1970-71 Al Unser cars coming soon, plus Blue Crown Specials

I recently got a chance to see some pre-production photos of Replicarz’s latest Indy 500 die-cast models, these in 1:43 scale. So thought I’d share them with my die-hard die-cast fans.

Replicarz, the Vermont-based die-cast model distributor has been cranking out beautiful 1:18 scale IndyCar models for several years now and more are on the way. But next out, by late fall to early winter, are the firm’s first 1:43 Indy racers.

Brian Fothergill of Replicarz says the company will offer the 1970 and 1971 Indianapolis 500 winners, both driven by Al Unser, available in 1:43 scale at $89.99. The cars are both PJ Colt designs, the PJ in this case standing for Parnelli Jones, one of the team owners for Unser’s first two Indy wins.

The 1970 and ‘71 winners, one of the very few back-to-back Indy wins, were nearly identical cars, but with differing paint schemes. Both had Johnny Lightning (the die-cast toy brand) as a sponsor, which explains the 1970 winner’s paint scheme (see adjacent photo).

In addition, Replicarz expects three Blue Crown Spark Plug Specials, which were driven to Indy 500 wins in three consecutive years, this fall. These too will be 1:43 scale. The 1947 and ’48 winner was Mauri Rose, who ultimately won Indy three times. The 1949 winner was his teammate, Bill Holland, who had been the runner-up to Rose in both ’47 and ’48. In fact, when Rose won in 1947 Holland waived him by, thinking he was a full lap ahead of Rose. Both had been told to slow down to preserve their cars late in the race, with Holland leading. Rose never let up.

In addition, some 1:18 scale Indy winners are coming after these latest releases, including one from the early years of the Indy 500. I’m feeling a 1930s Miller racer is likely. Fothergill says to stay tuned as more is on the docket … soon.

See more photos at www. replicarz.com