Porsche 928

A little history

Introduced at the 1977 Geneva motor show, the 928 model was the second step of a plan to transmute Porsche from the traditional maker of rear-engine GTs to a producer of a range of more luxurious front-engine cars. It followed the 924 by two years and, at term, was to replace the 911, then perceived as reaching the limits of its potential. In the end, it would be the venerable model to survive all of its younger siblings.

When the 911 had replaced the 356 almost a decade and a half earlier, Porsche had had concerns about the whopping price of the newcomer, so much actually that it felt obliged to offer a cheaper alternative, the four-cylinder 912. The 928 again showed a steep increase in price over the 911, but this time, no other choice would be given to Porsche’s customers, apart from the traditional 911 itself. Right after the introduction of the front-engined, Audi-powered 924, the most faithful among Porsche’s fans were more than ever reluctant to accept a front-engine car as the company’s flagship. The choice of a water-cooled V8 didn’t help, either, nor did the hefty weight. The modern design was indeed elegant, but the choice of such odd pop-up headlights was debated by some. Overall, the large and luxurious car, which enjoyed a much forgiving handling than the tricky 911, seemed to aim at the North American market more than any other. The 928 started to sell rather poorly, at least by comparison with its maker’s expectations; this would never improve over time.

Soon enough it had to be admitted that the 928 would never be able to replace the 911. As a luxury coupe crowning Porsche’s range, it was a worthy automobile though, and enjoyed a long career. More and more equipment and constantly enlarged engines brought ever-increasing prices. If the sales of the original 4.5-litre, 240 hp cars were limited, those of the last 928 GTS, with their huge 5.4-litre, 350 hp V8 were almost anecdotic. The car was retired in 1995, and Porsche would not renew the experience of proposing a front-engine V8 car until the Cayenne, introduced seven years later.

About the model

Model: Porsche 928 S4
Year: 1986
Maker: High Speed
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed
Acquired: brand new, in May 2005, in Manila, Philippines

Crude when it comes to details, but well-proportioned interpretation of the slightly face-lifted 1987 model year 928: 10/20.

Jaguar E-Type

That’s now something as four weeks that I didn’t write anything on this blog. To tell the truth, a post about the E-Type should have followed the last one within the usual three-day delay, but I simply lacked any inspiration for writing it...

A little history

...for what is still to be written about such a mythical car? It probably is the ultimate sports car of the Sixties, a sleek, powerful, glamorous yet relatively affordable roadster. By affordable, I obviously mean that it enjoyed a rather low factory price in its time, keeping in touch with the Jaguar tradition, as it saw since then its value skyrocketing at auctions. And what is marvellous with this car is the fact that, more than any other Jaguar, with its muscular, tastefully curved body, it fully incarnates the animal the Coventry factory took its name from.

Jaguar had to replace its long-running XK series. All what its engineers learned during the Fifties with the C- and D-Type racing cars was put to good use when designing the road-going E-Type. The most noticeable similarity between the Le Mans-winning D-Type and its heir was the rounded bodysides/small track combination, a typical characteristic that was supposed to favour high speeds on long straights. Another heritage was the four-wheel disk brakes system. It had been pioneered in motor racing by Jaguar with its C-Type, and was now made part of its road-going cars’ equipment. Power came from the trusted 3.8-litre DOHC straight six used by the XK150. Available as two equally rakish roadster or fastback coupe, the E-Type was introduced in March 1961.

The car’s career would last for fourteen years, during which it didn’t change much overall, or rather, evolved by constant yet tiny steps. Jaguar tried to improve two aspects of its E-Type: its comfort, which, as with most other British roadsters of the time, wasn’t its main quality; and its performances, in order to stay competitive as younger rivals were seeing light.

More than anywhere else, comfort was crucial on the American market, where the car was widely sold as the XKE. New seats and a fully-synchromesh gearbox solved a few of the limitations of the initial car. Jaguar couldn’t avoid offering an automatic transmission, which was done by 1966. Simultaneously, a 2+2 coupe was added to the strict two-seater offered at first.

Regarding performances, the early E-Type’s 3.8-litre block was replaced by a larger 4.2-litre six as early as 1964. The new engine also addressed a common problem of the first production cars: overheating. Finally, Jaguar was able to squeeze its 5.3-litre V12 under the E-Type’s bonnet in 1971.

More than 38,000 E-Type left the Jaguar factory before the model was discontinued in 1975, in favour of the larger, heavier and somewhat blander XJS. Commercial success was its first goal, and was fully attained. As an iconic automobile, the role played by the E-Type to further enhance Jaguar’s image cannot be measured. On the other hand, the racing career of the E-Type was, unlike that of the XK series, virtually non-existent, except during its very first years when a special “lightweight” version was developed.

About the models

I often said that I prefer to spend my money on scale models of vintage cars rather than modern ones. I should add that among my priorities, I buy die-casts of plain cars rather than classics. For this reason, all of my E-Types are very simple and cheap models – one day perhaps I’ll finally buy a decent model of this great car.

Model: Jaguar E-Type
Year: 1961
Maker: High Speed
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed, "Model Collection" series
Acquired: brand new, in May 2005, in Manila, Philippines

High Speed over-simplified its E-Type. The front end suffered most. The rear window has odd proportions in my opinion, while the wire wheels... oh no, better not to even mention them. My rating is 6/20.







Model: Jaguar E-Type
Year: 1961
Maker: High Speed
Scale: 1/87
Distributed by: High Speed, "Model Collection" series
Acquired: brand new, in August 2005, in Manila, Philippines

Obviously, High Speed's approach is less damageable in the smaller HO scale, though the wheels remain unacceptable. I'll increase my rating to 10/20 for this model.





Model: Jaguar E-Type
Year: 1961
Maker: New Ray
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: New Ray, "Auto Model Kit" series
Acquired: brand new, in September 2003, in Manila, Philippines

To make it short: it's a New Ray, period. My rating is 2/20. "No more?", some of you could ask. Oh no, believe me.





Model: Jaguar E-Type
Year: 1961
Maker: Del Prado, or whoever builds models for Del Prado
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Del Prado through an unknown Japanese press series
Acquired: second hand without box but with stand, in April 2006, in Manila, Philippines

...and the winner is...
Only marginally better than the previous models, this Del Prado features more details, and is proportioned correctly enough. Headlights don't receive any cover, though, which was only a trait of the last E-Types built. Wire wheels aren't good (Del Prado definitely has no idea about how to make them, whatever the model) but are still better than the ones of its rivals. Let's give it a 9/20.

Lamborghini Gallardo

A little history

The Sant’Agata company limited itself to the construction of supercars from the late Eighties but, in 2003, added a “cheaper” alternative to its exclusive Murciélago. The new car, a compact coupe known as the Gallardo, was powered by a 5.0-litre V10 rated at 500 hp at the time it was launched. Transmission was to all four wheels (a serious departure from the models built by archrival Ferrari) through either a manual or semi-automatic 6-speed gearbox. Top speed was well in excess of 300 kph, which seemed more than adequate for most driving situations.

Early in 2006, Lamborghini added a Spyder version to the coupe, inaugurating an engine now pushed to 520 bhp. Still more performance was to come with the 2008 LP560-4, introduced at Geneva (coupe) and Los Angeles (Spyder). Now fitted with a 5.2-litre V10 good for 560 hp, the LP560-4 passed the 200 mph psychological barrier, not a meaningless event on the important American market, though highway patrolmen would certainly frown on Gallardo owners pushing their Gallardos to their limits on Californian roads.

The Gallardo is still produced today.

About the model

Model: Lamborghini Gallardo
Year: c.2003
Maker: High Speed
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed, ref. 43KFB24
Acquired: brand new, in September 2005, in Manila, Philippines

Simple perhaps, but excellent considering the price. High Speed did an excellent job, though as usual with the Chinese die-cast maker colour choice is rather limited – well, only this orange model actually. My rating is 12/20.

Toyota Corolla (1995-2002)

Some of you may have noticed that we have a fourth follower among us since a few days. Welcome JDMike, and enjoy your stay. As it was the case with the last person to join us before yourself, here is a “special” post to greet you. I didn’t present so many rally cars until now, so here is the opportunity!

A little history

Toyota boasted for a time having, with the Corolla, the most successful nameplate of the world’s automobile market. Nevertheless, when the seventh generation of its popular car was due for a replacement, all that came out was a slightly updated model. Known internally as the “E110” and unveiled in May 1995, it shared most mechanical parts with its predecessor, and even extended this closeness to some body elements. A temporary recession had actually driven Toyota into cutting the development budget of its car down.

This didn’t mean that the new Corolla had been badly designed – on the contrary, this was a tasteful and attractive package. The very same name encompassed quite different cars depending on what part of the planet they were delivered to. Known as a very traditional saloon in many countries, the Corolla was often sold as a 3- or 5-door hatchbacks in Europe, fitted with a different front end. About the latter, Toyota had wanted to provide customers from the Old Continent with a more original-looking car. Unfortunately its large, rounded headlights simply didn’t catch on. When four years old, the car received instead a very traditional front end.

On the mechanical side, Toyota took no chance, its Corolla being totally orthodox. A choice of inline fours drove the front wheels through a 5-speed gearbox, though some models could be ordered with an automatic transmission. Displacements for gasoline engines varied from 1.3 to 1.8 litre, and larger diesels were also available on some markets.

Unsurprisingly, a car bearing such a famous name, sold as the most popular car from the world’s leading automobile manufacturer, couldn’t be a failure. Though its career was somewhat undistinguished, this eighth-generation Corolla sold in huge numbers around the globe until November 2000, when a new Corolla replaced it. The older model was only gradually phased out.

Of special interest is the WRC version of the Corolla. Up to 1997, the chances of Toyota in rallying had rested upon the Celica. The Corolla WRC that would bear the company’s standard would be a totally new car, compact and nimble, in part thanks to its transversal engine – a first in rally racing. Actually, some feared that the very short wheelbase would make the handling problematic, but this proved unfounded. Power came from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four, rated at 299 hp. Transmission was – is it necessary to mention it? – to all four wheels. The Corolla WRC undertook its first full season in the 1998 world championship. Carlos Sainz challenged Mitsubishi’s Tommi Mäkinen until the very end of the season... or rather a few tens of kilometres short of it, its Corolla giving up within viewing distance of the 19th special stage's finishing line during the RAC, the last event of the season. The Spaniard’s hopes ended up in smoke as did its engine. Toyota would finally clinch the manufacturer’s title in 1999, but was unable to add the pilot’s crown to its success. This was nonetheless enough for the Japanese company which announced its withdrawal from the rally scene at the end of the season, though Corollas were entered by private teams for many more years.

About the models

Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1998
Event: 1998 Rallye Monte-Carlo, driven by Carlos Sainz, navigator Luís Moya (overall winners)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.25 of its 100 Ans de Sport Automobile press series
Acquired: second hand with stand but without box, in December 2008, in Brive, France

This model comes from one of the oldest (or rather the oldest?) model cars press collection ever released by Altaya. Collectors nowadays ask more from the distributors of these cheap models, which were extremely simplified back then. Therefore this die-cast features wholly-red lights at the back, do without a radio antenna, and sports decals of very poor quality – all copies of this model I saw on the net have the same problem, notably their red decals which cover the lower part of the doors. I'll limit my rating to 8/20.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1998
Event: 1998 Rallye Catalunya, driven by Carlos Sainz, navigator Luís Moya (finished 7th overall)
Maker: High Speed
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed, ref. HF9105/D
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Manila, Philippines

Three months after the Monte-Carlo, Sainz and Moya, along with the rest of the Toyota team, were competing in Spain. This time High Speed made the model. Sold much cheaper than an Altaya/Ixo and half-way between a collectible and a toy, this Corolla nonetheless looks rather nice. My main complaint would go to the rear part of this die-cast, where the whole hatchback and rear lights are made in a single piece of plastic, which seems rather hard to adjust correctly for HS' workers. My rating is 9/20.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1998
Event: 1998 Tour de Corse, driven by Didier Auriol, navigator Denis Giraudet (finished 6th overall)
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Vitesse, ref. V98200
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Correct detailing, but the assembling of the hatchback, here again a separate part, could have been better (traces of glue). As for the rest my remarks are the same as for the Skid model below. Rating: 11/20.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1998
Event: 1998 Acropolis Rally, driven by Angelos Zivas, navigator Stelios Fakalis (finished 12th overall)
Maker: High Speed, ref. HF9105/A
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Manila, Philippines

...High Speed's good idea is, on the other hand, to have multiplied the versions based on its Corolla mould, offered in liveries rarely seen, driven by pilots seldom known. I'll give an extra point for its originality, this time bringing the mark to 10/20. It seems more than deserved as though this model is simple, the quality of its decoration is beyond reproach.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1998
Event: 1998 Rally Malaysia, driven by Yoshio Fujimoto, navigator Tony Sircombe (result unknown from me, please help if you can!)
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Skid, ref. SKF99002
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Skid didn't lack originality either when it chose to reproduce the car the Tein team entered at the '98 Petronas rally for Fujimoto and Sircombe. It represented the rear end in a similar way High Speed did with its own models, but succeeded in better adjusting the parts together – considering the difference in price, it is the least you could hope for. The absence of "real" front lights, replaced by decals, is rather surprising. On the other hand the presence of some details (antennas, flaps behind each wheel, exhaust, decorated wheels) makes this model more appealing than Altaya's. My rating is 12/20.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1998
Event: 1998 Rallye Český Krumlov, driven by Jaroslav Palivec, navigator Milan Dolák (overall winners)
Maker: High Speed, ref. HF9105/C
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Manila, Philippines

Palivec and Dolák led from start to finish with their HRS Team Corolla during this Czech event. I'll again give a 10/20 rating to this model, for the very same reasons as those given above.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: 1999
Event: 1999 Rally Australia, driven by Carlos Sainz, navigator Luís Moya (finished 2nd overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.41 of its Voitures de Rallye de Collection press series
Acquired: brand new, in October 2005, in Souillac, France

A Spanish company, Altaya doesn't show the same originality in its choices, most paying homage to national champion Carlos Sainz. This later model compares favourably to this one shown above. Rear lights were still entirely red, but some details had been added and quality was improved. My rating is 11/20.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: c.1999
Event: possibly the 2000 Arctic Rally, driven by Pasi Hagström, navigator Tero Gardemeister (retired, please help to confirm event if you can!)
Maker: High Speed
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: High Speed, ref. HF9105/B
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Manila, Philippines

A magnifier would certainly help, but until now I failed to identify beyond doubt the event entered by this car. The assembly of this High Speed model is better than the variants of the same brand presented above, while its decoration is cleanly applied, so I'll push my rating up to 11/20.





Model: Toyota Corolla WRC
Year: c.1999
Event: 2004 Monza Rally Show, driven by Valentino Rossi, navigator Carlo Cassina (eliminated in semi-finals from WRC event)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.69 of its Voitures de Rallye de Collection press series
Acquired: brand new, in April 2007, in Souillac, France

Altaya filled the last issues of its Voitures de Rallye series with whatever it could: should the Monza Rally Show seriously be called a rally? Here is its description on the Monza track's official website:

“The classic closing event of the agonistic season at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, where rally and track race aces challenge themselves along with show business and sport celebrities.”

Altaya didn't ignore this, and cleverly removed the word “Show” from the stand of its model... About the latter, Ixo seems to have had some trouble with the decoration - a very busy one, it has to be admitted – but nothing serious. I'd be rather interested to know why the Chinese company fitted its car with an antenna – as shown by the pictures of the actual car (you can see for yourself here, here or here) it didn't have any... Too bad while so many Ixo/Altaya models lack one for cost reasons! My rating would be 11/20.

P.S. You'll tell me that this antenna detail really obsesses me... I found here a picture of the regular Ixo version of this model (ref. RAM164), and it doesn't have any antenna. Most of the time you pay extra money to have a more detailed model... while some other times you need to pay extra to have these details removed!