Teebodk wrote:

This is the 24J, came to me along with another 21 toys. I paid the shipping, the toys were a gift.

Dinky 1900 - one French - one English!

Thanks for all the Touring Car pics!  Here is a different one, Top Model (1/43 resin) 155 Tarquini 1993:

Nobleco wrote:

1/43 Onyx Minichamps Minichamps 155s:

I really like Mini Champs and these racing versions look great. Got any side shots or 3/4 views handy?

Nobleco wrote:


Sure, Minichamps vs HPI (same series 155 V6s):

Now this is interesting. Having two similar models from these exact two brands. I\'m trying to sell some HPIs in Denmark and one of my sales arguments that HPI can, at the very least, match Minichamps on details and quality, but I base this on different models, which is certainly not the same as having the same car from both brands.

How do you feel they compare? Pros and cons of each? It must be added, that HPI are not sold in Denmark at all, and from standard european websites they are almost €15 more expensive than Minichamps on average. The really sad thing is, that I can\'t sell a single one... nobody wants to buy, even at 1/3 RRP and I refuse to lower the price any further!

If I could get some direct comparison points, maybe it would be easier to sell.

Price: I bought the HPI at a steep discount in 2009, Minichamps in 1994 = tie
Packaging: colorful outer box + easy to unscrew persplex box = tie
Body: no 1:1 to compare to, but both seem to be exact copies of each other in body size and shape = tie
Paint/decals: very similar, is the paint a bit thicker on the Minichamps? Or just the HPI has a slightly crisper casting? Not obviously different = HPI: *
Wheels: HPI: ** less plasticy, great brakes behind spokes
Exterior details: HPI: ** Are silver metal antennas correct? Front and rear more detailed, fantastic exhaust, tow hooks!!!; Minichamps looks more fake at the rear as the heat shields are a little off-angle.
Interior: HPI: ** Color on the seatbelts and hoses, better shaped racing seat. Both have similar rollcages.

1951 159M Alfetta 1/43 by Minichamps - Fangio drove this car to victory at the Spanish GP to clinch his first World Championship. It was to be the last grand prix race for Alfa until 1979.

karl wrote:


Hey, there's a new 'thank you' button... works great Well, I wanted to thank you for the comparison. Some of your high marks are for the same things I've noticed about HPI: the tow hooks, the exhaust and the brakes - real excellence. I finally managed to sell a HPI-model today, after 2 months of trying I really don't think people realize what they're missing. On another model site (I know you're a member there), there was a questionnaire: who are the best 1/43 model makers of today. I think at least 50% had HPI high on their lists, and overall they tied for first place with Spark and Minichamps.

Got a few more of the Sport Collection Alfa Romeo in the mail recently. Here is a most unusual Alfa, the 1951 Alfa AR 51, nicknamed the Alfa Matta. Matta means something like mad woman! This version ran a race from Roma to Peking in 1968. Did it make it all the way?



[Click pics for larger.]Looks like 2 started - see pictures 27-29! And page through here to see one of them in Warsaw and Iraq!!!<!-- / message -->

Very interesting and unusual indeed. I'd never heard of this model before. From certain angles it looks almost like a carbon copy of the Willy's, but I like the cool way thay've managed to shape the grille Alfa-style!

Now I have both Alfas by STARLINE - thank you Teebo!

 

 

1957 2000 Berlina:



Same yellow? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alfa_Romeo_2000_1958.jpg

My dad's first Alfa, 1750 from 1968.

Another yellow Alfa??? - from the same batch as the last one!  (Thanks Teebo!).  The M4 Montreal:



[Click for larger.]

Bobcor Montreals were well-known in the US back in the day:

http://www.racingsportscars.com/chassis/Montreal-Bobcor%23.html

http://alex62.typepad.com/imsablog/2006/05/bobcor_racing_a.htmlhttp://www.autodiva.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=607

http://www.alfamontreal.info/Mmain.html#Bobcor

http://www.autodiva.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=607