There is not disputing the fact that Amalgam understands how to build a quality replica car, they’ve been doing it successfully for a number of years in 1:8 scale. Some consider them the pinnacle of scale model collecting. Their latest venture in taking them down our favorite path, 1:18 scale.
Their first study is a fully licensed product from Ferrari, the Ferrari 250 GTO Series 1 chassis No. 3705GT. It’s easy to see the team has taken many learnings from their 1:8 scale passion and truncated many difficult fine detail into 1:18 scale. But the question still remains, is the premium price of $595US for a sealed replica worth the investment when the likes of Classic Model Cars (CMC) released a solid effort in diecast metal with more detail than any manufacturer to date, and pricing is roughly the same. Take a journey through the numerous images. Let us know what you think?
That shifter is horrendous! Is that a Bburago left over? At that price point, the small details have to be there. Terrible.
Exactly! It is hard to see how they could just put a shifter like that into a gate that is half the size opening-wise and not expect anyone to call them on it. I would buy this thing at a fraction of the price.
Oops- make that “I wouldn’t buy this thing at a fraction of the price!”
At this price point being a sealed resin model they did not even got it right. For example that particular car should not have the chrome frame on the light. And that shifter OMG !!! Even with its few shortcomings the CMC is miles better.
Kyosho have the chrome headlight surrounds on their version too. I believe what they’ve both done is make the “mistake” (common in diecast models) of basing their model on the car as it is today, rather than on how it raced in period. I say “mistake” with quote marks, as it can be difficult to replicate the exact race specification; in the 1960s it was common for cars to have a specification for a single race, and for their design to evolve as the rules changed or because cars were hand-formed and repairs often involved fitting a part that wasn’t exactly the same as the original.
In order to accurately replicate a period car, you would need a significant number of photos from that single race and you still wouldn’t have exact measurements of the bodywork that was in place. Some manufacturers may decide it’s better to have a 100% accurate replica of the car as it is today rather than a 70% accurate replica of the car as it raced.
When the scale becomes smaller the details need to become greater. I don’t mind buying sealed but 595us, the model has to be very close to perfect. This isn’t.
Wow. that’s some overpriced POS! Most of your brain cells would have to be dead in order for you to purchase something like this. *SMH*
You know what ? Im wondering for quite some time, where this hobby is going, as so as what is possible to sell and to whoom, so I honestly think, this will find buyers. There are plenty of people, who simply doesnt have a clue, but have a lot of money. You ( Amalgam ) just had to ´massage´ them correctly…
You can’t blame them for trying. Apple have been selling products at way over the true value of their equipment for decades, to those who think a brand name is worth allowing yourself to be ripped off…..
… add carelessness to ignorance on potential customers´ side: Any serious collector will research a model, e.g. here at DS, before buying a model, particularly one that is offered by so many competing model manufacturers. And honestly, with the alternatives mentioned, who ever buys this has only himself to blame.
Anyway, I think that box cost half the asking price itself :-))
Nice but flawed, and at this price point and being “unlimited” it certainly should be better. It is probably the best most accurate body shape of any of the 1:18 GTO’s from anyone. However…. there are a number of detail mistakes. Already mentioned is the gear shift. Anyone notice the crooked exhaust pipes? Amalgam has said they are going to make improvements and that this one shown isn’t the final production sample. But then you have to wonder, why and how did it get made and shown this way in the first place? The steering wheel is better detailed on a BBR model. The wire wheels and knock-off spinners do look nice, but all are not accurate….. and there’s more….
I think this is the type of model that will sell to casual collectors – people just looking for a nice looking ‘display piece,’ and who don’t care about the cost. Maybe P.T. Barnum was right……
There is no doubt that Amalgam is one of the finest scale model manufacturers but the price at which these models have increased over the past five years is bordering on the outrages, i have both the Kyosho and the CMC version’s why do i now need an over priced sealed model, i am not a fan of resin so to be charging these prices is ridiculous. the whole industry needs to wake up for it will loose its core enthusiasts to other more affordable hobbies.
It will be ever impossible to have all détails as the serious collector wouléd like to get.
It is true: the shifetr is horrendous, the détails of the interior have to be largely iomproved! BBR does the same, even worse on its 1/18 ferrari! None of us has
understanding for. A shortened sewing needle would be more appropriate, with no additional charge. I’m trying to see the positive sides: the Ferrari red colour seems to be the right one, the wheels are impressive, the set-up of the wheels and the body seems to be perfect. This is not the case of the CMC model, which I’ve sold because these most important aspects are wrong. Price: a more accurate interior would be appreciated for the money.
Is that three rolls of toilet paper on the dash for when the driver needs to stop to relieve himself during the 24 hours?