The Porsche 911 (996) GT3, by AUTOart (1/18)

You either love or hate the 996-generation Porsche 911 Carrera. Often dubbed the "runny egg" 911 (and not in a good way) because of the odd shape of the headlights, the 996 is seen by many as the one sore spot of arguably the most legendary sports car lineage of all time. While those lights look more like jellybeans to me, you can never go wrong with eggs either. Eggs are tasty, much like this car right here.

It's AUTOart's 996 GT3, and it's yet another gem of a model. Compared to the Turbo and GT2 variants, the GT3 possesses more subdued styling, with a rounder front fascia, fewer air ducts, and more simplistic wheels. In short, take the wing off and you have what looks like an entry-level 911, not a top-of-the-line, supercar-beating machine. I was never a fan of the GT3 until this one won me over, and that's a testament to how great the AUTOart model is despite its age.

While most older AUTOarts have numerous, creaky plastic parts and feel rather light for eighteenth scale cars made primarily of metal, the GT3 stands solid and high-quality. The detail, especially on the wheels on brakes, surpassed all of my expectations. As is the case with 911's, there's virtually nothing to see in the engine hatch, but the interior is well-decorated with carpeting, textured racing buckets, red seat belts, roll cage, and even a fire extinguisher in the passenger footwell. This is amazing stuff for high-end models of today, let alone an early AUTOart product.

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.

The Mercedes-Benz GLS63 AMG, by GT Spirit (1/18)

Once called the GL-Klasse, the new GLS has fallen victim to yet another case of model-naming shenanigans (don't even get me started on what's going on over there with Infiniti). It's supposed to make it easier for non-car folks to identify a manufacturer's various offerings, and it works here. The S-Klasse is Mercedes's largest sedan; thus, the GLS is their largest SUV. Apply the same formula to the C- and E-Klasses and it all makes sense.

What we have here is another AMG variant of a Mercedes-Benz product, the GLS63 AMG. For the time being, I only collect the high-performance editions of the German brands, so this one fits right in with the rest of the cars even though it's a giant, hulking SUV amidst a sea of bona fide sports cars and sports cars disguised as family sedans.

It seems pointless to have so much power in a vehicle designed to haul the entire extended family from Point A to Point B. But the other day, I saw one of these barreling around town, weaving in and out of traffic and making hard right turns, and I couldn't help but tip my hat to the man who is at least attempting to utilize the AMG's full potential. 

About the model itself, it's superb as has become the norm from GT Spirit. It's one of their latest releases and comes after they put out a white colorway of the same model, exclusive to dealerships, months prior. This general-release black one is limited to 1500 pieces, and I was surprised to see how quickly it sold out at many online model shops, given that most collectors do not bother with SUV's and the like. The GLS is certainly an intriguing subject matter, and this model rewards those who take the plunge.

It's solid as a brick and makes all other eighteenth-scale models feel like featherweights. Black is my favorite color choice for this car, and it looks rather grand here. I also love the choice of the cream colored interior, which I believe may be the first that has come across my hands. There's no skimping on the details. GT Spirit has one-upped their previous M-B models by giving the GLS the full mesh grille treatment up front. Everything else is standard fare, in the best way possible. That means proportions, wheels, badges, and interior are all punching above its class. Even if SUV's aren't your thing, don't be quick to write this one off.