In the front of the old MilIennium boxes I become somehow very nostalgic, remembering what gorgeous models Autoart usually done back in time and what great subject to bring in scale they had chose. I'm nostalgic thinking to the gold period of the hobby or watching on one side, the Autoart company period, because I just received the last item bought in auction on ebay, a very rare BMW 328 Streamline Mille Miglia. Like the old wine, this model arrived to its maturity in a glorious way, is still looking perfect and fresh, but somehow with a strong backround about true model crafting, not occasionally, the inscription underneath saying "Crafted in China".
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The differences with the nowadays models are more than obvious, the model is very heavy, well put together and crafted with a lot of metal parts. It has a pint job similar with the one on the CMC's Mercedes Benz Streamliner, a thing that impressed me so much at that moment.
I think the first owner has canceled the racing number on the chassis, because I can't find photos with a clean body Streamliner and I must agree with his decision, because the fluid forms of the body need no obstacles in the front of the eyes.
I think the first owner has canceled the racing number on the chassis, because I can't find photos with a clean body Streamliner and I must agree with his decision, because the fluid forms of the body need no obstacles in the front of the eyes.
The model is very and accurately detailed, not an unusual characteristic for the models of its age. The main front grill includes a real mesh, that watched from the right angle, shows a true to the real texture. For the lights, they used fine textured lens, letting the bulb inside visible and a perfect chromed frame around them. For the front bonnet and grill's ornaments, the chromed pieces still look like new, without any sign of the time passed. |
All the grills are cut through and more, on the backside was made of thin metallic wires. The back wheels protections and the trunk cover are functional and kept in position by a pair of magnets. Keeping the simple, but functional design, the rims are great detaild, crossdriled and with a chromed lip, hiding behind a complete brake system. The central piece of the rim is a separate piece, very accurate made. |
Both lids, better said, a cover on the backside, are functional, only the front one operating on very fine hinges. The engine is complete, heavy detailed and wired, how you can expect from an old Millennium model. I like în particularly, the radiator's cover, made of metallic perforated pieces, a delight for the fine detailing amateurs. Like I said, to have access to the rear compartment, you should remove the cover from the magnets and all you'll find inside is the spare wheel. Before going further to the cockpit, I need to say that the printed license plates give so much realism to this model.
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The interior is quite simple, following step by step the original characteristics. What is impressive is the dashboard, finished in a textured look a like metallic base specific to the 40's race cars. The same era is remembered by the visible gauges with a white background and roman fonts. Both doors are opening on real hinges in the opposite direction. Underneath, the chassis is heavy detailed with separate molded pieces and cables for the hand brake. |
This model car is stunning, not only because is bringing in scale a very beautiful car, but because is a sum of details and crafting, unfortunately not used today anymore. All we can do is to hunt and put them in the first line of our display, at least those are the models which offer satisfaction in this hobby.
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