Atlas Editions produce exclusive die-cast models in a variety of popular scales and are part of the Deagostini Group. Founded in Milan, Italy in 1901, the group operates in 40 countries producing part work publications. These are those weekly magazine instalments which you collect parts and construct the model of car/spaceship/whatever - once you buy issue one you have to buy all the others to complete the model. Naturally the first issue is very cheap with a few key parts, the price then rises to a more ‘normal’ price as the weeks go on.
Started in 2002, the UK branch of Atlas Editions has grown to 28 exclusive, home grown series and are aimed at the collector. Run in a similar vein, you purchase the first model in a series then you are offered the next model in the series at a slightly higher price and so on until you have the whole collection or opt out. These models are only offered direct to the customer and are not available in shops - although popular models do end up on a certain online auction website at over inflated prices.
As part of the 2016 ’Atlas Editions Touring Car Collection’ - about the sixth or seventh model in the series - the 1/43 scale model of John Cleland’s 1995 BTCC Cavalier was produced. It was supplied in a decorated box and a ‘certificate of authenticity’.
Interestingly the third model in the series (Jason Plato’s 2010 Chevrolet Cruze S2000) came with a set of 6 coasters which show some of the models in the range, on one of the coasters it depicts Cleland’s car mocked up as a Hatchback! This mistake was jumped upon by the car collecting fraternity but luckily the actual model turned out to be the correct saloon based model.
Photos © their respective owners. Information gathered from multiple sources.