Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Scale Model Sedans—Just As Desirable To Me!

BMW 745i sedan. Bangle-butt or not, this a very cool 1:18 scale model! This 2003 Motor Max model is in one of my favorite color combinations for real cars, dark silver with a brown/natural leather interior. Though relatively inexpensive, the doors feature small hinges, not the large "dog-legs" of some models. Click on the images to enlarge them, and you'll be surprised by the level of detail in the interior—seat belt latches, woodgraining and simulated leather seats.

This is a 2003 Lexus LS460 in 1:18 scale, also by Motor Max of China. Though I admired Lexus back then, this scale model really reminded me of the white 1999 Mercedes E320 I had at the time. Many critics called the Lexus's styling derivative and Mercedes-like, but I really didn't think so until I saw this model on the shelves. Except for details, it looked almost exactly like my car. Check out the power seat controls on the bottoms of the seats and the woodgrained steering wheel, just like the real LS460.

M Y   C O L L E C T I O N — I've mentioned before that I prefer my scale model cars to be production models rather than decal-laden racing cars. Though I've certainly bought my share of concept or "dream" cars, I really prefer models that represent real cars I could actually have bought if I had the money. I just get a lot of satisfaction by owning tiny versions of desirable real cars. Though the vast majority of scale models are the sport coupes and convertibles of a maker's lineup, I absolutely adore the four-door sedans or wagons when I find them. Or found them. Except for my $1.19 Car of the Week purchases, I haven't bought a new scale model in almost seven years—something about needing to eat now, lol. Enjoy!

10 comments:

  1. The detail is amazing. I'm surprised they don't toss in a McDonald's wrapper on the floor every now and again. [I know, when I had my BMW I swore I'd never eat a McDonald hamburger in my car.... but I did..]

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  2. CASEY, GO TO ROSS'S BLOG. HE HAS SOME BIG NEWS ABOUT A SHOW HE'LL BE DOING. LONG OVER DUE.

    GN CASEY GN
    GRANNY

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  3. what a great idea, Annie! I might have to make some miniature fast food bags to throw inside!

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  4. Oh Casey, a wee little sack would be so cute. People would really do a double take. lol

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  5. As you know, I'm a scale model junkie. I buy so many Danbury Mint models that I should be a shareholder. I definitely get just as much satifaction out of the models as I would the real thing - honestly, sometimes MORE, lol! These days it's very hard to tell a scale version from an original!

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  6. and the vast majority of mine were cheap enough to be found at Toys R Us. I have maybe 10 models from the Mints, Franklin and Danbury, but the majority of mine were much, much cheaper. That way when a mirror falls off, or something gets scratched, I don't mind, lol.

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  7. Casey, I think you just made my mom's day! She is a huge fan of the BMW 7 series. I still feel the Bangle generation design rocks, plus the interior materials seem of a higher grade.

    She still drives her black on black 1986 528e with only 70k miles. She wouldn't trade that car in for anything...just a 7 series...lol

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  8. Woody: I love '80s BMWs. Those are the cars that cemented BMW's current reputation. The 3, 5 and 7 series of the 80s were cleanly designed, well-engineered and powerful and economical to boot. Great car for her to keep all these years!

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  9. I'll take photos and send them over on a clear day. She literally has her own mix of cleaning agents and cleans the wheels by hand (at 68 years old),

    The 528e is one of the most fuel efficient motors ever built by BMW. It is no sports car but you can feel its Germanic presence every time you get behind the wheel. Today's BMW's are great cars, but don't have the same character both inside and out.

    I believe one of the designer's that lead the team was going blind and every model her touched by hand. Anytime there was a new curve he would simply reject the design. I believe if this story is true, he must have passed away somewhere around 1988 when BMW radically changed the design with smoother designs.

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