My 4th trip up and 2nd trip this year. Though i had to work through the 1st and 2nd night finishing my Volvo article, everything else about the trip was fantabulous. Lovely weather, Great food and Fantastic company set in a the most wonderful location this side of Asia. (Outside Japan of course…)

Managed to make my pilgrimage to that all important store, Model Car Expo! Great stuff they had this time round, but sadly, i had other things in mind for my money and had to drag myself out of the store before i spend my money. There was one car i regret not picking up, the Kyosho Fiat 131 Abarth. The subject matter already made interesting with the always beautiful Alitalia Rally colors, the quality of the model is top notch and at Kyosho’s price range, superb value. It will surely be a future classic in everyone’s collections in year’s to come. My guess is, prices will rise for such a wonderfully made model. Silly me for not grabbing the car… Can’t find it locally.

Lamborghini, the name itself conjures up images of Rocketship cars with the premium price tags to go along. Unlike Ferraris with their rich racing heritage and delicate lines, Lamborghinis are brute, brash and they aren’t afraid to show it. Although everyone else out there will probably remember the cars from the Countach onwards, ask any car enthusiast which was “THE” classic Lamborghini and it might just be the Miura.

The Name “Miura” most likely, was referenced from the Miura fighting bulls known for their ferocity. The car was unveiled to the public in the 1960′s, making this car over 30 years old. It’s still a beautiful stunning piece of automotive craftmenship. This car was the dream of many in its time, both young and old. One Wall Street financier bought the MIURA as a work of modern art. He set it in the centre of his hanging garden on the top floor of the skyscraper like a sculpture.

One of the most beautiful BMWs ever made, and one of the most beautiful sport coupes ever made, the BMW 3.0CSi from the 1970s, the classic graceful lines of the old sport coupes exhibited on this classic German beauty are timeless. And unlike modern cars, these old dames just keep looking better with age. Time has definitely not caught up with these classic cars. Produced in 1971, the E9 as it was called, was one of the most desirable cars of it’s time. It combined a powerful 200 Horsepower in-line6 with a light compact chassic, propelling the car from standstill to 100km/h in 7 seconds. Remember, this was in the 70′s!

For reasons unknown, my review of the E30 M3 has vanished off this site. I have no idea where it went and there is just no way for me to retrieve it. Which means, i’m going to re-write another review for this Minichamps E30 M3. I guess u guys can treat it as a 2nd opinion.

The E30 M3 was unlike it’s newer, younger siblings, this first generation M3 was a real race-bred homologation car born for the race track. With the race-going cars taking on Mercedes-Benz’s 190E EVO racers. The first E30 M3 had a 4-cylinder with 2.3 liters and 195 hp with a catalytic converter and 200 hp without. It was followed by a variety of Evolution models, highlighted by the Evo III with 2.5 liters and 238 hp in 1990, as well as by some special editions. This particular model by Minichamps is based on the first version of the E30 M3. Autoart also makes a model of the E30 M3, but that one is based on the EVO model. So some slight differences there, but do the differences between the cars make it a worthwhile idea to have both? I can’t answer that for you, but i hope this review will help with your decision should the need arise.

The brand new Ford GT. So much of this car has been said already almost everywhere else that i think there’s no real need to re-introduce this car again. It is a beautiful car, it is very fast and very exclusive. Oh! And it has two crazy white stripes running down the top from end to end. Although it looks like the original GT40 from the past, everything inside it is totally high-tech and high-end.

So what do we have here? It’s an Autoart 1:18th scale version of the Ford GT. “Great! An Autoart, that’ll be a superb model then!” You might say… Well, you’ll be right, and you’ll be wrong as well. Very wrong… Let’s begin the review…

Skylines, Supras, EVOs and Impreza’s. Hear these names and images of souped up cars with massive wings and spoilers tearing down the local streets, turbos whistling and wastegates wasting away. In truth, the car that started off the Japanese sportscar revolution was a little more simple.

It was actually, a LOT simpler then the computerised techno-monsters of today. The car was the Datsun 240Z. It was simple, affordable and most importantly of all, fun to drive. During a time when most people would turn their noses up at the very idea of a Japanese sportscar, Datsun did the impossible. They made a sportscars that was reliable and could be use on a daily basis. This was during a time when European sportscars were notorious for being horribly unreliable machines. The little Datsun was thus destined for success, and successful it became. From then on, the “Z” emblem became legendary.

The latest BMW M5, powered by a 5 litre V10 engine, this unit pumps out a massive 507 Brake Horsepower and 520NM of torque. That’s ALOT of power! Mated to a 7-speed SMG Drivelogic transmission, the M5 goes from 0-100km/h in about 4.7 seconds and bangs on all the way to a limited top speed of 250km/h. Unrestricted, it will hit almost 330km/h. That’s just immensely quick. 330km/h for a car that can carry 5 passengers comfortably is pretty amazing in my book.

Style-wise, not so subtle hints show that this isn’t an ordinary BMW 5 series, the quad exhaust pipes, the wider tyres, the side vents with M5 emblazoned on them, the larger front air intakes and that slightly understated bodykit. To a casual observer, he or she might probably not be able to differentiate it from any other run of the mill 5 series, but to people in the know, this is the ULTIMATE. There’s where the cool part of this car comes in, you see, it’s Godly powerful, it’ll do over 300km/h if you let it. But, it doesn’t shout about it. It’s might have the power to smash most other road cars on the road, but, it just doesn’t want people to know about it. Understated cool.

The Fiat X/19 Bertone. Some people call it the “Baby-Ferrari”. Debuting to the World in 1972. It was a mid-engined rear wheel drive sports car and it was small. Really small. But, it had a very unique wedge shaped styling which was attractive as well. The design allowed for 2 seperate luggage storage compartments. Performance wise, the engine pumped out a meagre 75HP (Very litle by today’s standards. But remember, this car is now over 30 years old!) But the weight as kept low and coupled with the mid engined layout, allowed for some really fun handling. I had the chance to sit in one of these before and it was really a small car, the seating position was really low as well. But, it had character. I still like the car quite alot and maybe one day, i would like to have one for myself. It wasn’t very fast though, but i guess with most classic sports car, you don’t need to be going fast to enjoy the car. Top speed was quoted to be at 170km/h. Yeah right…

The BMW M1, the first ever car to wear that much coveted M badge. It was a sight to behold. Designed by Giugaro and initially to be built by Lamborghini. It had the looks, the power and the pedigree. The development of BMW’s mid-engined M1 project began in 1976, though it was to be built by Lamborghini, the Italian supercar maker ran into financial difficulty and caused BMW to move production over to Baur. (Who made their convertibles) But by the time production resumed, the homologation rules for international Group 5 racing had been changed. Since BMW had not met the required sales figures of 400 cars in 24 months, the M1 went to the new Procar series instead. By the time BMW had sold enough cars, the M1 was no longer competitive for Group 5 racing. Quite a waste really.

“BMW Cars have always been sporty. But we regard sportiness as just another word for accelaration, speed, roadability, and agility. Another word for Performance and safety. As traffic becomes denser others too will be forced to realize how necessary these attributes are. And so they are forced to realize how right the BMW concept is.”
(statement from the original sales brochure)

The BMW 2002, the car that was the origin of the 3 series. In the late 1960′s and early 1970′s BMW released a compact, sporty and stylish coupe. It was small and lightweight, powerful and agile. Enthusiatic drivers lapped it up and the car entered many competitions with great success. It was a very elegant car and it remains a beautifully executed design till today. Truely one of the great classics.

One of the most iconic cars ever produced by Alfa Romeo, the 2000 Spider, or more commonly known as just “Spider” has one of the most beautiful classic car shapes ever penned. It was no slouch either, first produced in 1958 (making it 47years old) had a 2litre engine pushing out 115BHP. It might not mean much nowadays, but in 1958, that made it a pretty quick ride. Designed by the masters at Pininfarina, coupled with the singing Alfa Romeo engine, this Spider was an instant classic the moment it was born.

Minichamps released the 1:18 scale model of the Alfa Romeo Spider many years ago, being one of their earlier releases. Though it cannot really be compared with the best models of the present day, when you take a look at this car, you will realise cars like these were what brought Minichamps to the top of their game. For an old model, it is very well made indeed.

In the autumn of 1971, Volvo unveiled a new version of their 1800 Coupe. It was called the 1800ES. This radical new redesign of the Coupe had an extended cabin resembling an estate, but under the body was the same technical underpinnings shared with the other Volvo 1800 Coupes. This particular car was actually the 1973 Playboy Playmate’s Car of the Year.

Minichamps made the decision to release this very unique car instead of the regular coupe. Although the coupe might have generated more sales and revenue, it’s very refreshing to see manufacturers churn out more interesting cars, like this particular Volvo. Make no mistake, this model is one of their best efforts.

The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, probably the most beautiful car ever made. (in my opinion anyway) This car has the most beautiful and pure lines ever to grace an automobile. Already 50 years old, but it still has the visual charisma to shame many present day supercars. This car was never built, it was sculpted. To describe this car as stunning is an understatement. Cars like these are what dreams are made of.

Minichamps has undertaken the task of replicating this beauty into a 1:18 scale model and what a fine model it is. It was with great anticipation when i finally bought this car, i had waited for a quality manufacturer to produce this car for many years and when Minichamps announced it was in their lineup, i was overjoyed. The only other alternatives are the Bburago and Kyosho cars. The Bburago is quite an old model, very crude detailing and ruins the car for me. The Kyosho is just as old, though slightly better detailed, but is hard to find and is not as great as well. This new Minichamps release though, is hard to fault.

The Aston Martin DB9. Power, Beauty, SOUL. One of the most beautiful cars to ever make production. A thoroughbred GT car with beautiful, elegant and graceful styling combined with a wonderfully musical V12 engine to make it one of the most desirable automobiles of the present day.

Minichamps makes this 1:18 scale model of the DB9 and although they are well known for making quality cars, their products were not exactly cheap. Here’s where this car comes in, Minichamps have started a brand new line of model cars targeted at the semi-budget customers in mind. Priced below their normal range of cars, but slightly higher then Maistos/Hotwheels. It’s almost like the modern day equivalent of UT Models.