Maisto's 1/18 Ford GT, Again, This Time In Silver

Not bad for an encore. 

Maisto's brilliant Ford GT makes a reappearance today on the blog and trust me, it's totally worth checking out. I had every intention to get the blue colorway and call it a day. That is the signature color for the '17 Ford GT and one that should be a staple for any collector. Then I saw this one for myself. I got greedy. So now, I have two of them, neither of which you can go wrong with.

And, dare I say, the silver is the better of the two. A mundane color by everyday standards, it seems to always look fantastic on exotics, making the already-sleek look even sleeker. Dark grey stripes complement the black wheels on this model. 

Twice as nice. 

Sometimes, one isn't enough. This is one of those instances.

Maisto Hits Another Home Run With Its 1/18 Ford GT

It's Costco season, and by that I mean it's the time of the year that they carry 1/18 models by Maisto and Bburago (repackaged as Maisto). I'm sure they expect these models to be intended as impulse gifts for friends and family members, but let's be real here: these cars are actually scooped up by collectors. Like me. Like you. The popular and "new" models are the first to go; the unknowing and non-collectors pick through the leftovers and older releases.

Not too long ago, I did a feature on the LaFerrari that I found as Sam's. That was a 2015 model that just made it to wholesale this year. One of Maisto's new models for 2016 is the 2017 Ford GT, and it just so happens to be part of the assortment of cars that have been shipped to Costco stores across the states (and I've heard even in Europe as well). As collectors, we are very lucky that brand new models like this one are already available at clearance prices. Why pay $30-40 for one online when you can get one at Costco for $14? Heck, there's no reason for you to buy any Maisto or Bburago at their retail prices; just wait for the holiday season to roll around. They do this every single year, so don't worry.

I went to my local store yesterday specifically targeting the GT and a few others. Okay, I actually had a laundry list of models I wanted, because this is such a smoking deal that it doesn't matter whether you absolutely need the car or not. I spent a few minutes shuffling and rearranging the models on the palette to make sure I didn't miss anything, all this while an elderly lady watched me with bemusement. My resulting loot consisted of four models; the other three will be featured in the coming days. I took my stack of four cars and walked to my cart with a huge grin on my face.

Sorry ma'am, but I took the last and only GT.

In the past few years, Maisto has made huge strides in the quality and look of their 1/18 models. They no longer look and feel cheap. They're putting in more detail while keeping the price point low. Just take a look at the headlights on this beautiful GT. Recent releases come with standard brake rotors and calipers; older models simply had a flat disk. Opening parts are still a staple for Maisto in a time when many more expensive brands have transitioned to sealed models.

There are a few cues that they're clearly budget brand, such as excessive negative camber due to soft suspensions (thankfully not the case with this particular model). The interior and engine bay are still nothing to scream about. However, you can't tell me that this model of the Ford GT doesn't look just like the real thing. And that's what these are for, really - to look good on your shelf or on your desk.

Jumping Onto the Bandwagon in the Superfast Lane: The Ford GT

I haven't even finished collecting the Premieres and World Classes yet and I'm already getting into another classic Matchbox series. Look, the bottom line is that any older Matchbox is worth collecting. I chose to start with the Premiere and World Class series because I appreciated their high levels of detail and loved those controversial wheels. Now I've begun collecting the Superfast series which, arguably, is more popular and well-known in the diecast-collecting world. Lord knows what I'll get into next, but for now let's concentrate on what these have to offer.

I'll get right to it: I have about ten of these Superfast models now, with more on the way, and while I like them very much, they're not in the same league as the Premieres or Premiere-related models (completely unbiased opinion here). The detail nowhere as obsessive. The wheels can often look cheap. That being said, are they still worth getting? Of course. That's a question that needs not be asked. They use newer castings which are more accurate, more well-proportioned, and sharper. But given a choice between the two, I'm siding with Premieres all day. The bar just happens to be very, very high.

Anyways, today's subject is the Ford GT in the traditional white-with-blue-stripes colorway. It sports the thick five-spoke wheels, one of several Superfast wheel designs. They're not bad, but I think they could've been done better. There's a slight hint of cheapness to them, as I alluded to earlier. even if they're really not. It looks more like something Maisto or Motormax would put out. Like they say, wheels are often the deal-maker or deal-breaker when it comes to diecast models, so the decision is up to you. I can accept these because the castings are Matchbox, plain and simple, and we all know how good they are.

The one flaw of this model is that the front wheels aren't wide enough. That's about all I have to complain about. Enjoy this one, folks.

Better Late Than Never: Auto World Release 4 Has Arrived!

It's been a while, Auto World. For months, we've waited patiently for your next series to hit the pegs. When you showed us pre-production examples of Release 4 on your Facebook page, we couldn't wait to hit the stores and grab them. Well, we did, and we all left disappointed. It's been the same pegwarmers for the past half-year or so: Releases 1 and 2 from the Premium and Licensed series. Forget Release 4 for a moment; we still have no clue why Release 3 has only appeared once and was never restocked. The Basic series? Gone. Clearanced out by Walmart. And why have Target and Toys"R"Us been stocking the old stuff when they clearly know it's not going to sell? Needless to say, it's been a very long dry spell.

The end is here. The dry spell, that is. My favorite diecast brand (on this side of the earth) is back.

Speaking of which, it just occurred to me that I've never posted about Auto World on my blog before. How could I not? I chalk it up to the lack of new product. Let's end that today and talk about these three fantastic models. A forest green 2015 Ford Mustang, a red 1964 Plymouth Barracuda, and a super clean 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix. The Mustang is a recolor, but the other two are brand new castings. Oh, that Grand Prix. It's perfect.

See why Auto World is one of my favorite brands? The detail, the execution, and most of all, the quality. I can't praise them enough for their quality. How many brands out there can you honestly say you don't need to examine each model before purchasing? Well, this is one of them. I don't even need to worry about defects or flaws. No busted tires, no misplaced paint, no uneven bases. Just grab and go. And then take them home, open them, and enjoy. That's what this hobby is about.