2018 Diecast Model Expo
This will be a lot of fun. Held every couple of years, the Diecast Expo is on again, in Sydney. It’s not only an opportunity for collectors, traders and dealers to get together with the makers of our favourite model cars, but also a chance to get hold of some exclusive models. It takes place at the Rydges Hotel in Parramatta over the weekend of November 10-11; for more info go to www.diecastmodelexpo.com.au
There will be room trading, there’s a dinner on the Saturday night, and there’s even a competition for people who like to modify their die-cast models (going to have to enter that, I am.) In past years, collectors have gathered from all over Australia for these events. They’re a lot of fun and can also be quite useful in making contacts, as well as doing some wheeling and dealing.
There are also some very special guests – Dick Johnson, John Bowe and Colin Bond. All will be in attendance at various sub-events and will be available to sign things…
Such as a model of John Bowe’s 1999 CAT Racing EL Falcon. This 1:18 model, the rst time this EL has been made in this scale, is available ONLY at the Diecast Model Expo. The EL V8 Supercar was a handsome machine and the black/yellow of the CAT car looked a million dollars – as does Apex Replica’s model.
This isn’t the only signi cant John Bowe model available at the Expo. There’s also the VC Commodore that he used to win the 1980 Race of Champions at Calder’s Australian Grand Prix meeting. I think this was the rst time JB had raced a sedan and he showed his class right away, two second places earning him the points to garner the trophy.
Along with the John Bowe ROC version, there’s a very limited number of road-going Satin Black HDT VCs being made available. The bulk of them will be going to volunteers at the Expo, with the remainder available for sale. Like the Apex Replicas CAT Falcon, these 1:18 scale cars are being made by Biante exclusively for the Expo. If you’re lucky enough to bag one, they’ll set you back $350.
Staying on the Bowe theme, there will also be a couple of Bowe Touring Car Masters Ford Mustang models on offer at the Expo. For just $20 each, you can get these Greenlight Collectibles 1:64 Mustangs, as raced by John Bowe in TCM in 2012 and ’13. There are just 1000 of them but, if you want something really rare, the same models are available with Greenlight’s green wheels and base. These are called ‘Chase Editions’ and we’re told they’re much sought-after. Only available if you’re at the Expo’s dinner on the Saturday night; they’re $25 each.
While you’re at the Expo you might want to pick up ACE Models’ HQ Monaro and panel van Mad Max set. We mentioned these a couple of issues ago as part of our ‘Muscle Cars in Movies’ piece. It’s a two-car set of some of the secondary cars (but still signi cant) from the rst Mad Max movie. There’s the HQ Monaro, a Main Force Patrol Interceptor stolen by the Night Rider (a ‘fuelinjected suicide machine’ – which is a line from Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run) and which features in the lm’s opening sequence. As you will remember, the car (and the Night Rider) comes to a sticky end.
There’s also Max’s personal ride, a Holden panel van which he and his sax-playing lady (and Sprog, their little boy) go on a holiday. That also comes to a sticky end. The holiday, that is. The twin-set of models in 1:64 will set you back $89.