Die Cast Page.
We'll update you on the latest book arrivals on Friday.
Next Week: Autocourse 2001/02 and the new Formula One Annual are due to arrive by mid-week. Reserve now for Christmas delivery!!
12/5/01 UPDATE: We've been busy answering the phone the past few days, so the updates have been delayed a bit. Some great new 1/43 scale models of past and present LeMans sports prototypes have arrived from IXO (formerly Vitesse-Onyx-Quartzo-Skid, etc.) and Ebbro. The new 2001 Domes from Ebbro feature lift off bodywork and detailed engines. Great value for a $49.95 die cast 1/43!! The IXO offerings include Jaguars from the 1950's and 1980's - including 2 LeMans winners, and several Audi R8's from the 2001 LeMans race.
All are listed on the New Release Die Cast Page.
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New book arrivals include two must have volumes for fans of US oval track racing. 'Kurtis Kraft' by Gordon White - the author of the highly acclaimed history 'Offenhauser', and 'The American Dirt Track Racer' from Joe Scalzo. Both are priced at $39.95 and are in stock. We have a few Gordon White signed bookplates which will be included at no extra charge while supplies last.
We expect to ship both the 1/18 Minichamps Porsche 917/30 and 1/18 GMP Dan Gurney McLaren M8D next week. The Auto Art Chaparrals are expected just before Christmas. Advance orders for all three are HIGHLY recommended for Christmas delivery.
Release of GMP's 1/12 scale Ford GT 40 Mk IV's is more than a month away, but it looks like both cars will be sold out before they arrive. We'll take 1-2 more names for a waiting list on the Andretti / Bianchi #3 car and a few more confirmed reservations for the 1967 LeMans winning Gurney / Foyt car.
12/4/01 UPDATE: If you sent us an email or placed an order with us this afternoon between 2:30 and 3:45 CST using our Secure Order Form, please email me at zim@motorsportcollector.com.
