I haven’t bought a 1:43 in a while. Some of you may know that eventually I’d like to build a collection of 1:43 Porsche racecars that spans every number they did. My current count stands at five (934, 935 K3, 911 GT1, 908/3, and 956), and has stood at that number for about a year now.
I have had a lot of trouble making up my mind what to get next, based both on desire and what was available for a good price. And last week I finally found a winner on Ebay: Porsche 961 that competed in the 1987 24H of Le Mans. Brilliant car! It was a Spark, listed for 20.99, and I was the only bidder. It was listed under a “trusted Ebay Valet.” I had never heard of this before, but the feedbacks were excellent and numerous, so I saw nothing wrong. I won the auction at that minimum bid, and $29 shipped for a Spark is INSANE! I was obviously elated all around and eagerly awaiting its arrival.
However, just like the 1:1 driven on that fateful 14th of June 1987 by Dutch/Canadian racing driver Kees Nierop, my hopes for this Porsche went up in flames.
Ya. That happened.
But obviously trying to spend my money anyway, I looked for another 30-is dollar car, and landed at this gorgeous Alfa Romeo 33/3 by TSM, a gorgeous rendition of the 1971 Targa Florio winner driven by Nino Vaccarella and Dutchman Toine Hezemans.
Here, have another videos, because it is awesome to see footage of these little model cars as they actually raced. This is the 1971 race as narrated by Nino Vaccarella himself, in three parts!
Now to the model.
It’s a 1:43 by TrueScale Miniatures, and absolutely gorgeously executed. From the car itself, with its insanely delicate body-mounted rear view mirror, to the dials and steering wheel, to the seat belts that are a separate part, not molded in or painted on. Even the packaging is exquisite, with the car held onto a white piece of plexiglass with the info on the car printed on it. I really think I stole this thing.
But it’s late, Spaghetti Sunday is running out, and I need to wake up at 5am to go boxing, so here are the photos to end with. Hope you enjoy them!
I’m glad I strayed from my Porsche plans for this one. Literally the only flaw is that it doesn’t roll, so no panning shots, but, hey, what is Photoshop for if not that?
I just need to solve this driverless car thing and finally get a 1:43 driver torso.