May 26

Ok, so I've been a bit lax, but only due to the countless computer issues we have been having and the fact that you guys (and a few girls) have been keeping me more than busy. Hopefully we are on the road back to stability.

Despite the crazy economic conditions, we have been quite busy and business is nice and steady for this time of year. Contrary to what I'm reading and hearing about the mail order industry in general, we have been pretty much business as usual. This in my opinion is a testament to our loyal customer base. My thanks go out to all of you that continue to support Replicarz and Sport Craft, even in the worst of economic times. Considering that we are selling things that people really don't need to survive (this could be debated by many of you I'm sure) it's a great feeling to know we have customers that will support us in good times and in bad.

It will take me a few posts to get you up to speed with all the juicy info and the latest releases, but here's one that we just got the announcement on and I've had mega inquiries on already. It's the 1:18 Ferrari powered Speed Boat by BBR. Only 509 are being produced, and we could only secure 24 pieces. So don't be snoozin' on this one. You can read about it here:

http://www.ferrariautosport.com/2008/12/15/ferrari-f430-powered-boat-sets-two-speed-records

You can pre-order it now:

http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BBRF001

We will have some images up tomorrow. In the meantime, hang tight.

Be back at ya soon.

MF

April 29

OK, so I'm slackin'....
The good weather has arrived here in VT. We saw several days in the high 80's recently, so hopefully this means that summer will really come this year.

Our computer woes are under control for the moment. We have a lot of "internal projects" going on with both Replicarz and Sport Craft. Time consuming and tedious but in the long run well worth the time and effort that we are putting in. These are definitely zapping my "fun" time, but we all have to take one for the team sonner or later......
The fruits of our labor will start to show soon, and we have a few surprises in store too.

Last week:
1:18
New BBR Ferrari 375
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BBR1817

Re-stock on Senna 1986 Lotus
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=L861812

Minichamps MB 300 SLR in cream
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=P180039002

1:43
A ton of new 1:43, including a big IXO shipment. Check them out;
http://www.replicarz.com/products.asp?dept=718

Minichamps 2009 master catalog is in:
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PCAT0901

The Grand Prix Motorcycle book:
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DBGPM

Be back at ya shortly!
MF

April 16

Argh! More computer issues this week. In case you guys didn't know it, I'm the in house IT guy. For any of you that care, we are on the verge of marrying both inventories of Replicarz and Sport Craft. Probably doesn't sound too exciting to most of you but for us it is a big step.
OK....some biz:

Gotta start with something for us bike heads.

1:12
Casey Stoner 2007 Ducati World Champion
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=P122070027

1:43
We have been waiting for these and they're finally in. The Premium X series by IXO. Classic American luxury cars seem to be the theme. Excellent quality and detail. Very similar to the Museum Collection but these are resin and not metal.
http://www.replicarz.com/products.asp?dept=728

Quite a bit of new 1:43 from last week:
http://www.replicarz.com/products.asp?dept=700

1:18
Finally from Minichamps, 1983 LeMans winner
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=P180836903

And re-stock on the 1982 winner:
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=P180826901

Massa Ferrari 2008 Turkish Hat Trick
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MATM0550

White F430 by BBR:
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BBR18K2

Most likley be back tomorrow.....
L8r
MF

April 10

You guys wanna have a good laugh.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC0_OAT7vlI

Vid quality is terrible but I'm a rookie with my new toy.
The story that goes with it. My bud Sean Edwards from Ottawa has every Rossi bike/figure/helmet that Minichamps has ever come out with. One day we were joking around and asking when Minichamps was going to produce his first tricycle or Big Wheel? Out of the blue with no notice I receive this gem from Sean. I couldn't think of a better piece to use as my first edition of "Models in Motion"
Here's to ya Sean, you've been punk'd.

I'm working tomorrow, so the biz end of things will be posted then.
Are you guys getting to know me? Pleasure before business!
Happy Easter to all.
MF

April 5

Hey All,

Non -Biz: Hats off to my friend Ken Botts for sharing a few pics of his Norton John Player edition. He completely restored the bike to original condition. They were produced I believe between '72 and '75, very rare to see one of these in good mechanical condition. Sweet ride but Ken tells me that he won't be riding it to VT. to see me this summer due to the slightly uncomfy seat position. He has a few other bikes in the stable so no big deal. I'm a junkie for bike pics but by all means send me your cars, boats, motorhomes, lawn tractors.........if it has a motor I'm interested.

Biz:
A few new announcements. After much anticipation, we are now taking orders for the BBR 1:18 Ferrari 512BB. Very limited edition of just 509 pieces. This one will go fast, snoozers will be forced to buy on ebay and pay too much.
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BBR1821

If you like the really big stuff (and can afford them) Real Art Replicas is coming out with the '87 Porsche 962 Daytona winner in 1:8 scale. The Lowenbrau car has long been a favorite of Porsche fans and collectors. The pics look pretty impressive. It won't be delivered until September/October so still plenty of time to slowly break the news to the wife.
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RAR0803903

Honorable mentions this week:
1:18 Porsche 911 in blue from CMC
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CMC067D

1:43 new Minichamps, Spark, Redline and more. Check out the new category for this week:
http://www.replicarz.com/products.asp?dept=665

A little out of the ordinary:
1:12 2008 McLaren Lewis Hamilton Nose cone
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AM5194

till next time.......

MF

March 27

For any of you looking for some of the BBR limited edition Ferrari's, I scored a very few of these 375's.
1:18 BBR Ferrari 375 Plus Le Mans 1954 - HE180020

This was an exclusive run produced for one of the European BBR agents, limited edition of just 180 pieces. Now that's what I call a limited edition. We figured the only fair way to do it was to auction it off on ebay. Bid to win boyz!

OK, so Saturday is supposed to be sunny and high 50's. I'm not fallin' into that same trap I did last weekend thinkin' I'm heading off for a nice long rip on the DUC. I'm going snowboarding with my daughter instead. Yes, we still have mega snow in the mts. here. Hopefully it will be a short sleeve kinda day with my high flyin' border chic daughter Nicole. Wish me luck tryin' to keep up with the 16 year old crowd! This might end up being more dangerous than motorcycling.....

The 2009 F1 season starts up this weekend from Down Under, if you want to see it live tune into Speed at 1:30am EST Sunday. Should be interesting as some of the top teams are struggling to get up to speed. 2008 World Champ Lewis Hamilton has admitted that the new car needs much work before it will be back at the front. Might be worth staying up for?
Hope everyone has a good weekend!

L8r
MF

March 26

Hey all,
Spring Cleaning Sale now in progress at Replicarz.
Here's the skinny:
10% off all in stock models, all brands apply
20% off all Minichamps
http://www.replicarz.com/

If ordering via the website, the Minichamps items will not show the correct discount. Have no fear, these will be manually adjusted prior to processing your order.
Sale will also start tomorrow at Sport Craft
http://www.sportcraftcars.com/

Each weekend for the next month or so we will feature a certain brand that we will be discounting the older stock. Break open those piggy banks guys cuz there will be mega deals to be had. These are all A1 quality models that we will be blowing out.

Big drought this week in regards to "new" arrivals. First time in a while that we have just a handful of new releases. But who needs new releases when we're talkin' sales?

If you're into the little stuff, check out this cool piece we just got from Norev:

http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=N649300

1:18
Schumacher Benetton B191B early season '92 version
http://www.replicarz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=P100920119

For you bargain hunters, our ebay store is loaded to the hilt right now with trash and treasures. Our newest employee Jon B. has been grindin' hard on both the ebay store and the auctions for damaged items. Some mad deals await those who have the time to cruise our listings:

http://www.replicarz.com/ebaystore.asp

FYI: I broke down and bought a new HD camcorder, so get ready for some youtube vids that will include everything from on board footage from the DUC, model reviews by yours truly, and maybe even some "meet the Replicarz crew" footage.

I must say I'm impressed with the number of emails and calls I'm getting from customers and friends that are checking the blog regularly. I'm trying to keep it from becoming all business and just about model cars. I'm constantly asked by customers things like what are my hobbies, what kind of car do I drive, what pushes my buttons? So by all means don't be shy about letting me know your comments, questions, or even advice.
OK enough babble for now.........
Till next time......
Mark