Miniature news

We have received from Grand Prix Models of Radlett their splendid little miniature (Ref. Na. 12) of the GP Salmson which, had Bentley No. 7 not survived the White House crash, would have won the Le Mans 24-hour race, driven by de Victor and Hasley. As it was, the Salmson was 2nd, at 52.28 m.p.h. (leisurely days!). The model carries the correct racing No. 25, is 31 in. long, and correct in having the X-pattern radiator shell, integral mudguards and running boards, pointed tail, etc. It is tied., and has seat, simulated instruments, etc. Altogether a jolly little car, which Salmson fans will love. It has the same wire wheels, with knock-off hubs, as this supplier’s SKK. Mercedes-Benz, which will be acceptable to those who like the larger scales, hut which is unfortunate if you want to display Mere., Salmson and, say, GP Models’ 30/98 Vauxhall Wensum together.

Another GP Models offering is the 1967 Austin Healey coupe (No. 23) that ran at Le Mans that year. It is correctly painted red and has the big fuel-filler, spare wheel in the tail, decals and numbers, of the original. But whereas my Salmson rolls easily, the handbrake of this Austin Healey seems to have stuck on! And model makers have funny ideas about the required size of Reg. No. plates—if you used either of these cars in real life you would on be in trouble with the Police! However, both are good replicas otherwise, and available in kit-form, the AH coming with Geoff Healey’s own account of how the little Le Mans Sprite won the Motor Trophy at Le Mans, a reminder that, if petrol soon costs 90p or more a gallon and we are forced into little motor cars, life can still be fun…

Finally, for the time being, Mettoy-Corgi announce a set containing a Lotus Elite in JP minute that tows a trailer carrying a John Player Fl racing car, finished in JP blackand-gold (Reg. No. C32-12.65) and a 74 in.long miniature of the controversial Concorde airliner, in BA livery, with movable droopnose, on a plinth, for £1,2e (Reg. No. C650),

W.B.