Holden 1981 WB Statesman Caprice

The ultimate (arguably) in Australian made luxury in 1981 was the Statesman Caprice. Big, powerful and luxurious. It had it all. It also had one other aspect that I liked. It looked good. Now this wont be every Aussies favourite ‘Stato’. I can see how many would argue the 70’s versions looked better. But this one was the one I always wanted.

The model we are looking at here is the Trax Select Series WB Statesman. I believe less than 800 were produced and made to order only so theyre pretty much a limited issue model. They decided to present it in Nutmeg Metallic. I would have preferred a white one. I seem to remember there being more white ones around than any other colour. Maybe thats because they might have been used as Com-Cars. Commonwealth Govt. Politician’s rides. I dont know about that so dont quote me. They may have used Ford Fairlanes or LTDs. Again, I speculate.

 

All of the WB Caprices were fitted with Holden’s 5 litre V8 and automatic transmission. They had enough torque to shunt the big Stato around. They were made to compete with the Euro luxury cars, and were priced accordingly. They were around 20 grand when released, a fair bit of coin back in the day. This car was about cruising in style, not about screaming down the 1/4 mile. Would I have one now? Would I what!

 

 

 

Doogies Car-Toon: Police Charger Pursues Stolen Monaro

The Stolen Monaro

NSW Highway Patrol Charger

Monaro HK GTS 140 MPH Speedo

I hope you enjoy my stylised car-toon using 1/43 scale diecast models. As you can see the theme is a NSW Highway Patrol Valiant Charger in pursuit of a stolen HK GTS Monaro, complete with the GTS 140 MPH speedo.

If you have enjoyed this entry, and would like to see more, please leave me a comment or suggestion.

Cheers, Doogie.

Chrysler Imperial and Chrysler Town & Country 1/43 Scale

Ok so this scale model car blogsite is called Doogies Diecast, but sometimes we can all do with a little variety in our collections so in this post, I go resin.

Chrysler Imperial – 1971

First up we have the Neo 1/43 scale Chrysler Imperial Le Baron 1971 model In resin.

In 1:1 guise, these behemoths weighed up to 2400 kg and were lugged around by the 440 CI (7.2L) V8 engine.

Chrysler Town & Country Wagon – 1976

Next up we have the Neo 1/43 scale Chrysler Town & Country Wagon 1976 model In resin.

Amongst some of the largest wagons ever built, the 1:1 Town & Country was 5.8 metres long and hauled around by the 400 or the 440  CI V8.

First Drive: Valiant AP5

My First Drive: Valiant AP5

When I was getting serious about buying my first car, number one on my list was the Valiant AP5 (Australian Production Five). Around that time a mate of mine had one so I suppose that greatly influenced me even though I was already a Valiant fan. His was a very nice 1964 Valiant Regal with a 225 (3.6l) slant six engine and a push-button auto. I loved the push-button auto. Sadly the AP5 was the last Valiant to have this type of selector. I did own an AP6 with the column selector (see the story about it and the corresponding Trax model here), but I really really wanted the push-button.

AP5 Valiant

Over the years I have owned several Valiants but I never got to own that AP5 which I planned to buy as a wide-eye teenager. However, I am pleased to report that the first car I ever drove on the road was my mates AP5 (see pic above, taken somewhere in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, summer 1975/76). I always preferred the AP5 over the AP6 because the 5 had the push-button auto but it also had the far better grille. I never really took to the Plymouth-esque grille on the 6

Great deatail on the front of the Trax Valiant AP5 Regal

Despite the fact that its a poor photo of me driving the AP5, you can see the regal badge on the Val which is also part of the great detail of the Trax 1/43 scale 1963 Valiant AP5 Regal. Trax have done a great job with the detail of the rear of the Val as well, right down to the ‘Torquflyte’ badge (decal). Very well done. However, you will notice a difference in the placement of the wing mirrors. On the ‘real’ example I am driving the mirrors are a long way down the front guards, but not so on the model. Nevertheless, for me, this is the best part of diecast model cars; when 1:1 meets 1:43.

Detailed Rear Of The Trax Valiant AP5 Regal

 

If you have enjoyed this post, check out other articles by using the archive on the right. Also, please take the time to leave a comment. Cheers, Doogie.

 

Trax Valiant AP5 Regal

Toyota Corolla Project (Part 6) Final: Before & After

If you haven’t been following this saga, perhaps you should at least read part 1 here & part 5 here.

So to continue from part 5, we left the latest blemishes as they were and applied a coat of clear over the top which you can see in the first picture.

Corolla with a coat of clear

Applying the clear was probably the easiest thing to do. However, one thing you need to know is that it is clear, so it is hard to see what/how much you have applied. We just gave it one single coat. Also I am pleased to say this was an easy model to put back together. It took only a minute or so to screw the ‘Rolla back together. You can see the before and after photos below.

Diecast Toyota Corolla 1/43 Scale Before & After Respray

Diecast Toyota Corolla 1/43 Scale Before & After Respray

Well thats it for the Diecast 1/43 Scale Toyota Corolla repsray…for now. Who knows what I might do to it in the future. Anyway, it has provided me with enough experience (mostly what not to do) to move on to other projects. I do plant to tackle my VH Valiant Charger soon but I might repspray another model before then. I will take some photos of those projects and I will blog them but I am certain it won’t be a drawn out saga like this has been. Relax, I won’t put you or me through another 6 part blockbuster.

If you have enjoyed this entry you can see more interesting articles by using the month by month archive on the right of this screen. Also, please take the time to leave a comment. Cheers, Doogie.

Taking the Corolla out on the road