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It’s exciting news when a new 1:43 producer appears on the scene. The newest such company is Neo Scale Models in the Netherlands. Jaap van Dijk’s latest venture is a series of resin models made for him at Spark’s facilities in China. Neo Scale Models is an offshoot of Replicars bv, a Dutch model distributor that has had models adapted under their name in the past. Their first announced models are several Opels, a beautiful one-off Mercedes-Benz Pininfarina and several variations on the 1984-5 Volvo 340. The model we are reviewing here is the NEO 43026 1984 Volvo 340 “Winner” in Red.
Volvo had been around in Sweden selling luxury and family cars since 1927. In 1973 they purchased a share in the Dutch company DAF. DAF is better known in Europe for their heavy-duty trucks. They never reached the American market although I do remember seeing their cutely named Daffodil at a New York car show somewhere around 1960. By 1975 Volvo had taken a majority interest in the DAF car side and DAF was free to solely pursue their commercial vehicle business. In 1976 Volvo launched the 300 as a companion to their larger Swedish line of cars. The 340 was a small light car that was popular throughout Europe and particularly in the UK. It rode a 94.3” wheelbase with an overall length of 165.7”. Standard power was a 1.4 liter, 4-cylinder Renault engine developing 70 horsepower. Engines of 1.7 and 2.0 liters also became available.
As Volvo 340 models were never marketed in North America, this will not be a model of a familiar car to our readers. However Neo Scale Models has produced a very accurate version of this little car. The red paint is flawless and all the exterior details are present. The window surrounds are all correctly done in black as are the windshield wipers, bumpers, mirrors and grille. The interior is also very nicely completed. If you are a Volvo fan or like the European economy cars, this Volvo belongs in your collection. It is also available as a Dutch Police Car.
(09/29/2007)
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