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Topic starter
13/05/2026 11:14 am
On Monday one of the best model websites MAR online was closed. I wonder that there is no mention about it here. Perhaps guys haven't known about it yet.
During 13 years MAR online was being one of the best sources which published many interesting articles. I tried to make my contribution to this project making articles about white metal and obsolete diecast brands. Very sad that website closed so suddenly, many articles haven't been published.
All things in the life have its final. And in many cases there are good things. So in this topic I'd like to remember not only MAR online but its predessor Model Auto Review by Rod Ward and other magazines like Model Collector and Diecast Collector.
13/05/2026 11:18 am
We are taking a break now, but we are in talks to bring back many of the previous MAR Online articles using another host, no longer called MAR Online. Stay tuned. If you have any old articles you wanted, I will look in the backups. Let me know. I hope to have all of Fedor's and mine back online in a few weeks...
Topic starter
13/05/2026 11:19 am
Model Auto Review was established by Rod Ward in 1982. This magazine became one of the most authority and comprehensive. It has readers not only in England, USA and continental Europe but also in Latin America, CIS countries, Australia. Unfortunately in 2013 paper version was stopped.
Here is a hardcover of number 110 April 1997.
Topic starter
13/05/2026 2:20 pm
@karl This is good news. I look foward to see new website. Do you plan to publish anything new?
Topic starter
13/05/2026 2:28 pm
I invite everybody to have an excursion to the past and explore some pages of the MAR 110 issue.
Here we can see a content.
News and views from all over the world which cover many diecast and handbuilt manufacturers, report from Nurenberg Toy Fair, review of the 1969- 60 Mercury models, the article about BMC cars by Dinky which explorers Austin, an interesting review of the 1950 Cadillac by AMR and many things else.
Ed Davis reacted
Topic starter
13/05/2026 2:37 pm
Hardcover shows us several interesting models.
On thr top there is 1/43 Austin K8 Three Way Van by Classic Commercials. This white metal brand by Bob Barlow was producing differnt British trucks and vans. Now this name is forgotten but I think Classic Commercials was active until mid 2000s.
In the centre we can see 1/43 Mini- Moke by Dinky Toys.
Underneath is another Mini- Moke- handbuilt by Scala 43. According to description this was German company. Castings were made in Britain and assembing in Czech Republic. Only 500 units were produced. Another forgotten page. If anybody knoes more details please welcome.
Mini- Moke is carrying Rayson Craft drag boat trailer by PTH- Past Time Hobbies.
In the low part of the page are 1/64 trucks by Ertl.
Christopher Moroni and Ed Davis reacted
Topic starter
13/05/2026 3:22 pm
The next days we continue our journey to the world of the old magazines and will watch not only MAR but also Model Collector and Diecast Collector.
Now first of all I'd like to tell kind words for MAR online editors. Dear guys, I was very happy to work with you. This was wonderful experience and we made many interesting articles together. Many thanks Karl and Maz!
13/05/2026 4:48 pm
Topic starter
14/05/2026 4:02 pm
Thanks everybody for reading my reviews in MAR online. Modern world isn't just and nowadays nobody is interested in deep researches. I decided to retire and to put my pencil inside the box. There are many guys who make interesting reviews of the modern hobby but I can't be a part of it. Though my writing career is over but I continue collecting models from time to time.
Karl Schnelle and Jack Dodds reacted