Rallye Monte Carlo Partworks Models

Steeped in history, the Monte Carlo Rally is one of the World’s most prestigious motorsports events which has seen some surprising results over the years.

Now you can relive some of that history with our Rallye Monte Carlo Collection of 1:43 scale Partworks models.  We originally introduced this range at the beginning of March and have now just taken delivery of over thirty new and exciting models from the Monte Carlo Rally.  These are all premium models made to a higher standard than some of the Partworks models which we have previously stocked and each one is presented on a plastic base under a clear acrylic case top which has been protected from scuffs and scrapes by blister packaging.

Prices for these excellent collectable models start at just £9.49 rising to no more than £11.99 for some pieces.  But if you order more than £75, you’ll qualify for a 15% reduction as well as free UK delivery.  If you don’t want £75 of models for yourself though, why not club together with a friend, relative or colleague to make sure you don’t miss out.  This offer ends on the 10th June 2012 and requires a coupon code which along with full terms and conditions is available in our webstore.

View the full Rallye Monte Carlo Collection

New Releases from Minichamps, Spark and Oxford Diecast

The last couple of weeks has seen an increase in the number of new releases coming though from the leading brand manufacturers.  It’s nowhere near how it used to be a couple of years or even a year ago, but the signs are looking good.  What is also good, is that the models we are seeing being released from the leading brands are by and large, new castings.  Not the usual repaints which we have had to accept for far too long.

So, let’s start with Minichamps as they’ve been releasing the lions share of the new models.  All in 1:43 scale we have received the 1976 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint in Alfa Red; the 1969 Aston Martin DBS in Dubonnet Red which was a sell out on release from our suppliers; the  2009 Bentley Continental Supersports  in White Satin; the 2009 Ford Focus RS in Indianapolis Blue which is in such short supply that even we didn’t receive our full quota; the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 in Matt Panther Black which we have almost run out of; the 1976 Ford Torino in Bright Red which was originally due to be the Starsky and Hutch car, but licensing issues prevented that; the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV in Yellow; and finally, just one F1 car, the Red Bull Racing Renault RB7 in which Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 Turkish GP.

Spark haven’t been releasing models at quite such a pace as Minichamps.  There was a period last year when they were releasing more than Minichamps, but the tables seem to have turned and whilst other brands are getting back in the swing of things, Spark are shrinking back – in terms of new releases that is.  The latest model we received from Spark is quite an interesting one, it’s the Lotus 56B entered  by World Wide Racing and driven by Emerson Fittipaldi in the 1971 Italian Grand Prix in 1:43 scale.  World Wide Racing came about due to ongoing difficulties between Team Lotus and the Italian authorities which prevented them from entering in the Grand Prix – well, as Team Lotus anyway.

A brand we don’t have in stock very often is Abrex.  Rather than models continually arriving from them, it seems to be a case of waiting for the UK distributors to run out of stock and then a whole load more arrive.  Not an ideal situation and one which deters us from ordering more of their models.  But from the latest models to arrive, there were a few which found their way into our stock; all 1:43 scale, the Skoda Fabia RS  in Candy White with a black roof and the Skoda Fabia RS in Corrida Red with a white roof; and the Skoda 1203 Army Ambulance.

Finally, we received just one 1:18 scale rally car model from Sun Star, the Ford Escort MkII RS1800 of Ari Vatanen and Dave Richards from the 1979 Lombard RAC Rally, a cracking model with opening features at an amazingly low price.

All these models are at the moment available from stock and can be viewed in the New Releases of our webstore.

New Releases from Minichamps, NEO, Spark and Revell

A bit later than expected, we have now received our stock delivery which was due ro have arrived last week.  Although mostly restocks, the delivery included a few new releases from Minichamps, NEO, Spark and Revell.

All the new Minichamps models are in 1:43 scale, a couple of F1 cars and one road car.  The F1 cars are winners editions; the Red Bull Racing Renault RB7 in which Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 Malaysian GP and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-26 in which Lewis Hamilton won the 2011 Chinese GP.  And the road car is the 1974 Alfa Romeo Alfasud in red.

We’ve just one new model from NEO – that tends to be the way – but, as usual it is a superb replica.  This one being of the Ford Escort RS Turbo in red.  We had been told in advance that this model would be in white – a typical RS Turbo colour of the 80′s – but, NEO have gone for red and it still looks great none-the-less.

There’s also just one model from spark and it’s a really nice one, the 1980 Lotus Elite S2 in black with a gold coach line and golden-yellow interior.  This model is an officially licensed Lotus product and as such, is presented in a special green Lotus box.

Finally we have three new kits from Revell.  The first we’ll mention are in the EasyKit Pocket range, simple snap together model kits which require no glue or painting and are scaled to be just 10cm in length.  Ideal as gifts for young model makers there are two new releases in this range, both Star Wars models, a Sith Infiltrator in 1.257 scale and a Naboo Starfighter  in 1.109 scale.  The other new release from Revell is a regular model kit of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS in 1:25 scale and featuring a detailed engine and interior as well as rotating wheels on metal axles.

Click here to view these and all the new releases now in stock at the Discount Model Centre

Beat the Royal Mail Price Rises

If you live in the United Kingdom, it can’t have escaped your attention that Royal Mail are introducing significant price rises on the 30th April.  These increases will be the largest that we have seen from them for many years and will affect both domestic and international services.

We are doing our best to absorb these increases as best as we can, but as a small business there is only so much that we can do and reluctantly we will have to pass on some of these increases to our customers on orders placed from 30th April 2012. 

There is still time  to beat this increase though as all orders placed up until mid-night on 29th April 2012 will be despatched at our existing delivery rates even though they may not be despatched until the 30th April.

Marco Simoncelli 1:12 scale Replica Bike

Last year,  just after Marco Simoncelli’s tragic death, when Minichamps and NewRay announced that they would be replicating his bike we felt that it was too soon – even though we had customers phoning and emailing us for a Simoncelli model the day after!

 

We feel that it is only right that a period of respect is observed before releasing any new memorabilia after such an event.  And whilst both announcements where – in our opinion – insensitively timed, it was the NewRay model which was likely to be released  too soon.

 

Subsequently, NewRay had a change of heart and decided to cancel their planned production of a Simoncelli replica bike, but now due to overwhelming demand they have reintroduced it for release in June 2012.

This will not be a replica of Simoncelli’s 2011 bike as Minichamps are due to release, but a 1:12 scale model of his 2010 bike at around a sixth of the price of the Minichamps bike – just £14.49.  We’ve listed this model on our webstore for reference, but it is not yet available to buy and we regret we are unable to accept pre-orders for it.

 

You can view the NewRay replica of Marco Simoncelli’s 2010 Gresini Honda RC212V here.

Save an extra 10% this Easter weekend

If you’re looking for the opportunity to top up your model collection with a few extra pieces, or perhaps you’ve had your eye on a model that was just a tad more than you wanted to spend, then this weekend could be just what you’ve been waiting for.

From now until Monday 9th April 2012, you can save an extra 10% off all models and accessories in our webstore when you spend £50 or over.  All you need to do is enter the Coupon Code EASTER10 in the checkout when making your purchases.

Why not check out our great models now and start saving today!

New Partworks 1:43 scale Mercedes Collection now in stock

Our latest selection of Partworks models is the Mercedes Collection.  Consisting of nine Mercedes-Benz 1:43 scale diecast model cars, this collection features just a few of the cars for which Mercedes-Benz are most famous.  Cars such as the 1968 200 series loved by Taxi drivers the World over, the 1991 500SE favoured by big bosses and the 1963 600 Pullman – the car of choice for dictators and World leaders alike, and then there’s the beautiful 1955 190SL.

Each model is presented in a plastic display case which is sealed in a plastic blister-pack, so both model and case are in original factory condition.  We have to be honest though and admit that the quality of these models is not a match for ones from Minichamps for example.  detailed parts are not quite so detailed, particularly the wheels and the paint finishes could be better, especially on the darker colours.  But, with that in mind, they are still worth much more than our price of £9.99 each with the exception of the 600 Pullman which is £11.99.

Why not take a look now at the full Mercedes Collection now, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.

Solido Models at Bargain Prices

We’ve just added to our webstore a selection of bargain priced Solido 1:43 scale diecast model cars.  Usually retailing at £12.99, this selection of models is available right now from stock for as little as just £6.99 each.  All of these models are brand new (we don’t sell any used models) mounted on plastic bases in perfect boxes.

Amongst the selection available including cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Citroen and Mercedes-Benz, there are a few which we think warrant a special mention here.  Our favourite model is the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR from 2000 adorned in the eye-catching presentation graphics, the 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera also looks rather eye-catching in red with a white stripe and from the World of motorsport, the Peugeot 205 T16 in which Ari Vatanen won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 1987 is a cracking model of a brutally powerful car.

You can find our of full range of models here.

Recent New Arrivals from TrueScale Miniatures, Minichamps and Spark

New arrivals are beginning to suffer from the factory shut-downs in China over the Chinese New Year and we can’t expect to see many new models until April.

However, there have been a few models trickle in.   Most of these have been from TrueScale Miniatures and the only real new model is their 1:18 scale replica of the Ford Cosworth DFV F1 Engine.  It has to be said that even in 1:18 scale, this replica engine is a bit small standing at only around 6cm including the stand.  A 1:12 or 1:8 replica would have been so much better, but if you have a 1:18 scale F1 model car with the DFV engine, then this would be ideal for displaying alongside.

The other new arrivals from TrueScale Miniatures are not completely new.  In fact the Snap-on Garage Shop Essentials Set 2 in both 1:18 scale and 1:43 scale are re-issues and the Snap-on Twin Post Lifts in 1:18 scale and 1:43 scale are redesigned reissues.  The  Snap-on Garage Shop Essentials – Set 2 is, maybe, not as desirable as Set 1, but does include some nice pieces such as a work bench, parts washer and tyre rack.  The Snap-on Garage Twin Post Lifts  have been redesigned with larger weighted bases to aid stability and provide a bigger platform on which to create a garage scene.  All the Snap-on replicas are faithful to the originals with high gloss paint finishes and miniature warning labels.

Other new arrivals were from Minichamps and Spark in 1:43 scale.  From Minichamps we received the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-26 of Jenson Button from 2011 and from Spark, the Aston Martin Vantage GT2, Gulf AMR Middle East car of Giroix, Wainwright and Goethe from the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours.

New: Rallye Monte Carlo Partworks Models

We have just added to our webstore, our latest collection of Partworks models – the Rallye Monte Carlo collection.  This is a superb collection of 1:43 scale models comprising of rally cars which have taken part in the legendary Rallye Monte Carlo.  The models are most probably manufactured by IXO/Altaya and although they may not quite have the quality of their branded cousins, it is still very good indeed – especially so when you consider that the prices start at just £9.49.  And for this price you don’t just get the model car.  Each model is presented in a plastic display case which is protected by a plastic blister-pack, so there’s no scratched cases as with some cheaper Partworks models.

The models we have available from stock include some of the all-time great rally cars such as the Ford Escort, Ford Focus, Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, Mitsubishi EVO’s and the  Subaru Impreza.  In fact, far too many to mention here, but you can view the full Rallye Monte Carlo collection here.