Revell Ferrari F430 1/24 Scale

The F430 signals the arrival of a brand new generation of Ferrari 8-cylinder models. This new car takes Ferrari's extraordinary achievements with aluminium technology, begun with the 360 Modena, to a whole new level, and offers a series of extremely significant innovations directly derived from the Ferrari Formula 1 single-seaters.

Two of these innovations are world firsts for production cars: the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the steering wheel-mounted switch (better known to the Formula 1 Scuderia's drivers as 'manettino'), which manages the integrated systems governing vehicle dynamics.

The other main characteristics of the new F430 are its light, compact 4,300 cc 90° V8 engine, which punches out 490 hp to achieve a specific output of 114 hp/litre, also providing the new Ferrari berlinetta with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.8 kg/hp (dry weight); a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs for optimal efficiency under extreme use (optional); a Formula 1-derived gearbox that cuts gear shifting times down to 150 milliseconds allowing the driver to make the very most of this truly high performance car (0-62 mph acceleration in 4 seconds flat, a top speed in excess of 196 mph) and an aerodynamic design that embodies the very latest competition technologies, specifically the flat underbody and large rear diffuser to increase downforce.

Additional Information:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10180/default.aspx

Revell Monogram Ferrari F50 Barchetta 1/25 Scale

To celebrate Ferrari's golden anniversary, the F50 was released and sold as a limited edition supercar. It followed the footsteps of the 288 GTO and F40 by focusing on motor sports engineering with little concessions for passenger comfort.

A highlight of the F50 was its rigidity. It had no front, rear or engine subframes and featured a solid mounted chassis, with little rubber in the suspension system. Attached directly to the central tub, the engine and transmission doubled as the rear support structure and held the rear suspension components.

Full History:
http://www.supercars.net/cars/641.html

Revell Ferrari 348 ts 1/24 Scale

On its introduction in 1989, the 348 replaced Ferrari's most popular models ever – the 308 / 328 lineage stretching way back to 1975. Like those cars, the 348 is fast becoming a favourite for first time Ferrari owners, its sultry lines, high standard of build quality and exceptional performance making it an ideal choice.

In production for just over five years between 1989 and '95, the 348 was built in berlinetta, targa and spider body styles whilst a number of limited edition versions were also made. These included the US-market only Serie Speciale and the GT Competizione, a factory homologation special

Additional Information:
http://www.qv500.com/ferrari348p1.php
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z366/default.aspx
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10510/default.aspx

Revell Monogram Ferrari Testarossa 512 TR 1/24 Scale

The 512TR (Testarossa) was introduced in 1992 as a replacement for the Testarossa. The 5 represented the number of liters and the 12 for the number of cylinders.Due in part to larger valves, a new engine management system, new inlet and exhaust system, and a higher compression ratio, horsepower was increased by 30 (to 421 bhp) using the same 3932cc engine that was in the Testarosssa. It had a top speed of 192 mph and couple go from zero to sixty mph in only 4.8 seconds.During 1994, the 512M (modified) was introduced which included fixed-headlights rather than pop-up and round rear lights.

Full History:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z368/default.aspx

Crown Ferrari 365GTB/4Daytona 1/24 Scale

The Ferrari Daytona (correctly named the 365 GTB/4) is a Gran Turismo automobile produced from 1968 to 1973. It was first introduced to the public at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968 and replaced the 275GTB/4 but, although it was also a Pininfarina design (by Leonardo Fioravanti), the Daytona was radically different.Its sharp-edged styling resembled a Lamborghini more than a traditional Pininfarina Ferrari.

The Daytona name commemorates Ferrari's triple success in the February 1967 24 Hours of Daytona with the 330P4. While it was initially used as a pre-production internal denomination, Ferrari still insists that this was never the model's official name and as such should not be used when referring to the car in any true manner.

Full History:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_Daytona

Ferrari BB 512

The 365 was updated as the 512BB in 1976, resuming the name of the earlier Ferrari 512 racer. The engine was larger at 4942 cc, but horsepower was off to 340 hp largely as a result of lower redline. Torque was up to 45.7 kgm from 43 Kgm, largely as a result of larger displacement and a longer stroke. Dry sump lubrication was used for a lower center of gravity. External differentiators included a new front spoiler, wider rear tires, added side air vents ducting air to the brakes, and four tail lights (rather than six). 929 512BBs were produced.

Additional Information:
http://www.autozine.org/classic/ferrari2.htm
http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3200.asp?id=12809

ARII Ferrari BB 512 1/24 Scale

Blue Tank Ferrari 512 BB 1/28 Scale

Tamiya BMW Z3 Roadster 1/24 Scale

The first demonstrators arrived at the dealers in March of 1996.The original Z3 had its battery in the engine compartment, on the right side in front of the passenger. Throughout 1995 and to mid 1996, BMW officially denied that they would ever build a 6-cylinder Z3. Vic Doolan, then head of BMW NA broke the silence at the Pebble Beach Concours by telling the press that not only would there be a 6-cylinder, but that the ///M Version (shown that year at Geneva as a concept car) would go into production. When the battery was moved to the trunk in mid 1996 speculation was that this was to accommodate the 6-cylinder (2.8 liter) engine.

Additionial History:
http://users.belgacom.net/bmw_z3/bmw_z3_history.htm
http://www.houston-bmwcca.com/z3/Z3History/z3_history.htm
http://www.autointell.com/News-2002/July-2002/July-2002-4/July-24-02-p10.htm

Fujimi BMW M5 E34 1/24 Scale

A mid-size luxury car / executive car. This series is available with different engines: the 525i with the same engine as the 325i, the 530i with the same engine as the 330i, and the 545i with a 4.4 L V8 producing 325 hp. For the 2006 model year, the 545i has been phased out in favour of the 550i, with a 4.8 L V8 producing 360 hp. The 520d with the same engine as the 320d, the 530d with the same engine as the 330d and a high performance 535d with a twin turbo 272 bhp version of the standard 3.0L I6 diesel.

M5: The motorsport division's version of the 5 Series. The new M5 (E60) is powered by an F1-inspired V10 engine, producing 507 hp and is mated with a 7-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) transmission, which is capable of an unlimited top speed of over 200 mph.

Full History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E34

Fujimi BMW 325i E30 1/24 Scale

The E30 was sold from 1982 through 1991 in sedan form, through 1993 in convertible form. The E30's introductory price of US$18,210 was nearly double that of the E21 just 7 years earlier, but the availability of a six cylinder engine and 4-door body style (in 1984) earned sales. The torquey "eta" six in the 325e produced 121 hp (90 kW), but met the strict emission standards of the time. The E30 was the most powerful compact BMW offered in the United States since the 2002 Tii.

The lineup was joined in 1985 by the high-output 325i and 325is. Though the engine displacement was reduced to 2.5 L, output was up to 168 hp (125 kW) as the company focused on performance rather than economy. The rev limit for the new motor was raised from 5000 rpm to 6500 rpm, as a shorter stroke was employed with the new motor.An all wheel drive version, the 325ix, joined the lineup for 1986. The four-cylinder 318 was dropped in 1985, but was brought back with a new, 1.8L DOHC motor (M42B18) for 1991.
In 1989, BMW introduced the touring version of the E30. It was very popular during its production up to 1994. It was available with a 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 liter engine. The 325i touring was also available with 4WD.

The most powerful American BMW E30 in 1989 came in the form of the M3. It used a 192 hp (143 kW) S14 straight-4 with a 4-valve head adapted from the M88 six and Bosch fuel injection.

Full History:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11822/default.aspx
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=66153

Revell BMW 325i E36 1/24 Scale

Also known as the "Dolphin shape." The E36 was sold from 1991 through 1998 . It employed the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear which had been proven in the Z1. DOHC engines were used across the range, with VANOS variable valve timing introduced in 1993.

The four-door E36 was sold from Fall, 1991, in the United States but the E30 coupes were retained until well into 1992. The E36 convertible was delayed until 1994. The hatchback 318ti Compact was introduced in 1995, was very popular in Europe, but it was not very successful in North America. The BMW Compact was identical to the regular E36 sedan from front bumper to A-Pillar. Everything else was unique, namely it's rear semi-trailing arm suspension, based off the old E30, instead of the Z-Axle Multilink employed in all other E36's. The Z3 and M Coupe have similar rear suspension setups as well. The "Touring" station wagon was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not offered in the United States.

The 2.5 L M50B25 used in the 325 models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L M52B28, creating the 328 line. Another 2.5 L engine, the M52B25, was reintroduced for 1998 but the cars were sold as 323 rather than 325. The 4-door 3 Series models were replaced after 1998 in the US, while the 2-door models lasted through 1999.

History:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z2205/default.aspx

Tamiya Mercedes Benz Lorinser 500SEC 1/24 Scale

W126 is the bodycode given to the Mercedes-Benz S-class series, produced from 1979 until 1991. W126 sales were halted in 1992 for the US market. Mercedes-Benz South Africa continued producing them for some years, stopping in 1994.

The car was introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt on September 1979. Most people did not appreciate the design right away. Its appearance differed too much from the rest of the Mercedes fleet at that time. The objective of the design team, lead by Bruno Sacco, was to produce a car that was sleeker, lighter and faster as opposed to the old W116 S-class it was meant to replace. Now, over 20 years after its first introduction, it is clear they succeeded in designing and building a true classic.[citation needed]

The W126 remained in production for over a decade and its design still wasn't old fashioned when production was halted in the early nineties.[citation needed]

Full History
http://www.answers.com/topic/mercedes-benz-w126
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W126

Fujimi Mercedes Benz 600SL Coupe Koenig Special Blackstar 1/24 Scale

SL has traditionally denoted Mercedes-Benz’s sporting models, and the two loiters were always taken to mean Sport and Leiclit (lightweight). The first SL was the 1954 300SL Gullwing coupe, and the most popular were the "pagoda roof" models produced between 1963 and 1971.

Mercedes-Benz's most expensive car arrived in 1992 in the V-twelve-powered 600SL. With its 48-valve 389bhp engine and automatic (lamping it was crushingly quick, yet still superbly refined. The ultimate version was the six-liter V-eight AMG-tweaked SL60 with body kit, 381hlip and huge 18in (4'5.7cm) wheels.

Full Review:
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2462/

Monogram Porsche 911 Slant Nose 1/24 Scale

The legendary Porsche 911 is the longest production run sports car of all time. It was conceived as a successor for the highly successful Porsche 356 and from the start had high aspirations for success. Ferry Porsche's son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designed the 911. When it went into production it was labeled the 901 but Peugeot had claims to the name, so to avoid infringing on their naming scheme, it was changed to 911. As a result, only a few Porsches used the 901 name.

Full History:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911

ARII Porsche 962C 1/28 Scale

After considerable success with the 956, Porsche decided they wanted to use the platform for an IMSA/GTP class car, but IMSA regulations changed in 1984, now dictating that every vehicle entered into the series had to have its pedal box mounted behind the front axle line, which the 956 did not.
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To make it eligible under the new rules, the 956's wheelbase was increased to make room for the pedal box, which was then relocated. A steel roll cage was integrated into the new car, too. Work was under way on a larger engine, but in the meantime a modified version of the 934 derived 2.8 L engine was used featuring a single KKK K36 turbocharger instead of the twin K27 turbochargers of the 956, as twin-turbo systems were not allowed in GTP class racing at the time.

Porsche dubbed the revised vehicle the 962 and debuted a total of five units at the Daytona 24 Hours with Mario and Michael Andretti driving the factory car and the other four being driven by members of the privateer teams which had purchased them. The factory car lead the race until it retired during lap 127 with engine and gearbox problems.

Porsche went back to a twin-turbocharged 3.2 L engine for 1985, re-naming the car 962C and entering it in the World Endurance Championship, but the car ironically lost to an older 956, which had already taken WEC top-honors four times.

Full History:
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z6066/default.aspx
http://962.com/history.htm

Mr. Hobby Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1/24 Scale

The Karmann-Ghia was designed by Luigi Segre of the Carrozzeria Ghia Design Studio in Turin, Italy. Manufacture was by the Osnabruck Manufacturing Company in Osanburck, Germany.

The car was introduced to the US in 1956. This car was manufactured in 1967, approximately half way thru the total run of convertibles. The engine is a 1400 cc inline-4, air-cooled horizontally opposed cylinders, manufactured by Volkswagen.

The 1967 model was the first to have a 12-volt electrical system and a larger engine. While not a terribly powerful car, Ken Gross, automotive writer, described the Karmann-Ghia as 'hand built quality equal to that of a period Porsche'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Karmann_Ghia
http://www.serve.com/bacani/kgvsbug.html

Mr. Hobby 1956 Volkswagen Oval Window 1/24 Scale

The Beetle is perhaps the best-selling car of all-time. Truly, a recognizable shape that has stood the test of time. The vehicle is still being produced in Mexico, continuing the long-time running record.

Adolf Hitler was searching for a people's car that was capable of transporting three children and two adults at speeds of sixty miles-per-hour. The car was to be inexpensive, costing the same as a motorcycle. Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to produce such a vehicle.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8192/default.aspx
http://www.automedia.com/VW/Beetle/History/res20030901vw/1

Tamiya Volvo 850 Turbo Estate 1/24 Scale

Less than two years after the introduction of the 850 GLT in 4-door sedan form, the 5-door estate car version was unveiled in February 1993.The design of the 850 estate showed a rear section with a typical Volvo profile, that is to say an almost vertical tailgate - a practical feature which maximises interior space.

The Volvo 850 GLT received a tumultuous welcome; seldom has a new car reaped so many awards as the 850. The estate car version was awarded the prestigious Japanese "1994 Good Design Grand Prize" award.Over the intervening years, the 850 series has expanded with more than just the estate car version. The range now includes a wider selection of engines, including turbocharged petrol units and a direct-injection turbo-diesel.

Model Kit Review:
http://cvolvo.com/Central/855tkit.html

Full History:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_850