Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
13/06/2021 4:31 pm
Just in case anyone is interested and has missed these.
I buy very few items from Trax these days, so they don't communicate much, but they've just sent me a new brochure with one or two interesting items, so I went to their URTI Trax website for some better pics.
1962 Chevrolet Bel Air and Impala. The blue and lilac cars ar the Bel Air and the green one is supposed to be the Impala.
For the life of me I can't see any real difference between them, apart from the whitewalls. U.S. Impalas used to be distinguished by triple tail-lights but it seems in Australia both series usually came with the triple lamp arrangement (with the centre lamp on each side being an amber turn indicator to comply with local legislation). So unless I've overlooked something I'm not sure why Trax should be advertising these as two distinct series - except maybe to sucker the faithful into thinking they really need to buy them both for the sake of completeness.
Also from 1962 is the Ford Fairlane, which I think I may have posted before.
And from ten years on we have a 1972 Ford LTD, available in a nice Copper bronze
or a rather harsh Calypso Green
Meanwhile, fans of colourful muscle cars may fancy the '72 Valiant VH Pacer which is available in bright Hemi Orange
or a more demure Hot Mustard version
The brochure also shows an impressively realistic 2019 Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
And finally, Trax have got around to doing the the 1975 Ford Landau (a unique Aussie coupe based on the Falcon).
Quite handsome, but I already have the version done by Ace Models, which I think may be nicer. Interestingly enough the owner of Ace models is, or was, a product designer or pattern maker at Trax, so I'm not sure whether this might be an adaptation of his model from a few years ago, although the roof looks bulkier and some detailing looks a little different.
Just by the way, I reviewed the Ford Landau and the Ace Models rendering in MAR Online.
Click on the link below
Ford LTD Landau 1975 - Ace Models | MAR Online
Of course, I know there is some resistance to the cost of these Australian models, especially when you factor in the shipping and maybe import tax. The big Chevvies and LTDs are AU$154, the Ranger is AU$104 and the Valiant is AU$100, although you do have to remember that the Australian dollar is only about three-quarters of a US dollar and a little over half a British pound.
I also know that some people won't have them in the house because the steering wheel is on the wrong side. I've said before that once a model is sitting on a shelf very few people are going to even notice (or care), but I know some of you might want to smack me about the head for saying so.
This topic was modified 5 years ago 2 times by Graeme Ogg
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
13/06/2021 6:01 pm
The BelAir represents a four door sedan. The Impala represents a four door hardtop, the Sport Sedan according to Chevrolet. Trax might do well to leave the side windows open on the Impala for the wide open look. Kess made a 1963 Impala Sport Sedan and did a great job. It has the same roofline as is shown on the Trax 1962 Impala. Kess also attempted a BelAir four door sedan that was not correct. And by the way, Kess seems to have dropped from the worldwide web. I hope they come back.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
13/06/2021 6:05 pm
No smacking going on here !
As a Ford fan I'm loving those models.
Thanx for your post 'n pics !
Steve
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
13/06/2021 9:21 pm
Good point Graeme on the Chevrolets regarding the tail lamps. I note that the B pillar on the Bel Air is body color and on the Impala chrome although might have been better to leave the side windows down on this one. Also the Bel Air has the "dog dish" hubcaps versus the full wheel covers on the Impala. I may splurge and get one. Currently waiting for the 1958 red and white Chevrolet Biscayne and 1962 Dodge Phoenix which in the USA was a Dart in this year. And as you say the RHD does not bother me at all.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
13/06/2021 10:43 pm
Very interesting. Some nice stuff. I have recently received a couple of the newer Trax models, such as the '55 Chevy 210, '62 Dodge Sedan and a very nice '65 Ford Galaxie along with the '63 & '64 Fairlanes. So the '62s will be a must have for me as well as the '71 Ford. The '62s Impala & Bel Air look great too, I will look into them.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
13/06/2021 11:03 pm
@john-quilter John - will be interested in hearing how you like the '62 Dodge when it arrives. I received mine yesterday and I am very pleased; it's an excellent model.
Skip Johnson
Tonawanda, New York
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
14/06/2021 1:54 am
@skip I was late ordering so am getting the red one as the blue one was sold out. With Trax items they seem to be of limited numbers but there is a lot of lead time between announcing and actual availability. Given that, maybe I'll make some suggestions on the '62 Chevrolets as they are not coming for a while I believe. I have gone round and round with Trax encouraging them to set up a US distributor but they seem disinterested in expanding their market. Their items could be more competitive if shipped in quantity (even if limited to 15-20) to the US.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
14/06/2021 9:32 am
@d-crowe Kess is alive and well - they seem to have move on to Ferraris. I got this one in April.
BTW, here is the Kess Impala.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
15/06/2021 8:57 pm
@mg-harv Can you provide a link to a working website for Kess? I have been unable to access anything for several weeks. This is all i get.
30/10/2021 7:50 pm
To my fellow diecast collectors,
With respect much is being over looked with the soon to be released Trax 1962 Chevrolet Belair 4 door sedan and 1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Sedan (4 door pillarless) models.
It’s important to appreciate that these models are NOT of same and should NOT be confused with the common garden variety US domestic market LHD cars. They are copies of the much rarer Export RHD cars, and with this in mind, the models would look ridiculous if built in left hand drive form. They simply have to be Right Hand Drive.
With the ‘62 Belair 4 door sedan, these cars were assembled from what General Motors called “Completely Knocked Down” (CKD) packs. These CKD packs were shipped to Australia where GM-H assembled them as their high end luxury cars. They used genuine leather to cover the seats that was of Rolls Royce quality. The fit and finish of these cars was exceptional. They differed considerably from the very basic Belairs sold in the USA. Australian (GMH) assembled Belairs had six tail light trunk lids to provided for amber turn signals. I will never understand why the USA used red turn signals.
The Trax model ‘62 Impala is an Export RHD Impala Sport Sedan (4 door hardtop). This model is perhaps the rarest of any 1962 production Chevrolet with a worldwide production believed to be fewer than 1,500. In 1962 Australia received just 60 examples. Export countries included New Zealand, England, India, South Africa and Indonesia.
The models Trax have made might look similar but the roof line on the Impala is quite different to the Belair. The interiors are completely different with the Belair have genuine pleated leather and the Impala nylon fabric. The dash panels are of course the Export RHD dash which is similar (but not exactly the same) as the 1961 LHD Pontiac dash.
You may well ask ‘how do I know all of this?’ I own one the very few surviving Export RHD 1962 Impala Sport Sedans and have studied these cars in detail for the best part of 60 years. I was deeply involved in the creation of the Trax 1962 RHD Chevrolets.
As I write this, I think orders for these unique models may have now closed, but with out question the few, very few that will be made are certain to become desirable and very collectable as I can’t see them being repeated.
My sincere advice is that its important to look beyond the thinking that all cars should be left hand drive and understand that the once great General Motors exported to all corners of the world. GM’s former Tarrytown plant in New York State assembled thousands of RHD Chevrolets for export in CKD form and fully built form.
Accordingly no Chevrolet model collection is complete without one or two of these RHD export Chevrolet models by Trax.
In closing, if anyone would like to know more about 1950s or 1960s Export RHD Chevrolet then please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Carl Kelsen
30/10/2021 8:45 pm
Thanks for the background. I have the Impala on order but no idea when it will ship. Trax introduces these well in advance of any being available for shipment. I am also awaiting the 1958 Biscayne and 1962 Dodge.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
02/11/2021 5:16 am
No problem John,
The Australian GMH assembled ‘58 Biscayne interestingly was a 6 cylinder car with a three speed manual transmission. I have just received my ‘58 Biscayne from Trax and I think its a nice model.
With the ‘62 Dodge Phoenix, my only objection is that they were never offered in ‘red’ in Australia. But otherwise it looks a very nice model also.
Like your self I have a ‘62 Impala Sport Sedan on order but have also ordered the ‘62 Belair 4 door sedan.
Kind regards from down under in Australia
Carl Kelsen
Jack Dodds and Jack Dodds reacted