The Wangan King: The Porsche 930 Turbo "Blackbird", by AUTOart

If you're a collector, you already know what this is. Late last year, AUTOart wowed us all with the glorious 1/18 scale model of the Devil Z from the cult-classic Wangan Midnight manga series. They've brought the house down once again with their equally-stunning version of the Devil's nemesis. The Blackbird has arrived, and it's here to rip apart the hearts of Z diehards.

The Devil gets most of the fanfare, thanks in large part to the hot commodity that is JDM these days. But in the script, it plays the underdog role. It never stands a chance against the evil 'Bird, which is just too fast, too powerful. In this case, AUTOart has made both of them winners. You can't really pick just one, so you have to get both. If you get one, you're gonna need the other, as they look amazing as a pair.

Both are de-badged and highly-modified versions of their stock forms. I can't comment on the accuracy of the models because I've never read the manga, but they surely are not the ones depicted in the movie. When they look this good, it ultimately does not matter. The extreme styling of the Blackbird has proven to be very popular, and there are numerous tuning companies out there (RWB, for one) that make a killing re-bodying old Porsches. Drop it a few inches, widen it some, and add never forget the tail. Go ahead and stare.

Who Did It Better? AUTOart vs. Kyosho in the Battle for Godzilla Supremacy

Two of the marquee brands in diecast. Two GT-R's. Two heavyweights going against each other, but there can only be one winner.

 

This dark grey AUTOart Nissan GT-R (R35) is my latest acquisition. If you've been keeping track, this my fifth R35 (with dozens more in 1/64), and I'm not even ashamed to admit how much I love the car. People want it to be this and that. They want it to look as beautiful as an Italian exotic. They want to be coddled as if they're driving a German. They want the back end to swing out when you nail the gas around a corner, like an American. Guess what? That's not what Godzilla is about. It's distinctly Japanese, as it should be. It's a purposefully-built, Gundam-styled, technologically-advanced machine that flat-out gets the job done. 

Back in the day, when I had just started getting into diecast, when the R35 GT-R was still an otherworldly marvel, AUTOart and Kyosho both introduced their eighteenth scale models of Godzilla at around the same time, stirring debate from collectors and fans alike. Both models sat at around the same price point, so it was a natural comparison. Who did it better? 

The younger me would read all the talk on the forums, scroll through the photos, and form my own opinion based on what I saw through pixels, letters, and hyperbole. At the time, it was undoubtedly the AUTOart for me, but it ultimately made no difference. I was like one of those internet guys who talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. I had zero intention of owning either, let alone getting myself caught up in the high-end model car game. 

Things change. Now I have them both, and I get to be the judge.

Keep in mind that these are actually two slightly different versions of the R35 GT-R. The Kyosho is the left hand drive version that we get here in the states; the AUTOart is true JDM. That explains a few of the minor differences such as the color of the indicators, some of the engine details, and the roof antenna that is present on the silver example. Despite that, it's always interesting and surprising to see how two different companies have two very different ways of replicating essentially the same car. 

In the grand scheme of things, these two are actually incredibly similar to one another as far as accuracy is concerned. Most overlapping models out there have a clear stud and a clear dud. If you didn't want to read the comparison, I would just tell you now that you can't go wrong with either, and that the final verdict is more subjective than it is qualitative. 

No toys were harmed in the making of this review.

If you come across these models, in person or in photos, there is one definitive indicator as to which is which: the wheels. Kyosho opted for the always-stylish gunmetal finish on their wheels, wrapped with thicker tires. AUTOart went with the standard silver wheels (there are variants with matte black wheels that go for more than $300 these days) and tires that look brutally emaciated in comparison - and believe it or not, these are completely true to the real car. 

Behind the wheels, we have the brakes, and AUTOart continues to uphold its commitment to accuracy. The Kyosho has discs whose slots are far too large and noticeable; however, I do prefer its more metallic finish. 

Overall proportions and bodywork are excellent on both, serving as a reminder of why you pay top dollar for these models. The rest lies in the fine details.

It may be hard to see from all the chrome, but Kyosho went all in with the headlights.

The AUTOart has a more accurate exhaust, with a better finish and a properly-angled cut at the end.

Unsightly hinges on the Kyosho are also very awkward to operate and cause excessive panel gap.

Love the wiring on the AUTOart, but the Kyosho has better mouldings for its engine components. Also of note: AUTOart's carbon fiber print on the grille vs. Kyosho's textured pattern.

Do underpanel details matter? According to Kyosho, yes. Yes they do.

No contest here - just look at the hinges.

+1 to AUTOart for the photo-etched GT-R emblem on gills. -1 for the blurry photo.

The GT-R's interior may not be much, but this one is super nice.

Where did the leather stitching go? Also, the carpeting material is unrealistic.

So here's what we've got. The AUTOart is virtually the unanimous winner when it comes to the exterior. If you want the most accurate R35 on the market, it's the one to get. The Kyosho wants to remind everyone that it's the inside that counts, but interior details often get overlooked when it comes to scale models. 

Forget all of that. If you're familiar with these models, if you've read all the discussion, if you've ever considered getting one of these, you'll know there's really only one deciding factor:

The color of the wheels. 

And that's really the great equalizer here. The Kyosho can be an inferior model, but it will still win over your heart with those slick gunmetal wheels. That's where I stand in this comparison. I'll take the Kyosho, please.

Or, you know, both!

Family portrait.

Mercy, Mercy Me. The Lamborghini Murcielago, in 1/18, by AUTOart

The Lamborghini Murcielago is a staple in any car collection. This is the exotic machine that every enthusiast my age dreamed about as a kid, much like the Countach was the much-heralded "poster" car for the generation before that. When you look at it, it's pretty obvious why. Low-slung body, sharp angles, flamboyant colors, and of course, those signature Lamborghini scissor doors. I've always had a thing for the big V12 'ghinis because they best reflect what Lamborghini is all about: crazy designs, extreme dimensions, and massive power.

This is the original Murcielago, before the LP640, before the Superveloce, and before all those other special editions that released later on in its life. It's simply referred to as the Murcielago and can be distinguished, visually, from the LP640 with fewer edges in the bodywork. Also, the wheels - circular 5-spokes that resemble the face of a watch, with the bolts mimicking the numbers on the dial. It's like a work of art in itself, a futuristic design with mechanical complexity and timeless beauty.

Grilles are actually clear plastic with printed mesh pattern.

The model shown here is yet another old AUTOart 1/18 model. But saying this model is "old" is very misleading. The details are so fabulous, you could put it in a manufacturer's catalog today and no one would complain. Comparing the Murcielago with some of the older Kyosho models in my collection, this is head and shoulders above those. It's not just better detail; it's also more life-like in its proportions and stance.

I was also taken by surprise with some of the added features on this model. Obviously, the scissor doors, but also the air inlets behind the doors. I've been told the rear spoiler can be deployed, but it wouldn't budge on mine.

Perhaps the one indication that this model isn't quite the modern masterpiece you're hoping for shows itself when you hold it in your hands. It feels overly plastic-y. Examining further, I noticed that the entire side sill is made of plastic when it really has no reason to be. I guess you could joke that AUTOart's transition to "composites" started about fifteen years ago. The metal feels super thin on the opening compartments. If they are metal at all, that is. As is consistent with older models, they don't stay open either.

At the end of the day, the visuals are what matter most, and the Murcielago still impresses. It still has incredible shelf (or table) presence. And wow, did this model bring me back to those days as a boy when I was flipping through Car & Driver, starting at photos of this exact car in this exact color.