Welcome to My Car Cave where I will post reviews of 1/18th scale diecast and share videos of my existing collection. I am primarily focused on 1/18 scale with concentrations on F1, LeMans, BMW Racing Livery, Martini Racing Livery, and Gulf Racing Livery cars. Additionally I have some 1/2 scale helmets and some 1/12th and 1/8th scale cars.
When referring carbon fiber, bear in mind that carbon fiber is an ugly black carbon. Carbon fiber was developed for aerospace use, where appearance is unimportant. What you see in cars and bikes is a wrap to improve appearance.
I have not seen that it is available yet. I know the Looksmart version is out now. I am hoping BBR make a version but maybe they won’t have the license?
In both cases these are resin models so the wheels do not spin. Generally, but not always, diecast models have wheels that move and resin are fixed. All Spark models are resin, Minichamps makes Red Bull and Mercedes in Diecast and their other offerings are resin for recent seasons.
Yes for sure to package them they would arrive at similar solutions. Racing Point/Aston Martin with Merc engines had a couple of seasons where they looked just like the Works Mercedes team
The carbon finish is a wrap over the real carbon fiber. The look of it varies depending on application. I have about as dozen LookSmart and hundreds of Spark 1/43. Never bought a BBR as they have always been expensive and have a hard time justifying the purchase. Great model and review.
Ok interesting I did not know that. I have finally figured out they have stopped painting the real cars and wrapping them from what I can tell. I see lots of decorative carbon patterns on the cars so that makes sense. Pagani and road cars waste enormous amounts of carbon making their gloss carbon bodies look like the art work they are. In racing that would not make sense. Thanks for the information and thanks for watching.
When I purchase the website will usually show the box. CK Model Cars puts out these special edition clamshell boxes. They get them out first then Minichamps usually sells the same variant in a window box. You pay a bit more for getting it early and the clamshell box. You will also see on the clamshell box and occasionally the regular window box a number produced. Minichamps usually uses window boxes for diecast and big black box for resin.
Are the mini champ f1 models that arnt specific to a certain race the ones that have the clear cases? And if so, do the models from a certain race have the box like the one featured in the vid?
It depends. In the past most minichamps were window box. Then they started making resin models and those come in big black boxes. So general rule is window is diecast, black box is resin. Then CK Model Cars makes these race specific clamshell boxes that are considered limited edition but generally Minichamps will release the same model and race variant as the CK in a “regular” box. So “limited edition” is a bit misleading in my opinion.
@@mycarcave6214 ngl I was thinking of buying one of these models just because how nice the ck models box is but I’m in Canada so I’d have to pay customs and shipping which would probably be another 150$
Yes…I think the more I look at photos since I made the video the Minichamps maybe more accurate. You can always find photo to support each case but I kind of think if I made this video again I might say the Minichamps is the right color. I do like it better regardless of the accuracy.
A bit like the F399, I left it on the base and displayed under the cover. Normally I take them off the base to put in my display case. I would replace my Minichamps 1998 version with this one. Schumi ran a larger aero helmet that season so the Minichamps version is not correct but I still feel the Hotwheels version is way to big, and the GP while better is still off. Its only my opinion, I have no data to confirm it is not to scale. As always thanks for watching and your comments. Always fun to discuss.
Do you recommend this ckmodel edition minichamp model or spark model? Saw some detail is missing on thia model like the peroni decal at the shoulder guard, not accurate decal position on the nose. But the tire looks great.
I go back and forth on these. Personally, I lean towards Minichamps but Sparks has improved so much that to me they are on level with Minichamps. Each do something better. IMHO Minichamps is better at tires, decals, and driver helmet. Sparks is better at wings, floor boards, photo etched parts. The issue for me on the Aston is that I think Sparks shade of green is more accurate (cant recall what I said in the video) but I was looking at the car today as I need to sell one. The Minichamps is a darker green which looks great in isolate. When I put it next to the other Aston’s I have from Sparks its obviously dark. All that to say Minichamps looks great and I like the Ck Box.
I guess Spark Model is the way to go! I have only collected minichamp Max champion model from verstappen shop. I thought of having all my collection in minichamp. After viewing your comparison video, I guess I shall collect spark model for other special car and minichamp for verstappen car. Let me know which car you had decided to sell in the end (: I will be interested to know.
Yes GP is expensive and for sure I wish some of these mid modern models had openings. They do it on some of the 50/60’s models and they could do it on this one. Just take the plans from a Tamyia model. I saw an advert on their website where they are collaborating with FT Model??? to do a fully opening 1981 Ferrari 126CK. Not a model I particularly care to pay up for opening parts. Its surely similar to the ‘79 Ferrari 312 by Exoto. Rather GP produce the 1982 Ferrari 126 or ones from the 1990’s. At any rate it will surely be twice the money 🙄🤦🏻♂️ Thanks for watching and your input.
😆 maybe… I do have an Alonso Amalgam in 1/12th but I do not imagine the Amalgam in 1/18th would be that much better than the GP. Again, don’t get me wrong I really like GP very much👍🏻
Why would you take it off the base 🤔 No one even comes close to this detail, why would you sell it, unless you like Hotwheels and even minichamps doesn’t come close! Beyond that you don’t have any other choices. The Marlboro is fine.
Why would you take it off the base 🤔 No one even comes close to this detail, why would you sell it, unless you like Hotwheels and even minichamps doesn’t come close! Beyond that you don’t have any other choices. The Marlboro is fine.
Yes the GP is definitely superior to the Mattel of the day. More specifically to the F399 I felt the helmet was too big (like the Mattel version) and while I can’t put a finger on it the middle section of the car just looks off to me. It maybe 100% accurate but just does not feel right in person. The F300 from 1998 however does feel right to my eye. I do love GP replica and I am happy they are building both the historical catalog and some more “modern” cars in particular the Schumacher Ferrari’s. I hope I can replace all my Mattel Ferrari’s with GP versions. I maybe a bit more critical of GP at times simply because the price is high thus it should meet that in execution. Again thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. I enjoy hearing other’s perspective on models. And to your point I did not sell the car though it is still on the base displayed under cover👍🏻… they will make a 1/12th scale of this model so look forward to getting that one to compare.
Mine has a very dull red color, almost orange/brown, definitely not the typical Ferrari red. Yours seems to be a much brighter red, but that might be the camera or screen. How is the color in real life?
Yes, I have had others request that and it slips my mind by the time I make a video. I will try to remember to include the under side on future videos. Thanks for watching and for the feedback.
GP Replicas is a strange brand - you really have to judge each model on its own merits. Some of them are appalling - the 96 Mclaren among them and some are absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately I'd say most of their post 1990 cars are badly flawed. My opinion is that they cut lots of corners to get them out on the market quickly. There are some absolute gems though and the 98 and 99 Ferraris look like some of their better ones for sure.
Yes unfortunately it is model to model. Its the modern 1990 and newer where they really struggle unfortunately. They will have some of Schumacher’s Ferrari Championship cars so I really hope they do better as I would like to replace my Mattel versions. The 98 and 99 are definitely improved but the 98 for me still feels a bit off. Thanks for watching and commenting
@@mycarcave6214 I have the 93 Ferrari - that is absolutely brilliant. Very accurate mould. I also have the 86 Mclaren which again is an absolute gem. Such a shame how bad some of the others are. Thanks for the video!
They are water slide decals.. so I cut each one out and dip them in warm water. Then slide the decals on with a small paint brush and tweezers. If a needed I will apply Solvset to help bond the decal to the complex curves. Its pretty easy and makes the model look great.
Yes… I have fixed most of the damage. I can’t really fix the paint scratch on the wheel well but will paint it black and from a distance it will not be noticeable. The door is also such that I cant fix it to stay up. I have only received damaged models a few times so when it does happen if it is repairable I try to do so myself. This was probably the worst in 30+ years of collecting. This was really the manufacturers fault not the seller. That said I am sure the seller would have helped me.
I have both this and the LookSmart 1/43. While the Bburago model looks great from a distance, I can’t get over the fact that both the light on the roof and the mechanical hinges of the doors are all printed on with no moulded details at all. This might be okay for 1/43, but it looks flat and cartoony on 1/18… I also wish they had the same carbon fibre pattern for the black sections above the four wheels. But overall, the shape and the printing are great.
Agree with your comments. There are a couple of things like the roof lights and hinges that even on an "economical" 1/18th should have been executed better. My Bburago reference is really from the 1980's so this is a step up from that. But agree there are other makers like Solido, Norev that might execute this better. For me it's nice but plan to upgrade to the BBR/Looksmart 1/18th once the LeMans version is made. Thanks for watching and commenting
Hi, I try to put the exact place I purchased from in my video descriptions..but mostly I buy from Europe from places like Ck Modelcars, Modelissimo, and Little Boldie. Ebay on occasion. I try to order bulk to defray shipping costs. Hope that helps.
Haven’t bought an LMP car since the Cadillac Northstar LMP from hot wheels. Shame that it doesn’t have an engine compartment like the caddy. Looking forward to getting one of these, gorgeous car. Thanks for the detailed look.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes its unfortunate they do not make modern LM cars with opening engine compartments. Not sure if the car companies will not give them the cad file for cars less than a year old? It's not like they are that detailed but clearly the 1/18th scale manufacturers think we do not want that. Enjoy this one it's nice to have a Ferrari LM car again
Sure do wish BBR would do the following in 1/18 FULLY OPENING DIECAST: Aston Martin AMR22 1978 Ferrari 312 T3 & most importantly, 2023 Le Mans Winning Ferrari 499P.
For sure would be nice to have full openings LM and F1 cars. I suspect the car companies are unwilling to share the cad files on anything recent. But surely GP Replica could make an open parts Ferrari F2004… Mattel did! But yea I would buy all of those you suggested 👍🏻
Thank you! I have a variety of brands usually dictated by which one's make a specific model. F1 is mostly Minichamps, Spark, GP Replicas. Endurance is mostly Minichamps, Spark, Work83. Street Cars are mostly Auto Art, Minichamps, UT. Overall I probably own mostly Minichamps because the dominate the F1 market from the beginning. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting!
This is my favorite car ever built. Out of the Ferrari F1 cars GP Replicas released last year (F399, F310b, F300) this is the only one on which they got the shape of the nose cone somewhat correct. Their F399 and F310b don't look anything like the real cars. Unfortunately the pieces connecting the nose with the front wing are way too wide. In reality they are very thin. Also, the endplates of the front wing seem quite disproportional. I think overall Minichamps did a better job reproducing the car (even though it's a 25 year old model). My favorite model of the F300 though is the version done by "Centauria" (1/24 scale and a lot cheaper than the GP Replicas version).
I totally agree this is the best of the modern GP Replica's. They will make it in 1/12th also which I can't wait for. I do not understand what happens to GP on modern F1 cars. The wheels are always chunky looking, as you point out the nose cone supports and wing endlets are always to thick. The new 1997 McLaren looks really off in pictures and my 1996 McLaren is much smaller than the Minichamps version. How is that possible? I agree, how Minichamps made a model 25+ years ago that is more accurately executed? Copy the Minichamps and add photo etch parts and glossier paint! Easy! Thanks for watching and commenting. Love hearing collectors thoughts.
Thats the problem with GP Replicas... At each modell there are other things disproportional. In my opinion the Benetton B194 was the best example for that. Front wheels to small, the rear ones to big, GoodYear logos from the 80s and the rear wing looks like its been taken from a scale 1/24 modell.
I wouldnt buy this crap, save and buy want you want, u can tell the difference right away, sad no opening parts , they are getting lazy in the design room, imagine the engine detail in a opening model!
Hahaha...I will upgrade to the BBR once it comes out and put this one on ebay. For me this is a good budget friendly version until BBR make the high end version. I do agree it would be nice to have opening engine cowling. Unfortunately, those days seem gone outside of a few DTM/BTCC type cars. Thanks for watching and commenting. Always good to hear differing opinions from fellow collectors.
It's definitely a crime that Minichamps has only done Red Bull and Mercedes in Diecast while the other teams get the resin treatment. I'm only interested in DIECAST. So Minichamps scared me away from getting the Aston Martin F1s. Here's hoping Minichamps reverts the Aston Martins to DIECAST in the future
Yes, I do not have any inside on how the diecast industry works. Why resin has become the go to can only be cost driven in my mind. Spark is all resin at 1/18th. I can only assume that since they make so many Red Bull and Mercedes Race variants that the diecast molding tool must be driving the decision. I suspect if Aston won the Title they would make it in diecast. Oddly, the BBR Ferrari's are diecast even though it is really made by Minichamps for BBR. You won't notice it is resin just looking at it and the Aston is for me the best looking car on the grid in 2022/23. But yes agree would be nice in diecast. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
The Glick is huge. Now that they no longer race LeMans it's a nice piece of American race history. Looking forward to the Blue version from the 2023 LeMans with the artist painted shark fin.
Nice review. Glad to see Minichamps putting the slit in the rear wing. How did you decide on this car for your World Championship collection (why Australia vs some other race)?
Well it will sit there for now....I typically buy one car from each team, but for the World Champion I buy one for the WC display then one for the Team display. I generally will get one early season and one late season as they will have differences in the aero and usually I look for a "special" helmet version. So I will look for a late season with his Championship Blue helmet he wore the last few races of the season. So this will sit there for now and but move the the Team display once the one I really want for the WC collection is made.
Not an era im too interested in, however, definitely a noteworthy car. I think the Goodyear marking in the sidewalls look off in terms of scale, or perhaps it is the placement if them.
I started watching F1 late 80's so 90's was nostalgic for me. Would have been interesting to see how the title would have gone had Senna not had his accident. They do seem a bit off but not sure if they were centered on the side wall or not. Anyway thanks for watching and commenting.
Great Review. I'm planning to get one aswell when I'm on vacation in Italy. I think the quality and value for the price is great, so I'm gonna get one 👌
Yes, you will not be disappointed. Bburago have really come far and happy to have this one. BBR and Looksmart are nice but honestly this looks as good at 3' viewing distance. Jealous you are in Italy, but if you see one there always fun to pic one up on vacation for a little extra memory attached to the model. Thanks for watching and the feedback. Enjoy your holiday.
sort of reminds me of the 1/24 tomica skyline silhouette that i picked up in a 2nd hand hobby store in japan during a trip in 2019.. it was sealed in the box so i couldn't see the detail, but it was affordable enough to take a gamble on. Come to find out it was a very nicely detailed diecast model and examples on ebay list for $225 USD. So I consider it rare (at least in America standards)
The Skylines are great too. Not sure if anyone made them in 1/18th? Would love to have one. Gr5 was had some awesome cars. I was looking at my collection and realize I have more Gr5 cars than I thought....wondering if I could figure out a video that would make sense to highlight them? $225 for 1/24 that's good money so seems your gamble was a good one! Thanks for watching and commenting. Happy collecting
Yes this is "golden era" diecast. The oddest Jager I have is a good question. I would say the VW Scirocco by BOS? I made an Audi R8 GT version but the Scirocco is probably the oddest one in the lot.
Tough call...for me personally the 1998 F300 is the more attractive car in design. Also I am not crazy about the figure poses, like the fist raised celebration pose for the F399. The F300 also has the low down force rear wing which is very race specific and different then say the typical Minichamps or Mattel releases from that season. A bit more of a toss up if you get the figure-less version but again for me the F300 is the more attractive design and thus model I would choose.
