The Harrods Racing McLaren F1 GTR, by TSM (1/18)

The McLaren F1 is said to be the greatest supercar of all time. In its heyday, it was the fastest production car ever. Its world-class performance and abilities transcended what was thought possible at the time. As such, the legend made its way onto the racetrack as well. dominating the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 by not only winning first-place overall but also snatching four of the top five positions in the process.

Chassis 6R, shown here, was the third-place finisher at Le Mans in 1995 and would go on to take sixth place the following year. Sponsored by the famous London shopping center, the Harrods F1 sports one of the most striking liveries of the twenty-eight F1 GTR's built for racing. The bright yellow-orange base, contrasting British Racing Green stripes down the middle, and Harrods insignia along the sides makes this F1 GTR instantly recognizable and a fan favorite. Personally, I would rank this my second favorite livery behind the FINA.

Gunmetal O.Z. Racing wheels are a huge improvement over the stock F1's shoes and are a major reason why I prefer the GTR and LM versions of the Macca. The details on this model are brilliant, inside and out. The multitude of small, decorative pieces, such as the carbon fiber plates on the front bumper, is very pleasing to the eye. This is a diecast model (TSM has since transitioned to sealed resin models), which means the interior and engine bay are fully accessible to those who wish to see the glory within. And yes, the details are just as good inside as they are outside - even better, if I may say so.

As my first TSM model, I was so blown away that I immediately ordered a second one the next day. That one can be seen in the next review; in the meantime, check out the rest of the photoshoot below:

A Racecar Joins the Fray: TSM's McLaren 12C GT3, in Gulf Racing Livery (1/18)

The McLaren 12C, formerly known as the MP4-12C and notoriously nicknamed the "fax machine" among enthusiasts, is a rare instance where I believe the race version of a car looks better than the street version. Gulf livery makes it even better, or anything better for that matter. Enter the #9 McLaren 12C GT3 racecar driven in the 24 Hours of Spa. This is a sealed resin model produced by TSM (short for True Scale Miniatures), masters of producing replicas of racing's most famous icons.

I know nothing about racing history, so I'll get right to the model. This 12C comes on the heels of a pair of McLaren F1 GTR's that I acquired not too long ago but have not featured here yet. Both of those were diecast models with fully opening parts and working steering, so they are instantly more appealing than a static model such as this one. However from the looks of it, the level of detail remains largely unchanged, which is an imperative as they charge about as much for their resin models as their diecast ones. The main focus for many collectors is the engine bay, and that can be seen in all its glory through a transparent rear window.

From a small sample size, I have come to the conclusion that quality control is not TSM's strong suit. Picky collectors beware. Both of the aforementioned F1's had issues with the alignment of the exhausts as well as toe-out problems with the front wheels. This 12C GT3 comes with one tire not properly fitted onto the wheel and a rear wing (which comes deattached - a first for me) that does not sit flat when inserted into the slots. Rather, it ends up sloping downwards, creating the opposite effect which is supposed to be downforce. I had to cheat a little and place it incorrectly to mimic the intended look. The wing is an essential piece that should arrive pre-assembled, and there's no excuse for shortcuts here.

Otherwise, this is a model that is centerpiece-worthy material, from its bold, contrasting colors to its sleek, low-slung bodywork, that even non-racecar fans like me can appreciate.