Product Focus #3 - TRAX MOTORSPORTS MARKETING - Motorsport Diecast Model Specialist - Minichamps, Spark Model, IXO, Trofeu, Redline, Bizarre, Tameo, HPI, Kyosho, Mattel, and many more...

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Product Focus #3

No. 3 in a special series - focusing on key areas within the motorsport model industry (Published 12/2009)

MINICHAMPS 1/43 SCALE WORLD CHAMPION COLLECTION

Is This How It Started?

Back in the mid 1990s, we suggested that it might be a good idea to produce a range of 1/43 scale die-cast models replicating Formula One World Champions from 1950 onwards. This was based upon the fact that there were always new generations of F1 World Champion Collectors constantly demanding 1/43 models.

The idea was to have an initial limited edition version of the model to satisfy the serious limited edition collector and then a permanent, standard F1. Edition, which could be re-issued every five years or so. This collection would work in a similar way to the Senna 1/18 scale Collection, which Minichamps produce, ensuring that World Champion Collectors can always catch up on certain missing years at affordable prices without having to go to the expense of hand built models and high priced rare pieces to fill their collection gaps.

Nearly Got Our Way!

When Minichamps announced nearly ten years on that they were going to create a specific World Champion Collection we were extremely pleased, judging from the reaction we received from our Customers, so were they!

The first editions to be announced were the 1996 and 1997 Championship winning Williams models of Hill and Villeneuve. Followed by Lauda’s 1984 McLaren, Rindt’s 1970 Lotus and Rosberg’s Williams from 1982. It seemed that the ultimate F1. Collection was underway.

However, the 1996 and 1997 editions both came out with tobacco sponsorship. Just as quickly as they appeared, they were completely withdrawn from sale. The 1984 McLaren was then released and sold out instantly – due to a shortage of supply and the 1970 Lotus and 1982 Williams were not available for long before stocks ran out.

Where Do We Go From Here?

It was unfortunately obvious that these World Champion Editions were going to be just as limited as many other Minichamps releases, and once again new Collectors were missing out. Would there be another production run or re-stocks? All we know is that in order for new collectors to begin collecting – there has to be something available to actually collect!!

The next models to be released were Piquet’s Brabham from 1983, his Williams from 1987 and the 1988 and 1989 McLarens of Senna and Prost. Although the 1983 has sold out, we are doing our very best to ensure that the latest three releases stay in stock for as long as possible. We are also constantly trying to source the earlier versions. We had some luck with Rindt’s Lotus and managed to get this model back into stock – however at the time of writing, we have once again sold out.

The Future

The future releases planned by Minichamps, which will be announced over the coming years will give us a very good indication where Minichamps will be taking this Collection.

In 2008 and 2009 they announced quite a few editions to the Collection. Future releases include Alan Jones’s 1980 Williams, Hunt’s McLaren, Fittipaldi’s 1974 winning car, Prost’s 1993 Williams and both the championship winning cars of Hakkinen and Alonso. Thankfully Minichamps has also announced re-issues of the withdrawn 1996 and 1997 Williams Championship winning cars with non tobacco liveries. At the moment, we do not know if these new announcements will be straightforward re-issues of standard race versions already produced by Minichamps, or different variations. We sincerely hope it’s the latter.

Now 1/18 Scale As Well As 1/43!

Last year, it seemed that Minichamps read the minds of our 1/18 scale World Champion Collectors. Straight after the amazing Brazilian GP, Minichamps announced both a 1/43 and 1/18 2008 World Champion Edition of Hamilton’s McLaren complete with animated figure and the full Brazilian GP racing specification. These announcements proved very popular with our Customers as the editions were going to be markedly different from the standard race versions.

Unusually for Minichamps the 1/18 scale was released first. This is a superb model and has sold extremely well for us this year. But we are now really looking forward to seeing the 1/43 version, scheduled for release before the end of the year.

This reinforces Minichamps commitment to producing 1/18 scale World Champion Editions as well as 1/43 scale. Collectors can also look forward to several 1/18 scale replicas already announced by Minichamps. We believe that the recently announced deletions of the 1984 and 1985 McLarens could re-materialise as future World Champion 1/18 Editions. Here’s hoping!

Questions, Questions, Questions

There are many unanswered questions regarding this collection. Will Minichamps produce Pre-1970 models? What about the Ferrari years? Will sold out editions be re-issued over time? Where is the 1/18 scale collection going? Can Minichamps even sustain this wonderful Collection?

At TRAX we do not know the answers, but what we do know is the Minichamps World Champion Editions could potentially be one of the most defining die-cast collections ever produced for quality, prestige and collectibility. And that every replica released will be savoured by new and old collectors alike.