The 1:18 model car thread - pics & discussion

[g3org3y]

This thread is for all things related to 1:18 scale car models.

- Show us your models, factory or self assembled, diecast, resin etc
- Favourite brands and marques
- Display cases/setups
- Diorama discussion
- Detailing and care

[g3org3y]

SV8Predator said:

You first mate.

Ok.

As my profile suggests, bit of a BMW fanboi so no surprises to see what predominates (almost exclusively) my collection.

Started a number of years ago with cheaper Maisto models - an E36 325i cabrio, a 502 and an 850i. Purchased from local toy shops for not much more than £15 or so. My favourite model at the time was my Bburago Z3 M Roadster.

My first 'expensive' model was the Dealership Edition James Bond Z8. I remember at the time it cost £40 or so which felt like a scandalously large amount of cash to be paying.

Didn't do much else to the 1:18 collection until the introduction of a Kyosho (dealer edition) E60 M5. This was a birthday present from a then girlfriend. These all sat gathering dust until last Christmas when the current gf actually bought me a present I wanted.

Roy Lichtenstein 320i Art Car by Minichamps

Lovely (expensive) and brilliantly detailed, it remains to this day the showpiece to my collection.





It was at this point that I decided to let the addiction take over and buy some more.


Norev M1, Autoart 3.0CSi, Autoart 2002 touring and an E34 535i Art Car (Minichamps) were added.

While searching ebay I came across one of my favourite ever BMWs, the 2002 turbo in a rarer silver colour. I couldn't resist.


I also decided I needed some racing models. Always loved the 635 with the cut away Original Parts livery. Found a dealer edition (Autoart) example and added to this an E46 M3 GTR and Andy Priaulx's championship winning 320i touring car.


One of my most cherished models is the McLaren F1 GTR. Paid a fair amount for it on ebay but I think it's worth it. Made by UT, love the original dealer packaging including the parts number sticker.






It was about this time I found some interesting retro BMW advertising posters on ebay in a A3 scale. I felt they'd make a good backdrop to the models so I bought a few. I also invested in a couple of other models - a racing livery M3 GTR and my first Ottomobile (resin) model, an E30 325iS.






Retro poster with M1

Various other models were purchased and I was quickly running out of space. The gf (kindly/stupidly) agreed to a couple of display cabinets at her flat. These were from Ikea (cost about £40 each and can easily fit 2-3 models on each shelf). Very much recommended for 1:18 model display. The additional light is an extra £7ish.


As such, the collection needed reorganising.

My Colchester Collection




Highlights of the London Collection

Dealer Edition Z8 (Kyosho) & Revell 507


V10 twins - E60 M5 and E63 M6


M3 GTR and 2002 touring


Z3 Twins: Coupe (dealer/UT) & Roadster (Bburago)


V12 LMR (Maisto) & Ralf Schumacher FW24 (Hotwheels)

Other models not pictured:
- Ralf Schumacher FW23 (Hotwheels)
- MINI (Maisto)
- Isetta (Revell)
- Z4 (Maisto)
- 645Ci cabrio (Maisto)
- 850i (Maisto)
- 502 Cabriolet (Maisto)
- Morgan Aero 8 (Maisto)
- E36 325i cabrio (Maisto)


I'm not OCD about dust getting on the models. The Ikea cabinets seem pretty good so far. The other exposed models are dusted regularly (I quite enjoy it - uber geek). Models have been subjected to Meguiar's Stage 2 polish and Gold Class wax (yes, I'm that sad).

I've pre-ordered the E34 M5 from Ottomobile, and I note they are also planning on bringing out an E39 M5. Always on the look out for bargains on ebay. May the collection continue (not sure where I'm going to put them though!!).

Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 19th May 21:52

[g3org3y]

Some great models on here

M3John - some proper stunners (very jealous of your E28 M5 & M535i!). Out of interest, how do you display yours?


I've now (finally) added a racing E36 to my collection. Cecotto 320i in Warsteiner livery.





E46 M3 GTR has made way (and will be matched up to the street version on display).

However, I've just won this on ebay:


Very much looking forward to getting it on display. My first E30 M3 in one of the most interesting/fun (imvho) liveries - Tic Tac!

Unfortunately, no box but for the price I paid, I'll survive.

• goes off to ebay to waste invest more money*

Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 19th May 21:53

[g3org3y]

melvster said:

Nice adds, must be pain having to keep on top of the dust though or are all your models in a cabinet ?

The ones at my gf's flat are in a cabinet (not dust tight) as above, the others are out on display. Yes the dust is a bit of a bother but nevermind. Tbh, I'd rather have them out and enjoy them than sat in a box in a cupboard.

(Plus I quite enjoy giving them a dust).

I'm waiting for the time I have a proper office and I'll be able to display them all properly. Until that time...

[g3org3y]

Karl911 said:

melvster said:

If you decide to sell the AutoArt Porsche's, PM me.

Will do. There is a cupboard full of 1:18 that I inherited of an Uncle.

If there are any BMWs...

[g3org3y]

Thanks for sharing RDMcG, that Porsche is particularly nice I notice we have the same M6 (dealer edition by Kyosho).

Get some pics up Oobster.

Just bought another one on ebay.


Out of interest, has anyone gone so far as to make a diorama for their models?

[g3org3y]

melvster said:

g3org3y said:

Thanks for sharing RDMcG, that Porsche is particularly nice I notice we have the same M6 (dealer edition by Kyosho).

Get some pics up Oobster.

Just bought another one on ebay.


Out of interest, has anyone gone so far as to make a diorama for their models?

Just out of interest what did you get it for ? was this up for £80 or best offer ?

A bit less than that. Email sent.

[g3org3y]

The newest acquisition, the Minichamps Tic Tac E30 M3. A few shots with my favourite E46 M3 GTR.

It's a nice model, but if I'm honest, it's absolutely spanked in terms of quality and detail by the new model.

This second hand example isn't in the best of condition. The wiper is missing and 2 of the 3 metal ringlets on the bonnet are missing. At least it was cheap(ish). Any ideas where one can buy spares to repair this?









Still awaiting the blue E30 M3 and I've recently won a Minichamps Z1 and an E46 WTCC Andy Priaulx 320i. This addiction needs to stop!!

[g3org3y]

melvster said:

Nice model, you are certainly purchasing models at a quick rate

5TUE said:

Bloody expensive hobby/habit this, but it's cheaper and more legal than drugs!

Tell me about it.

I had to let some models on my watch list go without bidding today. It was genuinely difficult.

It's only another 50, 60, £70+. Problem is, buy a model a week and you can easily find yourself caning £300-400/month.

I think a drug habit would be cheaper (and more socially acceptable)!

[g3org3y]

oobster said:

Mrs has just ordered me a 1:18 Otto VW Golf W12 in white so my 5yr old daughter can give it to me for Fathers Day in a couple of weeks.

Got nowhere to display it though!

You can get quite decent looking display cases on ebay suitable for 1:18 models. Something like this might be worth a look.

Speaking of Otto, I'm waiting delivery of my E34 M5. Should be good.

[g3org3y]

Mike Random said:

And growing :-)

Ikea cabinet iirc from a previous thread? Where did you get the clamps for the extra shelves?

[g3org3y]

Some new additions, Minichamps E30 M3 and Minichamps Z1.



Complete with BBS cross spokes



Side by side with the Minichamps Tic Tac M3 Touring Car




Note the difference in the rear wings


E30 collection (inc Otto 325iS)





Z1

[g3org3y]

The two display cabinets I have in London.





I've yet to install the light in the cabinet on the left.

(Sorry about the rubbish quality photos)

Colchester (new) bookshelf:

Edited by g3org3y on Friday 14th June 10:47

[g3org3y]

^Who are they made by?

[g3org3y]

M3John - you have an epic collection!

[g3org3y]

M3John said:

g3org3y said:

M3John - you have an epic collection!

You sir, are far too kind !

I will admit that, these are all the better ones (bar the odd one or two). I've LOADS AND LOADS of Bburago ones from when I was a schoolboy and was saving my pocket money to buy the next one !

I started with the Bburago and Maisto models. They were reasonable at the time £10-12, used to buy them randomly from Tesco or a small toy shop in St Albans. My very first model was a Maisto 850i.

Some of the most recent Bburago models are actually pretty decently detailed, such as this Morgan Aero 8




I never would have dreamed that I'd be spending near on £100 per model in the future. I do have a mental block at £100, I find it very hard to spend more than that on an individual model.

My most expensive to purchase model is probably the dealer edition McLaren F1

About £90 iirc.

My most valued model (was a prezzie), is the Lichtenstein 320i Art car

Typically goes for £200-300.


Have you ever totalled up the amount you have spent? I did last month. I almost fell off my chair!

[g3org3y]

Some (genuinely) rubbish photos of the new E34 M5 by Otto. Lovely detail (and perfect camouflage for blending in with the wallpaper).







Complete with Kyosho E60 M5 and E63 M6 (the M6 will have to make way for the arrival of next months E39 M5)


Finally got the Andy Priaulx E46 Touring car to complete the E36/E46/E90 Touring car shelf.

Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 3rd July 17:13

[g3org3y]

So I had my Otto E39 M5 delivered, lovely quality really nice model. Unfortunately no camera, pic next week.

Have a shelf in the cabinet which is exclusively M5s - E34 (Otto), E39 (Otto) and E60 (Kyosho).

[g3org3y]

g3org3y said:

So I had my Otto E39 M5 delivered, lovely quality really nice model. Unfortunately no camera, pic next week.

Have a shelf in the cabinet which is exclusively M5s - E34 (Otto), E39 (Otto) and E60 (Kyosho).

Forgot about this!





On the shelf


The only E28 M5 on ebay is currently going for £190 +£18 p&p with still a whole day to go.

In the meantime, Otto Mobile E30 325i Cabrio

Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 29th September 09:51

[g3org3y]

Thanks for all the positive comments.

My most recent addition: McLaren F1 GTR long tail.


Pride of place with the 2002 turbo and E30 M3


Should also mention I've recently won this on ebay:


Looking forward to displaying this next to my FINA short tail F1.

And to continue the McLaren F1 addiction I've also won this chrome Maisto model for very little money as it was missing its original box. Apparently limited edition with a wooden plinth. Anyone know much about it?


Will be interesting so see how it compares in quality to the UT models.