Discussion
Yes, but they're not die-cast, they're resin. I've just picked up a very nice 2000 Exige and am very pleased. What you do have to remember though is that they are built down to price - compare the cost of a Marsh Models factory built with a Spark and you'll understand that you might have to "select" a well constructed example. If no one beats me to it I'll post some pics tonight of the Exige.
Well basicly, I was wanting some 1/18th scale cars. Wishing to spend about £50 on each model - thought that this was a good amount for a fairly detailed, worth having car no? I'm going on the basis of 'you get what you pay for'.
I'm looking at some Le Mans cars for a start. The diesel Audi R10's 2006, The Aston that beat the Corvette in its group 2007 - but can only find a 2006 one so it'll have to do, but saying that, I might just get the two Aston's anyway.
Also maybe a Lamborghini or two, the original Austin/ Rover Mini and to finish it off, a Caterham.
They are the ones off the top of my head.
Upon looking on http://www.grandprixlegends.com/DieCastSite/pages/... I could only find the Le Mans cars (1/18th a must) made by Spark.
So as you say they are resin, what are the pros and cons of the same car, die-cast or resin moulded?
Lots of questions!
David
I'm looking at some Le Mans cars for a start. The diesel Audi R10's 2006, The Aston that beat the Corvette in its group 2007 - but can only find a 2006 one so it'll have to do, but saying that, I might just get the two Aston's anyway.
Also maybe a Lamborghini or two, the original Austin/ Rover Mini and to finish it off, a Caterham.
They are the ones off the top of my head.
Upon looking on http://www.grandprixlegends.com/DieCastSite/pages/... I could only find the Le Mans cars (1/18th a must) made by Spark.
So as you say they are resin, what are the pros and cons of the same car, die-cast or resin moulded?
Lots of questions!
David
Well for starters I've only bought Spark 43rds but I'm sure, the 18ths will be no different in quality. It's always been said that a resin moulding will be crisper with better defined detail. Then you have to factor in other detail items that will "make" the model more real looking. A resin model will tend to have vac-formed glazing which will always appear thinner with a more scale appearance, and wipers etc will be photo-etched - that said at 18th scale delicacy of some items becomes less of an issue.
Where most die-casts win is in that they tend to be designed to be built as easily as possible on a production line with very little human "thought" resulting in very "tidy" repeat products, whereas the Sparks you mention are very much assembled kits and can as such suffer from human constructional errors eg my Exige needed a stray blob of glue removing, hence my suggestion of picking a good one if you can.
The final deciding factor can be your subject - a die-cast model will need considerably more investment to get to a final product so the manufacturers choice will be limited by saleability so if you fancy some of the more obscure Le Mans entries Spark may well be your only choice.
Anyway here's the Exige.
Tony
Where most die-casts win is in that they tend to be designed to be built as easily as possible on a production line with very little human "thought" resulting in very "tidy" repeat products, whereas the Sparks you mention are very much assembled kits and can as such suffer from human constructional errors eg my Exige needed a stray blob of glue removing, hence my suggestion of picking a good one if you can.
The final deciding factor can be your subject - a die-cast model will need considerably more investment to get to a final product so the manufacturers choice will be limited by saleability so if you fancy some of the more obscure Le Mans entries Spark may well be your only choice.
Anyway here's the Exige.
Tony
The only resin models I've seen with open doors are kits where a fixed open door is an option, and if a die-cast has opening doors then the hinge area will never be convincing once the door is open - door shut lines will suffer too. An exception would be really high end die-casts like Exoto.
I've got resin models (albeit built from kits) in my collection from 20 odd years back so as a material it's stable enough, if the models are safe in display cases then I can see no difference in robustness - there is a whole industry for resin slot cars so if it's strong enough for them then it will be tough enough for display models.
Tony
I've got resin models (albeit built from kits) in my collection from 20 odd years back so as a material it's stable enough, if the models are safe in display cases then I can see no difference in robustness - there is a whole industry for resin slot cars so if it's strong enough for them then it will be tough enough for display models.
Tony
Hi David,
Too many to have all on display at once !! Here's a couple of themed pics, they're not all die-cast with a couple of Slots and a couple of RC thrown in as well .....
Lotus Europa Specials
Alpine Renault A110 (I built the Darker Blue one (bottom right) from a resin kit about 23 years ago so robust/durable enough to last this long)
Tony
Too many to have all on display at once !! Here's a couple of themed pics, they're not all die-cast with a couple of Slots and a couple of RC thrown in as well .....
Lotus Europa Specials
Alpine Renault A110 (I built the Darker Blue one (bottom right) from a resin kit about 23 years ago so robust/durable enough to last this long)
Tony
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