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1999 NATIONAL HOBBY SHOW PHOTO SETS:

All Photos © The Motorsport Collector, 1999. All Rights Reserved.

1999 National Hobby Show

Rosemont, Illinois

The hobby industry's annual Fall show took place in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont the last weekend of October. Several top die cast manufacturers and distributors brought out their latest offerings and prototypes for new pieces due in 2000 and beyond.

As we've said earlier, the trend in Die Cast is in the direction of finely detailed 1/18 scale. The trend was quite apparent at Chicago, with very little 1/43 die cast on display. Minichamps (and their new owners Action Performance) did not have a presence, nor did the Vitesse/Onyx/Quartzo group or any other major manufacturer with the exception of Mattel - and they didn't cast much light on their new Formula One line.

Manufacturers of larger scale models, such as Exoto, Gateway Global, Carousel 1 and GMP were well represented and some exciting new pieces were shown.

We invite you to check out the individual photo sets of each line by clicking the appropriate links further down the page. each photo set includes commentary and whatever price and release information we have.The 'Return' link at the bottom of each page will bring you back here.

Our pick for 'Best of Show' is split between GMP's soon to be released 1/12 scale 'Johnny Lightning Special' shown at right and the stunning new Vintage Power 1/6 scale Offenhauser 255 Championship Car Engine, seen in the photos below.

The 'Johnny Lightning Special' is the first release in GMP's new series of 1/12 scale Dirt Champ Cars. Scheduled for release in January 2000, this beauty is priced at $299.95. TMC will soon be offering the entire line of GMP die cast models. Advance orders for the 'Johnny Lightning Special' are now being accepted.

For 2000, GMP will launch two new series of road racing machines. A series of Lola T-70 roadsters and coupes will begin their series of classic sports racer of the 60's (McLaren Can Am cars are said to be in the works as well) and a series of IMSA and Trans Am Mustangs and Camaros are also on the way.

View our photo set of GMP / Peachstate models HERE.

Our digital photos don't do justice to the detail of this new 1/6 scale brass replica of the legendary 255 cubic inch Offenhauser engine, to be released in early 2000. Limited to 500 numbered pieces, this hand assembled replica features detailed fuel injection, cam covers, safety wired side covers and complete fuel lines. It measures 6.5" in length and is mounted on a handsome rosewood finished base. We expect the first pieces to arrive in January. We are now accepting orders at $399.95.

Exoto had an impressive display of current and future releases.

You can view the Exoto photo set HERE.

Mattel had their new Formula One line on display, but could provide very little information on US availability.

You can view the Mattel photo set HERE.

Carousel 1 unveiled the next two releases in their Indy Roadster Series along with an exciting Y2K schedule that includes 2 new Gurney Eagles and additional Watson and Kurtis Roadsters. Maybe we'll even see some Corvettes soon.

The Rodger Ward '62 Indy Winning Watson Roadster is pictured at left. We'll be shipping them out to you later this month.

You can view the Carousel 1 photo set HERE.

Kyosho had an excellent selection of 1/18 and 1/43 die cast on display at Chicago, including this 1/18 scale 1999 LeMans winning BMW.

You can view the Kyosho photo set HERE.

Gateway Global (Auto Art & UT Models) had all six versions of their soon to be released 1/8 scale LeMans Dodge Vipers on display. Hopefully, we'll see the first ones in time for Christmas.

You can view the Gateway Global photo set HERE.

Several distributors had the new Eagle's Race 1/43 scale Corvette Grand Sports on display. Seven versions have been announced. We'll have the first of them later this month.They're hot!

You can view the Eagle's Race photo set HERE.

Also of interest was this series of 1/43 scale CART and Formula One Transporters from Eligor. We've added an Eligor department to our Die Cast section to cover this great new line.

We expect the first of three 1/43 scale Spirit of America models to arrive in time for the holidays. Craig Breedlove's latest creation will be the first release, with the original Spirit of America and the Sonic I to follow. Price will be under $50. We are now accepting advance orders for all three.

We first saw these pewter display models of Cosworth and Mercedes engines at a show in the UK earlier this year. They soon will be available at TMC. Drop me an e-mail for further information.

1999 NATIONAL HOBBY SHOW PHOTO SETS:

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TMC's On Line Gallery:

'Recent Additions' Page for the latest Site Updates. | 'New Prints' Page for the latest Motorsport Art Releases.

Click on Banner for TMC Home Page!