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Editions Atlas
Review & pictures: Sylvain Le Stum

PIC-R    Norev

'L'âge d'or des voitures françaises au 1/87°'

A new series of 1/87 models by Editions Atlas appeared on the market in 2005/early 2006  and to begin with, the link between these models and Norev is obvious. Even if the 2CV's are really different from the version already available in the current Norev line, the bottomplates bear the Norev name. No wonder Norev announced a 2CV Sahara and a Renault 4 Parisienne for May or July 2006. 

The models are, of course, made in China, it's printed on the chassis of the Peugeot 404 ('Peugeot 404, 1/87, Universal Hobbies, Fabriqué en Chine'). The models are sold in sets of two in a display box, together with a fascicle about the car. Each display box contains two versions of the same car, a street version and a more specific on like the2CV Sahara or the Peugeot 404 Rally version. It's been said that these first models were a test, only sold in a few french towns, to see if such collectible series of 1/87 models would sell or not. I don't know if that's true, and if it means the series can stop after only a few models, but Editions Atlas offers a subscription to get two new models every month. Until now five models in ten versions have been announced of which four are already released; the two 2CV's and the 404's. Coming next are two Citroën DS's (a normal and a French Police version), and then two Renault R4's (a normal and the 'Parisienne' version). If you suscribe to the series, you get two other DS models as a welcome gift, a convertible and De Gaulle's car (sedan with large open sun roof). I don't know what the next models will be, I've seen pictures of Peugeot 203 and 403 models and some others but the models pictured were 1/43 models made by Norev. On the fascicle sold with the models, you can only find pictures of what appear to be genuine 1/87 models. 

Flyer scan:

The following models were released (set 1 and 2) / planned (all others) for the first series:

* Depending on where the models were released these can either appear as a set of two in a plastic case or as a single model (always the first model of the set) in a plastic case.

However...  the series stopped suddenly, and re-surfaced after a couple of months with some changes:

Announced:
41 Citroën ID 19 berline Orange 1968 + Citroën ID break Europe 1 1968
42 Citroën Ami 6 break tôlée 1968 + Citroën Ami 6 Service 1968
43 Renault 5 Police 1974 + Renault 5 Turbo Monte Carlo 1981 

Below you will find Sylvain's comments on several of the Norev models released in the first series !

Now, about the models. Well, I must say, rather a nice surprise sofar with some good and some bad things. On the bad side, the quality of the models is not as good as for instance Ricko's or Brekina's fabulous models. The models are more like Norev's re-released models, which, measured by today's standards, are not so good. But even at 6,50 euros each, these Editions Atlas models are of course cheaper, and that may explain the difference in quality.  The models are very classic in conception, with metallic chassis and body, clear plastic inserts for windows and chromed plastic parts, but also have rather-well-detailed interiors, rather accurate wheels with separate tyres and a lot of printed details. The line of the bodies is certainly not perfect but it is not inaccurate either. In fact, in terms of accuracy, quality and aspect, it makes me think of the Classis Metal Works models if you know what I mean. Dimensions and proportions are not bad, but the models are a little too small (Comparison notes further below in this review). 

The more interesting models are certainly the two 2CV's. Even if they have something to do with Norev's already available version, I can't tell if they share any parts. First surprise, the two models are totally different and seem to share the doors only ! Too bad that's perhaps not the best part of the model. But on the other hand, many details are accurate; as on the real cars, a small front bumper for the 1949 2CV, a larger one for the 1958 version, a canvas covering the boot of 1949, a small rear window for the 1949 and a larger one for the 1958, different front grilles and bonnets, etc. Ofcourse, the body of the 2CV Sahara is modified like the real car (shorter rear wings, modified hood and boot). Strange detail, the two cars have different chassis. Good point: the wheels, not as nice as Brekina's, but not bad. Should have been of a much lighter grey, but not bad in design. Very good point, the interiors: at last there is a 2CV in our scale with these soooo specific Citroën seats. Bad point: the varnished grey used the canvas roof. Hey, guys, what were you thinking of, that's not metal !

As for the Peugeot 404, after Brekina's wonderful 404, this new one is certainly less interesting. The overall shape is not so bad, but after having seen Brekina's model it looks, how can I say, too heavy, too flat. I don't have any old Norev's 404 at hand, so I can not tell if it has something to do with it. Anyway, it's much better looking in real life then in pictures. And it's certainly appealing, with its many details (as many printed details as the Brekina model) and its chromed and rather accurately designed wheels which look a tad large. A mistake, I think, is the chromed part around the front lights, which is too large, and the front grille, which is too small. Surprisingly, the model has a rearview mirror inside. The Rally version is very nicely decorated (it's a model of the car used by H. Lionnet and Ph. Hechle for the East African Rally in 1967), and it even has 3 additional lights on the front and one more on the door.

Model dimensions:

I have decided to subscribe to the series, so I hope to have more models to describe very soon. So far, I've only seen pictures of the next models, and they look interesting too. The DS seems perhaps not long enough, but with more chromed parts than the Busch. I can't wait to see the Parisienne. It should have an open roof too. And it seems that these Renault will have accurate looking wheels too. If the pictures do not show 1/43 models that is…  Now that's all I can say about these new Atlas' models, they're not perfect and certainly not up to today's standards, but certainly interesting. Let's hope the series will contain some good surprises and not only new versions of Norev's older models. And let's hope it will be a success, and that it will make more french cars fans interested in our scale.

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