The latest is the 1:18 assortment of Amalgam replicas is the Ferrari 250 LM 24 hours of Le Mans 1965. Based on the images, though taken from a long angle, which doesn’t reveal much detail, the model shape and execution looks pretty darn good. Personally I love the blue pin-stripping around the wheels. On the flip side the model is sealed and crafted in resin. And the price isn’t cheap, $595US. Though it comes with some fluff, attractive case, note pad, and unique carrying straps. I say loose the fluff and develop a fulling opening model at this price point! Amalgam you can have that advise for free!
About the 250 LM… “The 1965 24 hours of Le Mans proved to be a comprehensive victory for Ferrari over the Ford GT40s and Porsches they were up against largely based on their strength and reliability. Ferrari had developed the mid-engined LM for the GT category at Le Mans but homologation was refused by the ‘Commission Sportive Internationale de la FIA’ so the cars were entered as ‘prototypes’ instead. These cars continue to be designated 250 LM because the first car built was fitted with a 3.0 litre engine, but the cars delivered to customers should according to the Ferrari system be called 275 LM because they were powered by a 3.3 litre engine with each cylinder displacing just under 275 ccs. Being a development of production engines, they were very reliable, the most important factor in giving them victory in 1965.”
Product# TBD
Agreed! Lose the dopey note pad and the ridiculous carrying straps! This isn’t your business briefcase for goodness sake. Anything to justify that price for a plastic non-opening model. It’s actually kind of insulting.
I’ve looked over the photos, which as noted do not show the model well enough. It is impressive at first glance, and I am sure there will be a good number of people who will be happy to get one, but I’m not one of them. The model looks the same as in the photos they showed awhile ago, as well as in a few photos I’ve seen taken at various car events. I really wanted to like this model, and wanted to get one if it met my expectations, but I’m disappointed. At this level and price point, and considering who the maker is….. it should not have any of the inaccuracies I’m mentioning below. I’m comparing the model to how this car actually looked and raced at Le Mans in 1965, and in general for this long nose 250 LM.
The shape while good is not completely accurate – the body shape at front nose is not correct…. might also be a bit too short. The rectangular frames of the driving lights are not correct, they should be slightly curved – not straight lines. Wheels are also close, but not 100%, and again should be better and accurate at this price. Specifically the spoking pattern/placement on the front wheels, and they should be painted silver. The knock-off wheel spinners look like the same wrong ones also used on their GTO. The ‘ears’ look to be the wrong shape. It also appears that the seat inserts are the wrong color. The inserts should have been gray. This is what happens when a mfg. does not do enough or thorough research.
As for the case, straps, and pad, etc. I couldn’t care less about them. Just please give me a model without any issues.
I agree. +Nice website!
Yep this seems the way the makers thing having fancy gimme things like,leather,carbon,rare moon dust ,will make the car sell,CMC are doing it now,LookSmart,eg.
To make the crazy prices for models ,that lack interest, and features look better to the buyer ,please spend the cost on the model,then people might be interested.
Question,is Amalgam really make these 1/18 th,or just adding the fluff and name and doubling the price
Amalgam is making these models at their factory in China. The models are All their own new creations, including all the added “fluff.” :-)
The “fluff” made in China cost them next to nothing and is not the reason for the high price. The Amalgam name and the target customers are the reason for doybling the price.
I rather buy CMC For this price!
BBRs are already expensive enough with none opening parts. I’ll pass.