[72Buickguy]

This question is for the Buick toy collectors out there. I saw a 1/43 scale 72 Electra diecast model a few years ago. It was red with a white top. Does anyone on the list know who made it and if it is still available? A company called Western Models in England makes a model currently, but it's a different color. Are there any other companies making them?

[Centurion]

Is the model you remember a 4-door model? If so, I suspect that it was also the Western Models version. From my experience with the Western Models '59 Buicks, there have been a variety of colors issued over the years, and not all of the colors are currently available. The '72 Electra 225 1/43-scale models I have seen are finished in a dark gold color with a black roof. Is this the color combination that is currently offered?

There may be another option for you. A German company (VF Modellauto) that produces very high quality 1/43-scale models announced plans a couple of years ago to offer a range of 1972 Buicks, including a LeSabre convertible, Centurion Formal Coupe, and Electra 225 2-door hardtop. These models were to be produced in small quantities, and it was supposed to be possible to specify the color combination you wanted. Estimated price was to be around $300. The U.S. dealer for the company is named Sinclair Mini-Auto. Sinclair indicated that VF Modellauto's new product plans were quite ambitious, and expected that it would take some time before the 1972 Buick miniatures are actually produced. I have seen nothing in Sinclair's catalogs over the past couple years to suggest that these '72 Buicks have ever been issued. It might be worthwhile making a call to find out. I will try to come up with the telephone number and post it here.

By the way, I see that you are a boattail Riviera fan. I believe that Western has also produced a '72 Riviera in 1/43-scale.

[72Buickguy]

Thanks for the info. I'm pretty sure that the diecast Electra I saw wasn't a Western Models version, but I could be wrong. They currently offer silver and gold versions with black roofs. I have the Western Boattails. Johnny Lightning just released a 71 Boattail Riv too.

[Centurion]

Here's the contact information for Sinclair's Mini-Auto:

P.O. Box 8403
Erie, PA 16505

Phone: (814) 838-2274
E-Mail: miniauto@velocity.net

The company's website can be found at www.miniauto.com, but the site is under construction and the available models are not yet listed.

Please let us know here if you obtain updated information concerning the availability of these 1/43-scale Buicks.

[AK Buickman]

I own the 1/43rd scale Western Model 1972 Electra 225 4-dr hardtop. The model is finished in medium gold, and has a black top. My model was acquired in 2001. My real 1972 Electra 225 is Antique Gold with a tan vinyl top, about 19 feet longer, and over 5,000 pounds heavier than the model. I enjoy both the 1/43rd scale model and the real car a lot.
AK Buickman..................

[Electramanrob]

I have the 72 Electra model you mentioned. It is a 1972 Electra 4door, metallic red with white top and red interior. It was made by "Kim Classics" and was quite expensive. I learned from the folks at Western Models in England that they bought the tooling for the car from Kim Classics and started reproducing the model late last year. At that time, I bought one of each of the color combos available: 1) metallic gold with white top; and 2) metallic silver with black top. I have not seen any other color combos available. Cost from Western at the time (shipped direct from England) was around $90 each. (yes, they also offer a same scale model of the 72 Riviera)

[72Buickguy]

Thanks for the info! You are the only person I've talked to that knew about the Kim Classics model. I was beginning to wonder if I was dreaming that it existed. How about posting a pic of it? I have the western Riviera in a couple of colors. Now if we could get Western to do a 72 Centurion or Le Sabre, we would have a full set.