In June 2001, Dinkum Classics have released a fully built up 1/24 scale XB interceptor. It is not a plastic conversion kit, but a solidly built cast model, fully mastered from scratch. Further pictures and information can be viewed at the Dinkum Classics web site, www.dinkumclassics.com.au. They can be ordered through Australia Wide Models, www.auswidemodels.com.au, for $299 (Australian).
Biante Cobra Front ViewBiante is an Australian company, which specialises in making die cast replicas of cars. While they have never made a die cast version of any Mad Max vehicles, they have been making extremely good die cast versions of various Australian Fords and Holdens in their Biante Classics line. Starting in late 2000 they have made several XB and XC coupes, including an XB GT, various racing coupes, and also a Cobra (pictured above).
Prior to this they also made various XW and XY Falcons, and also some Holden Toranas.
As of July 2002, this has been posted on the Biante web site:
"All you Mad Max fans out there do NOT go crazy, but we are about 2 weeks away from getting a License for these models. It seems the wheels turn slowly in movie land, but we have been informed that all should be signed in a couple of weeks. This could drag on a bit, but it looks OK at this stage."
Check out the web site at www.biante.com.au for updates and further details.
Biante Cobra Rear ViewThese models have been extremely popular, and almost every model released in this line so far has pretty much sold out. You'll only find some models in the collectors market now, although it's still worth trying hobby shops and similar retailers first. The cars seem to retail between $140 and $180 Australian, depending on the model.
I don't know of any online stores selling the Biante models, however most Australian stores can be reached via email. In Melbourne I'd recommend trying Model Mania, who can be emailed at modelmania_melbourne@yahoo.com.au. If you want to drop by in person, their store is at 28 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000. Phone (03) 9650 8604, Fax (03) 9654 1199. When I last visited their store (August 2002) they had all of the XB / XC 1:18 Biante die casts on display, except for the two Cobra models (which are now sold out). They also had the full range of 1:43 Auto Art die casts on display.
You can read more about Biante at their web page, www.diecast.net.au.
Biante Cobra Engine DetailNot long after the XB GT model was released, Geeno3@aol.com (Eugene) emailed me with a picture showing how he was modifying the Biante model into a Mad Max interceptor.
Below are some further pictures of how his project is progressing, I expect to post some more updates when the project is completed.
Here are some new pictures of the resin fronts / bonnets he has created, along with a wide shot of the vehicles (as of mid December 2001).
July 7 2002, From the Biante web site:
"All you Mad Max fans out there do NOT go crazy, but we are about 2 weeks away from getting a License for these models. It seems the wheels turn slowly in movie land, but we have been informed that all should be signed in a couple of weeks. This could drag on a bit, but it looks OK at this stage."
Check out the web site at www.biante.com.au for updates and further details.July 25 2002
An update on the Biante Mad Max car (in response to someone who queried them directly):
We would not know why there is a reference on another site to our site re Mad Max car. We do produce unmodified Australian models but the licence is being applied for the Mad Max car by one of the manufacturers we represent in Australia.
As there is news of the model, which will be some time after the licence is ok, there will be postings on our site.
Please let others on the Mad Max site know of this information.
Please note that the text below (7-Jul-2002) was emailed to me, and I could not locate this text on the Biante web site myself. If anyone can point me to where the exact text came from it would be appreciated. I will most probably NOT post anything further on this subject unless it is backed up with an official reference somewhere from Biante.July 28 2002
Those following the Biante info should check out this thread on Biante's discussion forum. As you can see, the 7-Jul-2002 quote below comes word for word from a post made to this board by "admin" (who we all assume is the board administrator, and working for Biante). Obviously though a post on a message board doesn't constitute an official announcement, and clearly from the follow-up below Biante don't consider this a done deal yet. It looks like some effort is being put in to make it happen though, and I will keep you updated as any further official announcements appear.
Top Gear / Trax Models die
cast replicas
Top Gear are another company making die cast replicas of Australian cars. Their current catalogue includes an HQ Monaro, XK Ute, and an HJ Sandman. For more info, visit their web page at:
http://www.topgear.com.au/index.htmlThanks to Grant Opie for this info.
This is a new die-cast model company which I know relatively little about. Your best bet is to check their web site, http://www.road-ragers.com/. I will post more info here when I get it.
