1959scudetto

Very nice build in a rare color - one of my all-time favorites !

Looks good, Rich - when building a kit for the 2nd time, one already knows its weak points and is prepared to tackle any adversaries.

x 2: I really thought that I would look at the real thing and the model would follow...

Super project, Harald (bin schon gespannt, wie es weitergeht) - but the race was in 1937: grueling with that high banked curve without any guardrail on top!

A really hard choice - during the last 15 years I have been collecting around 250 diecast models - most of them in 1/24 scale: among these are a lot that I like very much. When I would have to pick out the singular model which I have been most eagerly awaiting, then it must be the Lancia Fulvia 1,6 HF (winner of the Rally Monte Carlo 1972) from the Hachette WRC collection (for me the highlight of the series: every small detail is correct): My sentimental favorite (mainly for nostalgic reasons) is the Lesney Matchbox Ferrari Berlinetta # 75 which I had as a boy from 1966 onwards. During a move in 1968 it got lost, but 30 years ago I was able to buy a near mint exemple with slightly worn box (maybe this one is the reason why the 250 GT/L has been my favorite Ferrari ever since):

Excellent renditions of this highly appreciated Ferrari classic: especially nice is the interior and the very fine spoke wheels; Windshield swapping with the Burago die-cast seems to be a good idea! I have to try that too (have 3 or 4 of these Italeri kits in my stash) - the 250 series are my all-time favorites of all Maranello cars.

Opel in the early 60’s had a similar image problem like Chevrolet in the 50’s (good old “stovebolt 6”): dependable, but boring cars – an image boost was urgently needed: Initiated in 1963, the “Opel GT Experimental” prototype was presented at the 1965 IAA in Francfort/Germany. The enthusiastic public reaction led to the development of the street car, which finally went into production in 1968. Technically based on the compact Kadett, the bigger engine came from the Rekord limousine (1,9 ltr., 90 hp, top speed 115 mph), a second version with smaller engine from the Kadett (1,1 ltr., 60 hp, top speed 97 mph) was discontinued in 1970 as considered too weak and therefore unsuitable for such a sporty looking car (proved by low sales). The attractive body was designed under GM’s supervision and shows many similarities with the new Corvette from the coke-bottle shape silhouette to the front and rear ends – therefore sometimes called “Baby-Corvette”. As Opel had no further production capacities for the body, it was sourced out to French company Chausson (built also the Renault Caravelle and the Citroen SM bodies), whereas Brissoneau & Lotz were responsible for paint and interior. Final assembly with the drive train happened in Germany. More than 103000 cars were built (the majority went to the U.S. – sold via Buick dealerships) until production finally ended in 1973 for 2 main reasons: Chausson had finally been acquired by Renault who needed their facilities for producing their new Alpine A 310, whereas American safety regulations would have made some big modifications – almost a relaunch - necessary. So finally Opel pulled the plug. In the Quattroruote series , Hachette/Fabbri released a nice 1970 Opel GT (in rally orange)in 2009 made by Ixo under the Metro/Leo models name. 2015 it was reissued in the Vintage Auto de luxe series in lemon yellow (therefore both with Italian license plates), a few years later from whitebox in a light blue metallic color: everything opens, even the headlights pop up (rotate like the real one). The latest release is the red 1968 Opel GT in the German Hachette Opel collection (no openings). - actually available from the usual European sources. Here are the first 2 (from the Italian newsstands):

John, here is the transkit (I bought it several years ago for € 35,00 + postage) - it onsists of: 4 fender flares, insert for omitted back seat, 4 wheels, driver seat and side exhaust system (all resin cast), turned aluminium fire extinguisher, 4 rubber slicks, 4 rubber straps for the hoods, fabric for the seat belts, 2 black plastic washers for the rear axle and a photo-etched sheet with the seatbelt buckles. Finally an instruction sheet and a drawing for making the rollcage (not provided - you have to use your own wire or styrene rod): In recent past, the contents may havwe changed slightly: He swapped the resin wheels for turned aluminium + 3 D printed inserts (as you can see on the built model) -price is now € 39,00 + postage - here is the link to his site: https://www.scaleproduction.de/product_info.php?info=p1685_transkit-alfaromeo-gtaj.html

Fantastic model - a real show-stopper with a glass-like finish (as is usual from you)! You blended the fender flares in and smoothed everything out - in reality, Autodelta just pop-riveted them onto the body sides.

Very well done, Hanjo - I would not have the nerve to finish one of these (the spoke wheels !). That is a quite unusual color for an old Alfa - does it represent a certain car or is it due to your imagination ?

Very attrective model, looks great together with its predecessors !

Here is a scan of the D24 from 1953 from the 1969 book "Racing Cars" by Ferruccio Bernabò. The picture shows the - definitely unrestored - car (showing some patina) in the 1960's in the Museo dell'Automobile in Torino, Italy. It was certainly not marroon.

Fabulous work, Janos - extraordinary craftsmanship ! I could not imagine myself building in this small scale!

Very cool looking fleet truck, Justin !

Perfect, Mario - I remember a VW pickup in my childhood in that very same color !

Well done, Mario - as usual !

PM sent

Seems that almost all of your diecasts are your favorites... :-)

Congratulations, Janos ! This is an excellent replica of Larry Shinoda's famous dreamcar, expecially when one knows how the original model (= very crude diecast toy car with a transparent plastic passenger canopy) looked like. For me, this would have been too much work involved, so I passed it on to someone I knew who would bring the best possible out of this one.

Very nice, Gary - another w.i.p. to be followed !

Excellent Mario something totally different from your other builds (including background). A very convincing model!

thanks,Gary - it was just a simple box stock build.

Good choice, Gary - I have the white version and concerning finesse, details and overall quality, it ranks high above all my other 1/24 die-casts. My favorite subject though would be hard to tell - I have several that I like very much.

Thank you all, guys, for your nice comments on this old build !

This is one fabulous model, Dave - I would be proud to have it in my collection - would also make a great addition to Gary's thread about Le Mans participants...