1:43 cars, what makes to go for? Any to avoid?
Discussion
Hi chaps,
I've just purchased my first 1:43 scale car to start my collection. It hasn't arrived yet but I'm sure I've heard them mentioned on here, a Spark - Porsche 964 RS 3.8LM .
Anyway, I was just after some rough guidance on what makes I should be looking for or avoiding. I haven't got money to burn and will maybe buy only 1 or 2 a month to start, or just when I see something interesting.
Also, any recommendations on shops, preferably online and with good pics.
Cheers guys, Mark.
PS. Is any scale preferable from a collectors point of view? or is it just whatever size suits you storage/display space?
I've just purchased my first 1:43 scale car to start my collection. It hasn't arrived yet but I'm sure I've heard them mentioned on here, a Spark - Porsche 964 RS 3.8LM .
Anyway, I was just after some rough guidance on what makes I should be looking for or avoiding. I haven't got money to burn and will maybe buy only 1 or 2 a month to start, or just when I see something interesting.
Also, any recommendations on shops, preferably online and with good pics.
Cheers guys, Mark.

PS. Is any scale preferable from a collectors point of view? or is it just whatever size suits you storage/display space?
OK, thanks guys,
Nicholas - yeah the Spark impressed me in the photo's. Should arrive soon I hope.
Eric - Yes I am interested in the kits aswell. I haven't built a one since I was a kid but, used to enjoy it a lot. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the painting. You never get a perfect finish with brush-on and to spray them means disappearing down to the garage for a while, and I sometimes don't have loads of time to spare. I'll check that place out though, debit card at the ready.
Nicholas - yeah the Spark impressed me in the photo's. Should arrive soon I hope.
Eric - Yes I am interested in the kits aswell. I haven't built a one since I was a kid but, used to enjoy it a lot. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the painting. You never get a perfect finish with brush-on and to spray them means disappearing down to the garage for a while, and I sometimes don't have loads of time to spare. I'll check that place out though, debit card at the ready.

marky911 said:
OK, thanks guys,
Nicholas - yeah the Spark impressed me in the photo's. Should arrive soon I hope.
Eric - Yes I am interested in the kits aswell. I haven't built a one since I was a kid but, used to enjoy it a lot. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the painting. You never get a perfect finish with brush-on and to spray them means disappearing down to the garage for a while, and I sometimes don't have loads of time to spare. I'll check that place out though, debit card at the ready.
1/43 kits tend to be white metal or resin. It's an entirely different discipline to plastic kit building and quite different techniques are needed. The finished product can be very interesting and unique - and you tend to get authentic ciggie decals for racing cars which are usually barred from ready made models. Nicholas - yeah the Spark impressed me in the photo's. Should arrive soon I hope.
Eric - Yes I am interested in the kits aswell. I haven't built a one since I was a kid but, used to enjoy it a lot. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the painting. You never get a perfect finish with brush-on and to spray them means disappearing down to the garage for a while, and I sometimes don't have loads of time to spare. I'll check that place out though, debit card at the ready.

Thanks for all the comments.
The Spark model arrived and I'm really impressed with it. I've looked at the makes mentioned by you lad's and they all look good too so, I'm going to buy 1 from each maker when I get round to it and go from there. I may also try some different sizes to see what I prefer, although I think I'll end up sticking with 1:43, as they're a good size for displaying and I'll be able to have more on display in any given space. I won't be at that stage for a while though.
Thanks very much, Mark.
PS. Minichamps next...
The Spark model arrived and I'm really impressed with it. I've looked at the makes mentioned by you lad's and they all look good too so, I'm going to buy 1 from each maker when I get round to it and go from there. I may also try some different sizes to see what I prefer, although I think I'll end up sticking with 1:43, as they're a good size for displaying and I'll be able to have more on display in any given space. I won't be at that stage for a while though.
Thanks very much, Mark.

PS. Minichamps next...
Just thought I'd add a note -
I've now got a couple of Minichamps to go with my Spark and while they're good, I think the Spark is better. It has more detail. It has the electric cut-off switch on the scuttle panel, etc, and better interior features such as black cables running round the floor. The minichamps are good but one of them has a sticker for the fuel filler flap. Not good. Anyway, I'll try somemore and see what they're like.
Great little things though, getting to be an expensive new hobby already.
I've now got a couple of Minichamps to go with my Spark and while they're good, I think the Spark is better. It has more detail. It has the electric cut-off switch on the scuttle panel, etc, and better interior features such as black cables running round the floor. The minichamps are good but one of them has a sticker for the fuel filler flap. Not good. Anyway, I'll try somemore and see what they're like.
Great little things though, getting to be an expensive new hobby already.

marky911 said:
Just thought I'd add a note -
I've now got a couple of Minichamps to go with my Spark and while they're good, I think the Spark is better. It has more detail. It has the electric cut-off switch on the scuttle panel, etc, and better interior features such as black cables running round the floor. The minichamps are good but one of them has a sticker for the fuel filler flap. Not good. Anyway, I'll try somemore and see what they're like.
Great little things though, getting to be an expensive new hobby already.
That's because Minichamps are 'diecast' models why the Spark is a 'resin' based model. Resin models tend to offer a finer level of detail than diecast due to the manufacturing process, also, resin based model manufacturers tend to use more photo-etch parts to finish their models, while the diecast boys are happy with decals. I've now got a couple of Minichamps to go with my Spark and while they're good, I think the Spark is better. It has more detail. It has the electric cut-off switch on the scuttle panel, etc, and better interior features such as black cables running round the floor. The minichamps are good but one of them has a sticker for the fuel filler flap. Not good. Anyway, I'll try somemore and see what they're like.
Great little things though, getting to be an expensive new hobby already.

That's why generally resin is more expensive than diecast.
Ah, right. I've got a lot to learn!
It's funny what you mention about about the paint on the metal ones. When I opened a Minichamps one, on delivery just yesterday, I thought to myself "god you can hardly make out the door handle!". I paid more for the Spark than the mini-champs but, had just thought that was due to there being more minichamps around.
Now I know, I'll definately stick to Spark where possible but, I tend to buy models of cars I've actually seen racing, like Lemans Porsches, etc. That's where the where the Minichamps range really impresses.
Anyway, thanks for the info, I'm learning all the time. I've an Autoart 996 GT3RS(road) coming soon, hope it's good.
It's funny what you mention about about the paint on the metal ones. When I opened a Minichamps one, on delivery just yesterday, I thought to myself "god you can hardly make out the door handle!". I paid more for the Spark than the mini-champs but, had just thought that was due to there being more minichamps around.
Now I know, I'll definately stick to Spark where possible but, I tend to buy models of cars I've actually seen racing, like Lemans Porsches, etc. That's where the where the Minichamps range really impresses.
Anyway, thanks for the info, I'm learning all the time. I've an Autoart 996 GT3RS(road) coming soon, hope it's good.

Heres my 1/43 collection, various makes. If youd like to know which manufacturers make certain models just post a link & ask:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/GroupB/Model%...
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/GroupB/Model%...
Mk3Escy said:
Heres my 1/43 collection, various makes. If youd like to know which manufacturers make certain models just post a link & ask:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/GroupB/Model%...
Hi Mk3Escy, nice collection, please could you tell me the make of the VW Beetle with Maynards wine gums on the side? Thanks Jonhttp://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/GroupB/Model%...
Just come across this old thread, thanks for the info Mk3Escy.
My wife used to work for Trebor Bassett as a Brand Manager. I took a year off to study and she got me a summer job taking one of the Maynards branded Beetles round to various shows. This would have been back in 1997. They had about 6-7 of them restored and fully branded.
I remember on one occasion having to park my Beetle outside Asda's head office. The CEO at the time, Allan Leighton, asked me to take him and another board member to their shareholder meeting the other side of Leeds instead of taking his chauffeur BMW
IIRC there was a staff competition at the end to win one of them. We didn't win....
My wife used to work for Trebor Bassett as a Brand Manager. I took a year off to study and she got me a summer job taking one of the Maynards branded Beetles round to various shows. This would have been back in 1997. They had about 6-7 of them restored and fully branded.
I remember on one occasion having to park my Beetle outside Asda's head office. The CEO at the time, Allan Leighton, asked me to take him and another board member to their shareholder meeting the other side of Leeds instead of taking his chauffeur BMW

IIRC there was a staff competition at the end to win one of them. We didn't win....
I really like the HPI racing models - however that is due to the fact they make a lot of Group C race cars which I love.
The Mazda 787B is a great little model and have just got an '88 Silk Cut Jaguar. They really are great models for the price.
Looking for a Sauber Mercedes C9 or C11 if anyone knows of any websites which would have the HPI version of it?
The Mazda 787B is a great little model and have just got an '88 Silk Cut Jaguar. They really are great models for the price.

Looking for a Sauber Mercedes C9 or C11 if anyone knows of any websites which would have the HPI version of it?
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