Kit No. SS2414

A Tamiya release from 1980. The kit represents the first Zakspeed Capri race car (chassis no. ZAK C 00178), as driven by Hans Heyer in both 1978 and 1979. The model was easy to build, is superbly accurate and has stunning decals.

Because the design is more than two decades old, it would be fair to say that you do not get the extremely fine detail of modern Tamiya offerings e.g. the engine and interior.

Such was the volume of production, boxed and un-made examples are still relatively easy to acquire. Many regularly sell on eBay for approximately 20 to 30 GBP (EUR 40).

Kit No. TAM24274

In 2004, Tamiya reconditioned the original injection mould tooling and reissued the 1:24 scale model kit with a brand new transfer set.

The decals duplicate Klaus Niedzwiedz's stunning 1980 Division II car.

The kit is still readily available from good model shops and internet suppliers at around 15 GBP.

Minichamps and Quartzo 1:43 Diecast models

Despite the fact that Quartzo have now gone out of business and Minichamps long since ended production of the first 5 cars, all of the models are still relatively easy to acquire. Currently they go for around 25 to 30 GBP on e-Bay.

TRAINSPOTTER'S CORNER: It is difficult to say which of the two are best. The rendering of the chrome-plated BBS alloy wheels on the Quartzo models is superior, but neither maker seems to have got the proportions 100% correct. At 1:43, the height of the model should be around 27mm whereas the Minichamps car is 25mm and the Quartzo is 30mm. Hence the former appears to be longer and wider than the latter, even though both have got the width and length correct! Also the rear wheel track appears more accurate on the Quartzo offering. If you look carefully, all of this can be seen from the photographs above.

The Minichamps model of the 1982 Jagermeister car was released in Autumn 2005, costing around 20 GBP.

These Mini Racing 1:43 scale white metal kits are still available.

The picture shown is a very good rendering of the 1981 #3 car of Klaus Niedwiedz in Black/Blue D & W livery. The catalogue number is Mini Racing 0278. The company released at least ten versions in alternative liveies.

The example shown was bought ready-built in an e-Bay auction

FLY 1:32 slot cars

These are still currently available as new. Secondhand Fly models also go for around 20 to 30 GBP on e-Bay. As far as we know, models of the Jorg van Ommen and Lili Resienbicler Capris are not available from any other manufacturer!

There is no explanation as to why Fly label the cars 'Ford Capri RS Turbo' which refers to the MKI Cologne Capris and not the Zakspeed cars.