text and photos by Fedor Eliseev
Collecting 1/43 models of the Ford Motor Company, I was going to buy LDM 7, the 1954 Ford Zephyr Zodiac by Lansdowne (British cars by Brooklin). Unfortunately, they were very difficult to find in my area, and I had no opportunity to fill this gap in my collection. So, when I saw the model by Gems & Cobwebs for sale, I decided to buy it without any hesitation.
Initially, Gems & Cobwebs was a store which relocated to Cornwall at the end of the 1980s. At that time, its owners, Bernie and Graham du Gros, had decided to organise the production of white metal models. In 1992-93, Brooklin made three Jaguar models for them. At that time, the du Gros brothers were negotiating with John Hall to acquire Brooklin Models. The deal was not concluded, and the du Gros’ opened their own factory in Cornwall, where they started producing white metal miniatures in 1994.
The first models of British Cars under the Gems & Cobwebs brand included remakes by Provence Moulage, while the first American cars, under the 43rd Avenue brand, were based on Record models. Step by step, Bernie and Graham released their own castings and significantly expanded the business. Their model empire eventually consisted of the brands Gems & Cobwebs, Milestone Miniatures, Jaguar Jubilee Series, Brooklands, 43rd Avenue and City Limits. Production ceased in 2008 when the invasion of Chinese resin models was well on its way.
If you like precision and sophisticated models, you will be quite disappointed with this Ford Zephyr Six Saloon, which is based on the Provence Moulage kit. The model is rather crude and, frankly speaking, the Lansdowne looks much better. The trim is very simple, the rear lights and windscreen wipers are painted, and the door handles are made as one detail with the body. The baseplate states that this is a remake of Provence Moulage. The model was deliveried with labels featuring two types of UK registration numbers.
Besides the Saloon, released under catalogue number GC 19, Gems & Cobwebs also reproduced the Convertible version. However, they did not make the Monte Carlo car which was included in the original Provence Moulage range.
The packaging is very nice and looks more interesting than the model itself. The cardboard box features an image of the Alvis TD21 next to the brand name. I think the Alvis image shows the direction of Classic British Cars for the G & C brand. The box also carries descriptions referring to precision modelling and the country of production. You can also see an image of the Cornwall castle or factory, together with a reminder that this is not a toy.
Zephyrs Mk1 by Gems & Cobwebs were not very popular among collectors. Their production was stopped at the end of the 1990s or in the early 2000s. Most customers preferred LDM 7 by Lansdowne.
In any case, despite all its disadvantages, this model represents an important page in the history of British white metal miniatures, and I am glad to have it in my collection.
PITLANEITALIA 