1/43 Model Review: 1976 World Champion James Hunt (McLaren M23 Ford Cosworth)

Background

The dramatic 1976 season saw the McLaren team replace outgoing former Champion Fittipaldi with James Hunt who had previously impressed with two years in a Hesketh.

Hunt's season didn't start well, but the potential and speed were all there. Hunt had not had much experience leading Grand Prix and fell off the road whilst gaining the lead of Grand Prix. When he did win, the car was judged too long, and would take a court case many months later to reinstate it. In Britain, he also crossed the line first, but Ferrari appealed that his car did not complete the first lap, due to a red flag and a shortcut to the pits was taken. But with Niki Lauda's fiery accident at the Nurburgring, Hunt capitalised and gained momentum towards the end of the year. Odds were still stacked against him, but his driving was exceptional in North America taking two wins.

Three points behind Lauda going into the finale at Japan, the race should have been called off because of torrential rain, but with TV audiences expecting a Championship show-down, the drivers opted to race (despite Lauda's and Hunt's objections). Lauda bravely retired saying it was too dangerous, and who would blame him after Nurburgring, but Hunt controlled the race until miscommunication with the pitwall led to a puncture and a pitstop. He rejoined 5th, but those ahead had burnt out their tyres, and Hunt finished third, earning four points to clinch the Drivers' Championship by a point.

So dramatic was the 1976 season, that it inspired the film Rush in 2013, starring Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt. Thoroughly recommend the film.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530764311

The first Minichamps car came as part of the McLaren Collection and, like the 1974 version, came with removable engine cover and cockpit cowel - here pictured with them off. 

And then Minichamps decided to release multiple versions of them within a few months of each other. I only ever picked up two. 

Minichamps 530764391

The Japanese GP version was the scene at which Hunt claimed the title at a soaked Suzuka circuit. This lovely updated model comes with rain tyres. 

Minichamps 530764331

I also got myself the South African GP version, because I'm a sucker for huge airboxes.

Minichamps 530764321

The Dutch GP model is basically an updated version of the original.

Minichamps 436760011

The World Champion Edition is the Japanese GP model but with dry tyres.

With so many different versions, I thought I would combine their score together. I really like the idea of the removable cowel, and they have made a nice job of the engine and around the cockpit area. These do not detract in anyway the main proportions of the car and so it's a higher score than I usually give Minichamps cars.
Score: 8/10

Spark

Spark S4360

Spark released their version of the South African GP, but having never owned either Spark model, I haven't had a chance to compare them directly. But from what photos I have seen, this is a nice model, but the novelty of the removable pieces from Minichamps, and the overall finish means that I prefer the Minichamps offerings.

Spark S4362

Spark released their version of the French GP with the smaller airbox. 

Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection/Ixo

Ixo have done a nice job on this car. It's basic, but it has pretty good proportions.
Score: 6/10

RBA

RBA gets an honourable mention to have created this budget car, which for a long time was the only budget version available. But now that there is an IXO version, you'd be better getting that.
Score: 4/10

Tameo

Tameo WCT076

Tameo have produced this model of perfection to me, and it comes with a bunch of removable parts, even the nose. And underneath, there is incredible detail, worth taking the parts off to check out. The detail on the seat is brilliant, and the detail on the rear end is amazing for this scale.
Score: 10/10

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