26 July 2022
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Much-anticipated new land speed cars are in production
At last, the much-anticipated new land speed cars from Staples and Vine are in production. These two all new models mark the company’s first foray into the world of 1/43 scale cars. Sculpted by hand and cast entirely in pewter, they are in the same ‘house style’ as the aircraft and tank ranges, but are designed to be removable from their bases. They are available with or without figures and mark the beginning of a new ‘Land Speed Car Range’, so you can expect to see many more of these incredible vehicles in the future.
Sir Malcolm Campbell’s ‘Blue Bird’ continually evolved, setting record after record. On the 3rd of September 1935, in the final incarnation of Blue Bird, at the Bonneville salt flats, Campbell set a new record of 301.129 mph, becoming the first man to break the 300mph barrier. Today, Blue Bird is preserved at the Daytona Speedway Circuit Museum.
The Mercedes-Benz T80 was built in the late 1930s for Germany’s attempt on the outright land speed record. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche, and powered by a 44.5 litre Daimler-Benz aero engine, it was christened the ‘Schwarzer Vogel’ (‘Black Bird’) by Hitler. The outbreak of World War II prevented a record attempt from being made. Today the T80 resides in the Mercedes Museum, Stuttgart.
Both cars are limited to just 100 of each and come mounted on a 11.2″ x 4.5″ (285 x 115 mm) base. Blue Bird is 200mm in length and the T80 is 190mm. Each Blue Bird model is priced at £125 (£155 with figures) and the T80 is £110 (£140). Each handmade limited-edition model comes with a history of the car, and a numbered certificate signed by the sculptor.
For more information, pictures and details of how to order, visit www.staplesandvine.com, or call Sera Staples on +44 (0)1237 459102.