Part 60

From Zeitschrift, September 2003.

Here at the Toy Department we try and cater for all VW model types and this month is no exception. The Manx buggy makes it debut thanks to Hot wheels. Also this yellow beetle available in the 5 packs series. These fine examples of VW power are now available at your local toy store. I was recently contacted by Chris from Sheriff’s mini cars at Parramatta, he has asked me to remind all Club members that they will receive a 10% discount on purchases on production of club membership details. Chris is also a Club Vee Dub member owning a neat type 111 wagon.

Sherriffs are running a plastic kit competition during the month of September, and it would be good to see some VW’s on display. There will be a peoples choice judging format, and some great prizes for 1st 2nd & 3rd placing’s. So if model kits are your forte then contact Chris to arrange your in- shop display, you never know your work may end up on our World Wide Web site.

Sherriffs also inform us that Johnny Lightning will release a 1/18 Herbie beetle. This will a limited edition and orders can now be taken in advance, contact Sherriffs to place your order. Last month was an end of an era with the end of production of the VW Beetle in Mexico. Mexico was always famous for it’s green &white taxis. To commemorate this Matchbox have released this taxi model no 31 as part of theirs expanding series, including this 4x4 beetle in the tube packs..

Speaking of taxi’s it would complement the limited edition Matchbox New York yellow taxi kombi.

Tony Bezzina

Part 59

From Zeitschrift, August 2003

Hello again, at the time of writing this article my kids are watching the Simpson’s (with parental guidance), when my son yells out, hey dad! There’s a kombi! My instant reaction is, where, where? a real one?

I think I may be beyond help at this stage in my life, but no doubt I am instilling the cornerstone to some sound foundations with the kids where VW’s are concerned. This month I have gone for the very different and rare VW Scirocco. Not only the real thing but also scale models being just as rare. These fine examples we sent to me by a loyal reader of the Toy Department. I also have some hot wheel bugs and concepts that have been available of late, note the removable bodies on the new beetle.

Also I have featured some tin variety kombis, for good measure.

Tony Bezzina

Part 58

From Zeitschrift, July 2003

Hello again, I recently had the privilege to have a very distinguished guest visit my home, and discuss models cars and view my model car collection.

Yes, that’s right Geoff Sherriff came to my home. I said to my wife get out the best silver ware and polish it up (I helped too)

Well it was great go to catch up with him, and reminisce on the locations of his various shops over the years. Also for him see the many models I purchased from him still with his original price tags on.

He too forgot how many variations he sold, in particular that first micro model my wife bought for me in the 1983. (Good thing that was)

I also had the opportunity to go to the Sydney Model car and swap meet held at Penrith Panther’s on the 29th of June. This has to be the best venue and display I have attended for some time.

I was able to pick up some Matchbox Kombi sets, which have been available for some time now, but still not part of my collection.

They were the Kellogg’s rice krispy van, US state Kombi version & Hot wheels city cruiser bus. I was kindy forwarded details of this Hot wheels beach bomb bay window, which was selling on e bay for $2,125 US, lucky for you if you got in at the right time!

Anyway not much else to report on this month, I will leave you with some images of some fine plastic Kombi models in particular the red and green west German split windows with are one of my favourite style of models, that is anything plastic. Also a image of some more readily available Matchbox Kombi’s in particular the white camping version which comes in the tube sets at most supermarkets

Tony Bezzina

Part 57

From Zeitschrift, June 2003

It was good to catch up with many of you at the VW Nationals!

I realised as I was looking around, including at myself how over the past 15 years we have all have changed a little, (except for Brain & Hicko they never change) people who come and go temporarily from the VW scene, either to commit to family, or to a mortgage.

But their passion for VW’s continues to be strong. I hope you enjoyed the day, and were successful in your pursuit for more VW models for your collection.

Hello to Hayden Muller who also shared his passion of VW models with me. He kindly showed me a picture of his collection and we hope to share this with you in the future.

I thought we would talk about the Hongwell models that Mobile Model Cars were selling at the Nationals. These 1/67 and 1/43 scale models were going like hot cakes. I likened it to a Grace Bro’s sale. These models were very popular indeed and represented value for money at $6.00 for the 1/43 scale, which I assume, came in 7 variations & colours.

With the 1/67 set of 6 23 window Kombi’s these came in a Perspex presentation box. These are great models for their price. I thought to myself I'm gonging to open this box and enjoy them, big mistake! The plastic packaging was actually holding the hubcaps on. I would recommend that they be left in their box or if you must remove them be prepared to glue the hubcaps and rims back on, under a magnifying glass, but it’s still a great presntation set.

The 1/43 model is combination diecast/ plastic and the detail is very good. If you missed out on these in the rush contact Steve at Mobile Model Cars & Toys on 0295435364 for stock availability.

Also Johnny Lightning have released a 3 third series of Beetle and Kombi blister packs. The kombis are, two tone pale yellow, pale green, grey pick up, & last but not least the very rare, not many available, highly sort after, others would like to get there hands on one, dark blue Samba bus.J Tony Bezzina

Part 56

From Zeitschrift, April 2003, VW Nationals issue.

Much thanks to my wife Kim for filling in for me last month while I was away. We featured some Passat's and learned that they are of the VW family.

Something else not commonly known to outside the Square we live, is the Country buggy. Many believe our Australian country buggy was the forerunner of the VW Thing. I won’t go into much detail as they are outside my area, but I thought we would show these great images of various VW Things made by Siku of Germany. These models go back to the early 80’s and would be difficult to get these days.

Any way that all for now hope to catch up with at the Nationals where I will be hoping pick up something different, and hoping to trade some of my unwanted stock.

Tony Bezzina

Part 55

From Zeitschrift, May 2003 (this story was meant to go in the March issue)

Tony is away on business and asked me to write his article in his absence. His instructions were to write about PASSATS. “PASSATS” I said, “I thought you wrote for a VW magazine.” “PASSATS are VW’s” was his droll reply. So as you can see I don’t share my husbands knowledge of motorcars.

So I’ve decided to do the article to all those long-suffering wives, girlfriends, children and pets of the VW model collector, who have all been trained in the following;

1. To never enter a dept store without first visiting the toy dept to look for the elusive Hot Wheels Kombi (I’ve never found one). 
2. To go on holidays only to places where there are new toy stores to be visited. 
3. To scrounge through boxes of junk at the markets in case there is a VW model in there.
 4. To drill the neighbours and their children on what models Tony has and what he is looking for.
 5. To befriend every German we meet in case they decide to go home for a holiday and bring him back a VW model.

This all began in 1986 when I bought Tony his first Micro Kombi and things haven’t been the same since.

Finally Tony left these images of PASSATS to be included in the article.

ENJOY

Kim Bezzina

Part 54

From Zeitschrift, February 2003

I recently picked up 3 new concept microbuses by Welly in 1/43 scale. As previously indicted they appear to be of superior quality fro their price. I have the grey, dark blue, and light blue. I suspect the other colours are red and gold.

For these and other Welly products you can visit their web site on www.wellydiecast.com

 In the mean time will have to be patient for the Matchbox concept kombi version # 72, which has to be the last one of the new series. Matchbox have also released a 4x4 yellow beetle # 45 in the series.  This red version may also make it our shores.

The scoop this month is that hot wheels will some time this year re-release the famous beach bomb kombi. And yes it’s a bay window special. The following images speak for themselves.

If anyone has anything new or old they want to share with us send your details and images C/0 the webmaster@clubvw.org.au

Tony Bezzina

Part 53

From Zeitschrift, January 2003

Hello again, and happy New Year to you all. This month I though we would feature some models from last year, Welly models released some good variations over the past 12 months. These vary in size from 1/87 to 1/25 scale. Also they came in a variety of colours, mainly in the two-tone favourites.

Also you see some of the Mastio collection. These cheap, easy to find models were good value at the time.

Days gone Brought out the two Kombis in two tone black over red camper. Also as seen here the green Kombi police van. These are still available from selected toy and hobby shops in Sydney.

Airfix put out a 1/32 green 1200 Beetle kit for all those who don’t have sticky fingers.

On the what's new side of things, Hot Wheels have released a new matt black Baja Beetle. Also Hot Wheels will be releasing a further new Bay window drag Kombi in blue & White this will be limited to 5000 pieces & similar to the pink version from last year.

Not long also that we will see another Hot Wheels combination set of Beetle and Kombi, this set will be called the “V- Dubyas” set.

Tony Bezzina

Part 52

From Zeitschrift, December 2002

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Toy Department. I would like to thank all those who helped contribute to the T.D over the year.

Some models to look out for in the New Year include a new a Barbie concept microbus by Mattel. They will come in purple and sky-blue with all the usual accessaries. I would have preferred to see a split or bay window, or even Transporter as the concept has yet to grow on me.

Welly is also to release a 1/43 concept microbus. I haven’t sighted these yet, but judging by the recent improvements with their split window range then they are sure to reasonably good.

This months images include a Matchbox new Beetle & Kombi. Also a nice Johnny lightning Pez Ute. They are all limited editions.

	How about these nice Hotwheels chrome sets, rare indeed. They have been priced at $250 for the 1/64 and $200 for 1/18.

If you are looking like hitting the surf this summer, and in need of a new body board, then you will appreciate the new Malibu boards available from Grace Bros, they have a red split screen kombi on them. They are priced at $19.95

Anyway until next year have a safe and Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Tony Bezzina

Part 51

From Zeitschrift, November 2002

Hello again, we previously featured some Hongwell models which are very limited to our shores. I recently pick up this set, mainly for the blue kombi. As you can see these models are very precise and good value. This set I purchased from Mobile auto models for $10.00. There are individual sets also available in 1/43 scale.

This month I searched the web for some models available in the US. These kombi models are unlikely to be available in Australia but sourcing them on ebay can be very exciting, good luck.

Finally this rare 1/43 Corgi Karmann Ghia is an example of a fine diecast model from yesteryear.

Other wise things are a little slow with in the VW model scene at the moment, and hopefully things will pick up in the New Year.

For all us bay window kombi nuts, we can only pray that we see more of our passion in scale models. I still wait for the day when we will see a nice straight 1/18-diecast bay window kombi available.

Tony Bezzina