Tommi WRC WRX cars

[brchi17]

Does anyone know when the Tommi 3 pack of 2002 WRX's are comming out ?
I know it says 'production planned', but does anyone have a rough idea as to when they are comming ?
cheers.

P.S. Has there been any movement on the possibality of a Possum Bourne WRX or am I simply just dreaming ?

[KiwiRallyFan]

While we are on the subject of Tommi WRX's....

In the latest Autoart (1:18) Makinen 2002 Monte Carlo Impreza (A80292) , there is a mass of green and black plastic in the navigators footweel which looks like some sort of testing gear or maybe a water container (or possibly both?).

1. Does anyone know what this is suppose to represent?
2. Is there a story behind it?

Thanks.

[Andrew]

I am waiting for this 3 car set as well. I have got as many different Prodrive releases as I can get my hands on. I'm also looking forward to the twin set of Makinen/Solberg Catalunya that is rumoured to be coming. But as for dates, I am as clueless as you.
And as for the Possum Bourne release - I sent all those emails weeks ago to Possum Bourne Motorsport and Subaru Australia, and strangely received NO reply from either of them - not even a 'thankyou for your email.'
So, as usual, we remain mushrooms on this matter.

And not having the 1:18 Makinen 2002 Monte Carlo, I can't comment on the detail in the co-driver's footwell, but I'd be interested in finding out.

[Tumbo]

I have no clue as to when they're coming out- but the catalyuna twin pack is now a corsica twin pack (go to http://www.performance-clothing.com/item389.htm to see a picture) and i'm unsure of whether the safari and three pack will be released

it appears as if the 555 sponsership will not be supported by ixo, and as such they are producing the cars which ran the subaru livery in the championship, what this means for the safari 55 car? who knows?
Hope they are released- i'm only missing the 1st prodrive car the 99 Acropolis and would like to have a healthy collection

Tumbo

PS the solberg catalyuna is now the monte car IXO80! good lucck collecting

[brchi17]

The 555 Subaru's are make in Portagul (they don't have tobacco laws on model cars) & I can't remember who it is that makes them.
I wasn't aware of a two car set & the one i was talking about was a 3 pack of Tommi's car in the following setups
1 Safari version
2 Tarmac version
3 Dirt version

cheers.

[ferrari fan]

The gear in front of the co driver is the same in the last years model and this represent the emergency tools needed to change the wheels etc plus comunication bits as in the real cars they use cordless drills instead of a wheelbrace. In the Peugeots they are in the back ,lhs, in a special bracket( Makita 12v) and in Subaru they are in the front (Metabo, from memory )all to do with weightdistribution!

[admin]

iXO came in today as we were closing and there should be 2 Prodrive cars in amonst these. (We are now the Prodrive Distributors in Oz), so watch for New Arrivals tomorrow on the site.

[ferrari fan]

Another great model that even goes like a real one on the track is the 1/32 Auto Art Subaru WRC 2001 Rally de Portugal slotcar!
with the real drivers (Burns Reid ) depicted in them.
These look great and go like a rocket plus have 2 sets of spare tractioncontrol items with them in the box
4 wheel drive, working lights!, extra traction control and powerbrakes! what a deal!:D
In a Good Modelshop Near You I Hope For You.

[KiwiRallyFan]

Thanks for answering my question Ferrari Fan

This model really has a lot of great detail in it.

Is the cordless drill modelled inside the black plastic bag, along with a few spare wheel-nuts? :D

[brchi17]

Thanks for the info admin.
Seeing your the Australian agent for Prodrive, does this mean you be able to offer the Prodrive products in much the same way you do with the Brock & Lowdnes items ?
cheers.

[Tumbo]

Trofeu are the portugal company that makes the 555 subarus, but they haven't made any since the end of 2000, it appears that the contract went to IXO, i would love for the 3 pack and the safari to be released, but as mentioned, if the 555 sponsership is not used then it probably won't be released :(

[Tumbo]

By the way, after Peter Solberg's amazing drive, how about a 5 pack, with his 4 podium finishing cars, and his rally GB win! that would be a cool set!
Further supporting messages might help!

[brchi17]

Has anyone noticed the difference between the Autoart & Prodrive cars ?
On the Auto art car the yellow appears to be more of an orange colour, whereas on the Prodrive car its' more of a fluro yellow colour.
cheers.

[Tumbo]

No, you aren't the only one- for some reason autoart don't realise that the subaru's run with fluro yellow stickers. both trofeu and IXO(who now do the prodrive cars) run their models with the proper stickers, why autoart paint with a different yellow?

[Tumbo]

Two pack is in!
Tour de corse, told u all!

[Richard Poole]

Your pretty quick Tumbo. Check out item number PRO007 for another interesting item not many people have heard about.

[Tumbo]

Thanks for that, it looks good but, where are the subaru decals :(
being a wrc fan can suck at times!
By the way subaru australia still has PRO001 in stock- if biante can get some off them, they are prodrive but....:)

[brchi17]

Originally posted by Tumbo
Thanks for that, it looks good but, where are the subaru decals :(
being a wrc fan can suck at times!
By the way subaru australia still has PRO001 in stock- if biante can get some off them, they are prodrive but....:)

Which one is this Tumbo ?
They wouldn't be the rally of Britan 2 pack with the old model cars(1999) by any chance?
I found a set of these at a Subaru dearler who could not get rid of them - so they are still out there if anyone is still looking, all that is required is a bit of ringing around.
cheers.

[Andrew]

PRO001?? I can't recall this car off the top of my head. Can someone jog the old memory? If it is the 1999 Great Britain twin set, I got two of them. I paid nearly $140 for the first set from my local model shop, then stumbled along a set in a Subaru dealer a few months later and picked the second set up for half that price! All with a build plate of 2500 worldwide!

The 2002 Corsica twin set looks fantastic. There is something about Prodrive's whole professional approach to image that some of the other WRC teams could learn from. Imagine special Ford Rallye Sport and Peugeot Team Total sets? They would look absolutely brilliant. Hell, I'd even buy Skoda Motorsport sets if they were built.
I wonder whether there would be any scope down the track for a special Colin McRae collection, or Carlos Sainz collection? Or even Juha Kankkunen collection? Some of the great drivers in some of the great cars....

I think the cost might get a bit too much however. I'm having trouble collecting the Prodrive and Biante stuff as it is.

[ferrari fan]

For Peugeot models in 1/18 scale see Solido, as of yet there are 3 cars out of the Factory team ,1999 white and blue ,2000 silver and silver and red 2001 plus a host of satalite non factory livered cars.
together with the auto art,. fords ,subaru's ,bitsmissing etc this makes for a interesting display.
You will find the 1999 Peug now hard to find.
in 1/43 there was a set brought out last year of Subaru with the driver Martin ,who is now with Ford

[Tumbo]

No guys its the 25th victory from acropolis 99.
The twin pack from Gb is cool though, i found it in a little model shop in the UK last christmas, got it for about $120, but the case is slightly cracker, anyone know where to get a replacment cover?
Cheers Tumbo

By the way does anyone know any model shops in Brisbane that still stock the 2001 Burns safari?

[brchi17]

Does anyone know if someone, somewhere in the world are making the 555 Version of this year's WRX ?
Before we start going down that tabacco track - lets not go there - I was wondering if somewhere this paint job was being produced ?
I've got a couple of the old 4 & 2 door triple 5 cars & I noticed thier presence back on the cars at some of the rally this year, which looks fantastic on the cars.
cheers.

[Andrew]

Tumbo, my only advice is to go into a Subaru dealership, into their 'Parts' section (that's how I get Prodrive releases when the model shop can't get them), and ask to order the 99 Acropolis car. I got a few Prodrive cars like that. Other than that, I don't know how you can get it (I don't have it unfortunately).
As for anyone producing the 555 sponsorship in model cars, I can't see how it will happen. If iXO aren't doing it, then I don't think anyone will. I don't know how Trofeu got away with it, especially importing them into Australia in the 2 & 4 drs, but there you go....

[Tumbo]

The old tobacco sponsership debacle, i only started collecting subaru models a couple of years ago, make that only started collecting models a couple of years ago! but its already evident how much this annoys people. when we buy models we want to get the proper decals, but how? Trofeu got away with importing the 555 cars into australia as 1 they were a portugal company and could make them and 2 while we have tobacco laws regarding sponsership (i.i. warning smoking kills signs if cars run with them) models are like cigarettes themselves. you can buy cars with cigarette sponsership, however technically you must be over 18, i wasn't when i got my first subaru model- 555 subaru 98 portugal, hopefully subaru might get IXO to do a special run for the safari, however, it most likely will be either a safari with subaru decals :mad: or no safari model at all :(
any help admin?

[brchi17]

There's no point asking admin for halp regarding a 555 car as it is illegal for them to, first import one & second, sell one.
Something to do with the laws in Australia regarding cigerette advertising & toys - yes our belovered diecast cars are deemed 'toys' by the government.
Just don't go there!!!
I was wondering if someone was making them outside Aust. & if so, who.
Just don't put the 555 cars on public display as they can all be taken off you by our loving government (ferrari fan can tell you all about that one !!!) becuase you are in breach of the anti tobacco laws.
cheers.

[Tumbo]

Are u sure about it being illegal to publically display cigarette sponsered cars? i know of a heap of model shops in Bris. that are selling either 555 subarus or alternatively marlbrough ferraris, however, they can only sell these to over 18s (apparently?)

[brchi17]

Tumbo,
ferrari fan said a while ago that he tried to display his F1 ferrari's with the sponsorship on them & we was told that if he did he would have the lot confiscated because it was in breach of the cigarette regurlarations.
I'm sure when he logs on, he explain for you in more detail.
cheers.

[Tumbo]

Cheers,
By the way, i still think that there should be a Petter Solberg pack- perhaps with the 3 Subaru cars, Australia, Finland and GB. Any thoughts?

[brchi17]

How good was Petter in GB rally last weekend. Can't wait to see some footage as i forgot it was on and didn't think to check for the updates on Fox - you idoit !!!
Perhaps Prodrive could produce a rally of GB two pack like they did when Burns won it back in 1999.
cheers.

[-Pille-]

Originally posted by ferrari fan
...in 1/43 there was a set brought out last year of Subaru with the driver Martin ,who is now with Ford

There are at least three Subarus with Martin:
1/43 IXO (diecast)
1/43 Racing 43 kit (diecast)
1/24 Tamiya (plastic)

[-Pille-]

Originally posted by brchi17
Does anyone know if someone, somewhere in the world are making the 555 Version of this year's WRX ?
There are 555 decals for 1/24 scale Subarus, made by Studio 27.

[Andrew]

But nothing for 1:43 diecast?

[brchi17]

Thanks pille,
do you have their details handy ?
They wouldn't have to be that company in Sydney that was doing the saw thing a while back of the 1:18 models ?
Do you know about 1:43, as that is what all my WRC Subaru's are ?
cheers

[SWRT]

Everyone loves the Prodrive releases.
Has anyone seen the 2003 SWRT rally car yet?
go to www.swrt.com to see it.
Solberg and the new Imprezza WRC WRX,I can tell its a championship winning combo already.
Peogeot might have the 307 instead of the out dated 206 next year so look out Gronhlom for Peter Solberg and Marko Martin.

[Tumbo]

Admin, we have been arguing the toss about the 555 decals, any info would be greatly appreciated. PLEASE, by the way guys i found a UK site which is selling 1/43 trofeu subaru trans kits- they have McRae and Eriksson's 98 swedish rallies, and McRae and Liatti's 97 San Remo, i can get the site details if anyone's interested.

[Richard Poole]

Originally posted by Tumbo
Admin, we have been arguing the toss about the 555 decals, any info would be greatly appreciated.

We cannot supply or produce any cigarette advertising for any models, believe me, we have been trying.

[Tumbo]

Thanks for the quick reply admin: well guys there u have it, no Tommi Makinnen 3 pack i guess :(

[brchi17]

Originally posted by Tumbo
......well guys there u have it, no Tommi Makinnen 3 pack i guess :(
Have you done a model search with the word 'Subaru' ?
If you do, you will find that the Tommi 3 pack is listed as 'production planed' & one would just assume that the Safari car will carry the std Subaru logo, instead of the 555 one it carried in the race.
cheers.

[Andrew]

Tumbo, I'd be interested in seeing the UK site with the Trofeu cars - can you post a link?

Has anyone tried to modify their Impreza WRC's?

I got a picture from the net of someone who modified their Burns 2000 Rally Australia car, by putting the reflective tinting on the windows (I believe this is a modification?). I'll try to attach it.

[Andrew]

I also found a picture of someone who had modified a Rally Australia car, and made it a Rally of Corsica car (see little 'V-Rally' logos above the competition number), and placed it in a little diorama. I'll try to attach this one too.

[SWRT]

love the scenery in that.
Hopefully IXO and other might actually supply some with there models some day.

[-Pille-]

Originally posted by brchi17
Thanks pille,
do you have their details handy ?
They wouldn't have to be that company in Sydney that was doing the saw thing a while back of the 1:18 models ?
Do you know about 1:43, as that is what all my WRC Subaru's are ?
cheers
Studio 27 is a Japanese company. I've never ordered their stuff, but I know many internet model shops sell them - do a Google search for the best one. Those 555 decals should fit the Tamiya Impreza (1/24 plastic kit).
I haven't found any 1/43 scale decals or models yet, but if I do I'll let you know.

[Tumbo]

Yes, i have checked the site, and yes i have seen the production planned, however, it is only that production planned! nothing is definite u see such signs on many models. And i brought up the fact that it might be run with subaru decals the other day! while yes this would be good as we would have the pack, is it just me or would the wrong decal set just annoy people?
here the site details Andrew, they look good, in the gallery section but $120 or so per model is a bit much, plus postage?
http://www.modelcars.freeserve.co.uk/143-tk.html

[ferrari fan]

Bits missing have lost the Marlboro sponsorship and this has gone to the Peugeot Works team. So the colour and the signwritting will be completely different on these all concering rallycars.

[-Pille-]

At least these two sites have the Studio 27 decals:
http://www.kmmodel.com/scale/show.php?id=1007
and
http://www.kiwi-us.com/~studio27//webshop/dekaru501-600.html

[KiwiRallyFan]

Another source of Studio27 (and other) decals is Diecast.Co.NZ in Auckland, New Zealand.

http://www.diecast.co.nz/

They seem to have a wide variety of Rally and F1 decals, including some for Possum Bourne.

[Tumbo]

Hey guys, i know i open myself up to ragging: looking at u brchi17, but how about the following for the three pack if it is released
1. Tarmac: rally deutchland, subaru's didn't run 555 livery
2. Gravel: rally cyprus, also run with subaru livery
3. instead of safari....snow spec. rally sweden, where subaru also ran with the official livery.

just an idea guys, and admin, any suggestions? i for one would not approve of a subaru from safari without the proper decals, i would still buy one! but i wouldn't approve, this way all the cars would be properly decalled, plus no models have officially, as in not trans-kit, released of the swrt cars from any of these rallies, and doin so would help fill many spaces in some collection, i have models from 8 of the 14 rounds to be run next yr, releasing these would mean i was only missing 3, plus i have safari and protugal models, both of which are no longer part of the championship!

[brchi17]

Originally posted by Tumbo
Hey guys, i know i open myself up to ragging: looking at u brchi17
What are you talking about ?
Gee mate, you should see me when I get fired up !!!
And I thought we were having a healthy conversation !!!
Just because I may have differing opinion, ideas, etc..., in no way have I given you a "ragging" !!!
If your making reference to a previous post where I asked a question of you, with reference to the biante site. This was not a personal attack, just a question - plain & simple.
Nothing was intended to be personal, nor did I feel I have been. I am just another person who is simply passionate about his diecast models.
cheers.

[Tumbo]

Hey brich17, i know its all in the name of fun, hence the 'joke' at the beginning. i didn't intend to offend with it, and hve not taken offence with anything u have said. why would i remain in a forum where i felt my ideas were of no use. rather as i am an avid swrt collector, and can see that most of u guys here are too, i was afraid that some might choose to rag the idea of using a swedish model instead of the safari one, i too get fired up and understand why some people dislike some ideas. cheers for the reply, any more ideas on the pack though, admin, anyone?

[brchi17]

no offence taken !!!
Perhaps I miss read your post & I must apologise for doing so.
A 3 pack of any of Tommi's cars would be fantastic in my book. If the safari car can't be made correctly, frankly I dont want it. A snow car with those skinny tyres sounds like a good idea.
Interesting note,
last Friday I was talking to Subaru Aust. about a Possum Bourne car & their responce was that they had never thought if it. When I told them about IXO (will make limited run of 3000 cars min) she seemed interested to follow it up. Only time will tell.
cheers.

[-Pille-]

Slightly OT... I'd like a three pack of 3 different Markko Martin Focuses - one in Martini colors, one in dark blue Ford colors and on in EOS rally colors. But that's probably not gonna happen :( A girl can dream though...

[Tumbo]

Well now that that's all sorted, thanks for the positive reply brchi17, like most swrt fans i can see that u also want the correct decals, so admin....any news, being the Aust. distributer u must tell us, any info...... :) will be greatly appreciated. i'm all for the swedish idea, if the pack is to be released, perhaps a three pack with Solberg as well, cost a bit but...... bigger collection!
by the way admin, last year prodrive released Solberg's 1/18 Portugal rally by Autoart as a limited edition, will u be getting this model in?

P.S. and guys, a couple of years ago i saw an ad by model cars too in sydney that they were selling the starter model kits (made in France i believe) in both resin, and fully made forms. the kits are hard enough to get, and i really don't make good models, hence my diecast collection! but would anyone know of where to get any of the fully made, are there any left out there?
cheers

[Tumbo]

Hey guys, and admin

Prodrive are releasing a 1/18 of Makinnen's rally deutchland car, with figures inside and a limited edition case, anyone know whether this will be sold in Aust. by anyone? especially Biante?

Cheers

[Tumbo]

Hey all, just found a UK website with pics of the tommi three pack!!!! looks awesome. they also have the 1/43 with figures......

Like we all thought it ain't the safari car, due to sponsership of course, but the swedish car, seems they're releasing 2 versions,
the normal car is in the 3 pack, but the single car comes with driver figures, snow tyres, a textured base and.........a light pod, or so it seems from the pic.....


Here's the link
http://www.model-car.com/just_arrived.asp

so admin, when are we getting them?????

:D

[brchi17]

Great work Tumbo,
the 3 pack looks good, however there appears to be very little difference between the 3 cars. Perhaps the wheels may be different, but otherwise it just looks like 3 of the same car, which ponders the question,

Why Would you want a Tommi 3 pack ???

Now I'm sure there are quite a few people who would be 'champing at the bit' upon reading my question, but I was of the opinion that the 3 pack would contain the more visual differences between the 3 cars (for example the big night time driving lights like the single car with the figurines).

cheers.:D

[Tumbo]

Understand exactly what u mean.....unfortunately being hooked on SWRT WRC's can throw logic out the window, a signed subaru....three pack...the first ever.....with a cyprus car.......
How it can suck wanting them all.....but hey......at least they haven't made plans for a first win car for Petter....YET


Anywho, i might get one...or will...any news as to when oz is getting them? or would it be better to get them from the US or UK?
Will Biante be getting them, they're down as Production planned, but they have been released?

[brchi17]

Talk about being hooked on WRX's - I know what your talking about !!!!

From the time I turned 16 & a mate got a 82 Sportswagon (which was almost inderstructable), I've always had a soft spot for Subaru's. Then when I met my girlfriend in 94 (she was driving a new 93 Brumby), I have held an ever increasing love for Subaru's (things didn't get in better when her father ordered a WRX in 98 - WOW they're fast).

Well I'm thinking of ordering a 'W' (my nickname for the WRX) but try insuring one (26y/o Rating 1 for 5 yrs) !!!

The best quote I have been able to get (my current insurer VACC, won't touch a W unless your older than 35) is $1570.00 (with a $1,400 excess if damaged & a whopping $3000.00 if it gets stolen!!!!) from Just car insurance.

Having held rating 1 for quite a while, I would of expected to get a better price considering I can insure an SS or XR8 for just under $1000.00 (might have to buy one of them & wait until i'm older for my W!!!).

If anyone knows of where I could find cheeper (i'm in Vic) it would be greatly appreciated.

Back to the WRC.......
I was actually wondering when/if Biante were going to expand on their Prodrive merchandise since they've become a Prodrive retailer ?

cheers.

:D

ps a Petter Rally of GB winning WRX would certaintly be on my shopping list if they ever are made.

[Tumbo]

A Petter Solberg car would be excellent, and knowing David Richards' and Subaru's excellence in promoting the company, i'm sure that there is one in production, from what i've seen IXO aren't releasing one in the near future, the site isn't updated, but what i've seen from other sites it ain't yet planned for production. should come out as it was an 02 winner though! perhaps with 12 bottles of champagne to make it more realisitic lol!

Perhaps, and this is a long shot and possibly expensive, they could release a two car set with the podium car, with the welsh and norweigen flags on the bonnet similar to the 01 world champ, and the event car, as it finished covered in mud? just a suggestion, it would look good, or even an 02 three pack similar to Makinnen's with the 3 non-tobbaco sponsered podium cars- the Finnish with high suspension? the Aust. with dust? and the UK covered in Mud?

Just an idea, and it would look cool!

:D
what other ideas are there?

[Richard Poole]

The three pack and Rally of Sweden with figures arrived today and will be on site as soon as possible.

Here is a pic of the three pack that I just took.

[Tumbo]

Cheers Richard, Hopefully i'm lucky enough to get one of those great Prodrive Models!

[lachlan]

I thought you rally fans would like a picture of the 1/18 Makinnen's rally deutchland car from prodrive. Hope I don't miss out on this one. The packaging looks like the Brock LC Torana, unreal....

[ferrari fan]

Triking ,Wesly arcade Perth 08 93221828 fax 08 92430328 t.a.o. Mr Garry Sleap ,does have them in STOCK
email triking@arach.net.au

These are looking great!!

[lachlan]

Thanks Heaps for letting me know ferrari fan!:) I will give him a call in the morning. I guess ferraris are alright after all, you just made my day.
:D
Cheers
Lachlan.

[Tumbo]

Great News....shame i don't live in WA.........how'd he get them...through swrt...and therefore how much is he charging? Has Biante already released their stock? With a 3 pack, and sweden both on order through my local store i hope i won't miss out on the 1/18.....please hold one Biante...:D