1/43 Model Review: 1979 World Champion Jody Scheckter (Ferrari 312T4)

Background

The Ferrari 312T family of cars was raced between 1975 to 1980 winning 27 races, four Constructors' Championships and three drivers' titles. For 1979, Jody Scheckter joined Gilles Villeneuve, as they fought against other ground effect cars, pioneered by Lotus the previous year. The car was quick and reliable and won six races, 3 each for Villeneuve and Scheckter. But it was Scheckter who would be crowned the Driver's Champion, the last for 21 years before Michael Schumacher would finally take another Drivers' Crown for the Scuderia. 

Minichamps

Minichamps 430797311

I've bought a couple of these now, mostly because the ones I bought second hand all had some kind of decal damage, so it took a few goes to get one with no damage (actually there is damage to the decal on the rear wing on this one) at a reasonable price. This is the third entry for the 312T as a World Champion, although it has received significant updates since its first appearance in 1975. The model itself is an earlier Minichamps model, so it doesn't have the quality of some of the other cars already featured from the 1970s. But it is a nice diecast model, but it would be nice if it was brought up to date.
Score: 6/10

Ixo (La Storia/Atlas/Altaya)

This Ixo car released as part of the La Storia series is from the Monaco GP. This is not a bad model and would look fine as an alternative next to the Minichamps version above.
Score: 6/10

Brumm

Brumm R513-CH

Brumm have released a whole bunch of variations of this car. I've not always been a big fan of Brumms for the plastic parts and the slightly cheap feel to them, but they've done some nice models in recent years, though their prices have increased as a result. This one, I think pictured from the Italian GP, is quite a good effort. A fair few of them come with a driver figure, which I prefer, and

Score: 8/10

Mattel Elite

Mattel/Hot Wheels V8372

Mattel have released their version in the Elite run of cars. I'm just not a fan of this. The skirt for example, all the other models have had some detail put on it - Minichamps even having 3D bumps, but this is just blank. The grey finish looks plastic rather than giving any illusion that its a shiny metal. It's not terrible, but I feel they could have done better with the details.
Score: 5/10

Fujimi

The Fujimi model comes in a limited run of 750 with a base plate signed by the World Champion. It's made from resin and comes with all the details you'd expect from Fujimi. The detail on engine and the cockpit is lovely, and you get 3D gills where you can see into the sidepod next to the driver, a nice touch.
Score: 9/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK241

This Tameo car with removable cowl is based on the Monaco GP. 

Score: 9/10


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1/43 Model Review: 1977 World Champion Niki Lauda (Ferrari 312T2B)

Background

The Ferrari 312T2 was raced in the 1976 season, which Niki Lauda dominated until his accident at the Nurburgring, and the car was retained for 1977. The car was developed throughout the season with many different configurations used. Carlos Reutemann won one race, and Niki Lauda won three races, securing the team both Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. But the car was not the quickest, winning due to better reliability, and Lauda quit the team before the end of the season and Gilles Villenueve completed the rest of the season.

Formula 1 Car Collection/Ixo

Not much choice of this car around in 1/43 scale. For a long time, this was a gap in my World Champions collection. I went for the Formula 1 Car Collection to fill in the gap mainly, and it's not bad - not great, but not bad. 

The same mould is used for the Altaya model and the La Storia/Vitesse releases. 

Score: 6/10

Mattel Elite

Mattel/Hot Wheels N5581

Ixo have been known to used the same moulds as Mattel, and so there's not too much point comparing this to what we've seen already. What is nice though is that Mattel have released a 6-wheeler version of the car that was tested but never raced.

Mattel/Hot Wheels V8380

Score: 6/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK404

Tameo TMK352

Tameo have created this beautiful Brazilian GP and their 6 wheeler test car, both with removable parts. Brilliant!
Score 10/10


For more from this series of World Champions, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/search/label/World Champions

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

For more from this series of World Champions, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/search/label/World Champions