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| Within the review pages we try to give a balanced 'first view'of new kits, hand-built models, books and videos. Our aim is not to set the world to rights but to give collectors who cannot visit GPM an idea of whether the models on offer are accurate and of good value. We also try to give a little background to the cars. Our aim above all is to try to ensure that when you receive a model or book or video through the post from GPM - that you know in advance whether it has any 'hidden' snags or problems | |||
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on a link to order a model or
the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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 We’re
constantly amazed at some of the subjects that model manufacturers
manage to find. It may be yet another Ferrari, but
it’s about twice as long as when it left Maranello! The instructions
include three slightly grainy views of the real thing and the casting
checks out pretty well. The panel engraving will need a little adjustment
during paint preparation and care spent at this point of the build
will lead to another addition to the now growing Ferrari Limo collection. |
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 At
the opposite end of the scale from the stretched Ferrari we have
a small Fiat with loads of metal removed! The castings just have
a small amount of flash to clean off and the engraving this time
is crisp and clean. With careful detail painting of the interior
and the choice of a suitably jolly body colour this will make a fun
model. |
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 The
overall finish of this elegant coupe is pretty good. There are one
or two tiny blemishes but generally it shows what results ABC
are capable of when they keep their eyes on the ball. The masking
of the two tone paint finish is neat and the p/e details carefully
placed. A fine addition to any Abarth or Alfa Romeo themed collection. |
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 The
level of finish on the ‘what might have been’ six-wheeled
Bluebird is also very good. The model is very simple in its approach
and this clearly pays off in the build process giving a very impressive
end product. . |
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 The
good news continues finish-wise. The two-tone green and black paint
is excellent, with neat masking between the two and the other
detailing is carefully applied. One thing that does look very odd
though is the sizing of the wheels. They look tiny on what is a large
vehicle. We can’t find a picture of this particular machine
but the wheels on other Astura’s do look a bit larger in proportion. |
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 Oh
goody a model of the Ferrari 612. We’ve seen a few already
but none quite as imposing as this well proportioned large scale
kit. Most of the castings are bubble free and several sheets of p/e
parts are provided for fine detailing. The instructions could be
a little more comprehensive considering the number of parts in the
kit, but for those with a bit of experience there’s nothing
too daunting and the end result should be very impressive. |
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Click on a link to order a model
or the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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 In
the notes in this kit Marsh say that Gurney had no recollection of
his two outings in the car, probably because they were retirements.
It also explains
why we are struggling for reference photos! The kit is to the usual high Marsh
standards with a cleanly cast resin body, white metal ancillaries, turned rims,
resin tyres and a fair level of fine p/e. The built model shows that the parts
all go together very well and it is as well finished as anything we’ve
seen previously from the Can-Am (and related) specialist. |
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 Over
the course of the 1963 Nassau speed week, several drivers took the
wheel of the Mecom Corvette Grand Sports and this has caused
us no end of confusion working out exactly which these are! The cars
are modelled as they ran after the Tourist Trophy race, when the
rear axles failed and necessitated the fitting of oil coolers on
the rear deck. Marsh list the versions modelled as Penske in #50,
Thompson in #65 and Cannon in #80. As far as we can work out, the
first is correct but John Cannon only drove the #65 car, the other
outing for this car in the configuration modelled it was in the hands
of Augie Pabst and in both races Thompson was in #80. The events
of the speedweek are very confusing with drivers hopping from car
to car and it has taken us far too long to work all of the permutations
out! To add to the confusion, many photos in the books seem to be
mis-captioned. Whatever, the models are nicely finished and check
out well with photos from the later two races. |
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 From
the same race as the McLaren above, the LA Times GP, we have the
white Cobra which Dick Thompson managed to coax home in 15th
place. The finish of the model is generally good with fine paint
and well applied details, though there are one or two small omissions
on the decals and in the photo in Friedman’s ‘Shelby
Cobra’ there appears to be a temporary brake duct under the
front. Either that or a rogue paper cup got caught under the car! |
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