Sometime later on in the year, Cult Models (part of Matrix) are bringing out a 1/18 scale model of the 1970 Cortina 1600E, in Amber gold.

I'll be getting some into stock so if you want to pre-order one, let me know.

Further details can be seen on the site under 'Cult Models'.

Regards to all and a HAPPY EASTER!!!

Frank.

As regular blog readers will know, Zhou, my contact in China who makes the models for me, had a heart attack last May. He's still not back at work but I've just ordered and received a delivery of Majesty Classics models, which were completed before him falling ill.

They're still in very short supply: Cortina 1600E, Super Minx saloon + convertible, Singer Vogue estate and P2 6-light & 4-light.

I've just listed them on the site so if there's anything you fancy. 'whip it quick', as I can't guarantee if there'll be any more in the future. If you want to reserve a model/s and pay at a later date, contact me and we can arrange this.

Best regards to all and a HAPPY EASTER!

Frank.

Hello all,

I've been asked a number of times if I sell Cult Models, which are 1/18 resin scale models, made in China (where else?) by a company based in The Netherlands.

A lot of their models are of British classics. Sometime this year they'll be bringing out the Cortina 1600E, in Amber gold..

A quick check on Ebay shows that their current normally retail for various models is between £125-£160, although the ex-Brexit £/$ rate is showing the RRP from the wholesaler at £160 (for the 1600E). I expect this to be reduced by about £20 in the real world.

Would there be any interest in me selling Cult models? Please let me know.

They can be found at: www.cultmodels.com

Regards to all,

Frank.

When I was doing the research for EXC 1 - the Cortina Lotus, I spent literally hours and hours going over every minute detail to make sure I could get the model as perfect a replica as possible. I became obsessed. Then I began to have doubts. I thought - is anybody really going to notice if there's a tiny ommission or maybe a little something that isn't quite right. I received an email today, part of which is shown below. Reading this customer's words has really cheered me up and justified all those late nights and early morning hours of research...

'Hi, Lotus Cortina arrived today, it took my breath away when I saw the fine details applied to the model. I used to have two of these in the mid seventies... I will treasure this model as it brings back so many memories. Thank you, George.' 

A number of you have also phoned me to tell me how much you like the model. Thank you.

Frank.

First - the bad news...

after two years of trying to get the Sunbeam Rapier Fastback into production in the Majesty Classics range, I've finally given up on the idea, having been in recent correspondence with Zhou. I told him to that we should abandon the idea as there's still no estimate of when he'll be back at work.

NOW THE GOOD NEWS!!!

I have today authorised production of the Sunbeam Rapier Fastback in the Excalibur range!

Not only that, but also the Alpine Fastback and the Holbay H120 Fastback.

NOT ONLY THAT - but each of the models will be offered in either closed side window style or open side window style = a pillarless coupe!!

Numbers will be very limited - Rapier 40 (20/20), Alpine 40 (20/20)and H120 45 (23/22). Total production: 120.

Colours have yet to be finalised but will probably be:

Rapier - metallic blue, solid red.

Alpine - metallic blue, solid red.

H120 - metallic dark green.

I've still got over 20 names on the pre-order list already so if you want one/two/all three let me know as soon as possible because I think it will be a very popular model.

Delivery will probably be about 6 months but don't hang about - get your skates on. This is an early bird warning to my customers. It will be announced in Model Collector and Diecast Collector shortly.

I don't know - Rapiers are like buses - you wait ages for one, then three come at once :-)

Regards to all,

Frank.

                                          EXC 1 = 1970 Cortina Mk II Lotus, Series II, LIMITED EDITION OF THIRTY...

                            *** SOLD OUT!!! *** SOLD OUT!!! *** SOLD OUT!!! *** SOLD OUT!!! ***

A couple of customers have contacted me to say that the Excalibur Cortina Lotus is missing its Lotus roundel on the front grille.

Ford never fitted the Lotus roundel to the Mk II Cortina Lotus grille. Any you see have been retro-fitted by the cars owners, thereby taking away the original look of the car.

Also, Ford dropped the Lotus roundel from the boot of the Mk II halfway through the run of the Series 1 car. From then on, the rest of the Series 1 and all of the Series 2 cars showed only the two rear wing roundels. Google: "Lotus Cortina Information" for verification.

That's why the Excalibur Cortina Lotus models show only the two rear wing roundels.

Regards to all,

Frank.

Click over to the Excalibur section to see some pictures of the Cavalier Mk I, which I took today.

These are pre-production prototype sample models and will change slightly when in production:

The blue will be lighter & metallic.

The orange will be Burgundy red.

The number plates will be white front & yellow rear.

All in all I think they've done a beautiful job on them and I can't wait to see the production models.

HALF of the stock has now been pre-ordered so if you definitely want one, contact me as soon as possible, to avoid missing out.

The Cavalier Mk I has never been made before and it's causing quite a stir among collectors eager to get their hands on one.

Regards to all,

Frank.

Hello all,

just a quick update to say that the Excalbur 1970 Cortina Mk II, Series II,  Lotus has arrived into stock.

Unfortunately there's been a fly in the ointment regarding quantities:

I ordered 70 x EXC1 = Ermine white/Sherwood green

+ 30 EXC 1a = All Ermine white with Minilite wheels.

He's made the order in reverse quantities:

30 x EXC 1 = Ermine white/Sherwood green

+ 70 x EXC 1a = All Ermine with Minilite wheels.

SO... I've temporarily adjusted the order to take:

30 x EXC1 = Ermine white/Sherwood green

+ 42 x EXC 1a = All Ermine white/Minilite wheels.

These above 72 models have now arrived into stock and will be all that's available for the time being.

Those of you who have pre-ordered the model/s, don't worry, there's enough to cover pre-orders and these will be getting sent out over the next week, after I've contacted you for payment.

Those who have not pre-ordered but want the model would be advised to contact me ASAP via phone or email with a firm order as the current stock 

has already half gone. 

As I write, the remaining stock levels of the two models is thus:

EXC 1 = White/green: ELEVEN ONLY REMAINING!

EXC 1a = White/Minilites: TWENTY-SIX ONLY REMAINING.

REMEMBER!  

the Cortina Mk II Lotus, in facelifted Series II livery, has never been made before. 

Because of the extremely LIMITED QUANTITY, order priority is being given to my regular website & magazines customers. NOT Ebay.

Even with the crash of the £ against the $, I have managed to keep the price to £74.99 + p&p each. 

When I list the model on Ebay, it will be more expensive.

Last but not least!!

The model has been well worth the wait! It's of exceptional quality, beautifully presented and exquisitely detailed.

That's about it for now.

Regards to all,

Frank.

Have been emailed this morning from China to say that the Excalibur EXC1/1a 1970 Cortina Mk II Lotus, Series II, models are nearing completion and will soon be ready to ship out!

EXC 1 is the Lotus in Ermine white with traditional Sherwood green Lotus flashes along sides and bootlid. It comes with steel wheels, roof-mounted aerial and standard-style door mirrors = SEVENTY ONLY.

EXC 1a is the same car but in all-white livery, Minilite-style alloy wheels, wing-mounted aerial and bullet-style wing mirrors = THIRTY ONLY.

Pictures of PRE-PRODUCTION sample models can be seen in the EXCALIBUR category in the British Heritage models section.

Pre-order now, if wanted, as the numbes available are very small. This model has never before been produced.

Regards to all,

Frank.