NEW OLD MODELS FOUND |
The tag says it all. It's all about older models which I have discovered only recently. |
Maisto has as did many other manufacturers of 3'' models offered several cars in multi car packs. Here is an example of a golden Volvo 760 GLE together with a Mercedes Class S in this blister on cardboard. Maisto sold this and 9 other sets under the label 'Motor Works'. The name of these sets changed however over the time. Each set consisted of different cars. A picture on the rear of the cardboard shows all the available sets. This set was released around 1996 under item # 15080.
This table is showing the available sets :
Mini Racers, Turbo Treads, Motor Works and Road & Track Miniatures: The Many 1:64 Scale Models of Maisto Recently, a new group of models has been introduced in the Road & Track series that have generated mixed reactions among longtime fans. At long last, May Cheong has seen it fit to introduce some new wheels on the models; however, the new wheels are perhaps even uglier than the ones they replaced. Nevertheless, the biggest disappointment is the complete lack of interior moldings on many of the castings. In a futile attempt to "hide" the fact that these models have no interiors, May Cheong has installed an extremely dark blue window glazing in the models. It is a cheap and hardly cleaver ploy to cut costs on the models that may in the end cost the company the patronage of many former enthusiasts. Of course and just like before, the castings are both detailed and accurate with many models of cars that no one else has even taken the time to bother with. Let's hope that the tradition of these fine models will be upheld and that the next batch will be more like the original Mini Racers and Turbo Treads. So take the time to look these miniatures over a second time. You may be surprised at the level of quality at the price. What will the future mean for these toys? At the present it is hard to say, though consider that some of the earliest Mini Racers that are now discontinued are extremely difficult to find in any condition--and these are models that are just slightly more than ten years old. Probably the best parallel that can be drawn is to brands that in their day were considered "lesser" makes: both mint Playart and Zylmex models are rare today and frequently bring surprisingly high prices among collectors. Could May Cheong's miniatures share a similar future? For now, we will simply have to wait to see.
Below is a listing of all May Cheong miniatures produced to date; where known, the catalogue number has been included.
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