Autoblog

Lamborghini Aventador 1:8 scale model costs 12 times the real thing [w/exclusive photos]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Lamborghini, Toys/Games, Design/Style, Luxury

When it comes to objects of automotive lust, few tip the scales further than the Lamborghini Aventador. Naturally, most mere mortals (like us) can't come up with nearly enough expendable income to ever fulfill the dream of owning an actual, drivable toy like that.

If we can't afford the real thing, at least we can get ourselves a smaller scale model, right? Well, maybe... unless the 1:8 scale Aventador you've got your eye on comes with seats, headlights and steering wheel made from diamonds, wheels fashioned from gold and platinum and a perfectly scaled copy of the body crafted from carbon fiber.

Just how much would such a fancy bauble cost? We hope you're sitting down: at least $4.7 million. Yes, in dollars. Auction house Sotheby's plans to sell the wee Lambo to the highest bidder in December with the lofty starting price just quoted, but if you just can't wait to get your hands on it, you can buy it from Robert Gülpen, the modeler, for a cool $6 mil.

Or, you could buy a dozen actual Aventadors for that price, which may be far more satisfying. Check out our exclusive photos of the model taken by photographer David Kaiser, and follow the jump for a video of the model on display behind bulletproof glass at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Continue reading Lamborghini Aventador 1:8 scale model costs 12 times the real thing [w/exclusive photos]

Lamborghini Aventador 1:8 scale model costs 12 times the real thing [w/exclusive photos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CR-Z Convertible available... as a diecast model

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Honda, Toys/Games

Are you clamoring for a droptop version of the Honda CR-Z hybrid? We didn't think so. But even so, just because Honda won't build you one (though that hasn't been ruled out completely) doesn't mean you can't get your kicks elsewhere.

The gang at Farm of Minds has stumbled upon this diecast model of a CR-Z convertible, giving us a glimpse at what an open-top version of Honda's two-seat hybrid could look like. It certainly isn't the prettiest of scale models, and we dread to think about what the cabrio's rear end looks like with the roof (and hatch) lopped off, but it might be enough to stave off your hybrid/coupe/convertible pangs.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z: Review

Gallery photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Farm of Minds via CarScoop]

Honda CR-Z Convertible available... as a diecast model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worth the Paper Cuts: Cardboard Honda NSX racer assembly shots are awesome

Zach Bowman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Honda, Design/Style, Racing

Epson papercraft Honda NSX build - Click either image for high-res gallery

We were never the kinds of kids who could sit down and crank out a plastic model with any sort of aplomb. In fact, we have a stack of half-finished kits in the hall closet that fire disapproving glares at us every time we go for a fresh towel. Paper models, on the other hand, we can do. Few things are more entertaining that transmuting a flat piece of heavy stock paper into a 3D interpretation of, say, a Honda/Acura NSX racer.

You may recall that the printing gurus at Epson rolled out a full-scale cardboard replica of the Honda halo beast at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year. Now a gaggle of photos detailing the construction process have surfaced via the web-scouring folk over at Jalopnik.

Now, here's the really cool part. The whole build process is nearly identical to what you'd expect out of stitching together a much smaller papercraft model. How identical? Printer company Epson was kind enough to supply 1:24 scale design plans so that the rest of the world can crank out its own version of the car. Now if you'll excuse us, it's time to bust out the X-Acto knife.

Gallery: Epson Papercraft NSX Racer

[Source: Epson via Jalopnik]

Worth the Paper Cuts: Cardboard Honda NSX racer assembly shots are awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Sickest model car lighting kits ever

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games

Modell-Lichtsystem die-cast model lighting kits - Click above to watch video

That's not a real Audi R8 pictured above. That's a 1:18-scale Kyosho die-cast model, fitted with a Modell-Lichtsystem (ML) illumination kit. The ML light packages can turn a model car with photo-realistic detail into something that's almost a smaller version of the real thing. On the BMW M3's lighting, for instance, the cornering lights illuminate when the model car's wheels are turned, and if you stomp on the tiny brake pedal, the taillamps light up.

We can't tell much from the company's website, which is strangely devoid of useful information, but there are more examples on Modell's YouTube channel. If you're looking for the ultimate in verisimilitude for your die-cast endeavors, this is surely it. Follow the jump to see a brace of impressive lighting jobs in 1:18 scale, including the R8, a pair of BMW models (M3 and M5) and a Lamborghini Murciélago. Hat tip to David!

[Source: Modell-Lichtsystem]

Continue reading Video: Sickest model car lighting kits ever

Video: Sickest model car lighting kits ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bring the Toys! Tamiya reissues the Hotshot

Alex Nunez — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Click image for photo gallery

Tamiya has responded to fans' calls for a re-release of its classic 1/10 scale 4WD R/C kit, the Hotshot. The 2007 edition goes on sale July 21in Japan, and while it looks like its forbear, it has been updated. The basic suspension setup is carried over -- front and rear double-wishbone with adjustable monoshocks -- but the dampers themselves are of a modern variety. Tamiya also updated the drive and propeller shafts in the name of efficiency, and uses an electronic speed controller in place of the original's mechanical unit. The old-school speed controller necessitated a pair of aluminum heatsinks at the rear of the car, which were part of its signature look. The ESC obviates the heatsinks, but Tamiya uses dummy units on the reissue to preserve the original car's classic appearance.

There are differences in some of the kit's decals, as well. Gone are the fully-licensed logos for the likes of KC HiLites and STP. Instead, generic ones appear (like the "BL" on the off-road light covers). CDs containing vintage decal artwork are readily available on sites like eBay, however, so hobbyists will undoubtedly find ways to decorate the new version to match the classic. Tamiya also says that a number of optional parts will be made available to allow further customization as well. Finally, since the '07 Hotshot is in fact different in the ways we've described, it's probably not unreasonable to believe that values of the collectible original-issue cars should be nominally affected, if at all. That said, we're not experts on this topic, so if any Tamiya enthusiasts are reading, we'd be interested in hearing your take in the comments.

On the Tamiya America website, the car's MSRP is set at $282 and it's listed as 'Coming Soon." We also found it listed for $222.24 and £124 with August availability at a couple of UK online retailers.The official Tamiya press release can be found here or by clicking the "Read" link below.

[Source: Tamiya]

Gallery: Tamiya Hotshot 1/10 RC (2007)

Bring the Toys! Tamiya reissues the Hotshot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Celebrating cars in 1:1 scale

John Neff — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc.

Here at Autoblog we like to highlight any ~~connection~~ automotive connections that reach back across the ages to our youth. For some of us that's fawning over pics of Optimus Prime in toy form, while for others it's reaching even farther back to recall the painstaking assembly of plastic toy model cars on the coffee table of your family's living room.

Some Ford flathead fans at FlatheadV8.org have created an incredible tribute to their wayward youths by constructing a gigantic 1:1 scale display of an old 1940 Ford model car kit, complete with faithfully replicated cardboard packaging, a giant paint brush, three-foot tall bottles of Testors model paint, a large and lethal X-acto knife, and even a recreation of those metallic plastic frames that carried the chrome bits like bumpers and hubcaps. It's truly an amazing display, though we're not sure when and where it was available to view. Hemmings guesses it was probably shown at a World of Wheels show somewhere, though if anyone has more information on this project, let the rest of us know in the comments.

Check out more pics of the display by clicking on the Read link.

[Source: FlatheadV8.com via Hemmings]

Celebrating cars in 1:1 scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1:87 scale 1981 Ford Escort brings back the memories

Chris Tutor — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford

click above image to get a closer view of this 1:87 scale 1981 Ford Escort

While Automobile Magazine is pondering the return of the Ford Escort, I can't help but remember the original. I remember carpooling to school with our neighbor who had one without a working heater and writing our names in the frost that developed on the windows. I remember a former boss who was told by a welder that not only would his shop not weld a trailer hitch on my boss's Escort, but that no one should smoke in the car before the rusted-out gas tank was replaced. Ahhh, the Escort.

So, of course, when I spotted this 1:87 scale replica of the (in)famous 1981 Ford Escort in white (was there any other color?), I quickly ponied up my $3. Coincidentally, this is more than I'd ever pay for a full-size version. The model is a pretty good rendering of Ford's iconic econocar as they were just before leaving the dealer parking lot. No rust, no smoke billowing from the tailpipe, just the promise of an American-built, gas-saving hatchback.

The 1981 Ford Escort comes with the covered display case seen here and is made by Fresh Cherries, the same guys who brought you the Mustang II and Gremlin we told you about a while back. We're still patiently waiting on the Fuego.

[Photo: Chris Tutor / Autoblog]

1:87 scale 1981 Ford Escort brings back the memories originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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