(Browse the Oz Wheels selection currently available on eBay here, and check out the company’s Instagram here)
I’m really excited about this one. I’ve been wanting to get more Australian diecast onto Lamley for a while. There’s a real wealth of diecast cool based out there with Biante, Cooee’s “Road Ragers” series and Authentic Collectibles’ range of V8 Supercars springing to mind instantly. I’ve got a few pieces from each brand but have yet to get any on Lamley, so I do apologise to any of our Antipodean readers for being seemingly very late to the party. So by way of an apology I bring you the very neat Holden Kingswood by Oz Wheels.
I’ll be totally honest I had never heard of Oz Wheels until earlier this month when a chance Instagram post brought them to my attention. I recognised the outline of a Holden HQ sedan but saw wide drag tyres and a very bright paint job. Attention piqued. The post had handily tagged the manufacturer so I searched out their site but saw they didn’t post to the UK, so I was straight on Ebay. Luckily there was enough choice to secure the model I had seen, and once I had it in my hands I was very impressed.
Holden’s HQ series was introduced in 1971 and consisted of three model lines; Belmont, Kingswood and Premier, all available in sedan, station wagon and utility variants. The Kingswood model replicated by Oz Wheels is the second generation version made between 1971 and 1985. Engine choices were a range of Inline-sixes and V8s, with range topping models featuring Chevrolet 5.7 litre V8s.
The version replicated by Oz Wheels is anything but standard however and the pro street look suits it brilliantly.
The first thing that you’ll all probably noticed is the blacked out window piece, which will immediately put off those collectors chasing detail. But to collectors like me who collect what our heart desires, this matters little. It’s a properly cool diecast.
In terms of detail it’s pretty good; there’s separately moulded bumpers and accurate front grille, and whilst the front and rear lights are decals they are right where they should be. The “Kingswood” badging is clear and sharp and there’s a really neat touch of a pair of license plates, albeit adorned with the Oz Wheels logo. License plates always give an added touch of realism in my opinion so this is good to see.
The paint is good, and though there’s a QC slip on the silver window trim on my example, it’s nothing that makes the car totally off-putting.
It’s got a decent weight to it too thanks to a metal base, and the accurately replicated Weld Magnum drag wheels roll wonderfully on rubber tyres. The front wheels are skinny and narrow with the rears being shod with chunky rubber and it’s got a superb, mean stance.
I secured this example via eBay for around £30, though in Australia they seem to retail for around $20 AUD (£9 at the time of writing) so offer exceptional value for money for domestic collectors there. I took the hit on shipping but these cars are seldom found in the UK and I am not averse to seeking out the lowest rates to add unique models to my hoard.
From what I can gather this release is part of the first series of diecasts that the brand have brought to market, with a second en route imminently. The company’s Instagram is full of exciting things; blown Holden Sandman panel vans, a slammed Holden Commodore Calais, barn find colourways and more. And There’s chase cars. I’ve reached out to the company for comment and I hope to bring you more of their stuff on Lamley in the future.
Instagram: @alex_the_hoarder
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Thanks, Alex! We interviewed Jesse from OzWheels on Diecast Breakdown. Cool guy making some great cars. I really want to get some of his Barn Finds series.
No thanks needed, I defo need to get hold of some more of these! Very impressed.
Neat models. Looks like they are pretty expensive to get shipped to the States.