Modified 1:18 ’65 Corvette

Blue Tom in Greece wrote to ask advice on modifying die-cast with what could be found at home or a book shop (I took that to mean making changes without buying any 1:18 scale parts like wheels or engines). Here’s a Maisto 1965 Corvette that I customized by using only a few hobby tools. Here are the changes:

• Wipers removed — I cut off the stubs of the plastic wipers and used them to plug the holes in the body then dabbed on red paint.

• Front bumper removed — I cut off the two mounting posts and used them to plug the holes in the grille then dabbed on flat black paint.

• Antenna — I cut off the plastic one, leaving only the base. Then I drilled a #61 hole in the base and inserted the wire axle from a 1:64 diecast car from below.

• Lowered suspension — I unscrewed the suspensions, removed the coil springs, then reassembled it. This required cutting off the two lugs on the chassis that accept screws for mounting to the display base. If I left the lugs on they would contact the ground under the car.

• Blackwall tires — I gently worked the tires off the wheels and put them on with the whitewalls facing inward.

So, you can modify cars without having to buy extra parts or do anything drastic like puttying, sanding and spray painting. Try it!

Lamborghini Announces Drivers Academy – Let’s All Sign Up!

Our friends in San’t Agata are at it again. This time, they are announcing the latest information on their Lamborghini Academy for 2009. With campuses all across Europe, Lamborghini Acadamy offers owners an in depth way to learn more about how to tame their beast of a car, and for non-owners a day of dreaming about how the other half lives.

Coming from California, the above looks like a racing school that I could get into. However, you know how it is in Europe, not always 74 and sunny.

This is not the type of school I am planning to spend my hard-earned euros on…

I mean, can you imagine learning about drifting in conditions like that? Yeah, maybe I can too!

The whole day only costs €3900, including accomodations (you have to get there on your own). Of course, for skilled drivers like myself, they will probably be calling me shortly to offer a guest instructors gig. I’ll keep you updated on the progress.

Check out the official press release…

Customized die-cast — what have you got?

Although most die-cast collectors display their models right out of the box, there are a few who make some modifications. Often, it’s just the addition of some detail painting or swapping of wheels and tires. Still, there are some who make more signficant mods. Here’s one I built a few years ago. It’s a 1:18 scale Maisto 1965 Pontiac GTO. The wheel openings were moved forward like on a ’60s A/FX funny car and the suspension, seats, wheels and tires are from the Maisto Chevrolet SSR Concept. Send us photos of your modded Maisto die-casts of any scale and we might post them.

1/18 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 made with CRYSTALIZED Swarovski Elements…

ok, perhaps the name is a little long – that’s what happens when you start dealing with mutiple licensors. let’s use the code lp640 CSE for the rest of this post. as mentioned and shown earlier last year, the lp640 CSE is a go, and we have produced our intial quantities for sale in Europe.

adorned with 7668 actual, authentic, CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements, the lp640 CSE is packed in a opening leatherette case with blue felt insert. the car rests on a black wood stand, with metal nameplate depicting the title and actual number of the unit.

the entire vehicle is covered in the crystals, even the opening doors and engine compartment.

there is also a certificate of authenticity and CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements hang tag. this is the ultimate for the collector. it is limited to 550 units in Europe, distributed exclusively by Bauer. we are working with retailers in the US currently, and will report as soon as distribution is opened up here.

Reader’s die-cast collection

Here are two photos that John Brugger sent of his die-cast collection. Most are Maisto models. He has a variety of interests going here. Thanks, John!

You have questions. We have (some) answers.

i have been meaning to write this post for a while, but something always just got in the way. sorry about that. but every once in a while, we get some questions in our comments section to a post, and dammit, you all deserve some answers. so here goes, let me try to address some of what has been on your mind…

Q. Catalogs – How do we get one?

A. probably our number one asked question, and honestly, i don’t have a straight answer for you. the catalogs are expensive, $6 to $7 each, and at 152 pages for maisto, and 108 pages for bburago, there is going to be some shipping charges as well. they are primarily used for the trade, retailers, licensors, etc. as opposed to mailing the paper catalog, which would be expensive and kill a tiny forest, maybe there are 2 better options – download from our website (our best option) or COD (catalog on disk). the download we hope to have ready by mid March. the disk would still require us to exchange money, though. would you pay for shipping and handling of a disk to satisfy your catalog needs?

Q. Line Listing – how do we get it?

A. Kind of like the catalog issue, it is really meant for the trade. we will be updating the website over the next 45 days with the 2009 line-up. some has already been done, there is a lot more to do, but as soon as jose gets back from new york toy fair, he is on it.

Q. How Can We Contact You To Tell You What We Want You To Make?

A. This question is near and dear to the daily dose heart. And we have a simple answer for you:

 

we’ll add this button to the rollbar on the side, but it is your invitation to write us on whatever topic you like. we want to hear from you about what models you would like us to make, colors, or even send over pictures of your collection – maybe we’ll even post it on the DD!

Q. What is the relationship, other than twin sistah from a different mother, between Bburago and Maisto?

A. Sisters, to be sure. Owned now by the same parents. We have posted many topics here about Bburago, but later this year, Bburago will be getting their very own blog! Their website is maintained in Italy, but the blog will be pure fontana, baby…

Q. MotoGP – What is the latest?

A. OK Hickhamt – this one’s for you and your crew at diecastxchange.com.  we are hoping this year will be a little easier for the new liveries, but we can’t say for sure. we do know that the bikes are barely changing, so that makes it easier. i’ll know more after i see the folks from ducati the end of this week, but we would hope to have stoner and hayden bikes ready by mid-april. forget about rizla-suzuki, i don’t see it happening. kawasaki is more likely, but sales are going to have to increase for us to expand beyond ducati, honda, and yamaha, and in these times, i’m just not so sure. regarding older liveries, just won’t happen – each livery is expensive to produce, plus there are licensing hassles, and cuz i handle the licensing, and i don’t ike hassles, fuhgettabout it…

Q. Full Size Trucks – will you make more of these?

A. Uh, probably not at the top of our radar screen right now, at least in die-cast. we will have a whole slew of r/c trucks coming out later this year in our MaistoTECH brand, but the die-cast tools are so costly, they really have to turn into a big number for us worldwide in order to recoup the dollars out of the mold.

Maisto on Auto Blog!

the 2010 ford mustang that we did for the launch at the l.a. auto show made it’s way to the autoblog.com website over the weekend. for a nice refresher on this model, go check it out at

maisto 2010 ford mustang convertible on autoblog.com

thanks autoblog!

Toy Book Magazine Cover

Coming in February, just in time for the biggest toy show of the year, on the cover of the biggest toy trade magazine…

don’t know about you, but if i see that on a cover, i am picking that magazine up. that’s a hx concept and a ford raptor, in case you are wondering. great job to castro and jose for the artwork…