1969 PONTIAC GTO JUDGEAuto World p. 3

McLaren P1 GTRBy AUTOart p. 10

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June/July 2019 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Futuramic 2-door Club CoupeBy NEO p. 8

EIGHT NEW DIE-CAST REVIEWS

2 Scale Auto DC • June/Ju ly 2019

SAVAGE’S GARAGE BY MARK SAVAGE

Give me a car, any car ... but a racer or Rocket 88 would be cool!One Of my many weaknesses,my wife would be happy to tell you, is that I love ALL cars, especially all die-cast cars. My basement is full of the evidence and if our state ever decides to enact a small wheel tax it’ll drive me to the poor house.

I love race cars best, and Indy racers the very best, but I’m not too particular beyond that. I suspect you may have a similar weakness.

If you’re lucky, you have a passion for just one or two brands, or styles. That makes collecting much easier, and kinder to your wallet.

We understand that passion and try to take it into account as we select models to review here. We take pride in the fact that we showcase models that those of us with a modest income could afford. Think Johnny Lightning, Greenlight Collectibles, Brumm and the like.

We also love variety, so you’ll see a little of everything here over the

course of a year.This summer issue covers the

gamut from the sleek and stylish 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Futuramic Club Coupe to the futuristic looking DeLorean made famous in the Back to the Future movies.

As I was writing the Olds review I found the above ad on the internet. It’s cool to see how cars of an earlier era were marketed. There’s a certain thrill and enthusiasm the ads exude. Plus, who wouldn’t want to drive something called a Rocket 88?

CERTAINLY BY 1969 the likes of Pontiac’s GTO Judge was stirring up excitement with its fastback looks and muscle car power.

And then there are nostalgic models like the early Thunderbirds, and cars that sometimes were our first set of wheels, like a VW Jetta.

Yet nothing says aspirational car like a McLaren P1 in GTR trim. I love the color combo on our review model this issue.

Then there’s the McLaren M16 IndyCar from the 1970s. It was clean and slick and played off the wedge shape of the earlier Lotus 56, the turbine car. We show you Replicarz exclusive Peter Revson McLaren here, but a new Mark Donohue racer also is now available.

Ah, those were the days.

Mark Savage, Editor

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GREAT VALUE • 116 PAGES!

1969 Pontiac GTO JudgeMfg: Auto WorldScale: 1/18Stock No: AMM1171/06MSRP: $99.99Link: Autoworldstore.com

June/Ju ly 2019 • www.ScaleAutoMag.com 3June/Ju ly 2019 • www.ScaleAutoMag.com 3

The Judge. Unsurprisingly, as a kid, any time someone mentioned a Judge GTO, I immediately imagined a street race and someone dropping a 12-ton sledge on the competition. I mean, their’s something excruciatingly final about calling something The Judge, right?

Color me surprised when I found out the famous moniker came not from the GTO’s street cred, but from the popular ’60s sketch comedy show Laugh In.

Still, The Judge ’69 GTO was no laughing matter, and brought serious muscle to the street scene, despite GM’s internal policy to curb maximum horsepower for all car models except it’s darling Corvette.

The HistoryBy 1966, Pontiac had promoted the GTO from an option package for the Tempest LeMans to its own full-fledged model. Between ’66 and ’69, GM designers pushed the GTO’s looks, eventually adding curves and a semi-fastback, shortening the wheelbase and streamlining the nose with a horizontal headlight configuration — which could be hidden for a little more money.

Perhaps the coolest body improvement was the all-encompassing

Endura front bumper that was the same color as the rest of the body. Not an unusual feature now, but at the time when bumpers were chrome talismans of style and import, it was novel, even disruptive. So much so that car buyers could order theirs with a traditional chrome bumper and grille instead.

The Judge was first touted as a stripped-down version of the GTO, something that could compete on price with other muscle cars. Instead, the package ended up going in the other direction, costing more than the base model GTO.

A 400 cid V8 Ram Air III roared under the hood and delivered 366 hp. It sat atop wider tires capped by trimless Rally II wheels and sported a wide, flat wing on the back deck — useless at street-legal speed. Special decals livened the exterior, including a trio on the nose and rear spoiler that proclaimed “The Judge” in playful balloon script.

Inside, The Judge differed from the standard GTO only in that it wielded a T-shaped Hurst shifter on the floor.

The ModelAuto World’s 1969 GTO Judge replicates the fully restored, rare Warwick blue with blue interior car

owned by Frank Szymkowski Sr. Originally purchased in May 1969, it boasted a 4-speed transmission, in-dash tach and gauges, and flip headlights.

The model captures The Judge’s pavement-eating lines, as well as the fun stripe decals that grace its sides. And the Rally II wheels look dead on. The tires feel and look real enough to drive on.

Beneath the hood, Auto World does a fair job of replicating the Ram Air III with chrome headers and a metallic blue engine block. It would be nice if the hood opened a little more to allow a better view.

Both the driver and passenger doors open to reveal a detailed dash with recessed tach and speedometer wells, printed gauges, AM radio, and wood trim. Those alone got my heart going! The Hurst shifter is there, as is The Judge decal on the glove box. Auto World flocked the floor beneath the blue bucket seats, which are lined with silver trim. A floor mat rests in front of the driver’s seat, and a bench run along the cabin’s rear—not much legroom there!

All in all, Auto World’s ’69 GTO Judge delivers a diecast replica that exudes power and speed for a modest price that the original design team would envy. - Tim Kidwell

Auto World’s 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge

1972 McLaren M16, Indy, RevsonMfg: ReplicarzScale: 1/18Stock No: R184826MSRP: $199.99Link: Replicarz.com

4 Scale Auto DC • June/Ju ly 201

Peter Revson was a wealthy playboy type racer. McLaren was a successful race car maker. Their link-up in 1971 was historic and launched a successful era for both at the Indianapolis 500.

Revson, the heir to the Revlon cosmetics fortune had tried his hand at F1 racing in Europe, but to no success, so returned to the United States. He hooked up with Brabham in 1969 for the Indy 500 and barely made the show, starting last but finishing fifth.

Meanwhile, McLaren was getting ready to dip its toes into the IndyCar world and seeing success in Can-Am racing. McLaren’s M16 IndyCar racer that borrowed its wedge shape from Lotus came to Indy in 1971 via Team McLaren, with Revson and F1 World Champ Denny Hulme, plus Roger Penske’s team with driver Mark Donohue.

This Replicarz 1/18 die-cast gem is of Revson’s 1972 model, which is similar to his successful 1971 mount.

The HistoryRevson qualified the M16 at a record

178.696 mph to win the 1971 Indy 500 pole. Donohue would start second and Hulme fourth. While Al Unser Sr. would win the race, Revson finished

second. And later that year Donohue would win the Pocono 500 in his M16.

Variations of the M16 would race at Indy for several more years and Johnny Rutherford would win Indy twice, in 1974 and 1976 in a McLaren.

The M16 upped the downforce ante in 1971 and for several years to come with its sleek wedge-shaped winged nose and giant rear wing to help balance the car. It was powered by the then dominant 2.6-liter Offenhauser 4-cylinder engine. The Offy was mated with a Hewland 3-speed gearbox.

For 1972, the McLaren’s nose was shortened and new wings designed, plus the suspension reworked. It proved a winning formula. Donohue won the race in his McLaren, but teammate Gary Bettenhausen dominated the race, leading 138 laps. Revson qualified second that year, but dropped out early with gearbox problems to finish 31st.

The ModelThis die-cast beauty is bathed in

McLaren’s famous Papaya Orange paint with blue trim to reflect its Gulf Oil sponsorship. The front wings and nose’s No. 12 are blue, as is the Gulf McLaren logo. Rear wing end plates are white with Goodyear and Gulf logos.

Revson’s name is in script on either side of the cockpit and there’s a white Goodyear sticker on either side of the windscreen.

The cockpit panel and windscreen pop off to expose the interior and Offy, although some of the engine is still visible with the cockpit cover in place.

There’s wiring from the dash into the racer’s nose and more wiring and tubing running alongside the cockpit to the engine and cooling units in back. The cockpit itself is simple, with a reclining black seat and safety belts with photo-etched clasps and buckles. The wheel is a black flat-bottomed number and there are three dash gauges and an orange-handled shifter to the right of the wheel.

PE radiator covers are at the rear of the sidepods and suspension pieces, while plastic, are painted a realistic matte silver. Mirrors, roll bar and the header cover and tube to the turbocharger are all chrome. The exhaust pipe is more of a darker weathered silvery gray to appear as if the engine has been run.

Engine detail is among the best yet from Replicarz. The car also rides on branded Goodyear slicks while the wheels are four-spoke blackened chrome. - Mark Savage

Replicarz 1972 McLaren M16, Indy 500, Peter Revson

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1960 Ford Thunderbird Convert.Mfg: NEOScale: 1/43Stock No: NEO46057MSRP: $99.95Link: American-Excellence.com

6 Scale Auto DC • June/Ju ly 2016 Scale Auto DC • June/Ju ly 201

Long before Ford’s Thunderbird grew into a bloated full-size luxury coupe with a long hood and monstrous dimensions, it was a cool sportster, first a two-seater, then a four-seater.

From its launch as a 1955, through the end of its second generation model in 1960, the T-bird was a styling home run.

That’s why I’m happy to see NEO’s fine 1/43 scale resin model of the 1960 model with its top down and neatly stored beneath the trunk lid.

One of my dad’s co-workers had a square bird and as a 5-year-old I was mightily impressed. Wish I had that 1/1 version now, but guess this will have to fulfill that dream.

The HistoryFord saw good sales with its original

2-seat T-bird, but for 1958 decided to broaden the car’s appeal by restyling it completely into a four-seater, both hardtop and convertible. Ultimately this niche became known as the personal luxury car segment.

Men and women both liked the new bird’s long lean look with tiny tail fins and hooded quad headlights, fake hood scoop along with a wide, toothy chrome grille. Sales hit 200,000 units in three

years, nearly 93,000 alone in 1960. Ford was on to something.

Each year from 1958-1960 Ford updated the car’s look a bit, mainly with new grilles each model year.

Under the hood for 1960 was a 300-horsepower V8, or optional 350-horse 7.0-liter V8. Also for 1960 Ford added triple lens taillights, one more than in 1959, further distinguishing the new model from its predecessor. The following year, 1961, a new bullet-shaped T-bird was introduced, but for my money the square bird was the epitome of T-bird style.

The ModelLucky us, NEO perfectly reflects that

lean sexy look of the 1960 model and in the sample car bathes it in a silky light metallic blue paint scheme. Finish is perfect and accented by chrome windshield trim, vent windows, wipers and mirror, along with door handles.

Most impressive may be the fine creases molded into this model for the hood with its flared front hood edges to wrap up to the fenders, plus the fine markings for the hood scoop and center rear indentation in the trunk lid.

Likewise, the small fins in back and the rocket-like styling pike that extends

from the chrome rear bumper up into the door panels.

T-bird’s photo-etched mesh grille behind the massive oval ring and bumper guards also is impressive and the clear headlights and red taillights look convincingly real. Nose and tail also feature PE Thunderbird logos and there are twin tailpipes in back.

License plates are representative of California and the car features thin white-sidewall tires and large chrome hubcaps.

Inside, the model features a contrasting brighter blue leather-look interior with nicely shaped seats representing the four-pillow bottom-cushion pattern. Inner door trim is well executed too with painted silver trim and door release handles. I like the big white 3-spoke steering wheel with horn ring and a spiffy dash with chrome-look dual-cockpit dash trim and a chrome and black center console. The shifter is column-mounted with a white handle.

What’s not to like? Not much unless you thought you’d get opening doors, hood and trunk in this scale at this price. Unlikely!

The ’60 Thunderbird was a beautiful car, and NEO delivers a beautiful model. - Mark Savage

NEO 1960 Ford Thunderbird convertible

Classic Gold 2018 Rel. 2 A&BMfg: Johnny LightningScale: 1/64Stock No: JLCGO14/06 A & BMSRP: $41.99Link: Autoworldstore.com

June/Ju ly 2019 • www.ScaleAutoMag.com 7

Need a quick, satisfying, inexpensive die-cast car fix? I know I do, every so often, and Johnny Lightning has been scratching that itch for 50 years now.

The latest urge satisfier is its Classic Gold Release 2, which comes with six cars from varying years and automakers. And because there’s an A and B release, you get sharp 1/64 scale metal die-cast cars in two color schemes. Hard to decide which I like best, but at $41.99 per six-pack it’s possible to buy both.

Here’s what you getBoth releases include the same sharp

selection of vehicles with colors listed for Set A/B.

- 1982 Ford Mustang (bright bittersweet orange/dark pewter poly): This Mustang design also was used by Ford’s sister brand, Mercury, for its Capri model from 1979 to 1986.

- 1974 AMC Hornet (plum metallic/dark green poly): This is somewhat rare in that JL has only released a factory-stock version once before. And this casting was first released in 2002 to represent a car in the 1974 James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun.

- 1967 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 (antique pewter metallic w/black vinyl roof/Bimini blue poly w/black vinyl roof):

The 442 was still based on Olds’ Supreme in 1967 and this is the first time released in this color scheme. Also note that W-30 models all had red front fender wells under the hood, which this model reproduces.

- 1965 Chevy Impala Convertible (crocus yellow/rally red): This is the first factory rally red and crocus yellow paint schemes offered on this model, which also uses JL’s updated GM Rallye wheels.

- 1964 Ford Thunderbolt (Guardsman blue metallic/vintage burgundy poly): Thunderbolt was an experimental car made for drag racing; only 100 were built. The car packed a 427 ci V8 that was listed as creating 425 horsepower, but many estimated at closer to 600 hp.

- 1958 Nash Metropolitan (Mardi Gras red & white/classic black & white): This is a never-before-seen tooling variation without a vent window, making this a 1958 model, the only year without the vent. Top speed from the tiny car was between 70 and 80 mph, but it took it 22.4 seconds to reach 60 mph.

All models come with metal bodies and chassis, free-rolling wheels and rubber tires, some white-stripped, some red-stripped and some branded, BF Goodrich in this case.

The ModelsConsider these highlights for the

collection of six classics. - The Mustang features a dark rocker

panel stripe and spoiler on the trunk lid, confirming this is a GT. In addition, the roof features the then-popular T-top.

- AMC’s Hornet looks sharp with its chrome 5-spoke wheels and JL adds the factory-correct accent stripe down the side. This features two white stripes separated by a black pinstripe.

- The Olds 442 features an opening hood that reveals a sharply detailed engine bay, plus that flat black “vinyl” roof really sets this model apart.

- The Chevy convertible features Goodrich branded tires and a handsome white interior with black dash and flooring to give it a stylish flair.

- Thunderbolt features a teardrop shaped hood bulge and the hood opens to reveal an engine. I also like the metallic gold roof on the burgundy model.

- Nash’s Metropolitan, always a cute little bug of a car, includes red Nash logos on the chrome hub caps, a spare tire on the back and wide whitewall tires. Plus having no vent window creates a stark looking windshield. - Mark Savage

Johnny Lightning Classic Gold 2018 release 2 A&B

1949 Olds Rocket 88 FuturamicMfg: NEOScale: 1/43Stock No: NEO45756MSRP: $99.95Link: American-Excellence.com

8 Scale Auto DC • June/Ju ly 201

Post-WWII cars have their own charm and simplicity, yet even by 1949 General Motors was trying to get a little swoopy with their 2-doors, plus adding muscle. Plus at Oldsmobile the Rocket 88 was a name that launched the Greatest Generation into their growing family years.

This 1/43 scale model of the Olds Rocket 88 Futuramic 2-door Club Coupe is sharp, both in execution and looks. First, NEO beautifully replicates the body’s shape in resin and then finished it off with oodles of chrome and a gorgeous dark metallic red paint scheme.

The model looks great, but is way too glossy to mimic colors of the day. But on a shelf, this color will make the Olds pop, looking almost like a customized version of the iconic 88.

The HistoryOlds muscled up its 1949 models with

a new overhead valve Rocket 88 V8 engine. That V8 cranked up to 165 horsepower, not so great by today’s standards, but it seemed gutsy at the time.

The Rocket 88 was dropped into Olds new 88, which replaced the former Olds 78 and became so popular that Olds

dropped its entry-level Olds 76 models by 1950. And if you remember Olds, you may recall it also featured a 98 model; a lot of numbers to be sure in the Olds lineup.

Soon the rocket theme caught on and a rocket became the Olds logo as performance was its new calling card. The 88 was a big deal for the GM brand. In 1949 a convertible 88 was the Indianapolis 500 pace car and Olds earned a stout racing reputation in NASCAR where 88s won 10 of the 19 races during the 1950 season. An 88 even won Mexico’s Carrera Pan-american race conducted over the country’s roads that year.

Like many of today’s modern cars, there was a starter button to engage the engine and that Futuramic badge meant this model also had an automatic transmission when those were still a new option for most cars.

The ModelThe fine chrome detailing on this

model really sets it off from other 1/43 models. For instance there is not only thin etched chrome around the windows, including the split windshield and oval rear window, but on a drip rail over the large side and vent windows.

Wide chrome trim runs along the car’s baseboard and as an accent over the bulging rear fenders with little strikes that run down into the nicely detailed taillights. Bumpers are chrome as are the headlight rings and grille up front. The Olds logo is well executed on the nose and the hood ornament is impressive too.

There’s a chrome mirror on the driver’s side and antenna stub in the fender just in front of that mirror. Naturally the big mouthy grille is chrome with flat black in the openings to help set it off. There’s also PE lettering on the hood and trunk, an etched 88 in each rear fender and the cool Rocket 88 logo on the trunk lid’s left side.

Lights are sharp too and there are wide white sidewall tires on body-colored wheels with chrome hubcaps.

The interior is a saddle brown with ivory 3-spoke steering wheel and PE horn ring. The dash is well detailed too although with closed windows all around it’s a tad tough to peek inside for much study.

Still, you can see nice inner door trim, including chrome window cranks and door releases. - Mark Savage

NEO 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Futuramic 2-door Club Coupe

1979 Volkswagen Jetta IMfg: NEOScale: 1/43Stock No: NEO43579MSRP: $95.95Link: American-Excellence.com

June/Ju ly 2019 • www.ScaleAutoMag.com 9

NEO’s new 1/43 scale resin 1979 VW Jetta Mk.1 was a blast from the past, my past. My first VW was an 1981 four-door, so much of this model looks familiar.

The HistoryJetta was (and still is, for the most

part) a Golf hatchback with a trunk added to it. The model debuted in 1979 and is now in its seventh generation.

The car inherited the Golf’s (known as Rabbit in the U.S. for the Mk.1 and 2 versions) Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned design. The rear quarter windows received a BMW-esque kick and the trunk was neatly integrated into the rest of the body design.

As front-wheel-drive cars, Jettas boasted reasonable interior space, and the trunk could easily swallow a couple of loaded backpacks, numerous cases of beer, or both. As a step up from the Golf, the Jetta was a little better appointed, and the enclosed trunk did away with the booming sounds a hatchback or station wagon can have on the highway.

But it didn’t give up the Golf’s spritely handling, and when the GTI version of the Golf debuted, it wasn’t long until the Jetta had a corresponding GLI,

offering drivers a compact, economical, and affordable German performance sedan.

The ModelNEO’s model is well proportioned

and measures to within a few tenths of a millimeter of being 1/43 the size of the dimensions published in online sources. The tan paint (a boring, but common choice) is evenly and smoothly applied with a high gloss and no orange peel.

All of the trim is semigloss black, just as on the full-size car. It also has the black decal stripes that went along the car’s lower character line just above the rocker panels. These were considered sporty in the ’80s. The emblem on the trunk lid proclaims this a Jetta GL, which earns it a set of black spats for its wheel arches and dual remote-control sideview mirrors.

As a European-market car, it has the large rectangular headlights I lusted after in the 1980s when Euro parts were near-unobtainium. It also includes nicely tucked in bumpers instead of the diving boards my car featured. The car is equipped with steel wheels, which were a little wider on Jettas to accommodate 70-series rubber instead of the taller 80-series on Rabbits. There’s

no sidewall detail on the tires, but they have a nice directional tread. I switched two so they were all oriented correctly.

Although the doors don’t open, the large, airy greenhouse makes it easy to see inside, and NEO did a great job here as well. The seats have the correct contour, and the dash is the early version that was shared with the Rabbit. Gauges are legible in the instrument cluster, but apparently, this car was optioned without a radio. Likewise, there are no heater controls on the dash. Although the car clearly has a manual shift lever, there are only two pedals on the floor.

I’m not sure if the missing console is an early model distinction or an oversight on the model.

However, there are cloth seatbelts with photo-etched buckles for all four occupants, and the orange release buttons are easy to spot. One other small item is the model’s upside-down steering wheel.

Searching online shows several other colors available, as well as a four-door version. Volkswagen sold millions of Jettas. Maybe you had one too? If you remember it fondly, take a look for NEO’s model, you won’t be disappointed! - Eric White

NEO 1979 Volkswagen Jetta I

McLaren P1 GTRMfg: AutoartScale: 1/18Stock No: 81542MSRP: $180Link: Autoartmodels.com

10 Scale Auto DC • June/Ju ly 201

Supercars are like cell phones, always one-upping each other to the point that they blend together. Which one is fastest? Can’t remember!

They also all seem cut from the same well chiseled mold with swoopy looks and rounded edges that reflect the stylings of Le Mans-style racers, and at nearly the same cost.

Autoart has made a lot of supercar models in 1/18 scale and its latest is the McLaren P1 GTR, the racing version of this exclusive high-end boy (er, rich old guy) toy.

Naturally, it’s beautiful. Our sample was a sparkling metallic blue with yellow stripes. It’ll be stunning on any display shelf.

The HistoryMcLaren’s F1 was fast, but the P1

GTR is faster. Surprise!The plug-in hybrid rear-drive racer

will do 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-124 mph in 6.8 seconds, and 0-186 mph (presumably on the Mulsanne Straight) in 16.5 seconds.

Power, it has, thanks to a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 that cranks 727 horsepower. But that’s combined with an electric motor that uses a 324-cell lithium-ion battery pack to create a horsepower

rating of 903. Torque is mighty too.Designers Frank Stephenson and

Robert Melville created the P1 with a MonoCage carbon-fiber monocoque safety cage that makes it both light and strong. The car weighs in at 3,411 lbs. Just 375 of the street version P1’s were built at McLaren’s Woking, England plant. And reports vary, but 40-58 of the GTR models aimed for the track also have been produced.

Entry price? Just $2.4 million!

The ModelBeautiful doesn’t even come close to

describing this model’s bright metallic blue exterior accented by a broad yellow and red racing stripe from hood to tail. The modified gull-wing doors also feature carbon-fiber look door panels with McLaren P1 decals and red and yellow-trimmed No. 23. The number also is on its wing’s end plates and hood.

Other logos include Pirelli on the chin spoiler and rear haunches, and the racing slicks. There also is Technogym, SAP and AkzoNobel logos along the car’s lower sides and side ground effects.

In front are McLaren’s cool reverse checkmark lights (think of reversed Nike swooshes), a big carbon-fiber look chin spoiler, a red tow ring and a red

photo-etched McLaren logo on the nose. Twin carbon fiber winglets and body-mounted aerodynamic device sit under the headlight.

I like the tail of this car, not just because of the massive wing, but there are dual center-mounted exhausts, and detailed carbon-fiber diffuser. Also exposed are the blue-tipped shocks and twin giant fans used to cool the car’s massive brakes and batteries.

Behind the racing slicks are giant brake rotors along with McLaren branded silver brake calipers.

Flip up the gull-wing doors and you can view the black racing interior with its tall racing seat with extended wraparound head supports and yes, there are seat belts and a shoulder harness with metal clasps.

Detailed dash controls are visible along with round silver air ducts on the dash’s face, along with a squared-off racing steering wheel that’s loaded with buttons. The stack also is well detailed. The racer’s doors close and latch firmly due to a couple magnets.

Lastly, outside are yellow trimmed side mirrors and air scoop edges just outside the cabin’s windows in each door to direct more cooling air beneath the car. - Mark Savage

Autoart McLaren P1 GTR

DeLorean DMC-12Mfg: AutoartScale: 1/18Stock No: 79916MSRP: $220Link: Autoartmodels.com

June/Ju ly 2019 • www.ScaleAutoMag.com 11

The tale of DeLorean automobiles and their brains and creator, John DeLorean, is a twisted affair that didn’t end well. Yet the DeLorean DMC12, the make’s only car, was quickly famous as the Back to the Future movie car used by Marty McFly to time travel.

Folks remember the DeLorean because of its stainless-steel finish, gull-wing doors and futuristic styling, courtesy of Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. This was a two-seat sports car with an attitude that hinted at where automotive design might go.

So, it’s no surprise Autoart has perfected the finish and now creates a handsome 1/18 scale composite die-cast model of the flux-capacitor-touting sportster. The model sells for $220, but its extra cost is mostly due to the body’s finish. Autoart says it must scrap 40% of the bodies as they are prone to marring during this complex chrome plating and hand polishing process.

The HistoryAfter a several year build-up, the

DeLorean began production in Northern Ireland in early 1981, and listed at $25,000, more than double its original target price. Ultimately nearly 9,000 cars were made between 1981 and

1983 when DeLorean ceased production after John, a former GM executive, was charged with selling cocaine to help keep his company afloat. He was later acquitted, but the firm, DMC, had already ceased operations.

Being a sports car, the DeLorean was small, featuring a 95-inch wheelbase and a total length of 166 inches. The engine was in the back and did not provide supercar power. The 2.85-liter V6 engine made just 130 horsepower.

The ModelOur sample’s wedge-shaped body was

flawless and impressive looking. The texture is not chrome-plated shiny, but slightly textured like the real 1/1 cars, almost a satin-like appearance.

The gull-wing doors flip up and the black louvered rear hatch opens to reveal the engine. Even the hood opens, although there’s not much to see there but trunk space.

The DeLorean wasn’t long on styling gewgaws, other than the gull-wing doors. There is a black vinyl accent stripe on either side that would help prevent door dings, and two slight hood accent creases.

The nose features a black grille carrying the distinctive silver DMC logo

and headlights here show nice depth to create a realistic look and there are amber running lights in the black edged bumper that wraps around to black trim on the fender’s sides and display reflectors, same in back. Also the red taillights are covered by a black grid.

There’s a black louvered rear hatch that sort of serves as the rear window and covers the engine compartment. Atop that is a black mesh covering that you can flip up to reveal the sharply detailed V6 engine, which is wired and plumbed. A real window with defroster grid also separates the cockpit from the engine bay.

Side windows include a black-trimmed window within the window, something Subaru also tried with its SVX sports car in the 1990s.

Inside is a well-detailed gray interior with good seat cushion definition and door panels. The dash features a tall hood over the instrument panel and a black three-spoke steering wheel. Some dash gauges also are visible and as is the facing on the center stack. The console features a black ball shifter and seat belt receivers are black and orange, as in many 1/1 cars..

Tires are treaded (not branded) and hubcaps are detailed. - Mark Savage

Autoart DeLorean DMC-12

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