FOURTEEN: Subaru WRC, Rally Japan 2005, Solberg (1/43, HPI Racing)

This HPI Racing diecast is one of their earlier releases, is quite nice, and really detailed. In many ways this HPI diecast better detailed than Minichamps' models, but I still feel the quality is not quite there. Having seen HPI's later group C releases however, Minichamps' diecasts are no match, but then the HPI's cost a lot more as well. In the near future I hope to acquire HPI's Jaguar XJR-9 1988 Le Mans winner.   

*update* I have since placed an order for the SilkCut XJR-9 Le Mans winner. Does anyone know if HPI includes the 'SilkCut' decals with the model? If they don't anyone know of a source where I can get such decals? thanks

THIRTEEN: 1969 Dodge Challenger Street Rod (1/24, Revell Monogram Kit)

This was an old model car that I had built a long time ago. At the time, this was probably my most well built plastic model. Looking back I definitely see many areas of improvement. The kit was built straight from the box. The body was not prepared before being painted, no body filler, no primer. Just automotive lacquer and then automotive clear coat on top of the white plastic body. This model is from a time when I used to build these model car kits all the time. I remember this kit came with parts to build it in one of two ways, the stock '69 Challenger R/T with the "340 sixpack" or as I have built it the street rod version. If I was building this kit today, I'd probably build the stock vehicle.

This model kit has a pretty funny story to it, in high school for a bullshit project I handed this in, even though I had built the kit a long time prior to even then. The model was damaged from that event, parts had broken off etc, and had been sitting in a shoebox, broken since. Last night I finally took the car out and cleaned it up, took it apart, repainted the subframes, and rebuilt it. I dry brushed the subframe assemblies and the rear axle, and painted the gas tank and oil pan silver.

TWELVE: Porsche 935/76, Le Mans 1976 Stommelen/Schurti (1/43, Minichamps)

One of my favorite Minichamps models, this diecast is very nicely detailed, and is of typical Minichamps quality. It doesn't hurt that the subject matter is also really awesome...group 5 race cars are some of the coolest production car based race cars of all time - of ALL TIMEEEEE (just like Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time, OF ALL TIMEEEE). The Porsche 935 pushed the boundaries of the rule book to the limit. Radical aerodynamics and extreme turbo-charged power are the essence of this highly successful race car platform. It was said that this car was quite a feat to drive, the large single turbo (1976 versions, latter versions of this race car including Kremer variants featured twin turbo) generated epic turbo lag, which was followed by an explosion of power. According to Minichamps' website, this particular model consists of 75 parts. A not of interest, for Christmas this year I got Tamiya's 1/12 scale big scale assembly model of this car. I will likely have some posts in the future of its progress. Its a really detailed and quite epic model car. 

ELEVEN: Audi A8 Quattro (D2) (1/43, Minichamps Audi Dealership exclusive)

This Minichamps is sold exclusively through the Audi dealership network. Its typical Minichamps quality, with excellent paint quality, nicely scaled details, and excellent fit between parts. The level of detail of this diecast is nice, but not on par with my Minichamps motorsports models, but thats not unreasonable.

The Audi A8 is Audi's flagship saloon, and is a very plush prestige luxury car. The D2 platform Audi A8 was the first production car to feature Audi's Aluminum Space Frame technology, where the body/frame is made entirely of aluminum. At the time of introduction, the Audi A8 D2 was rated as one of the safest cars made.

TEN: Silk Cut Jaguar XJR8, Le Mans 1987 (1/43, Spark)

For the majority of the 1980s, group C was dominated by Porsche's 956/962 series. Towards the end of the decade, and unfortunate end of group C however, Sauber X Mercedes and Jaguar would challenge Porsche's reign as top dog. In 1988, after Porsche pulled factory support for the 962, the Silk Cut Jaguar team would have victory at Le Mans, with the XJR9 iteration of the car you see above. In 1989, it would be the Factory team Sauber Mercedes C9 which took the victory at Le Mans.

This model from Spark is very nice. Spark models are not die cast, but are rather built resin kits. Being resin, they are of very limited production runs, and happen to be hand crafted rather than mass assembled. I am a big fan of Spark's 1/43 models, the details are very fine and delicate. The only thing bad about Spark models is that they cost quite a bit...but compared with some of the other resin models you could call Spark cars a "bargain".

Oh yea, tobacco adverts rule...not because I endorse smoking, but because I appreciate accurate depictions of race cars in my model collection. It bothers me when "Rothmans" is replaced with "Racing", "Camel" is replaced with "Team", or "Marlboro" is replaced by...wait for it...barcode slashes!

NINE: Ferrari F40 (1/18, HotWheels)

The first Ferrari limited edition supercar, whats not to like? It is unusual in that unlike other Ferrari supercars, the F40 is not powered by a 12 cylinder engine. Instead, the F40 features a twin turbocharged 8 cylinder power plant. During much of my childhood this was THE Ferrari, when supercars consisted mainly of the F40 and Lamborghini's Countach. These cars were in calenders, posters that were sold at my school's bookfairs. Of the Ferrari limited edition supercars, the F40, F50, and Enzo, I like the F40 best.

This diecast is decent, and pretty nice for its price. When compared to the pricey Kyosho example, this diecast will seem rather crude, and have inaccuracies, but then this version is much cheaper. I got this HotWheels F40 for around $30 with tax, and for that price I would recommend it. For those willing to spend more, I'd recommend Kyosho's iteration. Skip the HotWheels Elite edition of the F40, its over priced, has shag carpet covered seats, and has all the inaccuracies and downfalls of the normal HotWheels version. 

EIGHT: Audi A4 DTM (B7), Christian Abt DTM 2006 (1/43, Minichamps)

An excellent model by Minichamps, and of a rather cool car. The German touring car racing series, DTM consists of mainly the Audi A4 and Mercedes Benz C-Class platforms. Despite Audi's awesome Quattro all-wheel drive system, none of their current race cars have it - they are all rear wheel drive. The last time Audi implemented their Quattro system in a race car was for the B5 A4 STW, and BTCC. The Quattro equipped cars dominated the so much that the governing bodies banned the cars.

This diecast is typical Minichamps quality. The wheels and tires are done very nicely, and the overall appearance of the car is correct. Especially nice is the front end of the car. Minichamps did a great job with the headlamps, and the photo-etch Audi rings are a nice touch. Something that I don't like about this model is that the lower side sills are plastic, rather than metal.

SEVEN: Porsche 917/30 Can Am 1973 (1/43, Del Prado Collection)

 When regulation changes made the mighty and dominant Porsche 917 series obsolete in European sports car racing, the platform was adapted for the Can Am Challenge series in North America. The Porsche 917/30 had over 1000hp from its turbo charged 12 cylinder engine - it was a beast. Piloted by Mark Donohue, legend driven by legend, this Sunoco sponsored car took the championship in the 1973 season.

Being a big Porsche nut, and particularly in love with anything 917, this was a car I needed in my collection. In addition to historic relevance, I love the livery on this car, it brings back memories. I remember the Sunoco sponsored Camero Iroc's from my childhood, and seeing the cars at car shows that my dad took me to. This Del Prado Collection die cast is nice albeit a cheapy. The details on this model are somewhat crude, but it more than makes up for it in quality. Overall I am really satisfied with this model. Another case of I don't feel like paying an outrageous sum for the marginally better Minichamps "special" version. Don't get me wrong, I love Minichamps cars, most of my 1/43 scale collection consists of Minichamps. I just don't like how Minichamps' 917/30 and 917/20 Pink Pig are special editions, in talking boxes, and as result cost more than twice that of a normal edition minichamps.