1907 Fiat F2: With pistons the size of coffee cans, the F2 and its mammoth 16,286 cc four-cyl. engine (that's over 4 liters a cyl.!) was the pinnacle of racing a hundred years ago. Developing over 130 hp, this car had a maximum speed of 99 mph! Felice Nazarro won the French GP in this car. Model by DUGU 1/43	1909 Grand Prix Benz: Big and brawny, the GP Benz fit the mould of racing cars in its day. Massive engine, chain drive and two stout hearted men to drive and mechanic the car as it sped around early 20th Century roads that doubled as race tracks. The engine was 12,453 cc and developed 120 hp, propelling this car to a top speed of over 100 mph. Model by BRUMM 1/43	1911 A.L.F.A. Corsa: With a top speed of 70 mph, this car was designed for one purpose, to race at the Targa Florio. 92 miles of hair-raising Sicilian mountain roads, much of it over mud and gravel. Nino Franchini was leading at the end of the 1st and 2nd laps, but was forced to drop out when mud left him no longer able to see the road. Model by BRUMM 1/43

1931 Mercedes SSKL: 1928 saw the introduction of the SS or super sport model fitted with a 7-litre engine and finally the SSK the most famous version of all. 1931 saw a limited specially lightened super-charged model, the SSKL, producing an astounding 300 bhp (150 mph) with which Caracciola would win the Mille Miglia. Model by SOLIDO 1/43	1933 Bugatti Type 59: Powered by a Roots supercharged eight cyl. engine, the Type 59, produced 250 hp in a very light car. Despite great potential, the cars won few races, just being too unreliable to finish. The most notable victory was at the Belgian GP with René Dreyfus driving. Model by BRUMM 1/43	1938 Delahaye 135 CS: Eugéne Chaboud and Jean Trémoulet drove this big car to victory at Le Mans in 1938. With a 3.6L in-line six-cylinder engine, triple carburetors and long stroke, it produced 160 hp. Every surface of the engine was carefully machined to reduce excess weight. This is one of 10 135S prepared for competition. Model by IXO 1/43

1947 Cisitalia 202 SMM: The name "Cisitalia" derives from "Consorzio Industriale Sportive Italia", Using a Fiat 60 hp, 1100 cc engine with Pinnin Farina styled aluminium body, at the 1947 Mille Miglia, the Cistitalia spider really proved itself by leading most of the race in capable hands of Tazio Nuvolari. Despite having competition with engines three times larger, Nuvolari held back the competition until troubles ensued in the rain. In the end, the Cistitalia took second overall and first in class. Model by STARLINE 1/43

1948 Alfa Romeo 158: Model by DINKY 1/43

1925 Ford Model T: Known as the Tin Lizzie and Flivver, produced from 1908 through 1927, the Model T set 1908 as the historic year that the automobile came into popular usage. The T had a front mounted, 2.9 L four-cylinder, producing 20.2 hp, for a top speed of 40-45 mph. It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car that "put America on wheels". Laurel & Hardy used the T as a prop in many of their movies. Model by POLITOYS 1/24	1927 Bentley 3.0L Super Sport: The 3.0 L straight-4 engine was large for its day, but it was its technical innovations that were most noticed. It was one of the first production engines with 4 valves per cylinder, and these were driven by an overhead camshaft. It was also among the first with two spark plugs per cylinder, pent-roof combustion chambers, and twin carburetors. A 3.0L Super Sport Bentley won Le Mans in 1927. Model by CORGI 1/43	1929 Cord L29: Founded and run by E. L. Cord as a holding company for his many transportation interests, including Auburn, Cord had a philosophy to build truly different, innovative cars, believing they would also sell well and turn a profit. Cord innovations include front wheel drive on the L-29. Its drive system allowed it to be much lower than competing cars. Both stock cars and special bodies built on the Cord chassis by American and European coachbuilders won prizes in contests worldwide. Model by SOLIDO 1/43

1929 Lancia Dilambda Torpedo: The Dilambda was produced by Lancia between 1928 and 1935. The car was officially presented in Paris Motor Show in 1929. The car has 4 litre V8 engine, producing 110 bhp. They are elegant, fast motor cars in the Italiam tradition. Many were rebodied. Our lucky chap has a sporting flair, preferring open air motoring is his big touring car. Model by RIO 1/43	1929 Lancia Dilambda: A more sedate sedan perhaps? Still fast and still Italian! Model by RIO 1/43	1930 Bentley 6 1/2L Blue Train: "The Bentley Speed Six was introduced in 1928 as a more sporting version of the Bentley 6½ Litre. It would become the most-successful racing Bentley, claiming victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930 with Bentley Boys drivers Woolf Barnato, ""Tim"" Birkin, and Glen Kidston. This Sportsman Coupe by Gurney Nutting was named for the famous race against the Blue Train, with Barnato beating the train to London before it reached Calais, both having set out from Cannes at the same time. It was not the actual car which took place in the race." Model by MINICHAMPS 1/43

1932 Duesenburg SJ: E.L. Cord, owner of Cord & Auburn Automobile, saved Dusenburg by buying the company in 1926. Hiring Fred Duesenberg to design the chassis and an engine that would be the best in the world, the newly revived Duesenberg company set about to produce the Model J. From a dual overhead camshaft straight 8 that was capable of a top speed of 140 mph, the supercharged SJ version was one of the first "supercars". The Great Depression killed the cars off in 1937. Model by SOLIDO 1/43	1932 Rolls Royce Phantom: The Phantom was Rolls-Royce's replacement for the original Silver Ghost. Like the famed Ghost, the Phantom was constructed both in the United Kingdom and United States from 1925-1931. The engine in these cars was an aluminum head 7.7L OHV in-line six. This Brewster bodied roadster was made in the USA, and doubt this was an actual RR color. Model by RIO 1/43	1933 Talbot T23: The French Talbot company was reorganised in 1935 by Anthony Lago and after that, the Talbot-Lago name was used but on the home market the cars bore a Talbot badge. The T23 used an inline 4.0L six-cyl. engine producing 115 bhp. After 1936, many famous Talbot-Lago cars with elegant Figoni et Falaschi teardrop designs were made and have their origins in this car. Model by SOLIDO 1/43

1934 Fiat 508S Balillia: The 508S Balilla Sport competition version was inspired by an original design by Carrozzeria Ghia. The Coppa d' Oro (Gold Cup), was named after Fiat's success in that long distance race. The Balilla was powered by a tuned version of the Fiat 995cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine which produced 46 bhp and the car was successful in classic events in the pre-WW2 era, including the Mille Miglia, Monte Carlo Rally, Targa Florio, Spa 24-Hour, Ulster TT and Le Mans. Model by DUGI 1/43	1937 Cord 812: The body design of the Cord 812 was the work of designer Gordon M. Buehrig. Nearly devoid of chrome, the new car was so low it required no running boards. Pontoon fenders were featured with headlights that disappeared into the fenders via dashboard hand cranks. A super-charged Lycoming V8 engine powered the car capable of doing 112 mph. Supercharged 812 models were distinguished from the normally-aspirated 812s by the brilliant chrome-plated external exhaust pipes mounted on each side of the hood and grill. '37 was the last year for Cord. Model by DUGU 1/43	1938 BMW 327 Cabriolet: The BMW 327 was produced by the Bavarian firm between 1937 and 194, and again produced after 1945 in two-door sedan and cabriolet form. It sat on a shortened version of the BMW 326 chassis, with which it also shared the 1971 cc straight 6, with a modest power increase to 55 bhp and top speed of 78 mph. A higher-powered model, the 327/28, was offered with the BMW 328's 80 hp (60 kW) engine. 569 of these high-powered 327s were built up to 1940. Model by IXO 1/43

1938 Mercedes Benz 770K: Erroneously known as Hitler's parade car, this car was in fact that of Gustaf Mannerheim, Marshall and later President of Finland, hardly a Nazi. Powered by an inline eight cylinder engine of 7655 cc with overhead valves and aluminium pistons, it produced 200 bhp with a Roots type supercharger, which could propel the car to 100 mph. Model by RIO 1/43	1939 Bugatti 57S: The Bugatti Type 57 was an entirely new design by Jean Bugatti, son of founder Ettore. Most Type 57s used a heavily modified in-line eight cyl. twin-cam 3257 cc engines. Type 57s were built from 1934 through 1940, with a total of 710 examples produced. The Atalante was a two door coupe body built on a lowered chassis. Only 17 Atalante cars were made. Model by SOLIDO 1/43	1939 Delage D8-120: This French beauty is powered by a 4.3L straight 8-cyl. engine, which produced a top speed of about 100 mph. Delage established stellar racing success in the 1920's, winning Indianapolis and several Gran Prix, including the first British GP. Hard times befell the company however, being purchased by Delahaye in 1935 and cars produced luxury cars under the Delage name until 1953. Model by SOLIDO 1/43

1939 Rolls Royce Phantom II: The Phantom II replaced the Phantom in Rolls-Royce's offerings in 1929. It shared the 7.7 L (7668 cc/467 in³) pushrod-OHV straight-6 engine from its predecessor, being the last large six-cylinder Rolls. This Brewster bodied car in Coupe de Ville style is Model by SOLIDO 1/43	1939 Rolls Royce Phantom II: As a more sporty version to be fitted with particularly light coachwork the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental distinguished itself from the basic model. Henry Royce believed there was a market for a self-driven luxury car and the success of this model proved him right. 281 Continental Phantom II's were produced. These cars were usually bodied by either Park Ward or Mulliner. Model by SOLIDO 1/43	1939 Rolls Royce Phantom II: The Continental was a short wheelbase version of the Phantom II and was also lighter, consequently offering more performance, plus a better ride thanks to stiffer spring ratings and high speed handling qualities. The name particularly meant that it was well-suited to be driven on the continent. A very nice Drop Head Sedanca Coupe with H.J. Mulliner bodywork. Model by SOLIDO 1/43

1940 Ford Deluxe Woody Wagon: Surf's up! and Wally is on his way to hang ten. The '40 was a continuation of the same basic model from 1937, the 239 Cu.in. V8 produced 95 hp.to move this 3,260 pound beauty and its 8 passengers to the beach. The wood came from maple. ash and basswood grown in Ford's own forests! Model by SUNNY SIDE 1/36	1949 Ford Custom Woody Wagon: With three bench seats, there is room for all your sufer dude friends and gear, with the long boards on top. Using the same flat-head V8 as the 1940 model, uprated to 100 hp, the 1949 Fords were completely redesigned, more contemporary, which is what their customer's wanted. Model by SUNNY SIDE 1/36

For copies of images, questions or comments about the collection to: OLD IRISH RACING