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AUTOart 1:18 Porsche 917 L 1971 Le Mans "Siffert/Bell"
(Run Time 8:33, File Size 57.7MB)
Overall: It's pricey, and yeah, there's an awful lot pf plastic in its construct, but
boy, does this thing look
mean. AUTOart brings out the rocketship racer that was the long-tailed
Porsche in all its swoopy, fat-tired glory. Try to ignore that Gulf livery. Go ahead,
I dare you. * * *
(Run Time 8:33, File Size 57.7MB)
Overall: It's pricey, and yeah, there's an awful lot pf plastic in its construct, but
boy, does this thing look
mean. AUTOart brings out the rocketship racer that was the long-tailed
Porsche in all its swoopy, fat-tired glory. Try to ignore that Gulf livery. Go ahead,
I dare you. * * *
Danbury Mint 1:24 1967 Corvette Coupe "FSO"
(Run Time 8:04, File Size 55.0MB)
Overall: Stow the gold watch, and pipe the retirement plan out the back window. For one
very lucky (and very hard working) salesman, Chevrolet said "thanks" by delivering a
Factory Shop Order Corvette. Danbury Mint's model is nothing short of jaw-dropping
good - and worth more than they're asking. Don't tell them I said that. * * * * *
(Run Time 8:04, File Size 55.0MB)
Overall: Stow the gold watch, and pipe the retirement plan out the back window. For one
very lucky (and very hard working) salesman, Chevrolet said "thanks" by delivering a
Factory Shop Order Corvette. Danbury Mint's model is nothing short of jaw-dropping
good - and worth more than they're asking. Don't tell them I said that. * * * * *
Danbury Mint 1:12 1930 Cadillac V16
Roadster (Run Time 11:48, File Size 81.8MB)
Overall: If there's ever been a more thoroughly
entertaining, amazing- to-behold manufactured model
in this scale, I'd like to see it. Danbury has captured the
elegance and sophistication of the great Caddy V16,
and then packed an incredible level of features and
gadgetry into it - all while keeping the vig to a very
reasonable $500.00.* * * * *
Roadster (Run Time 11:48, File Size 81.8MB)
Overall: If there's ever been a more thoroughly
entertaining, amazing- to-behold manufactured model
in this scale, I'd like to see it. Danbury has captured the
elegance and sophistication of the great Caddy V16,
and then packed an incredible level of features and
gadgetry into it - all while keeping the vig to a very
reasonable $500.00.* * * * *
AUTOart 1:18 Porsche 908/3s (RUN TIME 7:35, File Size
55.7MB)
Overall: In the "so-ugly -'they're- beautiful" department, Porsche's
homely 908/3s weren't style queens - but more often that not, they got
to wear the banners home. AUTOart's latest Stuttgart-slanted tooling
bottom-feeder bodywork is a lesson in tweaking styrene until it
screams.* * *
55.7MB)
Overall: In the "so-ugly -'they're- beautiful" department, Porsche's
homely 908/3s weren't style queens - but more often that not, they got
to wear the banners home. AUTOart's latest Stuttgart-slanted tooling
bottom-feeder bodywork is a lesson in tweaking styrene until it
screams.* * *
GMP 1:18 "So-Cal Special" '32 Ford Hi-Boy (Run Time 6:48, File
Size 45.4MB)
Overall: Classic is as classic does - and when it comes to classics,
you can't go wrong with a '32 Ford. Not so much a note-for-note
replication of the real deal as it is an interpretation of So-Cal's
modern aftermarket wondercar, this latest re-pop of GMP's wickedly
good mold set looks neat and reet wearing the red, white and black.
* * *
Size 45.4MB)
Overall: Classic is as classic does - and when it comes to classics,
you can't go wrong with a '32 Ford. Not so much a note-for-note
replication of the real deal as it is an interpretation of So-Cal's
modern aftermarket wondercar, this latest re-pop of GMP's wickedly
good mold set looks neat and reet wearing the red, white and black.
* * *
Sword Models 1:50 Peterbilt 357s: East Dump Trailer and
Superior Telestacker (Run Time 8:23, File Size 58MB)
Overall: Like trucks? Get your coveralls on and haul over to the
table. Sword Models and DHS Collectibles have sent in a kicking
pair of Petes - one hauling a big East dump trailer and the other
done up for Superior Industries, toting a Telestacker. Hint: it's not
a guitar.* * * *
Superior Telestacker (Run Time 8:23, File Size 58MB)
Overall: Like trucks? Get your coveralls on and haul over to the
table. Sword Models and DHS Collectibles have sent in a kicking
pair of Petes - one hauling a big East dump trailer and the other
done up for Superior Industries, toting a Telestacker. Hint: it's not
a guitar.* * * *
GMP "Tom's Garage" 1:18 1966 Ford Fairlane GT Convertible
(Run Time 5:13, File Size 53MB)
Overall: GMP's much-loved Fairlane mold set goes topless but
keeps every one of the cool features that make this model one of
the best musclecars in scale, ever. Talk about your good times:
Working suspension, rotating driveshaft, full-on engine detail, and
a personal favorite - roll-up windows - will keep you busy between
love sessions with the car's awesome paint and finish. * * * *
(Run Time 5:13, File Size 53MB)
Overall: GMP's much-loved Fairlane mold set goes topless but
keeps every one of the cool features that make this model one of
the best musclecars in scale, ever. Talk about your good times:
Working suspension, rotating driveshaft, full-on engine detail, and
a personal favorite - roll-up windows - will keep you busy between
love sessions with the car's awesome paint and finish. * * * *
GMP 1:18 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 (Run Time 9:53, File Size
65.7MB)
Overall: Holy smokes! Can you say "home run" with me? Anyone
who doubted that a nice bunch of boys from Georgia could work
up an ultra-detailed model of a true racing classic can put those
worries to bed. Sophisticated stampings, dynamite castings,
and a parts count that usually gets put into models from some
of those other three-letter model makers puts this one directly
into the upper echelons of the scale.* * * *
65.7MB)
Overall: Holy smokes! Can you say "home run" with me? Anyone
who doubted that a nice bunch of boys from Georgia could work
up an ultra-detailed model of a true racing classic can put those
worries to bed. Sophisticated stampings, dynamite castings,
and a parts count that usually gets put into models from some
of those other three-letter model makers puts this one directly
into the upper echelons of the scale.* * * *
Sunstar 1:18 Henry J (Run Time 7:37, File Size 52.4 MB)
Overall: Wowee, kids. Let's imagine for a moment that a popular, mass-retail
kind of model company suddenly got really, really serious, and started
making very detailed, extremely well-wrought models of some of the hippest,
neatest, most fondly remembered American cars you could think of. This little
Overall: Wowee, kids. Let's imagine for a moment that a popular, mass-retail
kind of model company suddenly got really, really serious, and started
making very detailed, extremely well-wrought models of some of the hippest,
neatest, most fondly remembered American cars you could think of. This little
Precision Miniatures 1:18
1959 Cadillac limousine (Run Time 8:43, File Size 60.1MB)
Overall: To those of you who have been rubbing your lamps wishing for
a Precision Miniatures '59 Caddy taken all the way, you can stop
rubbing... it's here. With full-on opening panels - and even an available
driver figure - you've got a classic tableau.
* * * *
1959 Cadillac limousine (Run Time 8:43, File Size 60.1MB)
Overall: To those of you who have been rubbing your lamps wishing for
a Precision Miniatures '59 Caddy taken all the way, you can stop
rubbing... it's here. With full-on opening panels - and even an available
driver figure - you've got a classic tableau.
* * * *
Hot Wheels "Elite" 1:18 Barris Batmobile (Run Time 7:39, File Size 52.7MB)
Overall: I'll do my best to avoid saying anything exclamatory that starts with "Holy"
and ends with "Batman!"... but it won't be easy. The Elite version of the car the car
we've loved since the 'sixties is a romping good mix of film fantasy and neatly
done modern modeling - with the caveat being that it's been tooled mostly to
replicate the car as it exists today. * * * *
Overall: I'll do my best to avoid saying anything exclamatory that starts with "Holy"
and ends with "Batman!"... but it won't be easy. The Elite version of the car the car
we've loved since the 'sixties is a romping good mix of film fantasy and neatly
done modern modeling - with the caveat being that it's been tooled mostly to
replicate the car as it exists today. * * * *
First Gear 1:25 International S-Series
w/lowboy trailer
Overall: This is one heck of a detailed rig - and big enough to show that
detail off. First Gear's knowledge of trucks and the hardware that goes
along with them makes the model a lot of fun in the hands - and that
working gooseneck trailer is a neat place to park your favorite, like-scaled
equipment. * * * *
w/lowboy trailer
Overall: This is one heck of a detailed rig - and big enough to show that
detail off. First Gear's knowledge of trucks and the hardware that goes
along with them makes the model a lot of fun in the hands - and that
working gooseneck trailer is a neat place to park your favorite, like-scaled
equipment. * * * *
Sunstar 1:18 1958 Lincoln Mark III
Overall: If '50s cars were true dinosaurs, the '58 Lincoln would surely be
a Jurassic ark. Sunstar's Platinum Series is bringing out that era's most
iconic images, and this model - depsite the occasional fugazy
proportion or off-kilter detail - is an amazing thing to behold. Huge,
jammed with neat treats and sights, and folded together with this series'
penchant for whiz-bang gizmos, this is a must have for lovers of 'fifties
luxobarges. * * * *
Overall: If '50s cars were true dinosaurs, the '58 Lincoln would surely be
a Jurassic ark. Sunstar's Platinum Series is bringing out that era's most
iconic images, and this model - depsite the occasional fugazy
proportion or off-kilter detail - is an amazing thing to behold. Huge,
jammed with neat treats and sights, and folded together with this series'
penchant for whiz-bang gizmos, this is a must have for lovers of 'fifties
luxobarges. * * * *
Run Time 6:43, File Size 43MB
Overall: Just when you thought it was safe to put your wallet away... BIFF!
POW! ZOCK! Along comes a mega-buck model of the car we all creamed
over as kids. At close to three hundred bucks, Mattel's top-shelf twist on the
Caped Crusader's ride is more a re-packaging than a revelatory piece of
modeling, but its sold-out status tells the tale - there's a bat-fan born every
minute! * * *
Overall: Just when you thought it was safe to put your wallet away... BIFF!
POW! ZOCK! Along comes a mega-buck model of the car we all creamed
over as kids. At close to three hundred bucks, Mattel's top-shelf twist on the
Caped Crusader's ride is more a re-packaging than a revelatory piece of
modeling, but its sold-out status tells the tale - there's a bat-fan born every
minute! * * *
Kyosho 1:18 Ferrari 250 GTO (Run Time 6:49,
File Size 46.2MB)
Overall: One of the most unforgettable (not to
mention hard-to-sculpt) shapes in the automotive
world gets a royal sendup in this stellar release.
Kyosho's mastery of scaling makes for a great
model car, and the quality and polish of the thing,
right to the real metal spoked wheels, is simply
incredible. And just wait 'til those liveried versions
show up.* * * *
File Size 46.2MB)
Overall: One of the most unforgettable (not to
mention hard-to-sculpt) shapes in the automotive
world gets a royal sendup in this stellar release.
Kyosho's mastery of scaling makes for a great
model car, and the quality and polish of the thing,
right to the real metal spoked wheels, is simply
incredible. And just wait 'til those liveried versions
show up.* * * *
CMC 1:18 1964 Porsche 901
Overall: When it comes to mind- blowing detail and features,
you have to hand it to the guys at CMC. With a parts count
that reads more like a real car than a manufactured model,
the things to do are many; opening doors, hood, and trunk, a
working suspension, hands-on collectors dancing the happy
dance. And don't get me started on the noble materials.
Okay, get me started.* * * * *
Overall: When it comes to mind- blowing detail and features,
you have to hand it to the guys at CMC. With a parts count
that reads more like a real car than a manufactured model,
the things to do are many; opening doors, hood, and trunk, a
working suspension, hands-on collectors dancing the happy
dance. And don't get me started on the noble materials.
Okay, get me started.* * * * *
Signature 1:18 1948 Chrysler New Yorker
Overall: Signature has made some great stuff in the past, and if your
level of collecting requires no more than an image on the shelf, this
latest classic will do just fine. But get close, poke around, and it all
goes to hell. Sorry, folks, but throwing working features on a model -
cool as they may be - doesn't make up for the lack of finesse
demonstrated here. The shame of it is, these guys make some very,
very good models when they want to.* *
Overall: Signature has made some great stuff in the past, and if your
level of collecting requires no more than an image on the shelf, this
latest classic will do just fine. But get close, poke around, and it all
goes to hell. Sorry, folks, but throwing working features on a model -
cool as they may be - doesn't make up for the lack of finesse
demonstrated here. The shame of it is, these guys make some very,
very good models when they want to.* *
Highway 61 1:18 1966 Pontiac GTO
Overall: Yet another image from the heyday of
muscle - and the early days of the 1:18 collecting
hobby - gets reborn as this all-new, completely over
the top tool of one of the most requested and
beloved American cars. All the H61 tricks are here,
and the level of detail and features are going to
make a lot of Goat fans very, very happy * * * *
Overall: Yet another image from the heyday of
muscle - and the early days of the 1:18 collecting
hobby - gets reborn as this all-new, completely over
the top tool of one of the most requested and
beloved American cars. All the H61 tricks are here,
and the level of detail and features are going to
make a lot of Goat fans very, very happy * * * *
Want to see more? LOTS More? Click HERE!
Dozens of models! Hours of fun!
| Kyosho 1:12 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C Overall: There isn't a red blooded car guy alive who wouldn't give just about anything to own one of the real 427 S/Cs, and Kyosho's 1:12 model was tooled and released with that fact very much in mind. Big, beautiful, and finished off to a level seldom seen on manufactured models, it's a playground of cool details and features that's equally at home in hand or just sitting there looking good. * * * * * |
Click the Photo to PLAY!
Click the Photo to PLAY!
| Sunstar 1:18 1952 Nash Ambassador Overall: Sunstar’s Platinum Series just keeps getting better. This 1952 Nash pushes the envelope with a full-access body and all the richness of detail and engaging finger fun a collector could want. And, if you’re a collector like me, that’s a lot. The working features are well done, the engineering is great, and the subject matter couldn’t be cooler. Who says sedans aren’t hip? * * * * |
Click the Photo to PLAY!
| CMC 1:18 Ferrari 156 "Sharknose" Overall: Detail reaches an almost intoxicating level on this cricket-sized race model - and CMC's pouring with a heavy hand. Pressed metal body sections, intricately cast and put together frame elements, and this maker's usual menu of holy-cow noble materials make the model one of the highlights of 2008.* * * * |
Click the Photo to PLAY!
| Danbury Mint 1:24 “Little Deuce Coupe” and “Grabowski T” Overall: Excellence rolls on “Big ‘n’ Littles” with this pair of hyper-detailed, beautifully hammered together models of historically important “Star Cars” from the late ‘fifties and early ‘sixties. Yeah - you know the cars, the tunes, and the reason why they’re famous. Now check out the models - and try not to smile. We dare you. * * * * * |
Click the Photo to PLAY!
| Custom Crew’s “The Sledster” Overall: Luis Tanahara - one of the major forces behind the 1:18 Dub City craze - has a knack for imagining the wildest things on wheels. In this case, there are 18 of them - in a very trick rig that conjures up the flamed finery of the ‘fifties custom lead sleds and the streamlined haulers of the ‘thirties and ‘forties.* * * * * |
Click the Photo to PLAY!
Bauer 1:18 Bugatti Royale Overall: The real car was a giant - and so is this first effort from German importer-cum-manufacturer Heinrich Bauer. Though this "hand muster" (hand built) pre-production sample represents only the second deco to emerge from the Bauer press department, its tremendous size - and the potential shown in its still-cooking features and details - has us thinking that there may be a new player in the high end model milieu. * * * * |
