When I was a boy, not that long ago, I used to play with toy cars made by Matchbox, Corgi and of course Hot Wheels. It’s good to know that small children still play with toy cars and that these brands still exist, although they are now all owned by Mattel.
These days, I’m used to seeing scale models of the first generation Rx7 as expensive collectables bought by adults. So I was surprised to learn quite by accident that in the 1980s, the Italian toy company, Bburago, actually marketed a number of historically famous racing Rx7s in 1:43 scale. Even more surprising, one of those Rx7’s was none other than the famed #98 Kent Racing Rx7 of the 1981 IMSA race season.
Unfortunately, Bburago declared bankruptcy in 2005 because it continued to keep all manufacturing in Italy and was no longer able to compete with cheaper manufacturing in Thailand and China. The company was bought by Hong Kong based Maisto and the brand continues to this day.
Jim Chung's Ramblings 
Hi! I am the former wife and partner of Dave Kent. I would like to find the models of Lulu and Linda. My and Dave’s youngest daughter has four children who are interested in their grandpas history. And his sons are also interested in Dave’s talented history
Thanks
Linda St John
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Hi Linda, so nice to hear from you. The only way to acquire these vintage toys is likely on eBay. I believe that Bburago only made a “Linda” #98 version and did not make a “Lulu” #92. I would try using a search term like “Bburago Rx7”.
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I note you used my decals from Patto’s for the #92 car (I know because my early version, the Goodyear logos have the wrong font – since corrected)
some of my other burago conversions are here –
https://dcrdiecast.wordpress.com/gallery/
(not up to date – many more IMSA RX7s – #92 “Lulu”, #98 “Linda”, 1983 Firestone version of #92 in red, #38 Yellow, #66 Yellow, #47 Yellow, #47 Blue, #60 “Wilma”, #63 Grundig, #57 Red Roof, #7 Akai Racing Beat, plus some Aussie RX7s – #4 Bryant Moffat , #77 JLC Moffat Sandown) I can email pics of these
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Linda – I have models of #98, #92 (white), and #92 Firestone (red) and can do a set of 3 for you, given supply of the base model Buragos. I have several bodies in need of painting, but they are missing windows and I can’t find someone who can make replacements, so would need 3 complete cars. I currently have a pristine red car that I am going to go the whole hog on and not only put in the usual steering wheel and gearstick, but the centre console, pedals, rollcage, and seat belts, and if I can find a close match, Hayashi look-alike wheels – this will be my personal collection #98 Moffat car, replacing the current one
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Thanks Dave, I hope Linda can connect with you and get these great keepsakes for her grandkids.
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https://dcrdiecast.wordpress.com/gallery/ now updated, some duplication, not in right order, and not captioned, but the pics are there
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have updated the gallery with newer versions of the Kent cars. currently pending are #92/#98 from 1984 Sunbank 24hrs, the fancy font Aspen Inn,the plain font Aspen Inn, the Firestone/Western Airlines (need pic of roof to see how to do the white bit of roof), and the #82 Firestone. Doing a definitive version of the 1982 #98 Daytona Winner, with detailed cockpit. Trying to find a close match for the Hayashi wheels in 1:43 scale.
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Due to a slight miscalculation, I have 48 sets of the metallic gold decals for the #92 and #98 to spare
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Need a set of those decals for #98!
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Bburago also made a 1/24 scale diecast IMSA RX7 which was offered in kit form with Kent racing decals. Photos are available here;
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/bburago-5174-mazda-rx7–988522
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