BIANTE 1/18 FORD SIERRA RS500 - #39, MOFFAT/NIEDZWIEDZ WINNER, 1989 INTER-TEC 500, FUJI MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Looking back on the history of Biante Model Cars and what grew from our first release of the Track Red XY GTHO in July of 1998, it is hard to not also think of the great Allan Moffat OBE and the fantastic partnership formed between Allan and Biante beginning with the release of the #65E 1971 Bathurst winner. This October 1998 release was the first ever 1:18 scale model produced of an Australian race car with 6 opening parts. Since then, over 100,000 1:18 scale models have been produced by Biante of cars raced throughout Allan's career including marques Ford, Holden and Mazda.

As we all know Allan is now 80 years old and like many people his age, he is facing a battle with dementia. While Allan is happy, comfortable and being well cared for by family and friends, it is gradually becoming more difficult for him to work his way through signing each individual certificate for each model we release.

With this in mind and out of respect and care for Allan we are announcing that this next release in Biante's Allan Moffat Collection will be the final model that comes with a hand-signed certificate. In a very fitting end to this phase in the Collection we have chosen the car that, alongside Klaus Niedzwiedz, Allan drove to his final win in his final race, the 1989 Fuji 500-winning Ford Sierra RS500. Using our own diecast tooling with opening doors, bonnet and hatch we feel this will surely be a welcome and valued addition to the Allan Moffat Collection.

This however does not mean the end of the Allan Moffat Collection overall. There are still interesting items left to be produced and added to the Collection and we are working with Allan's management on how best to continue the Collection in the most respectful way for both Allan and collectors of his very popular model cars.