Models as investments?

Models as investments?

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Discussion

jon-yprpe

Original Poster:

403 posts

95 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
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Firstly, I’ve started visiting this thread as reading up on, and looking on at the models on here is like a soothing stress relieving balm in these crazy times. There are some stunningly skilled people here.

I don’t want to offend anyone with my topic. I’ve fallen in love with this stunning weathered limited edition Porsche 917 model from the amalgam collection (hopefully not a limited edition of ‘as many as we can sell’).

https://www.amalgamcollection.com/collections/pors...

Now, if my wife finds out I’ve spend £1k on a model she will freak out. But if I can make an argument it’s an investment that can be part of my pension then that’s prob ok with just a few nights sleeping in the shed. But I wondered if these type of models are collectible and do go up in value?

Edited by jon-yprpe on Wednesday 21st October 20:02

dr_gn

16,392 posts

191 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
quotequote all
You’d be a brave man to look on that as an investment. By all means get it because you like it, but a grand for - what looks like - a kerbside model with no engine detail is a bit steep to start with IMO.

The_Jackal

4,854 posts

204 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
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So its $400 over the standard for the weathering? I'd do that for £200, I'd even apply dirt on the bits of the windscreen not reached by the wipers (a key feature missing from a "handpainted/weathered by experts" model surely?)

As above, its only an investment if someone is will to pay loads in the future. There's no way you can predict that. Unless they are all sold out already and you can sell it for an instant profit, Just buy it as an expensive display item that you like.
As above. if it is just a kerbside model, that price really is just because they can get away with it.

As you can guess I am looking at this from a modeller's point of view rather than someone who can afford an ornament like that.
If you like it buy it, but I wouldnt as an investment. The world is full of cabinets full of diecast models waiting to be sold at a profit.


Edited by The_Jackal on Wednesday 21st October 20:17

g3org3y

21,077 posts

198 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
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The_Jackal said:
So its $400 over the standard for the weathering? I'd do that for £200, I'd even apply dirt on the bits of the windscreen not reached by the wipers (a key feature missing from a "handpainted/weathered by experts" model surely?)

As above, its only an investment if someone is will to pay loads in the future. There's no way you can predict that. Unless they are all sold out already and you can sell it for an instant profit, Just buy it as an expensive display item that you like.
As above. if it is just a kerbside model, that price really is just because they can get away with it.

As you can guess I am looking at this from a modeller's point of view rather than someone who can afford an ornament like that.
If you like it buy it, but I wouldnt as an investment. The world is full of cabinets full of diecast models waiting to be sold at a profit.


Edited by The_Jackal on Wednesday 21st October 20:17
Agreed.

Buy because you like it, not because you expect it to be an investment.

SydneyBridge

9,399 posts

165 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
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Lego would be a better investment.

BIRMA

3,862 posts

201 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
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This company had a wonderful display at the Classic LeMans many years ago and I spent ages looking at the various models they had on display. The detail work on the bigger models was as amazing as the eye watering prices.
As others have said, I'd be tempted to buy because it was a model something I really liked or owned, as to whether it would be an investment I have my doubts.
For instance I started to collect Corgi Lotus models back in the 80's after seeing a massive collection a Lotus dealer had accumulated, all of my collection are mint and boxed and my 40 odd cars have only really quadrupled in value over that time.

Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 21st October 21:19

dr_gn

16,392 posts

191 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
quotequote all
The_Jackal said:
So its $400 over the standard for the weathering? I'd do that for £200, I'd even apply dirt on the bits of the windscreen not reached by the wipers (a key feature missing from a "handpainted/weathered by experts" model surely?)

As above, its only an investment if someone is will to pay loads in the future. There's no way you can predict that. Unless they are all sold out already and you can sell it for an instant profit, Just buy it as an expensive display item that you like.
As above. if it is just a kerbside model, that price really is just because they can get away with it.
To be fair I don’t think they used wipers at all, unless of course it rained - clearing debris like that in those days just smeared it and made things worse. More likely the whole screen was thoroughly cleaned at every pit stop.

I found another reference and it showed opening doors and engine cover, but didn’t show the engine detail - not that that would make it much of a better investment IMO. I’m surprised they ask people for so much money based on so few images, unless there’s more info somewhere else.



Stratovarious

7,930 posts

185 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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I have sold many models at a really good profit - however none of them were originally bought as an investment. I just collected what appealed to me at the time, the rest was just pot luck. I've sold just as many that made a loss, although admittedly I'm slightly ahead, although £1.200 over a period of 35 years (representing over 300 items) isn't amazing one must agree!

The older a model is, the more chance of a good return, but to be honest, it's better to just forget the profit motive, and collect what you enjoy collecting.

(Guitars, on the other hand .. )

Riley Blue

21,615 posts

233 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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If I was spending a grand on a model I'd expect meticulous attention to detail, look at the front disc.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

205 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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I like that a lot - not sure I personally would spend £1k on one though

As with anything real car’s rc cars scale models whatever buy it primarily because you like it and want it. Investment return is a quality problem.

allegerita

259 posts

204 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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“The Porsche 917K Daytona 1970 Race Weathered Edition at 1:18 scale is limited to just 100 editions.”

At a rate of 100 cars per edition that makes 100 x 100 = 10,000 cars. Hardly unique, provided they achieve selling those 10,000

Zoon

6,840 posts

128 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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Finding a seller when you need to release the funds is going to be the issue.

dr_gn

16,392 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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Zoon said:
Finding a seller when you need to release the funds is going to be the issue.
Wouldn't the O/P be the seller? That's the easy bit!

dr_gn

16,392 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
quotequote all
allegerita said:
“The Porsche 917K Daytona 1970 Race Weathered Edition at 1:18 scale is limited to just 100 editions.”

At a rate of 100 cars per edition that makes 100 x 100 = 10,000 cars. Hardly unique, provided they achieve selling those 10,000
That can't be right. surely the total number is 100?

Stratovarious

7,930 posts

185 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
quotequote all
dr_gn said:
Zoon said:
Finding a seller when you need to release the funds is going to be the issue.
Wouldn't the O/P be the seller? That's the easy bit!
I think he meant to say, finding a buyer!

dr_gn said:
allegerita said:
“The Porsche 917K Daytona 1970 Race Weathered Edition at 1:18 scale is limited to just 100 editions.”

At a rate of 100 cars per edition that makes 100 x 100 = 10,000 cars. Hardly unique, provided they achieve selling those 10,000
That can't be right. surely the total number is 100?
Yep, that's how I'd read it too.

allegerita

259 posts

204 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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An edition is a batch of cars, rather than 1 individual car isn’t it? I am not native English but that is how I read it.

dr_gn

16,392 posts

191 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
quotequote all
allegerita said:
An edition is a batch of cars, rather than 1 individual car isn’t it? I am not native English but that is how I read it.
The "race weathered" is presumably an "edition" of thier 917 range, and they'll make 100 of them. That's how I read it.

10,000 off would be pushing the "limited" definition beyond breaking point IMO.

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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Have other past similar models made much money?

jon-yprpe

Original Poster:

403 posts

95 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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All sage advice. I think I’ll pass on the model as I can’t justify the money as a decorative object.

But interesting as to whether these ever move in value - apart from down.

generationx

7,492 posts

112 months

Thursday 22nd October 2020
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dr_gn said:
allegerita said:
An edition is a batch of cars, rather than 1 individual car isn’t it? I am not native English but that is how I read it.
The "race weathered" is presumably an "edition" of thier 917 range, and they'll make 100 of them. That's how I read it.

10,000 off would be pushing the "limited" definition beyond breaking point IMO.
This is how I interpret it too. Plus the fact that amalgam is unlikely to make 10,000 of any of their models.