StygianMax's Diecasts

MC12 # 1 - Italian GT Misano 2005

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: P.G. Perazzini (I)/ G. Matteuzzi (I)

(IXO 1:43)

This model is made very well and of great value for the money!  Some of the highlights are the paint and decals.  The stance of the car looks very accurate.  While the wheels are painted well and smooth overall, I would still prefer the edges to be smoother.  But as this is a budget model, the expectations have to be adjusted to suit.

MC12 # 10 - FIA GT 2005 (Monza)

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Vitaphone Racing

Driven by: F. Babini (I) / T. Biagi (I)

(IXO 1:43)

This model is made very well and of great value for the money!  Some of the highlights are the paint and decals.  The stance of the car looks very accurate.  While the wheels are painted well and smooth overall, I would still prefer the edges to be smoother.  But as this is a budget model, the expectations have to be adjusted to suit.

F1 LM XP1

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

This car is the road-going prototype.  It wasn't until later that McLaren would have race aspirations for the F1.  Interestingly, the road car had more horsepower than its race equivalent.   

(UT 1:18) 

By today's standards for diecast tooling and manufacturing, most collectors would see this car as a budget model.  Truth be told, it's got less detail that many Hot Wheels and Maisto diecasts.  But if you love the 1:1 and its lines, UT is the only company that made this 1:18 scale car.  Sadly, it got taken over by Gateway Global (Autoart).  Since that time, no McLaren F1s have been produced so they are in pretty short supply these days. 

# 24 - 1995 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: GTC Gulf Racing

Driven by: Mark Blundell (GB)/Ray Bellm (GB)/Maurizio Sandro Sala (BR)

Result: 4th Overall (7 laps behind the winner)

(UT 1:18)

UT made quite a number of F1 GTRs that raced either in the FIA GT or the Le Mans. If GT cars are a focus of your collection, these are hard to pass over.  For the most part, the livery are very striking.  One feature I am not so happy about it the ride-height of the car as it is a little high.  The wheels on this particular model seems not to be affected by the "melting paint" problem that has affected one of my other F1 GTRs.

# 51 - 1995 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Harrods Mach One Racing

Driven by: Andy Wallace (GB)/Derek Bell (GB)/Justin Bell (GB)

Result: 3rd Overall (2 laps behind the winner)

(UT 1:18) 

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing

Driven by: Yannick Dalmas (F)/Masanori Sekiya (J)/J.J. Lehto (SF)

Result: Winner   - 299 laps (168.992 kph), margin: 1 lap

(UT 1:18)

This car made use of decals which is unfortunate.  The Union Jack on the front has started cracking.  Apart from this, the quality is typical UT.

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Gulf Racing GTC

Driven by: R. Bellm (GB) / J. Weaver (GB)/ J.J. Lehto (F)

Result: Winner   (GT1 Class)

(IXO 1:43)

IXO did a really terrific job making this car.  The ride height is so much better than their 1/18 UT equivalents.

# 30 - 1996 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: West Competition

Driven by: John Nielsen (DK)/Thomas Bscher (D)/Peter Kox (NL)

Result: 4th Overall (15 laps behind the winner)

(Autograph by Peter Kox on Krohn-Barbour Lamborghini R-GT Team card)

(UT 1:18) 

One glaring error on this car is the logo for one of the sponsors.  Rather than displaying "Art Sports", it shows "Art Soorts".

# 53 - 1996 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing

Driven by: Fabien Giroix (F)/Jean-Denis Del�traz (CH)/Maurizio Sandro Sala (BR)

Result: did not finish (Engine) - 146 laps

(UT 1:18) 

# 38 - 1996 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Team Bigazzi

Driven by: Soper (GB)/Laffite (FR)/Duez (IT)

Result: 11th Overall  (36 laps behind the winner)

(UT 1:18)
BMW Dealer Exclusive

This model is highly sought after given its exclusive nature.  In terms of quality, it is no different from the other UT F1 GTRs.  But its livery is unique along with its sister car, the #39.  There is also a presentation version of this car, though unnumbered.

# 8 - 1997 FIA GT

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: BMW Motorsports

Driven by: J.J. Lehto (F)/S. Soper (GB)

(UT 1:18) 

# 41 - 1997 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Gulf Team Davidoff

Driven by: John Nielsen (DK)/Thomas Bscher (D)/Chris Goodwin (GB)

Result: did not start (Fire)

(UT 1:18) 

 # 43 - 1997 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: BMW Motorsports

Driven by: Peter Kox (NL)/Roberto Ravaglia (I)/Eric H�lary (F)

Result: 3rd Overall (3 laps behind the winner)

(Minichamps 1:43)

This longtail is one I've sought after for a while.  Some of you may have seen the #42 car, which looks virtually like this one, appear in Sony PlayStation's GT4 game.

I find the 1:43 model to have a stance that it more true to the 1:1 car than UT's 1:18 models. 

# 44 - 1997 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Lark McLaren

Driven by: Keiichi Tsuchiya (J)/Gary Ayles (GB)/Akihiko Nakaya (J)

Result: did not finish (Accident) - 81 laps

(Unnamed Handbuilt 1:43) 

While this model is very unique, It is not without its flaws.  The wheels don't sti quite corectly and the "STP" oval logo on the front left corner is done very poorly.  The blue, and red layers do not line up properly and is very evident to the naked eye.  The molded wheels are a bit rough also.  Its biggest strength would be the paint as it's very even and smooth.

# 40 - 1998 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Gulf Team Davidoff

Driven by: Steve O'Rourke (GB)/Tim Sugden (GB)/Bill Auberlen (USA) [Trivia Tidbit: S. O'Rourke was the producer of Pink Floyd]

Result: 4th Overall (8 laps behind the winner)

(UT 1:18)
This is the only F1 GTR by UT that is suffering from the melting paint problem  on the wheels.  The paint has become soft over time.  It may be because the rubber tire is reacting with the wheel paint.

# 41 - 1998 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team: Gulf Team Davidoff

Driven by: Thomas Bscher (D)/Rinaldo Capello (I)/Emanuele Pirro (I)

Result: did not finish (Accident) - 228 laps

(UT 1:18) 

# 77 "Yellow Corn" 2002 JGTC

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Team:  Team Hitotsuyama

Driven by: N. Hattori (J) / E.Tajima (J)

(Minichamps 1:43)

This is the first 1:43 model I ever bought.  The craftsmanship by Minichamps is terrific!  The paint and tampos on this car is fabulous.  The wheels are surprisingly good too.  As you can see from the close-up photos, the quality of the ca does not disappoint.

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven By: Stirling Moss and co-driver Dennis Jenkinson

Results: Winner 

(Bburago 1:18)
This car comes as a gift to me from my good friend Eddie.  He has customized this car extensively.  As this was his 100th customized car, a lot of effort went into it.  For me, the highlight has to the engine were there were lots of additions including hoses, wiring and paint.

For more details on this car, click on this link

CLK DTM # 1 "D2" - 2000

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: B. Schneider (D)

(Maisto 1:18) 

Maisto's CLK DTMs are some of their nicer race cars.  They are priced in the "budget" category which makes them really good value.  The paint and tampoes are done very well overall as are the wheels and tires.  Their weakness though are the lights as the mounted pins/stems are clearly visible.  If you look at the lights head-on, you'll see a little black dot in the middle of each light.  The chromed grille also isn't very good as jaggedy edges can be seen.

CLK DTM # 24 "Service 24h" - 2000

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: P. Lamy (Portugal)

(Maisto 1:18) 

see above

CLK DTM # 14 "Original Teile" - 2001

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: Jager (D)

(Maisto 1:18) 

see above

One notable point is that the plastic rear-view mirrors is a very washed out red colour. This is one part that's worth painting so that the colour looks more "solid".

CLK DTM # 42 "Service 24h" - 2001

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: Turner (GB)

(Maisto 1:18) 

see above

CLK DTM # 1 "Vodafone" - 2002

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: B. Schneider (D)

(Maisto 1:18) 

see above

The 2002 CLK DTMs appear to have a better overall fit & finish.  They also represent very good value.  This car is a must-have for anyone who wants to add upon their 1:18 DTM collection.

CLK DTM # 5 "Warsteiner" - 2002

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: U. Alzen (D)

(Maisto 1:18)

see above 

The Warsteiner livery is very striking on this car.  It's definitely an eye-catcher.  That said, my car has a driver's side door that doesn't close quite as tightly it should.

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven By: Greg Moore (CDN)/Alexander Wurz (A)

Results: 7th at Sebring (2 laps behind the winner)

(Maisto 1:18)
This car is really in the budget category.  As such, the details are reasonably good. 

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven By: K. Ludwig (D)/R. Zonta (BR)

Results: 

(Autoart 1:18)
See above comments

CLK GTR # 1 "D2" -  1998 FIA GT

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven By: Bernd Schneider (D)/Mark Webber (AUS)

(Maisto 1:18)
Maisto makes budget models.  For the price paid for this car, I cannot complain.  The proportions of the car appear correct.  The tampo prints are done well also. I would have prefered more realistic looking tires that aren't so glossy. Curiously, Maisto did not indicate the names of the actual drivers. 

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven By: Bernd Schneider (D)/Klaus Ludwig (D)/Mark Webber (AUS)

Results: did not finish (Engine) - 19 laps

(Autoart 1:18)
See above comments

CLK LM # 36  AMG Mercedes - 1998 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: Jean-Marc Gounon (F)/Christophe Bouchut (F)/Ricardo Zonta (BR)

Result: did not finish (Engine) - 31 laps

(Spark Model 1:43)
The finish of the car is typical of Spark's high standarads.  However, Spark made a critical error in the flags they attached beside the names of the three drivers. The citizenship for the three has been "re-assigned" to Germany. For the value paid for this model, I would not have expected this gaffe.

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: B. Maylander/C. Bouchut

(Autoart 1:18)
I've long been a fan of the shape and lines of this racer.  Autoart has incorporated a lot of fine details into this car as you can see from the "oncovered" photos.  The ripped graphics is beautiful but fragile as they are decals. They tend to dry up and crack over time.

EX257 # 26 MG Sport & Racing - 2002 Le Mans

1:1 Car Info

Model Info

Driven by: Anthony Reid (GB)/Warren Hughes (GB)/Jonny Kane (GB)

Result: did not finish (Gearbox) - 129 laps

(Spark Model 1:43)