If your looking for something special for children (of all ages) this Christmas I can suggest one of 4 New Beetle Barbie cars in red, yellow, pink or blue and it would seem that the blue is the rarest of the colours. These are priced from $45. Or the Action man black Baja beetle. Looks like something out of Mad Max, this is priced from $39 and both are available at Big W, K Mart etc.

This supreme 1/18 scale drag bus from Hot wheels, of course you will recall the 1/64 ever-popular drag bus from ’96, well this is the big daddy or mummy. I hear it is very limited to numbers. I picked this up at Maitland markets from "Trader Ray" Ray Truman deals in diecast model cars and bikes and has a good range of 1/43 and 1/18 models. In fact I also purchased the green 1/18 ’62 bus I have been looking for. Trader Ray lives in Nabiac so if your passing through on your travels give him a call on 02 65543530 or fax 02 65543531.

These next images are models you can pick up for under $2 at Franklins. Tonka have a great looking grey Baja Beetle and a blue Caravelle in blister packs. Also the repro dragon wheels bug in green from matchbox.

Also we feature the Matchbox convertible New beetle # 61 and you will notice that Matchbox have not just Chopped the roof off the top, but it’s a whole new design.

Merry Christmas, Tony Bezzina

Part 28

In last months club magazine you would have noticed an article on the new Audi TT Roadster and it’s debut at the Paris motor show. It is with pleasure that I advise that it is available now in Australia, just only one catch, you will have to shrink yourself down to 1/87 scale. Matchbox has released this superb car in blue and is # 67 in the Matchbox range.

This month I thought while we were on the subject of Audi we would also feature some Quattro’s from Schabak and some Transporters vans from Dr Edward forces book Classic Miniatures made in Germany.

Lastly a Matchbox Coke bus available in the States, but can be purchased from club member Kimm Garland – Indian Automotive or club member Luis email lugi@eagles.com.au

Finally all you plastic kit builders who are blessed with the gift of patience, available in 1/25 a red 80’s Transporter/camper similar to the blue version from a few years back and also a neat green split window pickup kombi. Both are available from Front line hobbies in Newcastle which by the way do have a web site, or look for them in your local model store.

Enjoy Tony Bezzina

Part 27

This month we feature a 1/18 scale `62 Kombi by Eagle’s race, which arrived in Australia about the same time as the celebrations of the 50^th anniversary of the Kombi. I have seen this pink version and orange, but notice on the internet a two tone green version, I am uncertain if this colour made it to Australia, if anyone knows or knows were I could get one please drop me a line.

The model is presented well, as a 9-seater microbus. It has opening front doors, and rear luggage door. This model is somewhat heavier than similar models of its size, in fact I went to all the trouble for you! According to the kitchen scales (and yes I did get a funny look from my wife) 1.1kg compared to 600g for the Solido version.

What’s New? Matchbox has released a new five pack series with a black Kombi bus and orange beetle, and this time they are both in the same pack. Also a group called Golden Wheels 2000 have released 5 and 9 packs of model cars, which include 4 different colour concept beetles, red, pink, yellow and blue. They do look similar to the Red rooster releases.

This next image shows a plastic VW Bus made in Germany in red/white, it looks like about 30 years old but I could be wrong, it cost me $20. My 8 and 5 year olds just happen to be looking over my shoulder and commented on how many Pokemon cards they could buy for that! …. I am still working on them!!!

Enjoy Tony Bezzina

Part 26

Welcome again to the toy department. Please correct me if I am wrong but it must be 30 years since Matchbox released a "kombi" van, except for the 1987 transporters range. The model I am reffering to is the bay window 1970 release camper commonly seen in the blue and orange.

In the last twelve months we have seen the release of a 1967 kombi in the red/white and dark green in the five pack sets. This month we also see the release of the panel van version in a silver colour with out the sunroof. I am hoping that matchbox, keep up the good work in the van range, and maybe we will see possibly a Caravelle or another bay window version in the future.

Last month we saw a further release of a new concept in a light green colour. And over the year also some other releases from siku, mastio, Matchbox, in the USA and the Hot wheels version that was released earlier this year as part of the Big rooster chicken promotion.

What’s New ? : The Mattel people have heard our prayers, and have released a new Concept Beetle Barbie car. They come in red, blue, yellow and of course pink. They are priced at $50.00 complete with a rose on the dash. All we need now is a VW camper to go with it.

I recently attended the Newcastle hobby and model show where there were many types of hobbies on display including various train set layouts. The thing I have noticed about these is that 9 out of 10 times there’s always a scale model Volkswagen in the scene, even the scale model of the Warragamba dam has a VW or two in it, fascinating that ....but understandable too.

Enjoy Tony Bezzina

Part 25

Welcome once again. This month I would like to introduce you to a cool web site that features Hot Wheel cars and shows some model cars from the past, most likely a time when we new them as "toys". In particular the VW beach bomb, which was released in several colours, the most common was the jade green. Many of you would also be aware of this model and a pink coloured one that were auctioned at Christies some years back for thousands of dollars.

You will notice that these models come with surfboards, and it may be that you have one or two which have missing boards. Well I have a solution for you to replace them with some genuine ones. Hot wheels have recently released some space age looking vehicle called a Deora II which is # 5 of the 2000 range, the beauty is that its has two surf boards attached with Hot wheels graphics, you could paint them up to original colours or leave them as they are.

Alternatively Matchbox released a green Golf in the late "70s with black surf boards, but its likely the Golf should be left unscathed. Any way less talk this month and I will let you absorb this months images

For a good summary of these and many more check out Brian’s Hot Wheels web site at http://members.aol./redlinesvws/.

Enjoy, Tony Bezzina

Part 24

Welcome again to the toy department, this month we feature some tin Kombis by Ichiko, which are made in Japan. They are replicas but never the less good models. They have plastic wheels rather than rubber, and are friction powered.

Matchbox US have released a convertible white concept Beetle and a black Kombi in pizza as a pizza delivery van. Thanks to club member Kimm Garland from Indian Automotive for these images.

What’s new: I have noticed that Tonka have released a set of 1/58 die-cast construction vehicles in packs of 4 which one set includes a blue Baja, keep a eye out for it at Big W.

This month I thought we would bake a cake, my wife and the good cook she is (!) has been renowned for her birthday cakes for our children, she once whipped up this little beauty as follows: Ingredients: One ring cake tin Sponge mix Chocolate icing Chocolate bullets 3 Lolly pops Three 1/58 scale VW model cars

Bake two sponge cakes in round ring tins, when cool cut 1/8 off each ring and position together on a firm base to form a figure eight. Cover with a generous amount chocolate icing.

Line figure eight with chocolate bullets for fences. Cut two 12 cm pieces of cardboard to form a ramp and overhead bridge and also cover with icing and bullets.

Position red, yellow and green lolly pops for traffic lights, add 3 VW only model cars, and don’t get carried away and forget the candles. Guaranteed to bring a smile to any child’s face.

Enjoy Tony Bezzina.

Part 23

This month I would like to tell you about a book on model cars made in Germany; I bought a few years ago written by Dr Edward Force who is renowned for various other model car publications. This book is a very in-depth, illustrated and catalogued book with prices on German model cars made by various known and unknown companies such as Viteese, Shuco, Conrad, and Gama.

The book is a must for collectors, the availability of the book is probably limited today, but a good start would be to look in auto book stores, or even try your local library. Expect to pay up to $50.00 if you find one, and if you do I am sure it will send you around the twist, just when you thought it was safe to assume you had just about every type of model VW. This month I have featured a page from this book illustrating some Kombi’s in 1/43 scale they are Gama models that I am sure will blow you out of the water.

What’s New: Lledo has been making classic model cars for some time now, including the custom and classic collection. This set of beetles and Kombis in 1/43 scale is some thing to look out for.

Influenced by the vast army if VW enthusiasts throughout the world "the custom and classic collection" is a stunning new range of die-cast models which features VWs from the past and the present. As well the authentic classic colour schemes from the 50s and 60s it features custom models that have been created to one of the popular "look" styles such as the California or "cal" look, Euro, Resto, and German. This superb range has something for everybody and is certainly one that no real enthusiast can afford to miss.

Club member Kimm Garland has some German Matchbox Concepts for sale as shown here, so if your interested visit his web site www.kruizinwagon.com.au for more information on these and others he has currently available.

Finally I have pleasure in saying that we have an expat reader of Zeitschrift in Germany by the name of Anthony Healy, (he owns the Mk1 Golf that was raced at Bathurst by Chris Heyer from Penrith European) who has kindly sent us a brochue of some Schuco models of "Deutsche Post" vehicles. Prices are in DM.

These models are only accessible by post (naturally) from,

Antwort Deutsche post AG Collection Abt. 8146 68140 Mannheim Germany

Enjoy Tony Bezzina

Part 22

Willkommen once again to the Toy Department. After the fiftieth birthday of the Kombi and the 13th VW Nationals it is obvious that there are many a VW model collector coming out of the woodwork. I have had many a discussion with collectors from various clubs, and its seems obvious that VW models are becoming ever more popular in demand with collectors and enthusiasts, and in recent years with the availability of the Internet the scope for different VW model cars seems more or less unlimited.

The enthusiasm of this regular feature to our club magazine is kept alive by its supporters and special thanks goes to Kimm Garland, Brian Walker, Ray & Shirley Pleyden, Ivy Martin & Geoff Prichard for his IT support.

What’s New: The Toy Departments reader at large Kimm Garland has kindly sent us a preview of a some new split window (below left) Combos by Matchbox to keep an eye out for.

Also a shot of some 1/80 scale Kombis in 6 two-tone colours made by Kintoy of China. These models are great little gems are would be typically found at your local market stalls.

Its not often we get to promote some fine food establishments, such as Red Rooster Chicken who currently have a promotion where you buy chicken and you get a diecast model of the new beetle, (or Barbie accessories, you make the decision) made by Hot wheels Mattel. They come in red, yellow, and pink. I have had some requests for this model from the USA but I don’t think I can eat that much chicken!

Enjoy Tony Bezzina

Part 21

With the fiftieth anniversary of the Kombi last month we will feature some 1/60th scale models. This first illustration shows from the left the Matchbox 34 by Lesney to the bay window 1970 kombi camper # 23 including the US army and pizza delivery van.

The Toy Departments reader at large, Kimm Garland from Indian Automotive advises that Matchbox has just released a dark green kombi camper and a blue beetle, however they will only be available in the five pack wilderness adventure packs so keep your eye out for them, I have illustrated the green kombi this month.

You may have noticed that the recently released "67 Matchbox kombi # 59 is a split window when your not having a split window, as you can see the windscreen is one piece.

This next shot shows a red and green Tomica with VW logos. The centre is a Schuco #311911. You will notice that in comparison to the Tomica this model sits lower to the ground as if its suspension has been modified, or perhaps our friends from Indian Automotive have had something to do with it.

Finally a shot of the three Matchbox transporters in different livery.

Enjoy Tony Bezzina

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