F1 model thread

[MikeWRC]

This is possibly verging a little bit OT but this seems as good of forum/thread as any to ask this.

I've received £300 (about $580/€450) as an award/prize with which I would like to buy myself a keepsake. As a motorsport fan, I thought a decent diecast model would be a good thing to buy. I'm currently thinking about a Ferrari F1 model as I think that might be a bit more timeless than a WRC model (my other motorsport love.)

As much as collecting models is great, it's not really what I'm looking to do at the moment. What I want is a reasonably large scale model (something like 1:12 or even bigger) that would make a great display piece on its own. I'm not worried about limited editions or the model being signed, I just want something that looks good.

So far, I'm stuggling to find anything around about £300 that is bigger than 1:18. It seems standard 1:18 are less than £100 with there being more expensive ones that are limited editions and/or signed. Anything above 1:18 scale seems to jump in price into the £1000s. I've seen some nice larger scale road cars for the sort of money but no F1 cars.

So my question is, are there decent larger scale F1 models out there that are around about £300? I'll happily add some of my own money to the £300 (say, to a total of around about £500) but I don't want to add too much as the whole point of the model is that it's a keepsake for the award I won.
If there is anything, any pointers on where to look would be much appreciated.

[Scuderia ferrari]

I mean centimetres, because my f1 race car collection is a bit depleated:
3 ferraris- diffrent years.
1 mclaren
1 jordan
1 williams
1 renualt.

[ioan]

I mean centimetres,...

Easy, every one centimeter, or inch for that matter, of the modell corresponds to 43 of them on the real car.
So you look up the size of the car you want to buy a modell and devide it by 43.

That's all!

[Scuderia ferrari]

Easy, every one centimeter, or inch for that matter, of the modell corresponds to 43 of them on the real car.
So you look up the size of the car you want to buy a modell and devide it by 43.

That's all!

What?! I'm not in the top maths set at school you know- just tell me please, cos i'm desprate!

[ioan]

What?! I'm not in the top maths set at school you know- just tell me please, cos i'm desprate!

Depends on the full scale model's size!
You search for the size (i.e. length) of the real car and you devide it by 43 (or whatever the scale of the model you want is).

If it doesn't work out, just post the dreal dimensions of the car and someone around here will do the maths.

[schmenke]

... Not to mention a wife that can't understand what I see in "toy" cars.

I know exactly what you mean Hawkmoon

My collection consists of about 70 die-cast models, mostly F1 in 1/43 scale.

A few of my favourites:
1/43 Jacques Villeneuve 1995 Indy championship
1/43 Gilles Villeneuve 1982 Ferrari 126
1/18 Hakkinen 1998 McLaren "Team West" edition
1/18 Senna 1985 Lotus 97T "John Player Special" livery (gorgeous model )

[schmenke]

I mean centimetres, because my f1 race car collection is a bit depleated:
3 ferraris- diffrent years.
1 mclaren
1 jordan
1 williams
1 renualt.

A typical F1 model in 1/43 scale measures about 10cms long

[schmenke]

This is possibly verging a little bit OT but this seems as good of forum/thread as any to ask this.

I've received £300 (about $580/€450) as an award/prize with which I would like to buy myself a keepsake. As a motorsport fan, I thought a decent diecast model would be a good thing to buy. I'm currently thinking about a Ferrari F1 model as I think that might be a bit more timeless than a WRC model (my other motorsport love.)

As much as collecting models is great, it's not really what I'm looking to do at the moment. What I want is a reasonably large scale model (something like 1:12 or even bigger) that would make a great display piece on its own. I'm not worried about limited editions or the model being signed, I just want something that looks good.

So far, I'm stuggling to find anything around about £300 that is bigger than 1:18. It seems standard 1:18 are less than £100 with there being more expensive ones that are limited editions and/or signed. Anything above 1:18 scale seems to jump in price into the £1000s. I've seen some nice larger scale road cars for the sort of money but no F1 cars.

So my question is, are there decent larger scale F1 models out there that are around about £300? I'll happily add some of my own money to the £300 (say, to a total of around about £500) but I don't want to add too much as the whole point of the model is that it's a keepsake for the award I won.
If there is anything, any pointers on where to look would be much appreciated.

MikeWRC,

Most F1 die cast models are available in either 1/43 or 1/18 scale. Finding models larger than 1/18 scale is difficult because these are non-standard scales. I'm sure if you do some patient googling you'll find models in 1/12 scale, but your selection will be limited.

But feel free to send me your £300, and I'll be more than happy to spend it for you (heck, I know of some 1/43 scale models that cost more than that )

[Scuderia ferrari]

A typical F1 model in 1/43 scale measures about 10cms long

'kay, thanks.

Hmm, the mini champs BMW is very tempting, and maybe the ferrari 2006 as well, hmmm.

Time to start counting my pennies i think!

[codalunga]

MikeWRC,

Most F1 die cast models are available in either 1/43 or 1/18 scale. Finding models larger than 1/18 scale is difficult because these are non-standard scales. I'm sure if you do some patient googling you'll find models in 1/12 scale, but your selection will be limited.

Depends if you are a "builder" or merely a "buyer".... In the model world 1/18 is an odd scale. Its only common in diecasts. For me, limited selection is a good thing, as one can spend a fortune once one enters the dark side (1/43 and 1/12 resin)

Was at a model shop named Formula One in Toronto many years ago and think Adam had something like 42 1/12 scale (built from plastic kit) F1 cars on shelves behind his desk, and a few more have been done since then. Revell Germany, Heller, Protar, Tamiya, Bandai and others have done F1 in 1/12.

The most recent is the prepainted Revell Germany 1/12 scale Ferrari F2002 for about $75 with a super detail set available for about $200 more. There are other goodies for it like aftermarket decals, CF decals, and billet milled aluminum wheels.

As for even larger- I'm sure I saw several contemporary built up limited production 1/12 and even some 1/8ths in the vendor tents at the 2000 USGP, and of course Dave Despain has that huge Ferrari F1 car on his desk from time to time, sometimes with his bobble head in it! Looks like its maybe the size of my M23 (1/8 scale) but perhaps even 1/6th. For the brave there has been a ton of 1/12 resin kits in the past several years- F1 cars, 917 longtails, Ferrari TRs, 512s, etc. The most memorable model at the IPMS Nationas last summer was a mostly scratchbuilt 1/8th scale Ferrari 126C based on a $4300 kit...

For more model info:

Some breathtaking stuff at:
http://www.modelmotorcars.com/sGallery_02.htm

Check the archives and pdf reference selection at:
http://www.modelersite.com/

Check out http://www.gpma.org and their accompaning yahoogroup.

Symbolic Motors currently has a ex-Berger Ferrari 640 (available as a 1/12 scale OOP Tamiya kit) for sale with lots of great reference pics: http://www.symbolicmotors.com/

There is a annual Ferrari memorabilia/literature swap meet at a Chicago Ferrari dealer at the end of March that also has a model show. Hope to make it this year.