EIGHTEEN: 1956 Ford F-100 PickUp (1/64, HotWheels)

 

This is a cool little HotWheels made 1/64 scale model of the classic Ford Pick-up truck. This model is larger than normal HotWheels, and so has better detail and quality...although it is closer to toy car than to precision diecast model. Nonetheless, for $6 I had to have this, it has cool paint, is really low, has white-wall tires, and looks pretty neat. I am pretty sure the proportions of this model have been messed around with, cartooned if you will. I think it is important to enjoy your model cars, and just get stuff you like. It is easy to get caught up with obtaining every version of a particular race car you like etc., to a point where you don't actually get to enjoy your collection. I can attest that it has happened to me from time to time. Sometimes you get cars that you put away and don't really look at much after the initial inspection...you got it for the sake of having it, and 'completing' that part of your collection.

I am not a HotWheels collector in any way, and really know nothing about them. As a kid like most kids, I had a whole lot of HotWheels and Matchbox cars which I played with, but I never collected them. On the bottom of this model, it says "3477EA", I am not sure if this is just an item number, or if it indicates that 3477 examples of this model were made, 3477 EAch. Anybody who may know what the 3477EA means, can you please comment? Thanks, and as always happy collecting.

SEVENTEEN: Audi R8, 24 Hours of Le Mans 2001 Winner, F. Biela, T. Kristensen, E. Pirro (1/18, Maisto)

 

Year 2001 would be the second time in a row that the Joest-Audi team would win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2000, on its maiden Le Mans race, the Audi R8 racer proved highly successful, and won the legendary 24 hour race outright. In 2001, the aerodynamics of the vehicle were tweaked and improved upon. Piloted by the dream team of Frank Biela, "Mr. Le Mans" Tom Kristensen, and Emanuel Pirro, Audi car number one was driven to victory. 

This Maisto diecast is a prime example of why Maisto is one of my favorite brands, despite being labelled a "budget" diecast brand. The level of detail and quality suggest that this model would cost much more than the $30 that they were sold for. Everything from the wheels, the model's stance, and its shape are all done very well. The paint quality on this model is also very nice, smooth and deep. Owning both this $30 Audi R8, and the much more expensive R8 made by Spark ($120 retail price), I can without hesitation recommend anyone who wants a 1/18 scale Audi R8 to get the Maisto. Sure the Spark may have finer details, better paint (amazing paint job), and other merits, it is not THAT much better than the Maisto...that and the Spark is a curbside/sealed model. The engine bay is not bad on this model, it is nice, but nothing to write home about. In short, I think this excellent Maisto diecast possesses the qualities I look for in a diecast - proper shape, proper stance/wheels, fair detailing, and over good quality.   

SIXTEEN: Ferrari 333SP (1/18, HotWheels)

 

Red cars just photograph so well. The Ferrari 333SP produced by HotWheels is at this time the only model of the car produced in 1/18th scale. The example above is from their standard line of diecasts, and is unlivered. The model looks nice, but lacks detail, especially in the engine bay. The way I see it, HotWheels may as well have made this model a sealed curbside. The plastics and rubbers used on this model are also not that great - giving a very plastic look to the model.

As a kid I had seen the 333SP racing along side other GTP cars. To be honest, watching motorsports live is not that exciting if you are standing trackside...basically there is nothing going on for 5 minutes or so, and then for a minute or two a bunch of cars fly by. None the less, seeing this car in person, racing, has left fond memories. When I watched this car race, it was in the MOMO livery. I hope to find decals to convert this model into the sponsored car that I saw as a kid.

FIFTHTEEN: Maserati Tipo 61, Riverside 1960, Carroll Shelby (1/43, Minichamps)

Another excellent model by Minichamps. I don't know much about this car, except that it is nicknamed the "Birdcage" because of its unique tubular frame, which can be seen under the windscreen. This small, lightweight racer was piloted by American race car driver, legendary car builder, Carroll Shelby.
This is one of my favorite Minichamps models, the detail is stunning. The wire wheels are beautifully replicated using photo-etched metal parts, giving it a realistic scale appearance. Photo-etch parts are used throughout the interior of the model, replicating brackets, the steering wheel centre and what-not. This was a model car that I wanted for some time after seeing it in person. The stunning detail alone won me over.

STATUS UPDATE

In the last while I have not updated this blog for a few reasons. One of the main reasons is that I am very low on bandwidth, and thus cannot upload images. Another factor is that school is starting up again, hence I will be busy prepping for that. Finally, my 1/12 scale Tamiya 935 kit arrived. It is a beast of a kit, the box is huge, the model will be huge, in addition, parts count and detail are quite epic. After finally opening the box and going through the instructions booklet did I realize the mess I got myself into - nah just joking. Having built internal combustion type radio controlled model cars capable of speeds in excess of 100km/h, I can safely say this model kit is much more complex/time consuming to assemble.
For this kit I will take my sweet time, and try to make a model worthy of the hype surrounding this epic model kit. Some notes of interest, although the kit is Tamiya, a brand known for some of the best quality model kits, I found that there exists some mold flash, and areas that need to be filled and sanded with good ole' Bondo.
For the diecast fans, do not fret, I have not put collecting aside, and have got some nice 1/43rds on the way. Oh yea, I am no longer going to add to my 1/18 car collection. The major issue is space, I have already ran out of room to keep my 1/18th scales...twice. Another reason for collecting 1/43rds only from now on, is that I like race cars, especially older ones from the 70s and 80s. As most collectors will tell you, for collecting race cars, the variety available in 1/43rd scale is unrivaled.