[V.Narayan]

SnS_12, your collection is to die for....mouth watering to say the least. Thank you for all the effort you have put into your photographs that likes of me can oogle over again and again.

Clearly you have a lot of cabinet space at your home to store these/display them. I find it impossible to display any more of my aircraft scale models due to lack of cabinet space.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

SnS_12, your collection is to die for....mouth watering to say the least. Thank you for all the effort you have put into your photographs that likes of me can oogle over again and again.

Thank you Sir . I love collecting scale models especially the ones I would have loved to own in real life too. Photography is my other interest but capturing these miniatures is a task to get the required angles to bring out the details. Takes me a good hour per model to click with anywhere between 50 to 75 pictures which are then narrowed down and edited as per my liking.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Clearly you have a lot of cabinet space at your home to store these/display them. I find it impossible to display any more of my aircraft scale models due to lack of cabinet space.

I don’t have any of them on display yet and they are all stored in their original packing around the house. Some of them are stored under my parents bed along with the OE Hayabusa exhaust. My folks are real kind and have high tolerance for my madness as its occupies a lot of real estate

My dream is to have my own house with a room dedicated to my madness which will be up on display from scale models to currency collections etc. Working towards it and hopefully i will be able to post pics of that room on this thread soon.

[SnS_12]

Next is a 1:43 scale Toleman TG184 F1 car manufactured by Altaya which was driven by Ayrton Senna in the 1984 Great Britan GP, where he finished the race in 3rd spot and his second podium finish of total three he managed in that year.

The car had 1.5ltr inline four turbocharged HART 415T engine which was capable of producing approximately 600 bhp. This car was also Senna’s first F1 car before he moved to Lotus-Renault in the following year.














A few MINI GT’s in 1:64 scale

[SnS_12]

Next up is a Rolls Royce Phantom-l like no other in the world “The Round Door Rolls”.

This 1924 Rolls Royce Phantom-l with a convertible body by Hooper was commissioned by an American lady from Detroit. The car never got to the States however, and was subsequently purchased by the Raja of Nanpara (Bahraich distrin UP) Syed Mohammed Saadat Ali Khan. His Great Nanpara Estate had already contained a polished aluminum 40/50HP Silver Ghost when he ordered Rolls-Royce’s latest Phantom. It’s at this point that the vehicle was sent to the shop of Henri Jonckheere and his son Joseph Jonckheere. They were well known throughout Europe for making bodies on both cars and busses. The later of which is still in production today as VDL Jonckheere. Some reports suggest it was intended as a present for Prince Edward, but since all records from the factory were lost in the war and it is not even known who originally penned the fantastic Art Deco body shape. The Jonckheeres created an extravagant body which has just as much impact 75 years after its constuction as it did in 1935. The car was finished in time for the Concours on the French Riviera where it won the ‘Prix de Cannes’ award.

The original car was fitted with a 6-cylinder, 7.66L OHV inline six engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. The body was completely hand fabricated to include round doors, which are actually oval, required two half-moon pieces of glass that closed towards each other within a complex winding mechanism. Other details included sliding left and right sun vents, a sloping fastback profile and an enormous rear tail fin. It was also one of the few Phantom Is which featured a modified front grill. All told, the luxurious automobile was quiet enough to hold a conversation at speed and would easily travel at 100 mph (161 km/h).

The vehicle changed hands many times in the 40s and 50s until it ended up with American Max Opie, who restored it and painted it with six pounds of gold dust and lacquer. After life as a traveling sideshow, it disappeared until 1991 when it was purchased by a Japanese gentleman for US$1.5 million. In 2004 it was purchased by the Petersen Museum and restored to its first incarnation of black gloss exterior and red leather interior. The vehicle is a popular attraction at Palm Beach and other classic car concours events, but in a cruel twist is unfortunately not eligible for the top prizes at these gatherings as the original records are lost.

This is a 1:18 scale model made by CMF of the actual car, with a limited production run of 504 pieces.

Tried a few with black background..









Went back to white again

[SnS_12]

Next up is a 1976 Porsche 935 Turbo Martini from Norev in 1:18 scale and limited to 1,000 models.

For the new Group 5 regulation in force since 1976, Porsche was already ready with the 935 model, tested extensively during the winter of 1975-1976 and thanks to the experience accumulated already from 1973-1974 with the various Carrera RSR and RSR Turbo. During 1976 the 935 was used only by the factory team, with different body variants. Although the actual car is manufactured based on the Porsche 930 turbo, the hood has been changed to a flat nose to improve aerodynamic characteristics.The car that Porsche 935/76 entered the `Group 5` class of the 1976 Le Mans 24-hour race and won 4th place overall (Group 5 class winner).Porsche's works team `Martini Racing` introduced three race cars to the 1976 Le Mans 24-hour race.The two are Porsche 936s participating in the top category `Group 6`. The other was a 935/76 turbo that entered `Group 5’.

Starting from 1977 the model was also sold to European and American private teams, starting a very long success story that would go on until halfway. eighties with infinite versions.

[SnS_12]

The Hot Wheels Premium Nissan Skyline GT-R Garage Box Set that features 3 different Nissan Skyline models in 1:64 scale.

Nissan has brought back the Aero Lift Truck, Skyline GT-R 32, GT-R 33 and GT-R 34 models with the release of the premium Garage Box Set. The set showcases each car with a clean white paint job, rear spoilers and black tires with a classic garage background making this a perfect in box display of the JDM legends created by Nissan.

[SnS_12]

Something that was never on my radar but thanks to bhpian no_fear’s elder brother I got my hands on a very very rare and a very very special helmet.

This is a 2009 Lewis Hamilton Official Replica promotional helmet which has been painted by JLF Designs (No.39) who have been designing and painting helmets for LH from his karting days.

The base helmet is an Arai GP 5 and these were created for the team and sponsors and were not available for general public. I initially thought this is a 2008 model, but was confused with the serial number 39/09 and thought maybe this is number 9 of 39 totally built. But after some more research found that this is piece number 39 of the 2009 model. The main difference in the 2009 model is the addition of the cartoon of LH spinning the decks at the back of the helmet. Since these are made in limited numbers and most of them will be in private collections getting more information is a real challenge.

The finish on it is on another level and was expected as its was painted by JLF Design’s themselves.

[SnS_12]

My first One Model scale model of the shark fin/scope 1:18 Spoon NSX GT Macau GP Racing. This piece was sourced locally in Singapore from Mark of Unusual43 and was collected and carried back to India by Bhpian no_fear’s elder brother along with LH’s Arai helmet. This is a limited edition model and this is No 61 out of 299 built by One Model.

Spoon was founded in 1988 by Tatsuru Ichishima, a domestic racing driver. When Honda launched the Civic Si and CR-X Si, Spoon started to develop performance parts for these cars with the purpose to bridge the gap of the race car and the road going car. Spoons founder and the president himself raced in the Spoon Sports NSX in 2009, Spoon Sports entered this NSX in the Macau GP Road Sports Challenge. Ichisima-san finished third in his class and 6th overall.

The yellow engine valve cover indicates that there’s something special underneath and what used to be in this car is a stroked C32B good for 400 HP but that engine was taken out and replaced with a C30A V6 and turbocharged to around 550 HP. As this is a Spoon Sports build, all the correct supporting mods to make this an NSX in road racing form are fitted including a special LSD, a 4.4 final gear ratio, and carbon fiber everything.

Some pictures…

[SnS_12]

Next is a 1957 Fiat 642 RN2 Bartoletti Ferrari Transporter in 1:64 scale from Stance Hunters brand. I haven’t taken the model out as I didn’t want to disturb the original packing and also a few parts are provided separately like mirrors which cannot be fitted if the model has to be put back in its original packing.

From the 1950s till the 1960s was known as the era that witnessed a boom of race car transporters. The two similar-looking transporters of the Scuderia Ferrari and Maserati might well be the most famous and technically most mature transporters of those days.

These were mounted on Fiat-bus chassis of the type 642 RN2 and with an open body work designed by Bartoletti, the resultant transporter was good for hauling three race cars. At first sight, those two transporters, equipped with a 92 hp diesel in-line-engine, look alike expect for paintwork and decals. But upon a closer look, they differ in a considerable number of details.
Back in those days, it took a transporter to haul race cars to the race track from time to time.
But transporters were not limited to hauling a precious freight only. They had quite a few other functions, too. In each of the transporters, a small but complete inspection bay was set up. It was also used as the crew quarters.
This was where the head-quarters were located, in addition to providing a crew space and a sleeping berth during the hectic race weekends.
Many crew members spent the majority of their time working in and around those race car transporter.

Technical data of the original vehicle:

*6-cylinder diesel in-line-engine type 364A
*Auto body work and vehicle hoist made by Bartoletti at Forli, Italy
*Fiat-bus chassis with a ladder frame
*Maximum output: approx. 92 hp
*Displacement: 6,650 ccm
*Top speed: 85 km/h
*Total length 9.085 mm
*Total breadth: 2.492 mm
*Total height: 2.924 mm



















This is a 1:64 scale 1976 Honda Civic with a CVCC engine (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion), which was bought by a friend from Goa.

[SnS_12]

Next is a Top Secret GT300 Supra Gold in 1:18 scale from Ignition Model.

Top Secret, based in Chiba, Japan, is a well-known tuning and performance shop. Kazuhiko "Smokey" Nagata founded the company in 1990, and it has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering and design. They have gained international acclaim for their high-performance builds, particularly on Nissan Skylines and Toyota Supra’s.

Kazuhiko Smokey Nagata started as the youngest mechanic at Toyota. After that, he became a tuber and fabricator at Trust Company Limited, and while working with them in 1978, Smokey started using their shop for personal projects, hence the name Top Secret due to his discreet work at the facility. As he was a skilled mechanic and an asset to the company, the employer did not mind his harmless ventures with Smokey. Top Secret became independent from Trust in 1991 and set up shop in Chiba. In 1993, the company started exhibiting at the Tokyo Auto Show. Gold paint schemes are a distinguishing feature of many Top Secret-tuned cars. This special gold paint scheme is only applied to cars that Nagata considers his best work.


The Gold GT300 Supra that made him an international icon of the JDM world.

Smokey was invited to the UK by a top tuning car magazine named Max Power along with his GT 300 and was challenged to a top speed run (200 mph). At around 4am on November 4, 1998, Kazuhiko ‘Smokey’ Nagata pulled off the hard shoulder into lane two of the A1(M) and came to a stop.

With rain falling and the mercury hovering just above freezing, he pinned the throttle, dropped the clutch and performed a monstrous burnout in the middle of the road. Satisfied the Midlands were suitably sluiced in tyre smoke, he gunned his heavily modified, 1,000+hp, Japanese-registered, gold-painted Toyota Supra with one aim in mind: hitting 200mph (est. 320km/h).

Due to some complications (the engine running lean on one run, the car wanting to jettison its bonnet at 190-odd on another), he had a few attempts but ultimately fell short of the double ton, clocking 194mph (or 312km/h).

More than enough to unofficially claim the dubious, dangerous record of the fastest speed ever reached by a car on a UK public highway.

It wasn’t long before the winter darkness filled with blue lights: the police made chase and arrested him, resulting in Smokey having a night at Her Majesty’s pleasure (a remarkably lenient sentence which wouldn’t happen today) before fleeing back to Japan, worried his tuning company was going to go under. In reality, quite the opposite happened.

His escapades hit the headlines, and the grainy footage of him illegally squirrelling down the motorway from the cameras gaffer-taped to the car went VHS viral – instantly catapulting him to legendary status within the tuning community.

It was the ultimate ballsy PR tool for his company – Top Secret – proving that his cars were the real deal.

The scale model from Ignition Model is a rare special edition as it comes with Smoky Nagata’s Figurine and signature card.

Some pictures…

[SnS_12]

Next is a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren MSO Edition in 1:18 scale from GT Spirit.

The SLR is a result of a collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren, the 2 seat grand tourer was named in honor of the famed Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing car. Powered by a 5.4L supercharged V8 engine, the SLR produced over 600hp and could reach speeds in excess of 200mph. The SLR was available as a Coupe (C199) or Roaster (R199), and was later offered in special limited editions, which consisted of the 722 Edition, 722 S Edition, as well as the unique Stirling Moss (Z199). By the end of production, a total of 2,157 examples were built, of which 25 were converted to MSO Editions after the end of standard production.

Gordon Murray insisted on a fully flat underfloor which is why the SLR has that eye-catching side-exit exhaust. And he demanded 50/50 weight distribution, forcing the 5.4-litre, supercharged V8 into a front mid-engined configuration that elongated the car’s shape. The SLR was launched into a supercar world that had recently been rearranged by the race-bred likes of the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, and a wild-looking rocketship from a new Italian outfit called Pagani (and the Zonda was Mercedes-powered, too). They all out-handled the SLR, despite its carbon fibre chassis and structural rigidity, and road testers at the time took issue with the tricky brakes, hyperactive steering, and the SLR’s generally confrontational character.

The MSO edition of the SLR was fitted with a more aerodynamic body kit, including new front and rear bumpers, diffuser, hood, and a different grille. There was also a titanium exhaust system and wheels, exclusive to the MSO. Performance-wise, the MSO SLR had upgraded steering and suspension. Improved stopping power comes in the form of carbon-ceramic brakes. The MSO treatment had increased downforce by 20 percent while reducing weight by 110 pounds (50 kg). At least some of the 25 cars had an engine tune, which according to some makes it more powerful than the SLR 722 Edition’s 641-horsepower figure. This should mean a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of under 3.6 seconds and a top speed of over 209 mph (336 km/h).

Some pictures…

[RohanDheman]

Absolutely delightful updates brother! Waiting to see that Supra in person and now the itch has begun to get my hands on one of the Top Secret's creations as well!

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by RohanDheman

Absolutely delightful updates brother! Waiting to see that Supra in person and now the itch has begun to get my hands on one of the Top Secret's creations as well!

Thank you Rohan. The GT 300 is one of those models which can take center stage in the collection and its absolutely stunning. Smoky is a true JDM legend the way he drives and the way the R 34 GTR, GT 300 Supra and the V12 Supra built by him move will just give goosebumps to one even watching the video's of them on YouTube. Absolutely legendary stuff.

Next am on the lookout for Mine's built and tuned R 33 GTR in 1:18 scale.

[SnS_12]

A few Tomica’s that i picked ip from Singapore airport in March this year.



Except for the 190E all other are still sealed packed.