Im old enough to remember the big rivalry at the 1998 British Motorshow between the overtly retro new Jaguar S-Type and the overtly retro new Rover 75. The general consensus was that the Rover had pulled it off better but ultimately neither was the success expected of them because...of their overtly retro styling! Jaguar was safe enough to weather the lack of sales success and sadly we all know what happened to Rover......
A few toy manufacturers went ahead and modelled their own versions of the S-Type yet sadly non opted for the Rover which was probably a precursor of what was to come. Majorette was one which springs to mind and the other is this example made by the kings of low cost 1/64 models Welly.
Surprisingly for them they didn't quite model it as accurately as they could have with the front end being the biggest culprit looking a bit awkward and maybe too rounded? Everything else about it is miniature perfection with nice alloy effect wheels, a classy metallic finish and accurate interior.
Im not sure when this particular example dates from as it was a recent charity shop gift but undoubtably Welly probably still produce this casting.
Tags: welly jaguar s-type diecast
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My love of cheapo Tomica copies must obviously stem from my childhood judging by this old 1980's model which I was given as a youngster. There is no brand name on the baseplate but I'm almost certain it was made by Welly in the days when it was just another Hong Kong toy maker with no legitimate licensed castings in its line up. This Lamborghini Countach and indeed many other early Welly products were almost carbon copies of Tomica equivalents, sometimes down to specific number plates and opening features.
In remarkably good condition with its opening rear engine compartment still intact.
Tags: welly tomica tomica copy lamborghini countach diecast
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Welly seem to have caught the classic European vehicle bug and have no intention of finding a cure! Whats good enough for Norev, Majorette, Schuco etc...is certainly good enough for them judging by what they are putting out at the moment. There is even a Polski-Fiat 125P due out anytime now too :-)
Their new "Nuova" Fiat 500 is simply diecast perfection and is easily one of their cheekiest and most adorable products to date replicating this multi million selling Mini rival right down to its black canvas effect sunroof. Again, this is no collectors item, that slot is reserved for their more expensive larger scale output, being a Welly 1/60 means toy aimed prices but looking at this you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Finished in this very authentic red hue which unbelievably for such a new casting is actually its second recolour!
Mint and boxed.
Tags: welly fiat 500 diecast
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It doesn't matter how prestigious you think you are and that your history is based on exotic supercars and luxury saloons, if you dont have an SUV to sell in 2018 then you are at a major disadvantage. One by one some of the glossiest motoring names in history are succumbing to producing big SUV's to satisfy an insatiable Worldwide demand for this type of vehicle. It would have been unthinkable just ten years ago you'd see Maserati producing something like this but here we have the Levante and its already becoming a fairly common sight on our roads in a way NO Maserati would have been in the past, certainly not where I live anyway!
To my knowledge Welly have been one of the first toy makers to produce one in this scale and already its on to its second recolour seen here in its gleaming metallic blue finish. Considering its budget intentions this is one classy little diecast laden with nice detailing, believable wheels and accurate interior. Bought recently from my usual Bulgarian source. What is it with Welly and Bulgaria! Mint and boxed.
Tags: welly maserati levante diecast
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It appears that a few of the Welly Russian themed castings made especially for that market are now being incorporated into their usual line up thus technically making them available to a much wider audience. Not a very wide audience sadly as I've not seen modern Welly 1/64 models on general sale here since Christmas 2015 when some 99p Stores got a batch of them in!
Their GAZ Volga 31105 has already been seen sporting many different colours, many for the Russian market with appropriate script so at least this crisp all white version is more palatable for other countries. Looking like a latter day Morris Ital with its ancient boxy centre section and hastily facelifted front and rear this big boxy old saloon lived on right up until 2009 by which time it had become an anachronism!
Beautifully cast and well proportioned as you'd expect from a licensed Welly product it amply shows the sheer diversity of their modern line up. Mint and boxed.
Tags: welly gaz volga 31105 diecast
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