Wanna see the Wizard?

From the July / August 2010 issue of The Car Room Magazine

The 1938 Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet is considered to be among the finest cars built during that era. Powered by a 120 BHP straight eight engine and offering great luxury at competitive prices - if you were among Germany’s rich and famous, anyway - these were supplied to customers as rolling chassis. This particular car was among those sent to coachbuilder Erdmann & Rossi to get clothed; just five of these 853 A Sport Cabriolets were built, and only three are known to survive. Needless to say (but I will), each car was somewhat different.

Now here’s a name you might remember: Tin Wizard. And those of you who do recall this German maker may be surprised to find the company is still in business. Most of Tin Wizard’s creations are made of white metal, though some are also produced in resin. They make a varied range of models, in scales from 1:87 through 1:12 (a model of a Deutz air-cooled 4 liter engine - ha!), spread out over a lineup that includes everything from construction vehicles and fire engines to sports and classic cars. 

That said, the majority of their production is, and has always been, 1:43rd automobiles. When the package from Tin Wizard arrived, I viewed it with some trepidation, remembering old T.W. releases that were okay at best. Keep that in context: the company started producing models back in 1979, a time when none of the diecast manufactures made any models that could hold a candle to hand built models.

My oh my, how things have changed. I was more than pleasantly surprised after opening the package containing a few of their newer releases. This hand-built, limited edition white metal model is of the Horch 853 A that won Best In Show at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance. I wish I knew what the edition was limited to; there’s no information on the plaque or underside of the model to indicate a production number. I didn’t have any luck on their web site, either.

Each model comes mounted inside a clear plastic display case on a wooden base with a cast white metal plate bearing what appears to be a serial number… mine is number 090. Overall, and at both first and last glance, she’s a beauty. Completely accurate? No. A great representation, yes, but there are some small details missing, and shapes and certain sizes of detail parts come close, but only close.
Paint finish is very good, and has a realistic level of gloss. Most of the many parts are fitted very well and very cleanly. The multi-piece wire wheels look wonderful, and though the center caps are too small in diameter, the spokes are truly delicate. The interior really got my attention; the detail is very good, with special attention paid to the leather and alligator (ha, again!) upholstered seats. They’ve even included the matching ladies’ handbag, resting on the passenger seat - a handbag I saw myself, in the real car, at Pebble that year.

Funny, for me that little touch makes up for some of what Tin Wizard’s missed.  It is really very good model, that could have, and should have, been at least a little better. At around $250.00, it’s a tough call. A lower price might have garnered this one more slack - and knowing exactly how limited the production might be would help the judging, too. Would I buy one? If I was collecting this sort of model in 1:43 scale, yes, I would. Especially since I highly doubt you’ll find it being made in the mass market segment. - CRM

1938 Horch A Sport Cabriolet, item TW-320 , around $250.00. Also available as unbuilt model kits for approx. $75.00, and as built-ups with installed up top, and in other colors. www.tinwizard.de

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