Enhancements

“Enhancement” means improving an existing model to make it look better, usually by adding more detail, decoration or fixing errors.

Then & Now: F1 Models 35 Years Apart

New technology, manufacturing methods and materials sees the model cars of today a superior product compared to those of the past. Case in point are these Wolf and Brabham Formula One racers from 1977. Both of these cars were produced as part of the Technica/Eidai F1 collection. They have also now been modeled by Minichamps. I … Read moreThen & Now: F1 Models 35 Years Apart

Jim Richards’ 1985 ATCC Winning BMW

Spark recently did a run of 500 pieces of Jim Richards’ Group A 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship winning BMW 635CSi (Spark item # AS017). When the 6-cylinder Bavarian bullet arrived in the post the other month, there was a glaring assembly issue with the car – the rear axle was ajar, the left wheel … Read moreJim Richards’ 1985 ATCC Winning BMW

Fixing Buzz’s Suspension (and other things)

This is what's inside a 1:43 scale Minichamps Reyanrd.

Having looked at the misaligned push-rods on the Buzz Calkins Indycar (see Quick Review article HERE), I decided I’d have a crack at fixing them.   After removing from the plinth, 2 screws hold the model together and the main upper body has to be pulled back a bit to clear the rear suspension. I … Read moreFixing Buzz’s Suspension (and other things)

Indycar Enhancement, Paul Tracy (Onyx 1:43)

Portuguese manufacturer Onyx marketed a range of 1:43 scale Indycars in the early to mid 1990s. The models were very basic – plastic base plate, 1-piece diecast body, plus plastic driver, rear wing, suspension, rubber tyres and metal axles. The paint was usually good, but the decoration was often out of alignment. From a distance, … Read moreIndycar Enhancement, Paul Tracy (Onyx 1:43)

Some Touring Car Fixes & Enhancements

The race winning HRT had the usual paint showing through where it should not, so as with the 2010 VE retro car, some black paint easily fixes this.

A number of models that I’ve purchased (some from quite a while ago!) that needed to be fixed or enhanced in some way. Firstly, the GTHO Super Falcon from Models56/ARMCO. Next is Classic Carlectables’ 2010 HRT VE Commodore of Garth Tander/Cameron McConville in the retro livery ran at Bathurst that year to commemorate 20 years … Read moreSome Touring Car Fixes & Enhancements

F1 Tobacco Conversions

Spark’s classic F1 models generally have better fine detail than their Minichamps counterparts. They also usually include the tobacco decals for the collector to apply to complete the decoration of the model and make it historically correct. This saves having to source aftermarket decals. Here are a few before and after shots of some Spark … Read moreF1 Tobacco Conversions

Tobacco Conversions on 3 x ATCC Cars

Some tobacco conversions on ATCC race cars: Above & Below: Gricey’s Craven Mild LH Torana from 1975 (Biante 1/43, aftermarket decals) Above & Below: Bathurst winning Benson & Hedges Ford Sierra 1988 (Apex 1/43, aftermarket decals) Above & Below: Jim Richards’ JPS BMW M3 (Apex 1/43, aftermarket decals). Some of the JPS logos are really … Read moreTobacco Conversions on 3 x ATCC Cars

More Ciggie Signage & Biante Fixes

In time, I’d like all the models in my collection that are supposed to have tobacco markings, actually have them. It will be a big job to organise, purchase and apply aftermarket decoration to them all, but at least a start has been made. Above & Below: Before and after application of after market tobacco … Read moreMore Ciggie Signage & Biante Fixes

Fixing Biante’s VR/VS V8 Supercar

Who the hell at Biante signed these off as OK for final production?! When compared to the earlier VX/VY/VZ Commodore V8 Supercars, the Biante VR/VS models look terrible. Yes, the finish is excellent. Yes, the decoration is fine. Yes, the interior is well detailed. And yes, even the underside looks ok. But the skinny-track wheels … Read moreFixing Biante’s VR/VS V8 Supercar