The 1:18 model car thread - pics & discussion

[g3org3y]

Some great contributions of late.

Wife has done well in buying me this for Christmas:

Ken Done, BMW M3 Art car 1/18

(google pic)

At some point, I'll get my collection out of their boxes and displayed (been all boxed up since house move).

[RDMcG]

Guiddy said:

I'd have to reply with my views that CMC are at the top of the game at the moment, though at a price for sure!
For example I just picked this Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic up.

Here are some of it's features:
You can only turn the steering using the real wooden steering wheel, which is attached though various metal rods to a scale steering box!
The bonnet is paper thin and lifts on intricate hinges
The suicide doors have intricate sliding door stops
The interior is all real leather with carpeting
The door quarter lights are operational
The roof vents are operational
The wheels are removed using metal knock offs which are directional like the real thing.

Some models feel like toys that look like the real thing. This feels like the real car in miniature!

Edited by Guiddy on Thursday 30th November 11:00

Edited by Guiddy on Thursday 30th November 11:01

Interesting model. I have photographed the real car in its various guises. First time I saw it was in Meadowbrook many years ago and it was not in great shape:

- see the strange rear spats and body coloured windscreen surround.

The car was then bought by Peter Mullin for a reported $45 million privately and restored. Here is what is looks like now:

[Snakebitten]

Incredible collections. Sadly I gave away quite a few of my models that I have been collecting over the years. I kept only the ones I "cant" do without hehe. Ill upload a few when I get the chance.

Love that Bugatti and the Le Mans cars. Collected Le Mans, BTCC etc back in the day. Which I kept all of them. You guys are making me want to start up again. But man the prices have skyrocketed. Also not really a fan of the resin models but I did get a couple since AA, BBR etc wont make the models I want in die-cast. Can't replace high-quality diecast with resin imho.

[kuro]

Snakebitten said:

Incredible collections. Sadly I gave away quite a few of my models that I have been collecting over the years. I kept only the ones I "cant" do without hehe. Ill upload a few when I get the chance.

Love that Bugatti and the Le Mans cars. Collected Le Mans, BTCC etc back in the day. Which I kept all of them. You guys are making me want to start up again. But man the prices have skyrocketed. Also not really a fan of the resin models but I did get a couple since AA, BBR etc wont make the models I want in die-cast. Can't replace high-quality diecast with resin imho.

Agree on this. Is this closed shell resin thing a recent trend? Some of the higher end ones look great but being able to open things up is part of the fun isn't it?

[g3org3y]

kuro said:

Snakebitten said:

Incredible collections. Sadly I gave away quite a few of my models that I have been collecting over the years. I kept only the ones I "cant" do without hehe. Ill upload a few when I get the chance.

Love that Bugatti and the Le Mans cars. Collected Le Mans, BTCC etc back in the day. Which I kept all of them. You guys are making me want to start up again. But man the prices have skyrocketed. Also not really a fan of the resin models but I did get a couple since AA, BBR etc wont make the models I want in die-cast. Can't replace high-quality diecast with resin imho.

Agree on this. Is this closed shell resin thing a recent trend? Some of the higher end ones look great but being able to open things up is part of the fun isn't it?

Last few years especially at the mid priced area of the market, pioneered by (resin) brands such as Otto and GT Spirit. The high end such as BBR or FrontiArt have been around for a while.

Now seemingly Minichamps (and others) are following suit with sealed models.

I, like you would prefer opening diecast, however I'm a BMW fanboy first and model collector second. If it means the difference between a resin model of a car I like or no model, I'll choose the former.

(As an aside, the paint finish of the GT Spirit models has been some of the best I've even seen).

[Snakebitten]

Well I would dare anyone to look at a AutoArt 787B die-cast model next to the AutoArt Bentley Speed 8 resin model for example. Both look great but its a no contest win for the die-cast by anyone with eyes and even Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder hehe. All orifices open so you can actually see the details in the engine bay, interior etc. Can't do that with resin models. Like I said only reason I have a few resin models like the Vipers and Porsche's is because AutoArt, BBR, Exoto etc have not made the die-cast versions I want.

Resin models are very nice but they are not a replacement for true die-cast artisan quality imho. Tell me again if its cheaper why is it commanding higher die-cast prices???

I really hope this is not the future because it surely isn't an improvement or replacement but simply an addition to the hobby again imho. Hope they never stop producing quality die-casts in deference to resins.

[ferrisbueller]

Like anything the market will decide. I'm not prepared to stump up some of the crazy numbers being seen for die cast lately.

I've a few resin models and they represent good value to me. I can count on one hand the number of times I've handled my models, nevermind opened doors and windows.

[Snakebitten]

Well here is some of my collection:

One of my all time favs in real life car racing and in model collecting. Beautiful car and the best combustion engine note ever produced period:



Die-casts



Loved BTCC back in the day. Larini and and Simioni (spelling) were my faves from team Alfa. Still the best looking BTCC car of that era imho:


Which is AutoArt and which is UT? Too easy. The detail on the AA is incredible for its price point.


Nice AA die-cast.


My favorite Le Mans GTS, GT1, GTD cars. One Spark resin Viper surrounded by the AA original Le Mans killers. Love the AA's details. Wish AA would make a die-cast of the newer Vipers:




I really like this resin model despite its obvious flaw for me. Sealed body:



More resins:


Got love for this Porsche. One of my fave in current Le Mans. First Mid-engined Porsche 911 and because its a sealed body we cant see that clearly...So sad. But at least a model has been made.




Lower end stuff:

Old UT BMW. Loved these racers back in the day.


Maisto Viper I bought to try my hand at modding. Not very detailed but fun to work on.


Maisto Ford GT I bought:


Because of THIS:



A little different:


GT fans know this car:

[Zombie]

Snakebitten said:

Well here is some of my collection:



Loved BTCC back in the day. Larini and and Simioni (spelling) were my faves from team Alfa. Still the best looking BTCC car of that era imho:


Which is AutoArt and which is UT? Too easy. The detail on the AA is incredible for its price point.

I've got an AA 155 too It is stunning. For info, it's a DTM 155, not BTCC...

Edited by Zombie on Tuesday 2nd January 00:29

[ferrisbueller]

I've got a Nannini signature on an F1 pullout somewhere if someone wanted to make me an offer for it to add to their display.

[kuro]

Snakebitten said:

Well here is some of my collection:

One of my all time favs in real life car racing and in model collecting. Beautiful car and the best combustion engine note ever produced period:



Die-casts



Loved BTCC back in the day. Larini and and Simioni (spelling) were my faves from team Alfa. Still the best looking BTCC car of that era imho:


Which is AutoArt and which is UT? Too easy. The detail on the AA is incredible for its price point.


Nice AA die-cast.


My favorite Le Mans GTS, GT1, GTD cars. One Spark resin Viper surrounded by the AA original Le Mans killers. Love the AA's details. Wish AA would make a die-cast of the newer Vipers:




I really like this resin model despite its obvious flaw for me. Sealed body:



More resins:


Got love for this Porsche. One of my fave in current Le Mans. First Mid-engined Porsche 911 and because its a sealed body we cant see that clearly...So sad. But at least a model has been made.




Lower end stuff:

Old UT BMW. Loved these racers back in the day.


Maisto Viper I bought to try my hand at modding. Not very detailed but fun to work on.


Maisto Ford GT I bought:


Because of THIS:



A little different:


GT fans know this car:

Great collection. That 787b is on my list but difficult to track one down unless you import it. There is one on ebay at the moment but the seller has it down as collection only and seems reluctant to post!

[djdest]

This thread makes me sad! In the early/mid 80's I had a huge collection of Bburago, all in a display case that my Dad made.
I dread to think what some of them are worth now. I think they got lost in a house move and some given away to family friends with younger kids as I grew out of interest.
I'd kill to have them now though!
I only have one now, which is the Otto Imola yellow B5 RS4. They seem to be fetching strong money on ebay, and now they've released Avus silver it hasn't affected the value of the original yellow one.

[Snakebitten]

Thanks Kuro. A few others in this thread have some real gems I will be trying to add to my collection. I checked them out and the prices are ridiculous though lol.

Zombie thanks for the correction. You are right. Its the DTM Alfa we own. I was remembering the BTCC versions I used to look at in the 90s with Tarquini and Simoni doing the driving. Confused the two.

This is the BTCC version:


Similar but the DTM version looks like it hit the gym harder hehe.

[Guiddy]

There are some bargains to be had lately as old die casts have been surfacing that have been in warehouses for years!
That AUTOart DTM Alfa was available for around £90 not long ago and the race versions of the R32 Skyline can be had for around £80, the one that ran at Bathurst and the Reebok liveried car.

http://www.modelissimo.de/Modellautos/Auto-Art/892...

Overall though the hobby is getting pricey and die casts are becoming more desirable.
I just added this to my collection which is my eighth CMC and the collection is worth near £4K already!!!!

Edited by Guiddy on Tuesday 2nd January 14:35

[Guiddy]

kuro said:

After much deliberation I ended up getting this CMC GTO for starters. I got it at a good price, pre-owned and as new. Its a birthday present so I won't be opening it for a few weeks but had a quick look and the fit and finish is pretty amazing.

Oh yes! Now that is a die cast model!

[Guiddy]

RDMcG said:

Interesting model. I have photographed the real car in its various guises. First time I saw it was in Meadowbrook many years ago and it was not in great shape:

- see the strange rear spats and body coloured windscreen surround.

Great photo! Is that EXK 6? The CMC model I have in Bugatti blue was that car, not the pale metallic blue one in your second photo.
EXK 6 is the car that eventually made it's way into Ralph Lauren's collection and is now black and somewhat over restored in many people eyes!

[Snakebitten]

Great models folks. Will be adding some CMC and Exoto's soon. The details are magnificent..

[Muddle238]

This model joined my collection 10 years ago as a standard 1/18 Eagle UH Land Rover Series 3 - see generic Google pic below -



Fast forward a bit and I find myself converting the model into an exact replica of my 1962 Series 2a 109, as seen below



Major modifications are being made to the bodywork and interior, along with a few chassis tweaks to make the Land Rover sit correctly - the Eagles model sits far too nose down. Of course the biggest change is to the front end - moving the headlamps inboard.







Work done so far includes:
- full disassembly
- chopping the roof
- adjusting the ride height
- moving the fuel filler cap by filling the old one and beginning a new one by the cab
- grinding away the embossed number plate shape from the rear, also removing tail lights and other surface details
- refining the tailgate and rear crossmember
- smoothing the bonnet (mine has no recess for spare wheel)
- moving the front bumper towing eyes aft slightly
- smoothing the front wings
- fabricating new headlamp surrounds from 12mm tubing

Work still to go includes:
- finish the front wings
- finish the new grille, photo etching most likely
- finish the new fuel filler cap
- build a Series 2 interior
- build a new windscreen frame and glass
- spare wheel mounting in the tub
- extending the sills
- paint

...plus a million other tiny details such as wing mirrors, badges, period correct number plates and so on.

On top of all this, the model is getting fully functioning headlamps and sidelights and tail lights, courtesy of 3mm grain of wheat bulbs and some clever compact-electrickery under the now-smoothed bonnet, for added authenticity.

Edited by Muddle238 on Tuesday 2nd January 22:25

[kuro]

Guiddy said:

kuro said:

After much deliberation I ended up getting this CMC GTO for starters. I got it at a good price, pre-owned and as new. Its a birthday present so I won't be opening it for a few weeks but had a quick look and the fit and finish is pretty amazing.

Oh yes! Now that is a die cast model!

Yes, looking forward to getting it in a few weeks time. The wife just didn't get it when I told her what it cost! Been browsing eBay and seeing what else is out there but CMC take some beating for attention to detail. I like the look of the auto union type c which can be had fairly cheaply so may add that soon.

[Guiddy]

kuro said:

The wife just didn't get it when I told her what it cost!

She will when they become rare and start appreciating in value! My wife understands these two when I remind her what they are worth now!!!