Classic’s 2013 VF V8 Supercars

Classic Carlectables have won the race to get the first 2013 VF Commodore to market in 1/43 scale with the release of two cars each from the HRT and Red Bull Racing teams.

Same size box as before with team-specific decoration

The first thing you notice about these is at the shop – they’re featherweights compared to the past, but that’s got just as much to do with the packaging as the model itself.

The car is encased in a vac-formed fold-over shell – no plinth and no Perspex display cover.

The next thing – these models fall a long way short of their Apex counterparts (reviewed HERE) when it comes to the level of detail.

The windows are black for a reason – there is NO interior detail. The wheels are on one-piece axles and therefore have no camber.

Thankfully the finish and accuracy is, however, better than the old “bricks” that Classics produced in the late 90s.

There are faults in the decoration on my examples, but I reckon overall there is a small improvement on the previous years’ cars.

Despite no camber, the ride height, and “fill” of the wheels in the front arches is better than before, whereas the rear is about the same.

Misaligned series sticker in the back window of Jamie's ride. Flash from the camera shows the body colour really is metallic blue. Likewise the white on the HRT is pearl. No signage on the door handle is correct. — Misaligned series sticker in the back window of Jamie’s ride. Flash from the camera shows the body colour really is metallic blue. Likewise the white on the HRT is pearl. No signage on the door handle is correct.

I’m not aware if these cars are modeled on a specific race. Both teams had several changes to sponsors during the season. For example, Triple 8 ran ‘Red Bull Mobile’ on the front bar and Autobarn across the rear at some events, while HRT added SP Tools to the bonnet.

The significant reduction in production costs, both on the model itself, and the packaging, move this item into a lower price point. Depending on what you read, RRP is $34.95 or $39 (I paid $34.95).

The models still come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Despite the drop in detail, my retailer reported sales were good and they only had a couple of pieces left in stock.

Wheel detail is not to the same level as the Apex cars, though the fronts do sit wide enough in the wheel arch. Fender vent is a decal; wheel nut is oversimplified. The rims (particularly the Red Bull car) don't have a shiny alloy look — Wheel detail is not to the same level as the Apex cars, though the fronts do sit wide enough in the wheel arch. Fender vent is a decal; wheel nut is oversimplified. The rims (particularly the Red Bull car) don’t have a shiny alloy look

Personally, I was never a fan of the mirror-based plinths of the past. However, a plain-Jane dark grey or satin black plinth would have been nice.

Production numbers are significantly higher than the Apex Fords: 1000 pieces for each of Tander and Courtney, 1500 for Whincup and 2000 for Mr Popular, Craig Lowndes.

I have yet to find measurements for the real VF COTF V8 Supercar, but the 18″ wheels on the Classics version are slightly more correctly scaled to the real thing than the Apex version.

Top view. There is dirt or something in the blue paint on the roof of the Red Bull car, but not noticeable in this pic

Above & Below: Rear views. Registration (alignment) of the inks in the decoration is not too good in places – note the offset white in the SP Tools, NGK and Caltex logos.

Above & Below: Front views. Scrappy detail painting around the grill of the Red Bull car and poor alignment of the red Holden decal which does not fold around the front of the splitter

Rear wing. Bonnet and boot fasteners are decal and look quite good for this scale

The light needs to hit at a certain angle for it to be noticeable, but the dark windows have a fair degree of scuffing. This is evident on most of the windows on both cars

One-piece underbody (the exhausts are not a separate part). Similar level of detail to the Apex Falcons. Visible screws indicate these should come apart more easily than the old style model for Code3 purposes.

Alongside the 2010 Bathurst winner, the 'old school' VE — Alongside the 2010 Bathurst winner, the ‘old school’ VE

The lion and the gold trim (eg, around the edge of the TOLL signage) is a composite of coloured dots. Exhaust outlet is nothing fancy and body colour shows through the torn decal between the main body and side skirt.

On the 2010 Commodore, the lion was still composite, but the gold was a solid colour

Yes, they have their faults, but overall I reckon they look ok for general display purposes. It's only when you get up close the flaws pop out. The models do feel a bit toyish in hand (very light and the wheels rattle). I wonder if the wheels were locked up and ballast fitted inside, would collectors be saying "aww, this is a nice, solid, decent quality model"? — Yes, they have their faults, but overall I reckon they look ok for general display purposes. It’s only when you get up close the flaws pop out. The models do feel a bit toyish in hand (very light and the wheels rattle). I wonder if the wheels were locked up and ballast fitted inside, would collectors be saying “aww, this is a nice, solid, decent quality model”?

wixy500 rating (out of 5):

Collectability – 4.0 (for a new-style model, it’s hard to judge at time of publishing)
Finish – 3.8 (paint coverage is good, but there are still problems with QC – grit in the finish and a few decal alignment/cracking issues. But it has improved!)
Accuracy – 2.9 (real V8 Supercars have clear windows, roll cage, seat, belts… should I go on?)
Value – 3.5
Overall – 3.6

wixy500 rating (out of 5):

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