[Diecast/Models] Le Mans 1:18 Winners

[Aysedasi]

Looks more like the display in the LM museum........

[Craig]

haha my mind did wander back to the visit there with the sadly missed TimD back in the day when I took the photos. Sadly no full sized cars when you rotate 180 degrees. Just a wardrobe.

[Lorenzo S]

Originally Posted by Craig

Is anyone still here?

Yes, is anyone still here?

I'm only a minor collector and I'm only really interested in Porsche 917's. My collecting itch was reactivated at the weekend and I ended up browsing the new releases. I haven't bought anything in years and I was amazed to see how few racing cars AutoArt now have in their line-up.

What happened to AutoArt?

Last cars I ever bought from them were the fabulous Mazda 787b and my favourite Lola Aston Martin LMP1. They don't seem to be producing anything like this any more.

Didn't stop me from completing my 917 line up with a new-to-me CMR 1971 winner. I'm guessing Custom Model Replicars are knock-offs of the old UH/Autoart models?
Anyone got any news as to what happened to this hobby? Doesn't look like there is anywhere near as much available.

[Jager]

I think the hobby is alive and well. However, the 'Diecast' makers like Autoart and Minichamps have been left behind by more highly detailed resin models from Spark and TSM (True Scale Models).


Additionally, many Le Mans collectors have found 1:18 models take up too much space and there is a much better range of Le Mans cars in 1:43. You can also get ~4 1:43 cars for the price of a 1:18.


Based on my records, around 3,500 Le Mans cars have now been produced in 1:43, and for the last 15 years you can buy more than 90% of the grid. Here's a few of the 2019 I've bought this year:

[Lorenzo S]

Nice photos! And they are all 1:43? Very impressive.
Certainly, one of the reasons I limited myself was 1:18 takes up a lot of space. I do prefer that scale though - 1:43 just seems a little too toy sized.
I don't have anything by Spark - I just looked at their website and I see they have Marko/Van Lennep's 1971 917 due for release. Damn. Maybe I should have waited another year!

[Aysedasi]

Those are really splendid. I'm looking forward to the model of the Red River Sport Ferrari with replacement red door and perfectly copied red gaffer tape....


PS If and when anyone sees a 1:43 of the Nielsen Racing Oreca #24, can they let me know please?

[Carson Hayes]

Man, I used to collect those. Too bad my brother lost it all, his ex took everything he had.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Lorenzo S

Nice photos! And they are all 1:43? Very impressive.
Certainly, one of the reasons I limited myself was 1:18 takes up a lot of space. I do prefer that scale though - 1:43 just seems a little too toy sized.
I don't have anything by Spark - I just looked at their website and I see they have Marko/Van Lennep's 1971 917 due for release. Damn. Maybe I should have waited another year!

Yes, all are 1:43. Spark have a pretty impressive range of models and have produced almost 2,000 Le Mans models to date. Most are cars that have never been made in 1:18.

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Those are really splendid. I'm looking forward to the model of the Red River Sport Ferrari with replacement red door and perfectly copied red gaffer tape....

PS If and when anyone sees a 1:43 of the Nielsen Racing Oreca #24, can they let me know please?

Because many cars go through various changes of wheels and bodywork during the race, Spark’s usual standard is to model the cars as they appeared at the start of the race. Unfortunately you’ll have to model the replacement door yourself.

The #24 Nielsen Racing Oreca will probably be available around the time of next years race.

Originally Posted by Carson Hayes

Man, I used to collect those. Too bad my brother lost it all, his ex took everything he had.

Ouch, some of the rarer models are worth 4 - 5 times more than what they sold for originally.

[Jager]

Here's a few of Spark's historic Le Mans cars they've released this year.


1952 #26 Aston Martin DB 3S



1953 #47 OSCA MT-4 Le Mans




1961 #37 Porsche Abarth GS695



1963 #8 Aston Martin DB 214




1970 #2 Chevrolet Corvette L88



1980 #9 Porsche 908/80




2000 #83 Porsche 911 (996) GT3-R

[Craig]

Remind me why it is a good idea to move house again?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Craig

Remind me why it is a good idea to move house again?

Because all the best people do it around now.....

[Craig]

Have spent the past few days setting up the new office in the new place... pretty happy with the way it came together in the end.

[Aysedasi]

That's seriously cool Craig.

[Craig]

Oh dear... I found another one. "Not another toy car", she said when the postman knocked

[Akrapovic]

Not a Le Mans winner, but it is a 1/18 Le Mans car that I never thought they'd make. 1:18 Mercedes CLR.

[Aysedasi]

Ah, the 'Elephant sat on my bonnet' Merc.....

[E.B]

The "I can fly" Mercedes

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Not a Le Mans winner, but it is a 1/18 Le Mans car that I never thought they'd make. 1:18 Mercedes CLR.

Attachment 76869

I have 3 x CLK Mercedes 1:18 scale models by Solido. Nearest to Le Mans cars I've got.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

I have 3 x CLK Mercedes 1:18 scale models by Solido. Nearest to Le Mans cars I've got.

Is that the CLK GTR road car? I know Maisto does the CLK GTR race car, and the CLK LM, and there's some AutoArt versions of those floating about too.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Is that the CLK GTR road car? I know Maisto does the CLK GTR race car, and the CLK LM, and there's some AutoArt versions of those floating about too.

All cars are from the old FIA GT Series.

[Gerard C]

@Andrew: https://www.autominiature54.com/en/l...ark-model.html
not 1/43 but: https://ck-modelcars.de/fr/spark-1-1...8s808/p-83689/
When looking for a particular model of a LM car, whatever the scale, we like to go to slot racing specialists. Affordable, rather accurate and sometimes already collectors before the launch.

[Gerard C]

https://www.miniatures-minichamps.co...ark-s8624.html
https://www.mondomodelcars.it/fr/hom...5.gp.102511.uw
Pre-order, key holder size: https://model-universe.com/product/s...bell-b-hanley/
Over the years, old LM editions grids are filled (even a certain Lola made by Bizarre!)

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

@Andrew: https://www.autominiature54.com/en/l...ark-model.html
not 1/43 but: https://ck-modelcars.de/fr/spark-1-1...8s808/p-83689/
When looking for a particular model of a LM car, whatever the scale, we like to go to slot racing specialists. Affordable, rather accurate and sometimes already collectors before the launch.

My son had left Nielsen by this time. I did buy him the 1:43 of the car he worked on for them at LM in 2020....

What I want is an affordable 1:18 of the Toyota TS020.....

[Gerard C]

'C on Andrew this is not Mission Impossible here! Any acceptable 1/18 will make 250/350 € plus shipping costs. You wont be happy with the scale:https://www.amazon.fr/Tamiya-24222-M...ps%2C96&sr=8-1 Did you try from a dealer or Owner's club? Direct from Japan through Ebay (250$)?


If you have time in your hands, carton box, scisSors, pif-paf-boum, some glue and lipstick and Jemima's your aunt!

[Craig]

Just wondering whether anyone was aware of an up to date list of LM winners in 1:18 scale online anywhere. Now I have invested in a new display cabinet I feel the urge to bring my collection up to date as much as possible.

I have ordered the 1976 winner so most of the post-war collection is up to date I think. Any thoughts on the quality of Burago models? I am considering the 499P from them as the BBR version is somewhat outside of my budget right now!

My interest now will turn to the pre-war stuff and I would love to hear of any models that I have not seen so far!