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43rd and More - Model reviews by Wayne Moyer
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Review: Minichamps Porsche 911GT1 - 1st Le Mans
1998
by Wayne E. Moyer
I'm not quite sure how it was accomplished, but Minichamps was able to make a 1/43 scale diecast model of the Porsche 911GT1 that won the 1998 Le Mans 24 hours before the end of that year-- a really incredible feat considering that the body of the '98 Porsche had very little in common with the GT1s of the previous two years. I don't know whether it was due to the press of time or cost considerations but that model, made exclusively as a promotional piece for Porsche dealers, had opaque black windows because there was no interior detail.
European promotional models are almost always 1/43 scale diecasts rather than the 1/25 scale models made in this country, and the usual procedure is for the automobile manufacturer to provide drawings, computer data, or whatever is required for the model maker to produce a very precise miniature of the car. In return, the first production run goes exclusively to dealers who handle that car. Later runs that are sold through the normal hobby system are made in a different color or colors-- that way the promo remains unique and recognizable to collectors. I wondered how Porsche and Minichamps were going to handle that in the case of the Le Mans winner, since neither a change in colors or graphics would be possible.
I suspect that part of the agreement was time-- for a year the only diecast model was the promo available from Porsche dealers or someone who bought the models in Europe. The second part of the answer was the interior, as the new Minichamps release has a full and accurate interior behind clear window. The complex and highly detailed diecast body is exactly the same, as it should be; it's also absolutely free of any mold lines or other blemishes. The bright white finish is smooth and glossy, with the 100% accurate race graphics done with a combination of hot-printing and very neatly applied decals. A small radio antenna and color-coded center-lock lug nuts are new to this version, but of course the graphics are the same as the promo.
The interior is molded on black plastic and has an accurate dashboard and instrument layout, the correct "horseshoe" steering wheel (well, it's not really a wheel in this case, but more like an airplane's yoke), and a good-looking seat with their molded-in belts painted red with "chrome" hardware. The electronics boxes and wiring bundles are visible, too, although these haven't been highlighted. It would only take a few minutes to take this one apart, apply "carbon fiber" decals to the side panels, bulkhead, and dashboard, pick out the wires, and paint the seat "upholstery" semi-gloss blue. The result would be a miniature that would rival the very best hand-built models.
Remember, this was originally a Porsche promo made by a German model company. Believe me, the all-new for 1998 body is very accurate and highly detailed! The same holds true for the dimensions; body and chassis scale out to exactly 1/43 scale, though I think the tires may be just a hair on the skinny side. The Porsche promo will always be a unique model celebrating the first-ever overall win at Le Mans by a "production" GT car (at least, since they started separating GT and prototypes) but the Minichamps version is just as accurate, has more detail, and is less expensive. It was worth the wait! Fantasy Models, P.O. Box 570, Wright City, MO 63390 (PH: 1-888-745-8254) has the Minichamps Le Mans winning Porsche 911GT1 for $38.95 plus shipping.
See Wayne's review of the Starter Toyota GT, too! (shown on right)
Contact Wayne at mailto:wmoyer@infinet.com
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