Hello,
I have just joined this forum as just got the model car bug. The first items I got hold of were two Exoto cars, a Lotus 72 and a Ford GT40, both favorites of mine which I stumbled on for a relatively cheap price. Having done some research I found Exoto, GMP, CMC seemed to produce the most interesting cars with the best race of the motors I was interested in.
My reaction on receiving them was mixed. The Lotus while well made was simply not interesting enough to hold my attention frankly the vastly expensive Tyrrell six wheeler was my first choice but out of my price range and this simply did not have the detail I was expecting.
The GT40 however was pretty cool. Being a new comer to all this I didn't know what to expect and listed the plus and minus below and more (not very good) pics at photobucket link:
http://photobucket.com/exoto_gt40
Pluses:
- Looks great, squat and sexy, really captures the beast
- nice and weighty, nice finish.
- excellent general level of detail, on display looks the business
Minuses
- didn't have opening fuel hatch or side windows, for the price I expected this and the GMP ferrari 330P has this plus moving gear stick! (I will review this later on), Call me anal but these small little things make the difference, it seems that later editions of this model have open fuel caps as well as woven material covered pipes and a pare wheel in the front as well as wire fasteners for the front hatch. To be honest this was by far the cheapest and I understand different models will have different features depending on the race so not too bothered just be aware if thinking of buying and do your research!
- Went for the white Daytona finish and think maybe the more expensive Gold Le Mans version may have been better as this gets lost on my white wall.
Really I would say this was dipping my toe into various brands, I have also got hold of some models by CMC, GMP and another Exoto Chaparral. I will write reviews as and when I get around to it for these items. I think from more research and forums that Exoto have a bit of a hit and miss approach and frankly for the prices charged by some people you want more hit than miss! I am in the position were I have to really hunt for a reasonable price not being a millionaire so sometimes the item I would go for has to be compromised, ie going for a prototype rather than race livery etc, or a less significantly historical version of a racer. I think that from my first taste of Exoto I would have been better off saving my pennies and going for a more expensive item but possibly more satisfying work or art like the CMC Mercedes Streamline which looks a beauty.
I will sell the Lotus (on ebay now if anyone is interested) and maybe swap the GT40 for a different model when I have made some contacts (again anyone interested let me know, I live in London though) I am delighted by some of the other cars I bought but I thought this was a more interesting situation to write about considering the godlike status given to Exoto by some reviews.
FP
I have just joined this forum as just got the model car bug. The first items I got hold of were two Exoto cars, a Lotus 72 and a Ford GT40, both favorites of mine which I stumbled on for a relatively cheap price. Having done some research I found Exoto, GMP, CMC seemed to produce the most interesting cars with the best race of the motors I was interested in.
My reaction on receiving them was mixed. The Lotus while well made was simply not interesting enough to hold my attention frankly the vastly expensive Tyrrell six wheeler was my first choice but out of my price range and this simply did not have the detail I was expecting.
The GT40 however was pretty cool. Being a new comer to all this I didn't know what to expect and listed the plus and minus below and more (not very good) pics at photobucket link:
http://photobucket.com/exoto_gt40
Pluses:
- Looks great, squat and sexy, really captures the beast
- nice and weighty, nice finish.
- excellent general level of detail, on display looks the business
Minuses
- didn't have opening fuel hatch or side windows, for the price I expected this and the GMP ferrari 330P has this plus moving gear stick! (I will review this later on), Call me anal but these small little things make the difference, it seems that later editions of this model have open fuel caps as well as woven material covered pipes and a pare wheel in the front as well as wire fasteners for the front hatch. To be honest this was by far the cheapest and I understand different models will have different features depending on the race so not too bothered just be aware if thinking of buying and do your research!
- Went for the white Daytona finish and think maybe the more expensive Gold Le Mans version may have been better as this gets lost on my white wall.
Really I would say this was dipping my toe into various brands, I have also got hold of some models by CMC, GMP and another Exoto Chaparral. I will write reviews as and when I get around to it for these items. I think from more research and forums that Exoto have a bit of a hit and miss approach and frankly for the prices charged by some people you want more hit than miss! I am in the position were I have to really hunt for a reasonable price not being a millionaire so sometimes the item I would go for has to be compromised, ie going for a prototype rather than race livery etc, or a less significantly historical version of a racer. I think that from my first taste of Exoto I would have been better off saving my pennies and going for a more expensive item but possibly more satisfying work or art like the CMC Mercedes Streamline which looks a beauty.
I will sell the Lotus (on ebay now if anyone is interested) and maybe swap the GT40 for a different model when I have made some contacts (again anyone interested let me know, I live in London though) I am delighted by some of the other cars I bought but I thought this was a more interesting situation to write about considering the godlike status given to Exoto by some reviews.
FP
