Biante Newsletter 45

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER.

Biante Newsletter - Issue 45 - MAR 2013

XR BRUISER *1:18 Scale Prototype Model Shown

INTRODUCING THE FORD XR FALCON GT STREET MACHINE Biante Model Cars are extremely excited to present to you the 1:18 Scale Ford XR Falcon Street Machine in the absolutely stunning Passion Purple Pearl with Orange GT Stripes & White Interior colour scheme. This is a new addition to our Street Machine or custom range and we think it could be the most popular yet.

After the successful responses we received from stores and collectors about the previously released Candy Red and Candy Blue Street Machines, it was time we introduced a new model to the range and the XR presents a nice combination of classic pedigree and instant street credibility.

As you can see, this XR is a fully custom job. Similar to our previously released street machines, the engine block and blower are a real stand out feature on this model.

Under (and partially through) the bonnet is a 351 Windsor V8 engine including a 6:71 Supercharger with twin four barrel Holly carbs and a bug catcher scoop.

While the engine is impressive, many would agree that the paint job and interior are also particularly eye-catching. Designed in house by the Biante R&D team, the exterior features a gorgeous Passion Purple paint job with Orange striping down each side and across the rear boot lid. Inside it gets even better with the crisp white interior working in a beautiful combination with the rest of the car.

Nicknamed ‘Bruiser’ as you can see from the number plates and including chrome features throughout, this is one impressive model and ideal for any quality diecast model car collection. To ensure you don’t miss out on this model, please place your orders as soon as possible.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A72892 Model: 1:18 Scale Ford XR Falcon GT Street Machine - Passion Purple Pearl with Orange GT Stripes & White Interior Pricing: RRP: $195.00 including GST

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER

Biante News:

A BIG MONTH FOR FANS OF THE BLUE OVAL Welcome to another edition of the Biante newsletter, this month we have three new model announcements that are sure to make Ford collectors in particular pretty happy, but we haven’t forgotten the Holden fans either.

As you can see on the cover of this issue, we are calling for orders for a new additon to our ‘street machine’ range, in the form of the 1:18 Scale Ford XR Falcon GT Street Machine in Passion Purple Pearl with Orange GT stripes and White interior. This is another really gorgeous piece of automotive art on a diecast model and the Biante R&D department have worked closely with Autoart and have done an amazing job with this model. Despite the numerous customisations for this model, we’re very pleased to still be able to maintain a RRP of $195.00 for this item.

We hope stores and collectors agree that this is an extremely gorgeous follow up to the two “candy” XA & XB Falcon street machines that we previously released and will place their pre-orders for this model as soon as possible to ensure no one misses out.

The second new model announcement we have for you is the impressive looking 1:18 Scale Ford XB Falcon GT hardtop, driven by Dick Johnson and Vern Schuppan at the 1977 HardieFerodo 1000. While the race day didn’t go to plan for Johnson and Schuppan on this occasion, ending up as a “DNF”, no Ford fan could deny that the XB was an impressive looking beast.

This model will form part of the Biante Dick Johnson Collection and will carry a RRP of $195.00. For more information and images for this model, check out the spread on pages 4-5.

Finally to round out our latest new announcements is one for the Holden fans in the form of the 1:18 Scale 1974 Holden LH Torana SLR/5000 L34 Option in the striking Azure Blue colour scheme. Road cars have been quite popular recently and we’re expecting this Torana to continue the trend. As with all of this months announcements, the Torana is being produced by Autoart and their attention to detail and quality is second to none, so please place your orders as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.

William Hall, General Manager Biante Model Cars

BIANTE MODEL CARS ARE NOW ON INSTAGRAM! To continue to deliver interesting and current information related to Biante, our agency brands, motorsport and the model car industry in general we have again expanded our social network reach for our fans, collectors and stores.

Biante Model Cars now have an official Instagram account that will work in combination with our Facebook and Twitter pages. Instagram is a fantastic photo sharing app and Biante will be using this to post live updates for a variety of purposes.

Behind the scenes, new and old models, agency releases and special events will all be some of the focus areas documented using this medium to continue to give a deeper, more interesting insight into Biante and this fantastic industry.

If you’re familiar with Instagram and use it, follow us using the details below. The best way to keep up to date with all the latest Biante news, happenings and behind the scenes is to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and now Instagram to ensure you’re never out of the loop. For details about all our social networks, view the information and links on the back page of this newsletter.

Follow Us! Biante Model Cars Official Instagram: http://instagram.com/biantemodelcars

New Announcements: 1:18 Scale Holden LH Torana SLR/5000 L34 Option ENSURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT BY PLACING YOUR ORDERS AT YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER

1974 AZURE BLUE LH TORANA *1:18 Scale Prototype Model Shown

The infamous “Supercar Scare” of 1972 had a profound effect on Australian car manufacturers, with the big three, Holden, Ford and Chrysler all cancelling various “Supercar” projects due to political pressure and public backlash. The theory behind the scare was fairly straight forward; politicians were becoming increasingly worried about fast, high performance race cars being made available to every day road users. These fast cars were becoming more readily available to the public due to the manufacturers having to produce limited numbers of their high performance models as a road car version so they would be eligible to race - with Bathurst being the main crown they were chasing.

These events in 1972 provide an interesting backdrop to Holden’s release of their LH Torana SLR 5000 “L34” option in 1974. It is interesting because, in 1972, Holden were the first manufacturer to bow to public pressure and cancel its V8 Torana program, and only 2 years later they were delivering a brute of a racing option SLR 5000 in the form of the L34. Holden knew that they couldn’t afford another public stir with this model and they only had to release a very limited number of the L34 options in order to make the model eligible for racing.

In August of 1974, Holden announced the L34 to its dealer network. Normally a new or upgraded model such as this would bring a raft of advertising and announcements from the manufacturer, but the L34 was released very quietly and in rather sneaky circumstances. According to many sources, Holden were so careful as to not alert the public / government of this car’s upgrades that many of the L34’s in showrooms weren’t fully complete with all their running gear, and some even suggest that Holden instructed its dealer network that buyers needed to apply to purchase the car, and it would only be sold to them if they were in possession of a CAMS competition license. They only wanted very skilled and responsible drivers to be cruising the streets in this particular car.

With a 5.0 litre 308ci engine developed by Repco Engine developments and many other mechanical upgrades the L34 was certainly a superior model to the standard SLR 5000 and was just over $2000 more expensive.

The upgrades however, wouldn’t turn the L34 into a ridiculously fast street car though, with much of the upgrades focussing on durability with running at Bathurst purely in mind. This theory was backed up by the cars performance figures; 240bhp (179kW) @ 4800rpm and 315 ft-lbs (407Nm) of torque @3000rpm which were identical to the standard SLR 5000’s figures. All of the base ingredients were there for racing success and to further ensure the L34’s racing pedigree, Holden devised a High Output non factory option that would certainly give the performance figures a real kick. For an extra $1500, the High Output option was effectively a bolt on racing kit filled with parts for competitors to turn their car into a true racing machine.

Biante Model Cars are very pleased to present to you the opportunity to place your orders for the 1:18 Scale Holden LH Torana SLR 5000 L34 in Azure Blue. This is a beautifully produced model with high quality finishing and signature L34 Flares and round head lights. To ensure you don’t miss out on this fantastic model, please place your orders as soon as possible.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A73478 - Model: 1:18 Scale Holden LH Torana SLR/5000 L34 Option Azure Blue (1974) Pricing: RRP: $195.00 including GST

New Announcement: 1:18 Ford XB Falcon GT

THIS MODEL FORMS PART OF THE BIANTE DICK JOHNSON COLLECTION ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A87715 Model: 1:18 Scale Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop - 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 Drivers: Dick Johnson / Ven Schuppan. Forms part of the Biante Dick Johnson Collection - Pricing: RRP: $195.00 including GST

NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER

ENSURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT

BY PLACING YOUR ORDER AT YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER

FORD XB FALCON GT *1:18 Scale Prototype Model Shown

When Ford fans are asked about the 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst, they immediately recall the memorable 1-2 form finish of Allan Moffat and Colin Bond in their pair of Moffat Ford Dealers Falcon XC Coupes. But while they (quite rightfully) claimed all of the headlines, a piece of Bathurst history also unfolded in that race relating to a man that would inherit the mantle of ‘Ford hero’ from Moffat.

A spin into the sand at Murray’s Corner cost the #13 Falcon a few laps while it was retrieved (remember this was in the time before Safety Cars!) and a flat tyre also sent it to the pits at one stage.

Queenslander Dick Johnson may have been making his fourth start in The Great Race, but it was the first time he made it in a V8 Falcon. While he would later come to be famous in Australian motor racing for carrying the #17, for Bathurst in 1977 his Bryan Byrt Ford-backed entry carried the #13 with Aussie international Vern Schuppan as co-driver.

Eventually, with 124 laps completed, the Falcon cried enough and was retired. The engine had popped a couple of cam followers out the holes earlier in the race and lost oil pressure, though the team had rebuilt it and returned to the track only for bearing damage and a rod dropping through the sump to finish off their Mountain assault. They were just one of 38 retirements from the field of 60 cars that started that year’s race. The 1977 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 would also prove to be the last Bathurst for Bryan Byrt given the Ford dealer would pass away of cancer the following year.

Schuppan had won the Rookie of the Year Award at the Indianapolis 500 the previous year and was returning to Bathurst after co-driving with Allan Moffat in 1976. Team owner Byrt spared no expense on a big attack on the Mountain classic for that year.

But Johnson would return to the Mountain for two more years in cars carrying the Bryan Byrt name before forming Dick Johnson Racing in 1980, building the Tru-Blu Falcon, hitting ‘the rock’, building another Tru-Blu Falcon and finally claiming a Bathurst victory in 1981.

“Byrtie spent heaps of dollars in 1977,” Johnson recalled in his book, ‘Dick Johnson: The True Story of a Folk Hero’. “He was well and truly into a couple of hundred thousand, I’d say. She was the full Hollywood production. Vern had been there the year before with Moffat, but he never really seemed to come to grips with the car.”

Biante are pleased to be able to present the opportunity to place your orders for the 1:18 Scale Ford XB Falcon GT hardtop driven by Dick Johnson and Vern Schuppan in the 1977 Hardie Ferodo 1000. This is another important addition to the Biante Dick Johnson Collection, to ensure you don’t miss out on this fantastic model, please place your orders as soon as possible.

The duo was behind the wheel of the XB GT model, while Moffat’s cars had been updated to the latest XC specification front bodywork. A total of 11 Falcons ended up starting that year’s race. Johnson and Schuppan qualified 15th on the grid, clocking a 2m30.0s lap time compared to the pole time set

by Peter Brock’s Bill Patterson Racing Torana A9X that set a 2m24.1s time.

The 163-lap race didn’t start well for the Bryan Byrt Ford entry, Johnson into the pits after just 10 laps with brake troubles. And it didn’t get much better from that point onwards either!

Agency Feature: Limited Stock Still Available SOME GREAT AGENCY MODELS THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED. On this and the following page you will find a range of Agency models from Autoart, Kyosho and Vitesse that we currently have limited stock remaining of.

These models are available to purchase both online by collectors at www.biante.com.au with wholesale orders from Biante stockists welcome also.

One of the items in this section that you can see on the right is a model for all you movie buffs out there, the 1965 Customised Chrysler Imperial from the Green Hornet aptly named “Black Beauty”.

This 1:43 Scale model by Vitesse is an awesome tribute to the movie car, with the bonnet mounted machine guns, visible rockets and the stylish display case and base that it is presented in, this is a perfect collectors item for collectors with customised or movie cars in their collections.

Manufacturer: Vitesse 1:43 Scale Green Hornet Customised 1965 Chrysler Imperial “Black Beauty” Product Code: V24030 - RRP: $54.00 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Manufacturer: Autoart

Manufacturer: Autoart

1:18 Chevrolet Corvette

1:18 Jaguar E-Type

Manufacturer: Autoart 1:18 McLaren F1 - Stealth Model

Laguna Gray Metallic (1970) LE 6000 Pieces Worldwide Product Code: A71173 - RRP: $180.50 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Series 1 Roadster 3.8 - Silver Product Code: A73602 - RRP: $234.50 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Gran Turismo 5 Product Code: A81040 - RRP: $318.50 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Manufacturer: Autoart

Manufacturer: Kyosho

Manufacturer: Kyosho

1:18 Nissan GT-R GT500 - Stealth Model

Gran Turismo 5 Product Code: A81041 - RRP: $230.00 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Manufacturer: Autoart

1:18 Ferrari Testarossa

1:18 Lamborghini Countach LP500S

Red with Tan Interior Product Code: 08425R - RRP: $225.00 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Walter Wolf Edition - Light Blue Product Code: 08323BLL - RRP: $176.10 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Manufacturer: Autoart

Manufacturer: Kyosho

1:43 Lamborghini Miura SV (Opening Parts)

1:43 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

Gold (1971) Product Code: A54545 - RRP: $141.00 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Nero Noctis/Black Product Code: A54642 - RRP: $58.50 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

1:43 Shelby Cobra 427SC

Racing Screen - Blue Product Code: 03016CS - RRP: $63.43 including GST Available On The Biante Website & At Your Local Biante Dealer

Agency Feature: 1:18 Scale Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition LIMITED STOCK STILL AVAILABLE DON’T MISS OUT

THE 1:18 SCALE LEXUS LFA NURBURGRING EDITION

BY AUTOART IS A MUST HAVE COLLECTORS ITEM FOR TRUE MOTORING ENTHUSIASTS. The 1:18 Scale Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition in the amazing Pearl White colour scheme by Autoart is an exceptional replica model that we currently have available.

The Lexus LF Line is a series of concept cars built by Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The project began in the year 2000, the intention was for Toyota to compete in Formula One. The first ever super car from Lexus was developed by a group of handpicked engineers and after nearly 10 years of development the 2011 Lexus LFA finally made its debut at the end of 2010.

At $375.000 the LFA is hand assembled with only 20 super cars produced each month with each V-10 engine being assembled by a single engineer which includes their signature to highlight the prestigious status of these cars. The V-10 engine was developed with Yamaha to power the LFA after extensive studies were conducted on Formula One engines to replicate their unique sound and capabilities. The body of the LFA is a combination of lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre, which brings the total weight of the car down significantly. The combination of the V-10 engine, light weight body, the build and tuning of the LFA in general can see the vehicle rocket to 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds.

The Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package is based on the setups used by the LFA racing vehicles at the 24 Hours Nurburgring. This model made the LFA package even more extreme, adding extra power to the V-10 engine and including modifications such as a re-calibrated transmission, front splitter, adjustable suspension, lightweight alloy wheels coated in track rubber, aerodynamic canards at the sides of the front bumper and a large fixed rear wing. The Nurburgring Package was tested at the famous track in June 2011, setting a time of 7:22:85, the tenth fastest time ever for a production car.

We have limited numbers remaining of this model that is available to purchase both online by collectors at www.biante.com.au with wholesale orders from Biante stockists welcome also. As with all models produced by Autoart, the quality and craftmanship of this item is second to none and is a true collectors item.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Product Code: A78837 Model: 1:18 Scale Lexus LFA - Nurburgring Edition - Pearl White Pricing: RRP: $195.00 including GST

AVAILABLE NOW ONLINE & FROM YOUR LOCAL BIANTE DEALER

Coming Soon From Biante 1:18 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1

1:18 Holden Monaro CV8-R

1:18 HSV VX GTS Sedan LIMITED EDITION OF

LIMITED EDITION OF

1116

Hardie Ferodo 1000 (1973) Drivers: Johnson/Forbes PART OF THE BIANTE DICK JOHNSON COLLECTION Product Code: A87361 - RRP: $195.00 including GST (ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED)

1:18 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 LIMITED EDITION OF

1008

Turbine Grey (2003) Product Code: A73353 - RRP: $195.00 including GST

HSV Racing Green Product Code: A73309 - RRP: $195.00 including GST

1:18 HSV Y-Series GTS Coupe

1:18 HSV Y-Series GTS LIMITED EDITION OF

1008

LIMITED EDITION OF

504

Sunburst Metallic (1972) Product Code: A72576 - RRP: $195.00 including GST (ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED)

Phantom Black (2003) Product Code: A72531 - RRP: $195.00 including GST

1:18 Holden LH Torana SLR/5000

1:18 Holden LX Torana SLR/5000 LIMITED EDITION OF

504

Sting Red (2003) Product Code: A72532 - RRP: $195.00 including GST

1:18 Holden HK Monaro GTS327 LIMITED EDITION OF

1800

1974 ATCC Winner - Driver: Peter Brock PART OF THE BIANTE PETER BROCK COLLECTION Product Code: A87460 - RRP: $195.00 including GST (ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED)

LIMITED EDITION OF

600

LIMITED EDITION OF

1008

Chamois With Black Trim (1976) Product Code: A73463 - RRP: $195.00 including GST

1008

2nd Place - Hardie Ferodo 500 (1968) Drivers: Palmer/West Product Code: A86862 - RRP: $195.00 including GST (ALLOCATION EXHAUSTED)

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For More Information Contact: Biante Model Cars: 8B Baling Street, Cockburn Central WA Phone: 08 6397 5110 / Fax: 08 9417 2757 / Email: info@biante.com.au / Web: www.biante.com.au