March 2005

Each month I go through the most recent e-mails I've received and pick a few to share with you. I try to personally respond to every e-mail I receive, but I also post a few here in my Q&A column.

Thanks Richard. I'm not sure why I've neglected to mention this on the homepage of my site. I guess I'm waiting for a more affordable model. There have been die-cast incarnations of the Interceptor in the past, but they've all been high-end high-priced models, and this new one is no exception, selling for $80 and up on eBay. It's also 1:24 scale, and the focus of this site has always been 1:64 scale (but soon to include 1:18 scale cars). If anyone is interested in this piece, they're all over eBay right now.

Unfortunately, you can't find M*A*S*H die-cast vehicles new in stores anymore. The most recent item would be the Jeep that was included in Matchbox's Star Car Collection, and that was several years ago. Various manufacturers held the M*A*S*H license through the years. Zylmex (Zee Toys) released several vehicles, including several PLAYSETS in 1:64 scale. Kidco (Matchbox) also released several vehicles. I would recommend eBay as the best source for vintage die-cast vehicles such as these. You can also check flea markets, garage sales and any hobby stores that offer die-cast vehicles in your area.

Well, Tim, if the car is loose, I'm just going to guess that someone got a little too enthusiastic firing the Batmobile out of the Batcave to fight crime. If the car is still carded, then this would be an unusual defect. I, personally, have no interest in manufacturer's errors. I prefer my cars to be pristine and mint. But people collect all sorts of things and there is a faction out there who like errors. It would be difficult for me to put a value on something like that. Maybe you can try posting your query on the Matchbox Collectors Community. Among the forums there is a Corgi Jr./Husky forum. The people there, including Corgi expert Bill Manzke, have always been very helpful. Try the following link:

First off, Wayne, thanks for the nice compliment. Now, onto your list. Despite the fact the General Lee will be featured in the upcoming The Dukes of Hazzard film, I think most people would agree the General will always be remembered as one of the greatest TV cars of all time. I have a really bad feeling about this new movie, though I have to admit Jessica Simpson looks great in Daisy Duke cutoffs.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the Starsky & Hutch movie, again, I think the Torino will always be remembered from the classic TV series.
Both Fast & Furious films were chock-full of awesome cars, but it would be difficult for me to list any of them in my top 10 greatest movie cars.
The V8 Intereceptor from Mad Max? Agreed... Top 10 material.
Dodge Challenger from Vanishing Point? Great car. Not in my Top 10, but a great car.
Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)? Again, great car, but I prefer the Mustang Mach I from the original.
Dodge Charger from Blade? I can see you have a soft spot for Chargers. I think this one is a little too obscure for me.
And finally, the Trans-Am from Hooper. I have to admit, Hooper is one of my favorite car-movies, and it was actually a box-office hit for Burt Reynolds. I don't know if I'd put this car in my Top 10, though. Top 20? Yes.

Well done Joe. Excellent web site. I have a couple of questions to ask you. If you could help me I would be very grateful. Do you know how many different cars and models that they do in the 1/12 scale? Like James Bond's Aston Martin Vanquish. Also, I have just watched League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Captain Nemo's car would be a brilliant die-cast to own.
Yours hopefully,
A. McGarry

I'm assuming you're talking about 1:18 scale. I'm not aware of a 1:12 scale of die-cast cars. If someone can prove me wrong, please fire off an e-mail to me. Now, if you're asking how many entertainment-related cars are available in 1:18 scale, that's difficult to answer. If you add up all the cars manufactured by ERTL, RC2, Auto Art, Hot Wheels, Beanstalk Group, Sun Star and others, I would have to guess the cars would number around 50 or 75. I'm fairly certain the number is under 100. I currently own 24 (pictured above). I'll soon be working on a new section to my website dedicated to 1:18 scale cars. I'll have a better idea once that project is underway.

As for Nemo's car from LXG, I've gotten quite a bit of mail on the subject. It's a shame the movie tanked at the box office. I agree that the car would have made an excellent addition to anyone's die-cast collection.

Update: I received a response from Richard B. regarding 1:12 scale cars:

As to the question of 1:12 scale diecast movie cars, I only know of 2. Kyosho released a diecast 1:12 BMW Z8 from The World is Not Enough which included the side missiles that slide out of the front fenders of the car. Most recently, Kyosho made a diecast 1:12 Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day. It featured guns that came up through vents in the hood, a grill that slides up to reveal a bank of weapons, a working ejection seat, and a roof that slides back. The details are supposed to be impressive. I believe they even have real leather interiors. They sold for around $300.00. I still see them on eBay.

Thanks for the info Richard. I stand corrected.

Hi Joe,

Would it be possible to add the Corvette from the movie Corvette Summer and the Turbo Interceptor from the movie The Wraith to the list? I know it is tough to narrow down the top 10 movie cars but I feel these two should be there. IMO.

Thanks for the poll.

Chris Day

Two great-looking cars Chris, but do you really think either of these cars would make the top 10 of all-time greatest movie cars? The 10 cars I selected for the poll were cars I knew would generate significant votes. The cars from these two films are fantastic cars, and worthy of consideration for die-cast, but I think they're too obscure to make any top 10 lists. And I hate to admit this, but I bought The Wraith on DVD, but haven't watched it yet. It's on my things-to-do list. I'll post my review when I do get around to watching it.

Hi...Joe..
I'm Eldy from Jakarta, Indonesia. I see your website and see your batmobile collections...wow...It's hard to find in my area, can you tell me where I can order it?
I already have:
-JL 40's Batmobile
-Corgi '66 Batmobile
-ERTL Batman Batmobile

I'm still looking for Batman Forever and the one that you have from HW: "shields up"... anyway, you have a great collection and website....

Looking forward hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
Eldy

Thanks for the kind words, Eldy. I wish I could help you build your Batmobile collection. Those Hot Wheels 2-Packs are a little pricey. Again, I'll have to suggest eBay or other online vendors that sell die-cast cars. Good luck in your quest.

And finally, last month I shared an e-mail from "Dave" asking if I planned on adding a Dale Earnhardt gallery in response to the ESPN movie 3. I asked if there were any Earnhardt fans out there who might be able to help out. Here is a response I got:

Hello,

I saw the question regarding "3" and adding Earnhardt cars to your collection, and thought I'd pass this on to you. My father collects them (in 1/24, though most of them are also available in 1/64), and a straight timeline of cars (not counting replica variants or promo pieces) would be about 75 cars. Most of these were not featured in "3," but almost everything that was in the movie has a diecast version available. The movie also had a few Ralph Earnhardt and Dale Jr. cars, which opens a whole new range of collection possibilities.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful. I've attached a picture of some of his collection, to give you an idea of how the car evolved. Keep up the great work on the site!

Bill
www.spencer1984.com

That is an amazing collection. Very impressive. I replied to Bill's e-mail and asked if he and his father could watch the movie again, and come up with a list of cars that actually appeared in the movie. Here is his response:

Hello,
We got a chance to review the movie "3" this weekend, here are the cars that appear in it. I've provided an eBay auction number with the closest available car in 1/64 for each car, so you can see what's available (the particular auctions I chose are just ones with the best photos of the cars). Those listed with "Custom Required" have no exact 1/64 matches, but with a new paint job you can get a pretty close approximation of the car used in the movie. Years with a "~" in front of them were not specifically given or shown in the movie. Let me know if you'd like pictures of any of the finished cars, or any other information.

Thanks,
Bill

Ralph Earnhardt Cars
• 1961: White 1937 Ford 5-Window, #8 Edleman's Garage - Custom Required (JL 1937 Ford available: eBay #6948103193)
• 1967: White 1955 Chevrolet 150 or 210 sedan, #8 Speed & Custom, Inc. - Custom Required (Any 1955 Chevy, but the Hot Wheels car requires the fewest modifications: eBay #694814764)

Dale Earnhardt Cars
• ~1969: Pink 1955 Ford Victoria, #K2 Dayvault's - Available (eBay #6947991429)
• 1971: White & Blue 1963 Ford Falcon, #87 - None available that I know of
• 1974: White & Blue 1970 Chevrolet Nova, #8 - Custom Required (JL Nova available: eBay #6948169311)
• 1978: White or Ivory 1976 Ford Torino, #96 Cardinal Tractor - Custom Required (Starsky & Hutch Torino would work)
• 1979: Yellow & Blue 1979 Chevrolet Malibu, #2 Crane Cams Rod Osterlund car - Available (eBay #6947522372)
• 1986: Yellow & Blue 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Aerocoupe, #3 Wrangler - Available (eBay #6945916646)
• 1987: Black 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Aerocoupe, #3 GM Goodwrench - Available (eBay #6948086619)
• 1990: Black 1990 Chevrolet Lumina, #3 GM Goodwrench - 1989 Lumina Available, same body & overall paint scheme (eBay #6948086632)
• 1998: Black 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, #3 GM Goodwrench Sevice Plus - Available (eBay #6948109567)
• 2001: Black 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, #3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus - 2000 Monte Carlo Available, same body & overall paint scheme (eBay #6947829658)

Other
• 1967: Black 1950 Ford Pickup - Custom required (JL 1950 Ford F-150 available: eBay #6948080319)
• ~1968: Black or Blue 1963 Chevy Nova - Custom required (JL Super Chevy '63 Nova available: eBay #6947184710)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Cars
• 1989: White 1989 Chevrolet Lumina Test Car - Custom Required (The same '89 Lumina from above can be used)
• ~1990: Black 1980 Chevrolet Camaro - Custom Required (Several available, including Hot Wheels "Z-28 Camaro" available: eBay #6948105921)
• 2001: Red 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, #8 Budweiser - Available, but Jr. cars cannot be sold as "toys" because of the Budweiser sponsorship. To make the car marketable, an easily-removed plastic base is usually screwed to the bottom of the car to make it a "collectible" (eBay #6948106872)

Wow Bill. I appreciate the effort you put into that list. I have to admit, I'm a little intimidated. I don't think I'll be adding a page dedicated to 3 any time soon, unless someone releases officially-licensed cars from the movie. But I'm sure this list will benefit any Dale Earnhardt fans out there. Thanks again for your effort.

Your e-mails really make my day. Please keep them coming. Click on the e-mail link in the left column and I'll do my best to find the answer for you.

Q&A Archive:
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