1/43 Model Review: 1975 World Champion Niki Lauda (Ferrari 312T1)

Background

Ferrari brought in Luca Di Montezemolo to change the fortunes of the team, and a new driver in little known Niki Lauda started the 1974 season. Lauda was quick, securing more pole positions than anyone else, but his inexperience showed. He finished the season in fourth place. In 1975, the team introduced a new car, the 312T, and won four of five Grand Prix mid season when the car was raced. Lauda also became the only man to lap the old Nurburgring Nordschleife in under 7 minutes. At the final race of the year, Lauda secured his fifth victory to clinch his first of three World Championships.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430750012

It's a shame that there's so few Ferraris being produced by Minichamps due to licensing, but I'm glad they made this one. My only complaints stem with Lauda's helmet being way too orange, and the plastic rear wing assembly. They've applied nice chrome paint though. The car itself is a nice shape.
Score: 7/10

Quartzo

Quartzo 4031

Quartzo's car is also quite nice, but doesn't have quite as nice a finish as the Minichamps version. Still, it's not a bad alternative, and there are plenty of them to choose from.
Score: 6/10

Fujimi

Fujimi FJM1243023

I've not ventured into buying any Fujimi models yet, but they are slightly higher end in terms quality and price from the models above. Because of that, it is a better version than the Minichamps car and so deserves a higher score for me.Score: 9/10

Looksmart

Looksmart LSRC61

This Looksmart model was released in 2019 and its a thing of beauty, though I think this is the same as the Fujimi model. The helmet looks straight from a Spark car with the large transparent visor, which I'm not immediately that keen on. For me, I would have liked to see more definition on the rear end, there seems to have been more detail attempted on the Mattel Elite car than this, though the overall finish of this car is better. Still, these slight nitpicks aside, this is still a beautiful model.

Score: 9/10

Mattel Elite

Mattel Elite T6937

I've not been too big a fan of the mass produced Mattel/Hot Wheels cars, but having said that, there are a few highlights, and this one is really not bad at all. It's a shame the elite models don't come with a driver figure, but then again, the Hot Wheels driver figures weren't particularly great. In its place, you get a nicely detailed cockpit with a gear lever.

Score: 8/10

Altaya/Ixo

Altaya is another brand I'm not too familiar with, but I believe they sell Ferrari cars by IXO. If that's the case, then this model should share the same mould as the Mattel Elite car, however Mattel's version has more effort put into the finish of the livery and the decals. 

Score: 6/10

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