Biante Newsletter 36

Biante Newsletter - Issue 36 - NOV 2011

1978 ATCC WINNER 1:18 SCALE HOLDEN LX TORANA SS A9X It took the legendary Australian Touring Car driver Peter Brock four more years to back up his first Australian Touring Car Championship victory in 1974. He achieved his second championship win in 1978, on the back of one of Australia’s most famous race cars, the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Holden LX Torana SS A9X. After three years as a privateer, Brock made a triumphant return to the factory Holden team, which had the budget, the crew and the best prepared race car to give him the greatest possible chance of success for the 1978 season. This would mean he would most likely have to beat the powerful Ford entries led by Allan Moffat, the winner of the previous years championship.

The potential dominance of the marquee Holden team was highlighted by race wins by Brock in the first two rounds of the season at Symmons Plains and at Oran Park. Another race win in the third round of the season at Amaroo was thwarted by a racing incident with Allan Moffat, however Brock recovered to finish in third position. Round four at Sandown saw a legal dispute surrounding the eligibility of both Brock and Moffat’s cars that stripped them of any results for the round. The setback would see both the Holden and Ford teams serve a suspension and sit out round six, after Brock had claimed another win at Wanneroo in round five. The suspension Brock served in round six certainly had a profound effect on the Championship, with Bob Morris taking out the round, who would turn out to be Brock’s closest rival for the Championship victory.

ORDERING INFORMATION:

The Wanneroo win was the last win for Brock for the 1978 Championship with Moffat taking out race 7 at Lakeside and Colin Bond taking out the final round of the season at Adelaide. The results had little bearing on the championship however as the only two drivers in a good position to win the title were Brock and fellow Torana driver Morris. Brock took out third position in the final race while Morris failed to secure the result he was looking for. The results saw Brock finish the season a mere 2 points ahead of Morris to clinch the 1978 Australian Touring Car Title.

Product Code: A87863 Model: 1:18 Scale Holden LX Torana SS A9X 1978 ATCC Winner - Driver: Peter Brock Pricing: RRP: 195.00 including GST

Biante Model Cars are pleased to announce the opportunity to place your orders for our 1:18 Scale Holden LX Torana SS A9X, driven by Peter Brock to secure his second ATCC victory. This model will form part of the Biante Peter Brock Collection. This model will be produced by Autoart at the updated lower pricing structure by Biante.

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER.

IN THIS ISSUE: Important Biante News, New General Manager Announcement, New Product Announcements & Agency Feature.

Biante News:

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO: It is with regret that we announce that Biante’s major supplier has, without warning, gone into bankruptcy.

Many of the moulds that Biante used to manufacture model cars were held within this factory. It is unlikely Biante will be able to recover these moulds from this Chinese based supplier.

Biante have moved onto the front foot to ensure that this doesn’t have a lasting affect on our business, or our customers. Management changes have been made, costs have been immediately reduced and changes have been made to Biante’s product mix.

As a result of this change, several models will not be made for the foreseeable future. They are: - 1:18th Scale Cooper T51 and T53’s - 1:18th, 1:43rd and 1:64th Scale V8 Supercars - 1:18th Scale Plain White Holden VE Commodore - 1:18th Scale HSV Maloo Utes (resin) - 1:43rd Scale Holden EH’s - 1:12th Scale Norton Motorcycles We are currently discussing with our other suppliers models that can be made in the short and medium term. We will be in contact with our customers in the very near future with more details.

As previously mentioned we have undergone significant changes at Biante to ensure we will be in a strong position moving forward. As part of the new strategy for Biante I am pleased to announce the appointment of William Hall as the new General Manager of Biante.

Mr. Hall has been employed with Biante for over 4 years as the marketing manager, is an avid fan of motorsport and importantly, he is a collector. He has a direct vision of how Biante should be run and I think our collectors will be impressed with the new strategy Biante is in the process of implementing.

I would like to thank the collectors and stores for your continued support of this great hobby.

Andrew Whittles Chief Executive Officer Biante Model Cars

A MESSAGE FROM THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER: It is with a great deal of pride that I can announce my appointment as General Manager of Biante Model Cars. Those of you who know me would recognise it’s a business I feel very passionate about. In the past few years, I feel we could have done many things a whole lot better. I feel honoured that our CEO Andrew Whittles has put a large part of the future success of the business in my hands. I am pleased to have the full support of John, Christine and staff here in Perth and in Sydney to make the changes that will lead to a much stronger Biante.

As you would be aware from our website and forum correspondence in the last week or so, Biante currently finds itself in a rebuilding phase. With the loss of what had become our primary factory, we have recently had to make some very tough decisions with regards to staffing, costs and what we are going to produce moving forward.

We have started to plan a strategy which will hopefully benefit us all, a strategy which has been created by people who are passionate our business and who know our stores and the collector model car market.

There are positives to come out of this situation we have currently found ourselves in.

Other than the V8 Supercars, the majority of future stock which has been affected had not been well received by the market. It has brought added focus to our approach of not producing models you are unable to sell or the market doesn’t want. We will not be announcing or releasing large numbers of multiple stock items each month. We wish to repair the second hand market by producing correct numbers of our products. We have also had a good look at pricing.

I hope that you can appreciate the honesty and passion in this letter.

We are all working very hard to restore Biante Model Cars to its original glory – a business run by collectors for collectors.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me on 08 9479 5130 or email me at william@biante.com.au.

Yours in collecting, William Hall General Manager Biante Model Cars

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING PRICING: As part of our new strategy to bring Biante back to its former glory, we have begun a process of making our models more affordable to stores and collectors.

The first item we have been able to influence is the Holden HX Monaro in Papaya (A73331). This item was originally advertised on our website with a retail price of $230. We have been able to drop the price on this model to $225.

There are a number of factors that will effect our ability to change pricing on future models. You will note that on the new items announced this month, we have been able to drop the price even further to $195.00.

This will not be possible on all items, and we hope you will be able to understand that pricing is not always in our direct control. We are doing our very best to once again bring collectability and enjoyment back into your model car collecting.

For those of you who buy more of our agency product than Australian Models, you will be pleased know that this new pricing revision will extend to those products where possible.

New Announcement: A New Addition To The Allan Moffat Collection

MOFFAT PARADISE

1:18 SCALE FORD FALCON XY GTHO PHASE III

1971 Rothmans 250 Winner

Everyone remembers the dominance displayed by Allan Moffat in the 1971 Hardie Ferodo 500, he claimed a dominant pole position and led the race from start to finish. Despite this being his most significant victory of the year, it wasn’t the only one during an updated racing format for the 1971 calendar.

The 1971 Australian racing season saw the calendar essentially divided into two different categories, the Australian Touring Car Championship for Group C improved Production Touring Cars and Group E Series Production Touring Cars, and the inaugural running of the Australian Manufacturer’s Championship, affectionately known as the Manchamps open only to Group E Series Production Touring Cars.

The 1971 Manufacturer’s Championship was contested over a series of long distance races with a minimum of 3 hours duration. It was different from the Touring Car Championship, not only due to the difference in the car’s eligibility criteria, but due to the fact that it was a championship awarded to the car manufacturer, rather then the driver.

The 1971 season saw Allan Moffat turn in a remarkably consistent year of racing, winning races at Symmons Plains, Surfers Paradise and Lakeside in his famous Mustang as part of his ATCC campaign, which he eventually finished runner up to the championship. Meanwhile he won 2 events in the Manufacturer’s Championship racing his Phase III, the previously mentioned race at Bathurst and the final round at Surfers Paradise in the Rothmans 250. Despite his gallant efforts however, he couldn’t bring the manufacturers title home for Ford, with the consistent Toranas taking it out for Holden.

The final race at the Rothmans 250 in Surfers Paradise seemed to highlight the competitiveness of the season. Moffat battled the Toranas of Peter Brock and Colin Bond and the brutish Charger driven by Leo Geoghegan in true touring car style, eventually taking out the win over the second place Geoghegan. While this win may not have been Moffat’s most famous win of the 1971 calendar, it is still a fantastic tribute to the competitiveness of the man behind the wheel.

Biante are pleased to announce the opportunity to place your orders for our 1:18 Scale Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III, driven by Alan Moffat to victory in the final round of the 1971 Australian Manufacturers Championship, the Rothmans 250. This model will form part of the Biante Allan Moffat Collection.

This model will be produced by Autoart at the updated lower pricing structure by Biante.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A87113 Model: 1:18 Scale Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III - 1971 Rothmans 250 Winner - Driver: Allan Moffat Pricing: RRP: 195.00 including GST

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER.

New Announcement: 1:18 Scale Holden Torana SS A9X - Atlantis Blue

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER

HOLDEN ATLANTIS BLUE A9X TORANA

Towards the middle part of the 1960’s, Holden identified that many Australian families now had the capacity to become owners of 2 cars, but they didn’t have a viable model to fill this new gap in the market - a car that was smaller and cheaper to buy and run than anything in the current Holden fleet. The answer to this situation came in the form of the Holden Torana.

The Holden Torana, like most popular car models was continually evolving. The initial release of the new model was very well received by the Australian public, and fulfilled the purpose for which it was originally made. It wasn’t long though before the humble 6 cylinder Holden engine found its way into the range, transforming the Torana into a lighter, nimble driving machine that was simply put; fast.

The evolution wasn’t limited to what was under the bonnet. The body and styling transformed from the sleek LC and LJ range to the decidedly sharper and significantly “meaner” looking LH and LX models, which culminated in perhaps Australia’s ultimate muscle car, the Holden LX Torana SS A9X. The A9X was built with one purpose in mind, to dominate Mount Panorama. Significant upgrades in almost every area of the car were engineered to give the A9X the edge on its competition, both on the road and more importantly on the track. A new floor-plan enabled the A9X to use a new rear axle and 4 wheel disc brake set up, the steering gear was now mounted onto the chassis which improved the steering feedback significantly, the radial tuned suspension was another integral

aspect which attributed to the drivability of the car, and even the front spoiler of the A9X was designed to incorporate vents to channel cool air onto the front calipers, which helped the braking capacity for this beast, allowing the driver to draw every last inch of power out of the 5 litre V8 engine.

While these improvements were remarkable, perhaps the best addition for the everyday punter to the LX A9X package was the fact that the radio was now included as a standard feature, rather then as an added cost option.

Biante Model Cars are pleased to announce the opportunity to place your orders for our 1:18 Scale Holden LX Torana SS A9X in Atlantis Blue. This model will be produced by Autoart at the updated lower pricing structure by Biante.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A73455 Model: 1:18 Scale Holden LX Torana SS A9X - Atlantis Blue (1977) Pricing: RRP: 195.00 including GST

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER.

New Announcement: 1:18 Scale Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER

RAW ORANGE PHASE III GTHO

*1:18 Scale Prototype Model Images Shown

In 1971 Ford Australia released a Falcon which would not only become the most iconic car produced by the blue brand in Australia, but perhaps the most iconic car in Australian motoring history.

The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III was, and arguably still is, the ultimate Australian muscle car. With a unique high output 351 cubic inch V8 that propelled the XY to a quarter mile time of under 14.5 seconds, this car was definitely ahead of its time and could push significantly more expensive European sports cars to their limit.

Combining this with a striking palette of colours, GT stripes, decals and the instantly recognisable aggressive air intake protruding through the bonnet, the Ford XY Falcon GTHO was, and still is an extremely special car to own. With only 300 genuine XY GTHO Phase III’s being produced, it is one of Australia’s most replicated cars, often being copied by enthusiasts less fortunate to own a genuine Phase III. Biante Model Cars are pleased to announce the opportunity to place your orders for our 1:18 Scale Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III in the rare colour scheme of Raw Orange, of which only 7 were originally produced.

This model will be produced by Autoart at the updated lower pricing structure by Biante.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A72767 Model: 1:18 Scale Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III - Raw Orange (1971) Pricing: RRP: 195.00 including GST

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER.

Product Feature: 1:18 & 1:43 Scale BMW M3’s THE 1:18 SCALE 1987 ATCC WINNER IS A FANTASTIC MODEL AND WILL BE A FINE COLLECTORS ITEM

1:18 SCALE 1987 ATCC WINNING BMW M3 Having won the ATCC in 1985 with the BMW 635 CSi, 1986 saw the introduction of new, more powerful competition in the form of the VK Commodore, Nissan Skyline DR30’s and the Volvo 240T. BMW needed a solution, and it came in the form of the mighty M3.

Driven by Jim Richards and Tony Longhurst, JPS Team BMW built two of the highrevving, 2.3 litre, 4cyl BMW M3 for a full assault on the 1987 Australian Touring Car Championship.

*1:18 Scale Prototype Model Images Shown

ALSO AVAILABLE TO ORDER: 1:43 SCALE BMW M3 RANGE

After a tight struggle with the Nissan Skyline’s of George Fury and Glenn Seton which went down to the last race at Oran Park, Richards emerged victorious with four wins from the nine rounds.

This model will be produced by Autoart at the updated lower pricing structure by Biante.

1:43 Scale versions of the 1987 ATCC Winner and the 1988 ATCC BMW M3 driven

by Peter Brock are also available to order now from your local Biante dealer and can be seen on the left.

*1:43 Scale Prototype Model Images Shown

ORDERING INFORMATION: (Top Images) Product Code: A88745 Model: 1:18 Scale BMW M3 - 1987 ATCC Winner Driver: Jim Richards Pricing: RRP: $195.00 including GST

(Bottom Image 1) Product Code: BL68745 Model: 1:43 Scale BMW M3 - 1987 ATCC Winner Driver: Jim Richards Pricing: RRP: $69.95 including GST

(Bottom Image 2) Product Code: BL68845 Model: 1:43 Scale BMW M3 - 1988 ATCC Driver: Peter Brock Pricing: RRP: $69.95 including GST

THESE THREE MODELS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER.

Agency Feature: Do Any Of These Belong In Your Collection?

1:18 SCALE AUSTIN HEALEY 100/6

Biante Model Cars currently have a large range of models from various international model brands available to purchase online, including this stunning Kyosho Austin Healey 100/6 in 1:18 Scale. This model is simply amazing considering its price. With a range of features including fully opening parts, faithfully replicated interior and engine bay, fine detailing and paint finishing, Kyosho have done a fine job with this sports car.

The models on this page, and many more are available to purchase online now from Biante.

1:18 Porsche 911 Turbo

Black (1977) Product Code: A77981 - RRP: $170.50 including GST

1:24 RT10 FXT 185

Coach (1946) Product Code: S2921 - RRP: $277.25 including GST

1:43 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo GTS

Rolex 24 HR at Daytona NO75 (1994) Product Code: 03217E - RRP: $62.50 including GST

1:18 Maserati Tipo 61

B. Krause · Winner Riverside LA Times GP (1960) Product Code: 100 601253 - RRP: $175.50 including GST

1:6 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

426 HEMI V8 Engine Product Code: LC84031 - RRP: $65.00 including GST

1:43 Koenigsegg CCX

Black Product Code: A59002 - RRP: $51.50 including GST

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: 08144SB Model: 1:18 Scale Austin Healey 100/6 Healey Blue (Ice Blue) Pricing: RRP: $136.00 including GST

NOW AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE AT WWW.BIANTE.COM.AU 1:18 Ford Escort II Sport

Diamond White (1975) Product Code: S4612 - RRP: $65.50 including GST

1:43 Green Hornet Black Beauty

The Green Hornet’s customised Chrysler Imperial (1965) Product Code: V24030 - RRP: $54.00 including GST

JOIN THE BIANTE COLLECTORS CLUB FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND SPECIAL OFFERS! Sign Up Here: http://www.biante.com.au/collectors-club.htm

Coming Soon From Biante

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING MODELS COMING SOON FROM BIANTE:

1:18 Ford Falcon Sprint LIMITED EDITION OF

2011 Touring Car Masters - Driver: Jim Richards Product Code: B18502A - RRP: $149.95 including GST

1:18 Holden HJ Sandman Van

1:43 FPV Cobra Sedan LIMITED EDITION OF

ATCC - Driver: Jim Richards (1992) Product Code: B43408B - ORDER ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED

LIMITED EDITION OF

White With Cobra Decoration Product Code: BR43307B - ORDER ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED

1:18 Mazda RX-7 LIMITED EDITION OF

500

Impulse Blue (2004) Product Code: A72541 - RRP: $225.00 including GST

LIMITED EDITION OF

500

2nd Place James Hardie 1000 - Drivers: Moffat/Katayama (1985) Product Code: BNK0003 - RRP: $225.00 including GST

1:18 Chrysler Charger VH E55 SE

1:43 Nissan Skyline GT-R LIMITED EDITION OF

684

Sandown 500 - Drivers: Seton/Jones (1992) Product Code: BND0001 - RRP: $215.00 including GST

250

LIMITED EDITION OF

700

1:18 Ford EB Falcon

LIMITED EDITION OF

350

1:18 HSV GTO Coupe Series 3

Deauville Blue (1974) Product Code: A73366 - RRP: $225.00 including GST

1008

Papaya (1976) Product Code: A73331 - RRP: $215.00 including GST

1:43 Nissan Skyline GT-R

We also acknowledge that the market can no longer afford to have multiple versions of the same model released in close proximity of each other.

This is an issue we are correcting as a matter of urgency.

Any orders taken after the initial order form deadline are on a first in, first served basis until they are sold out.

LIMITED EDITION OF

708

As Biante move forward we are going back to basics. We have made a decision to only produce models that have market interest and we will be basing production numbers on orders received from our customers - a plan which the business was founded on many years ago.

Due to the nature of our business, these changes will take a few months to come into effect. In the meantime most of the models we release to the market will have production numbers fully exhausted and allocated across our dealer network. A small number of each run will be available on our website only after the initial release has been distributed to our dealer network.

1:18 Holden HX Monaro GTS

LIMITED EDITION OF

500

Sunfire (1972) Product Code: A71509 - RRP: $195.00 including GST

400

ATCC Winner - Driver: Jim Richards (1990) Product Code: B43408C - RRP: $69.95 including GST

For more information contact:

Biante Model Cars PO BOX 185 BELMONT WA 6984

Phone: 08 9479 5130 Fax: 08 9479 5165 Email: info@biante.com.au Web: www.biante.com.au