Last Friday, Jeff Simmons graciously posted a look at some of the new 1:18 releases we have at Model Citizen, including the gorgeous McLaren MP4/5 ’89 Monaco winner by TSM. We’ve been looking forward to stocking this model for a VERY long time (its item number starts with “14,” which tells you something) as we’ve been quite excited about seeing a resin model that features removable bodywork to reveal engine and cockpit detail. The joy of Jeff’s post lasted only a couple of minutes, however, when dtg11 noted in the comments that according to diecastsociety.com, TSM had issued a notice to dealers that further development of the MP4/5 and MP4/6 would be suspended after it was discovered that the resin canopy had occasionally developed a tendency to deform due to rapid swings in temperature during shipment to dealers.
Uh-oh.
Oddly, we hadn’t received this dealer notice at Model Citizen (except that we HAD…check your spam filters, kids) so this seemed a little fishy to us. However, a quick e-mail exchange with TSM’s U.S. distributor confirmed the ugly truth…sort of. Yes, the cancellation was real, and yes, it was because the canopies had experienced intermittent shrinkage when temperatures dropped suddenly in transit. HOWEVER, this phenomenon has been limited to shipments to far-northern destinations; models sent to Asia and the U.S. had not experienced any problems. Of course, TSM and their distributor are stand-up guys, and would stand behind their models 100% if they were found to be defective.
Still, as a dealer, I’d rather sell my tiny allocation than send them back, so I cracked one of my three MP4/5s open for a look. Thankfully, there was no defect to be found.
Except…
Looking at the way the bodywork fits over the monocoque of the car, there is a large panel gap between the canopy and the nose. In comparing the model to photographs of the full-sized car, it is dramatically out of scale…the fit between body and nose cone on the real thing is effectively flush. Was this panel gap on the 1:18-scale version a defect? I checked my sample against TSM’s official photography, and lo and behold, it was a match. The panel gap is not a defect…it’s just the way the body fits.
Now, let’s imagine for a moment that AUTOart were to put out their own 1:18 version of the MP4/5 in traditional diecast metal, charging their typical $300+ rate. If their model had a panel gap like this, they would be crucified for it by collectors, and rightly so. BUT, the TSM model costs only $230. Is the panel gap forgivable at that price?
I say yes, with one qualification: the TSM MP4/5 is an absolutely brilliant model, IF you like to display your models open. In this case, the magic of the model is in the interior and engine details, which are exquisite. And anyway, isn’t the major knock on resin models that they don’t open? Well, this one does. It’s morning in America.
Of course, if I’m wrong and you don’t like it, Model Citizen stands behind the MP4/5 just as TSM stands behind us. If you buy one and decide it’s not for you, you’ve got 30 days to send it back. Ordinarily we charge a 15% restocking fee on models that are returned for reasons other than defect, but on this one we’ll waive the restocking fee. (You’ll still have to pay return shipping, of course…I’m not Satan, but I’m not Santa Claus either.)
Ultimately, we want to make money selling model cars, but we want to do it the right way. I believe the TSM McLaren MP4/5 is a worthy investment, but the final word on that belongs to you, the consumer, and I thought it was important to give you as much information as possible before you shell out your hard-earned dollars on what is a somewhat controversial model. As always, if you have any questions about this or any other model we offer, you can e-mail me directly through Model Citizen’s website or reach out through the various segments of MC’s social media empire.
Major hat tip to dtg11 for bringing this issue to light. David is a discerning collector who knows trash from treasure, so when he threw a flag on the field regarding this model, I knew it was essential to investigate. Thanks, man.