New at Old Irish Racing

I've not come across MM43 so this is a treat. My thoughts are the same as Ian's ref HPI.
This is what I call a model "head and shoulders" above the others. Great find Jerry.

Thanks Andy! I was lucky to be able to say yes when offered.

Thanks Tom, it certainly is the centerpiece to my TWR Jaguar collection.

Thanks Julio, it is one of my favorites as well.  

Probably?.  I had not thought of it, but opening models with chassis and engine detail was common at the time in higher end 1/43 kits and certainly in plastic.  Offering close to that level of detail in a mass produced 1/43 I still think is HPI's provenance.  It may be safe to assume that making that niche for themselves was inspired by creations like this and others.

Thanks Martin, and its not even red!  

I had not heard of them before either Paul.  Although after I had purchased this, I saw some of their other creations online and would like to find some more of their work.  I have a feeling that more and more pieces like this that were purchased a couple decades ago or longer by collectors that have either passed on, or have liquidated their collection will turn up more frequently.  While this came to me via a dealer that knows what I am looking for, the auto auctions are increasing their automobilia offerings, so with many lines in the water, hoping to catch some more rarities.

Thanks Paul!

Stratosphere - I have been a fan of the Lancia Stratos (my favorite Bertone design) since I bought the Solido version I still have new in the mid-1970's.  Even though I have never been a big rally fan, the look, design and engineering of these cars make it one of my all-time favorite Italians.  When Spark released this version of the Stratos, I knew I had to have it.  A model of an early Stratos prototype also helps bookend the small collection of Stratos I have.  I have also become a fan of Sandro Munari and the fact that he drove the car was cake icing.  The air breather snorkel is pretty cool too!

Lancia Stratos HF - Tour de Corse Rally, 1972 - Spark



Lancia had made ten prototype Stratos, unsure if they would get a commitment from Ferrari to supply the Dino 246 V6 engines that would allow Lancia to homologate the new competition car designed to replace the Fulvia. Until the homologation of the Group 4 rally cars occurred in 1974, the Stratos ran as prototypes in Group 5. In November of 1972, in its first competition, the Stratos was entered on for the Tour de Corse Rally, with Lancia veteran driver Sandro Munari and co-driver Mario Mannucci. The pair had won the Monte Carlo Rally in a Lancia Fulvia earlier in the year.





The birthplace of Napoleon, Corsica is home to the Tour de Corse rally, first held in 1956. It is known as the “Ten Thousand Turns Rally” for the many corners on the tarmac roads used for the rally across the island. While no one expected the Stratos to win first time out, it was hoped the new 240 HP car would finish well. Munari had the car well placed until the final stage when the transmission failed. He would go on to win this rally in a Stratos in 1976, one of seven victories behind the wheel of a Stratos, including the World Rally Championship in 1977.




My only niggle with the model is the tobacco decals.  Spark must have got enough feedback that rather than having to insert the "arlbor" between the letters "M" and "o" where the Marlboro foes, the decal now comes as the complete "Marlboro".  However, the M and o are already on the model.  I suppose this helps those that don't know where to place them, but it presents a challenge to perfectly line-up the decal with the existing letters.  It takes some work to get them right and to set smooth without moving them while you do.  I thought about cutting out the "arlbor" and placing between the existing decals, but accepted Sparks challenge.     It made me reminisce about putting the decals on my first Solido Stratos alomost 50 years ago.   

Hey, I thought I was the only Stratos-tragic around here  .  Coincidently I just ordered this one 2 days ago, having initially decided not to add it when it was first announced.  The recent delivery of a few Spark Stratos (yet to be shown) has convinced me otherwise.  This one is also important as it is an early car.  You and I may just need to set up a Munari/Lancia fanzone on the Forum  .

Wonderful addition

I'm at that same point, and a couple of Munari cars too.