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Stock #24396 |
CB's Die Cast Review: November 6, 2000 |
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2000 First Editions #30
Included on the First
Editions roster this year is a model of the Mini Cooper, the venerable British economy
and rally race car that incredibly saw little physical change during the first 40 years
of production.
The Mini Cooper low to the ground, yet the short wheelbase should allow it to perform well
in the loops and other stunt sets. It also has enough heft to hold its own on the drag
race tracks. This is one of the best-designed and best-executed models in the line this
year.
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The Austin Mini was designed by British Motor Corporation's chief engineer, Alec Issigonis,
with the idea of creating an inexpensive commuting vehicle. The first Minis went into
production in August 1959. Shortly after, John Cooper fitted a Mini with a 997cc formula
junior racing car engine. The new design was well received, and the Mini Cooper went into
production in July 1961. The engine cc was increased steadily in the months that followed,
culminating with the 1275cc Mini Cooper S in 1964. This vehicle was popular on the racing
circuit as well, with 1964 marking the fist of three Monte Carlo rally victories. Production
slowed after British Motor Corporation merged with Leyland in late 1968, and was halted in 1971.
A limited edition was produced in 1990, and due to the popularity, production resumed in 1991.
The model, basically featuring the same body and engine since 1959, finally was discontinued
for good in 2000, to make way for a newly-designed Mini Cooper in 2001.
The First Editions model appears to be based on the Monte Carlo racing version of the Mini
Cooper S. The die-cast metal body is painted a deep yellow enamel and features a good amount
of extra detail throughout, including hood screws, headlight protection covers, fender bolts
and door hinges. The chassis is zinc-plated die-cast metal and also features good crisp
detail. Even the ends of the rear exhaust pipes are dimpled to give the impression of
hollow instead of solid tubes. The radiator grill is part of the chassis. Close
examination of the chassis reveals a pleasant surprise -- the body is not riveted to the
chassis. A small slidebar at the rear of the chassis unlocks the body, allowing removal
and close examination of the interior components. And, the examination reveals an interior
bursting with lots of detail. The interior is formed from two plastic components, one a
light blue and the other gray. The gray section contains the hood scoop, engine, coolant
container, dashboard, battery, center console and fuel tank. The light blue section
includes the roll cage, driver's seat, air intake, water tank and floor pedals. Tubes and
wires are molded in for extra detail. The roll cage unclips next to the seat and swings
out of the way for closer viewing. The gray plastic is riveted to the chassis, with the
light blue plastic piece sandwiched in between. I'm guessing that the gray slidebar and
lock are a third plastic piece, also held in place by the interior. The hood scoop
extends snugly through an opening in the hood when the body is in place.
Due to the nature of the design, the pale blue tinted plastic windows are held in place
with a rivet underneath the center of the roof, with the front windows open. The rear
license plate mount is an open area, and this is where the lock holds the body in place.
The front of the body hooks underneath the radiator grill. A stylized black and white
checkerboard pattern is tamped on the roof, with the black fading from dark to light as
you look from front to back. The ubiquitous Hot Wheels logo is tamped on the back of the
roof in yellow and red, but interestingly does not feature the Mattel seal underneath the
tip of the flame. The car rides on small chrome lace wheels. As with all of the 2000
First Editions so far, the model is manufactured in Malaysia.
