Mitsubishi Colt

A little history

Used for almost half a century, the Colt name can hardly be split from that of Mitsubishi. The very first Colt was a tiny 600 cc twin unveiled in 1962. The name reappeared in 1979 when it was applied on the American version of the newly-launched Mirage hatchback. This Mirage went through several models during the Eighties, but the Colt name renamed on many export models, though on some markets the car was confusingly badged as a Lancer. By the first years of the new millenium, the Mirage/Lancer had grown into a much larger car, and Mitsubishi felt the need of reassigning the car to the compact city car class. This rectification became really for model year 2003 when was introduced the new car, which now adopted the Colt name, including on its home market. A European version, built in the Netherlands, followed one year later. This latest Colt is still produced today.

About the model

Model: Mitsubishi Colt
Year: c.2004
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Vitesse
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

An excellent model by Vitesse, nicely detailed, well assembled and correctly priced. Though I’m not fond of modern cars as you have probably noticed by now, such quality really makes me enjoy them as scale models. My rating is 15/20.

Dallara F397 - Opel

A little history

Dallara’s dominance of all Formula Three series allowed it to venture into new territories in 1997: it not only designed the chassis of the Toyota GT-One, but also created its very first Indy car. As for F3, its newest chassis, the F397, proved as successful as its predecessors had been. That year, Dallara allowed Jonny Kane to win the British title, Oliver Martini the Italian, Nick Heidfeld the German one, while Patrice Gay dominated the French championship and Tom Coronel won in Japan – no major Formula Three crown escaped Dallara that year!

About the model

Model: Dallara F397 - Opel
Year: 1997
Event: 1997 Italian F3 championship, driven by Oliver Martini (champion)
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Onyx
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Such dominance from Dallara upon Formula Three racing gives the possibility to die-cast makers to reproduce these little single-seaters, a single mould being able to represent virtually all champion cars. Vitesse did the job rather correctly with Oliver Martini’s RC Motorsport winning entry. My rating is 13/20.

Hyundai Accent WRC

JDMike suggested more rally cars: here is one!

A little history

South Korean giant Hyundai replaced its popular Accent with the Verna in 1999. Nonetheless the Accent nameplate still generated enough goodwill in many foreign countries for being carried over on these markets. A plain-looking saloon or hatchback powered by modest 1.5- or 1.6-litre fours, the Verna/Accent had nothing exciting about it either on the outside or on the inside. Still, that was the car Hyundai chose to bear its colours on the rally racing world stage.

Indeed, by the late Nineties the Accent was a huge success for Hyundai. Furthermore the company had just taken over another of the Korean “big three”, Kia. It didn’t lack ambition, but still suffered from a disreputable image outside of its native country. Various ways were used to remedy this problem, entering the WRC being only one of them.

The Accent WRC was first introduced to the press in September 1999. Based on the hatchback coupe version of the car, it was fitted with an aluminium-built 1998 cc inline four, mounted transversally, and able to deliver 300 hp thanks to a Garrett turbocharger. Transmission was, of course, to all four wheels through a six-speed gearbox. With 1230 kg, the car was as light as the rules would allow. Initial pilots of the Hyundai World Rally Team were announced as Alister McRae and veteran Kenneth Eriksson.

Hyundai skipped the early part of the 2000 season and made its debut in Sweden. From the very beginning the Accent WRC proved to be one step behind its direct competitors in terms of pure performance, while reliability also gave trouble to the team. Therefore the whole history of the car, spanning four seasons, would revolve around improving these two aspects. As progress in one of these two fields is generally acquired at the expense of the other, inevitably the Accent still hadn’t been able to cope on its rivals by the end of 2003. Furthermore if two evolutions of the original car (WRC2 and WRC3) had been introduced for the 2001 and 2002 seasons respectively, severe budget cuts translated into a lack of development for 2003, during which Hyundai’s cars seemed terribly out of pace. At the end of its fourth year in WRC, the South Korean company announced a two-year break in its rally racing program – could someone tell these guys they have forgotten to return?

About the models

Just two Accents on my shelves, but from both ends of the car’s unremarkable career.

Model: Hyundai Accent WRC
Year: 2000
Event: 2000 Swedish Rally, driven by Kenneth Eriksson, navigator Staffan Parmander (finished 13th overall)
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Skid, ref. SKM121
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

One of two Accents on their very first outing is reproduced by Skid as this average model. The busy decoration has been well placed – except for the left door's race number on my model – and the wheels are nicely reproduced. The front lights look great, so why their rear counterparts should be so ugly, being plain red with a grey area (badly) painted onto them? My rating is 11/20.





Model: Hyundai Accent WRC3
Year: 2003
Event: 2003 Rallye Monte-Carlo, driven by Freddy Loix, navigator Sven Smeets (retired)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.10 of its Voitures de Rallye de Collection press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Souillac, France

Not much better here, but a die-cast correct enough. Ixo did just the opposite from Skid, botching the front grille but making a rare effort, considering it is a press series release, in fitting its model with twin-colour rear lights (the Chinese company probably realized that plain red lights on a plain red rear panel simply couldn't work). I'll give it a 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!

Mercedes-Benz 600

A little history

After World War Two, though its executives had initially declared that the company had “ceased to exist”, Mercedes-Benz’ production was painfully restarted. Among all of its pre-war models, the company select the most popular ones (that is, “popular” by comparison) at the expense of the most exclusive. Despite the many difficulties that laid ahead of such a car maker in a country brought to its knees by military defeat, Mercedes-Benz made it into the Fifties, helped by its extraordinary reputation, its spotless record for reliability and its popularity among taxi operators.

Just a few years later, Mercedes-Benz was again a major player on the automotive scene. In 1951, it significantly introduced a top-of-the-line 300 model (W186). It entered production in November, marking the company’s return in the luxury field. Passing through four successive stages, the 300 was built until 1962, being gradually replaced by the W111 “Heckflosse” in 1959 and the W112 in 1961.

Though the 300 had been nicknamed “Adenauer”, by reference to the then-German chancellor Konrad Adenauer’s use of four different 300s, the W112 wasn’t made for heads of state and monarchs. A better suited vehicle was still due to be launched.

This car, the 600 (W100), finally appeared in September 1963, entering production during the following year. Powered by a massive 6.3-litre V8 engine (and not a 6.0-litre as its name could have implied), the 600 could boast performances that few sports cars of the time could, notably a 200+ kph top speed and a very good handling despite its extreme size and weight. Nevertheless, it was as a luxury car that the 600 was obviously built. One of its most striking characteristics in relation with comfort was the use of an adjustable air suspension, resulting in an extremely smooth ride. A centralized hydraulic system also allowed the 600 to benefit from power-everything: even the boot could be closed automatically. Disk brakes on all four wheels were fitted as standard, as was an automatic transmission. In fact, the 600 was so exceptional that it was voted “best car in the world” in 1967. Not surprisingly, such quality comes with a price – quite literally. A very expensive car, the 600 was boxing in the same category as the Rolls-Royce, nothing less, which limited its production to very low volumes.

The base model was a large four-door limousine (many sources speak of a saloon, but having six side windows, even the smaller 600 is, stricto sensu, a limousine), available with or without glass separation between the front and rear compartments. In standard guise, the 600 was already astonishing, but even more incredible was to come as the Pullman, set on a stretched chassis. Seating seven, the 600 Pullman could be acquired in four- and six-door forms. In addition, a landaulet, this rare type of body in which the rear seats are covered by a collapsible top, was also available and became a favourite for the pope and several African dictators alike.

The oil crisis hit the world late in 1973. The production figures of the 600 were already low; the plummeted even further, making useless to plan a replacement for the car, which external design was showing wrinkles by that time. The career of the 600 thus extended until 1981, when the venerable limousine finally retired.

About the models

Model: Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Year: 1963
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.2 of its La Légende Mercedes-Benz press series
Acquired: brand new, in January 2008, in Souillac, France

A few years ago, Ixo released a very nice 600 that logically joined the series initiated by Altaya. Pluses include the photo-etched star on top of the radiator, and the very nice treatment of the rear compartment, which features curtains and handle straps. A good 15/20 for this model.





Model: Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Year: c.1968
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Vitesse
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Vitesse's reproduction of a 6-door Pullman is older than Ixo's rendition, though it doesn't show so much. Though the famous star isn't photo-etched and therefore the front doesn't necessarily compare favourably, Vitesse fitted its model with silver plastic mouldings round the wheel arches (these parts are only painted on the Ixo) and the exhausts, though somewhat large, are hollow. All in all both models are equal in terms of quality and detailing so I'll again give a 15/20.





Model: Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet
Year: c.1968
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Vitesse
Acquired: brand new, in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Vitesse also made a 6-door landaulet (how many of the real thing have ever been built?) based on its limousine. The silver paint of the one I put my hands onto becomes it perfectly. I'm now looking for a 1/43 banana republic dictator to place at the rear. Again, 15/20.

Renault Kangoo

A little history

The Renault Kangoo was introduced in 1997 as a panel van, replacing the Express. A passenger version was also offered, and encountered an unexpected success – though Spartan, it was relatively cheap to buy and operate, sturdy, practical and roomy. A four-wheel-drive version was added in 2002, one year before the Kangoo’s career was extended thanks to a facelift. Production was interrupted in 2007, when a New Kangoo entered the scene.

(This car’s history will be expanded in due time, please be patient.)

About the models

Model: Renault Kangoo
Year: 1998
Maker: Vitesse
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Renault Boutiques, ref. unknown
Acquired: second hand with stand and box, in July 2006, in Brive, France

Vitesse used to offer a large range of Kangoos, including this panel van version sold through Renault dealerships. The model is good looking and well detailed, though the combined opaque headlights/bright orange turn signals seem somehow odd – I even thought for a time that its previous owner had tampered with them for reasons unknown, but pictures of brand new models seen on the internet rather point to a strange rendition of them by the Portuguese brand. Decoration has been neatly applied, and doors can be opened – though I never took any chance. A 13/20 rating to this model.





Model: Renault Kangoo
Year: 1998
Maker: Solido
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Hachette as no.36 of its Sapeurs Pompiers de France press series
Acquired: second hand in original blister pack, in December 2008, in Brive, France

Hachette didn't provide any date for its firefighters Kangoo, but Solido sells similar die-casts made from the same mould as 1998. This variation looks desperately bare, sporting no other decoration than two logos on the doors. The plate numbers are conspicuously absent, and even the Renault badge is nothing more than a bump on the bonnet – no decal has been applied. Rear lights are plain red, though headlights and turn signals are somewhat more refined. In addition, the wheels are nothing short of ridiculous and the rear bumper has been poorly assembled on my model. Not exactly good, even for a press release, this model cannot reasonably fetch more than 7/20.







Model: Renault Kangoo
Year: c.2003
Maker: Norev
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Norev, ref. unknown
Acquired: brand new but with neither box nor stand, in January 2007, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

A much better model than the previous one, Norev’s model of the facelifted Kangoo is excellent, notably sporting very well done rear lights. My rating: 14/20.