AutoArt 1:18 scale Esprit V8

[Alanslotus]

Chaps,
There's been a few postings about the forthcoming AutoArt model of the Esprit V8 in 1:18 scale. I've got a bit of good news for you. While everyone else is going to be selling it at £54.95, Jeff Danton at Little Lotus is offering an 18% discount to members of this site. That brings the price down to £44.95. There is a UK P+P charge of £5.95 - but you'd pay that anywhere.
The model is available in red or yellow.
I've posted a pic here (it's on P2)
http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/bc/zapmam/lst?&.dir=/My+Photos&.src=ph&.view=t

Jeff can be contacted on 07763 145196
His address is
Jeff Danton
6 Greenacre Gdns
Purbrook
Hants
PO7 5HG

Jeff's email address is
[e-mail]

The model will be AVAILABLE IN A WEEK.

Alan

>>> Edited by Alanslotus on Thursday 12th June 19:08

[ErnestM]

Cheers Alan. Was not aware that they were making one...



ErnestM

[madmike]

The picture is of the 1:43 scale model though...they haven't released the 1:18 scale yet.

US buyers will probably be able to buy them much cheaper online...most of the AutoArt models go for about 50-55 dollars US at places like:

www.exoticar.com/pages/search_products_2.cfm

and other sites.

Funny this message posted today...I was just on AutoArt yesterday checking to see if they had a release date yet for the V-8 model!

Mike

[Alanslotus]

Mike,
The pic came from the AutoArt site and it states 1:18 scale. I should think they have a few advance models made for publicity purposes. I was told by Jeff Danton at Little Lotus that it is released in a week's time.
If American buyers can get it for $55,they're getting a bargain. I'd be surprised if they got this one at that price though.
Alan

[madmike]

Alanslotus said: Mike,
The pic came from the AutoArt site and it states 1:18 scale. I should think they have a few advance models made for publicity purposes. I was told by Jeff Danton at Little Lotus that it is released in a week's time.
If American buyers can get it for $55,they're getting a bargain. I'd be surprised if they got this one at that price though.
Alan

Yes, the pic is from their web site, but they just re-used the 1:43 pic and put the new serial number on. If you compare, they are identical.

You can also see from the pic that it is 1:43 quality...not 1:18. Their 1:18 models look much better than that.

However, I just noticed that it is a Millenium edition, and they seem to hover around 60 bucks or so for similar size/class models.

I'll keep an eye out for how much they do cost once it's released next week. Thanks for the heads up on the release date...I want one!

[karlfranz]

Hi Alan,

I have been in discussions with Gateway Global (parent company of Auto Art) for almost two years to get them to build a 1/18 scale Stevens Esprit model. Last February they flat out told me that, after researching my requests, they would never build a 1/18 Esprit V8 model because there simply wasn't enough demand for it. Now they have changed their mind.

Also, I just spoke to the folks at Exoticar and they still have no word on dates for the release of the new model in the USA.

BTW, the picture on the AutoArt web site is indeed a picture of the 1/43 scale model and not the 1/18.

Cheers,

Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com

[madmike]

I also just got off the phone with Exoticar, and he said he thinks it will be about September when it becomes available.

Interesting to see when it does come out, and what the price really will be.

Mike

[Alanslotus]

Chaps,
I can only tell you what I've been told by Jeff - and he I'm sure he's honest. I've added his email address so you can contact him yourselves.

By the way, you're right about the pic being of the 1:43 scale model. Apparently AutoArt just used it to depict the 1:18 model on their site.

Alan

[LotusACBC]

Great, I have been waiting, oh I dont know, 5-6 years for an updated Esprit 1:18 die cast model. About time!

I only wish they made a 1:18 die cast S4 or SE Turbo.

[britten_mark]

I emailed AutoArt and they have quoted $80 =$8 P&P to buy direct, so $55 is a bargain if you can find it.
Yes, it's a shame they don't do an S4 or GT3; I posted them some pics and pointed out how similar the cars are and how easy it would be to make alternative versions. A day or two after their intial reply they mailed back and said they had no plans, but at least it would seem they gave it a moment's thought!

[ErnestM]

britten_mark said: I emailed AutoArt and they have quoted $80 =$8 P&P to buy direct

How do we do that?

ErnestM