Nick Heidfeld Minichamps 2010 collection

Though Nick got a gig testing Pirelli tires for F1, his future as a racer in F1 is still iffy.  My favorite diecast carmaker, Minichamps, neglected to make a model of him this season.  But I've got to get my Heidfeld Minichamps fix so I fudged my rules a little and expanded my collection.

I first started by collecting his Sauber BMW cars.  I then upped the ante by acquiring his 1999 McLaren and 2005 Williams.

So now what?  Well.  He is, after all, testing the Pirelli tires with the 2009 Toyota TF109.  So I got this:

And no, I am not going to paint it white.

Then, I figured: He was the reserve/test driver for Mercedes GP this year.  So I am bidding on this:

Yes, I know that is Nico Rosberg in the car.  But I have been rooting for Nico all season.  And no, I am not going to paint his helmet black.

And there you have it, the complete Nick Heidfeld F1 Minichamps collection.*

*Less his cars from Jordan, Prost, etc.

Minichamps Aston Martin Lagonda 1/43

My 1/43 scale diecast Fantasy Garage is almost complete.  I just got this Minichamps 1/43 scale Aston Martin Lagonda.  Now, all I need are a 1967 Camaro (Minichamps) and a Bentley Turbo R (not yet made by any of the major diecast manufacturers) and I will be done! 

Minichamps Heidfeld 1/43 Collection (Williams and McLaren)

After collecting all of Nick Heidfeld's BMWs, the discriminating collector should move on to these two bad boys. First, we have the 2005 Williams BMW FW27. Nick's only pole position of his career was in this car at the Nurburgring for the European GP.

Then, we have the 1998 McLaren MP4/13. As the test driver, Heidfeld set the record at Goodwood in 1999. Mika Hakkinen and McLaren won the driver's and constructor's title in this car.

Minichamps Top Gear Power Lap Collection 1/43

My favorite diecast manufacturer, Minichamps, has teamed up with my favorite car show, Top Gear, to produce this 1/43 series with a mini Stig. Just 2,009 pieces will be made for each model. It's never too early to get your Xmas shopping done.

The six cars to be released are, in order of lap time:

1. Porsche Carrera GT, 1:19.8

2. Mercedes McLaren SLR, 1:20.9

3. Ford GT, 1:21.9

4. Porsche GT3 RS, 1:22.3

5. Aston Martin DBS, 1:23.9

6. Lamborghini Gallardo, 1:25.8

Comprehensive Top Gear Power Lap times

Heidfeld BMW Sauber Minichamps 1/43

As I mentioned before, the miniature model market is abysmal right now. Manufacturers are cutting corners with quality and new models (which require expensive tooling) are few and far between. While we wait for the market to recover, let's look at the various Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1/43 scale cars that are/were available through Minichamps.

F1.09 Showcar: The only 2009 model available right now.

F1.08 Showcar: One of two F1.08s. This one does not have the Dumbo ears front air package.

F1.08: The other F1.08, with Dumbo ears.

F1.07: The only 2007 model available.

F1.06: One of four 2006 models.

F1.06 Showcar: The most significant difference are the rear fender flares.

F1.06 First Podium (Hungary): Slight aero modifications vis-a-vis the F1.06.

F1.06 Danke Michael: This was used at the Brazil GP to thank the retiring Schumi for his contribution to promoting F1 in Germany. Probably only interesting to Schumi fans.

Click here for Nick's Williams and McLaren cars.

Minichamps Tour And Bonus Austin Powers Spoof

Grand Prix Legends, a purveyor of all things die cast, puts out entertaining and informative podcasts on youtube. Three recent specials came out:

1. Visit of Minichamps Museum.


2. Austin Powers spoof.


3. Host Leigh Hobden's personal diecast collection.


CKY

1/43 Car Collection Sales And Bargains

In this economy, hardly anyone is buying frivolous products. People are hoarding cash. As a consequence, the scale model car market has taken a nosedive that will even take AIG stock holders' breaths away. If you can spare a few dollars a month, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up some raging deals.

Here are my three favorite stores, in no particular order.

• EWA. This is an East Coast outfit. They have a huge selection and its website is very easy to navigate. They have a 30% off everything 30th anniversary sale. I just got an IST Uaz 452 and a Minichamps Alfa Romeo 159 today. More on that later. The packaging/shipping has always been top notch.
• Not A Toy. An outfit in Michigan run by a really nice and helpful guy. Though there is no sale going on now, their prices are always low and extremely competitive.
• Scale Cars. This business has a physical store in Napa. The owner is really cool and lets me at his cars whenever I stop by. I really want this place to succeed. If you go to the store, check out the helmet signed by every F1 driver (save DC) at the USGP a few years ago.
  

Buying a few cars a month (or even more) will not only keep the manufacturers in business, but it will keep these American small businesses going. Go for it. You know you need a 1/43 model of that obscure car only you and three other people in your time zone covet.


As for what I got today. First, I got an IST UAZ 452. It was advertised as an IXO. IST may well be a subsidiary of IXO. IST has its own website and it is a virtual Garden of Eden of 1/43 Soviet/Warsaw Pact goodness. It's got UAZ, Volga, EMW, Barkas, Melkus, and even ZAZ! The 452 I got for $17 rivals in detail with $40 Minichamps models. I am very happy.


The other car I got is a Minichamps Alfa 159. Since I can't buy the real thing in America, I might as well settle for a 1/43 version.

CKY