Taking a look through the models of my collection, cars that I love in the real life, I realize that only few of them respect the specs that I won't change if my dreams come true over the night. I' m speaking here mainly about the colors combination or rims for example, things that for a reason or another the constructor chose to use or omit on their scaled replicas. Must be almost a year since I've seen for the first time a teaser from True Scale, announcing the release of McLaren 675LT Chicane in the original color scheme as it was revealed to the public at the Geneve Auto show. What a lovely feeling for a McLaren guy, receiving such news from a subsidiary of one of his favorite producer! I instantly came over the fact that was announced as a resin model. Top Speed in fact, has the mission to replicate in resin, modern cars, for a reasonable price. For me personally, it wasn't easy to find one for a reasonable price, this model being a rare bird on ebay or on my trusted shops. I don't know the reason, but I took in consideration the limited edition and the big numbers of potentially buyers. When I thought that all regarding this model could be closed and I wouldn't pay the huge price for one of the pieces on ebay, a newsletter from one of my group's partners reveals it in stock. A quick contact, a quick friendly answer and a discount, made the perfect day for a collector. Thanks carmodelz.com.
What can I do else, than waiting for my model, knowing that it will come in the perfect spec that I will never change if someday I could afford in real. That deep grey shade and the orange interior drives me crazy. About this, how cool could be to have an orange interior on your car?!
The model comes in a generous double box, one of styrofoam shell and the second of black card having the manufacturer logo on all of its sides. Is bigger than usual, as I said, maybe just because of the plastic base where the model was fixed. For suplimentary protection, on the bottom was added a thin sponge base. The model can be easily removed from its base, unscrewing the four screws, this operation could be made without damaging the soft material that was applied under the surface.
From the first sight, my McLaren and in the same time my first model from Top Speed is lovely. The paint is very nice, keeping the right shiny shade and the orange accents brake the monotony. It feels heavy, without major fragile parts since is a closed resin, except the mirrors, the body is very well modeled and the stance is great. The aggressive design line was kept perfectly on the scaled replica and exposed, the model is really beautiful.
The model comes in a generous double box, one of styrofoam shell and the second of black card having the manufacturer logo on all of its sides. Is bigger than usual, as I said, maybe just because of the plastic base where the model was fixed. For suplimentary protection, on the bottom was added a thin sponge base. The model can be easily removed from its base, unscrewing the four screws, this operation could be made without damaging the soft material that was applied under the surface.
From the first sight, my McLaren and in the same time my first model from Top Speed is lovely. The paint is very nice, keeping the right shiny shade and the orange accents brake the monotony. It feels heavy, without major fragile parts since is a closed resin, except the mirrors, the body is very well modeled and the stance is great. The aggressive design line was kept perfectly on the scaled replica and exposed, the model is really beautiful.
But how they managed with the little details? True Scale is well known for their craftsmanship and the huge amount of details on their models and I'm very curious if they passed the know how to its younger branch.
The front lights were modeled nice with a visible led band, but a poor light bulb leaving the impression on a quick view, of an empty space. On the back side, the main light system was put in evidence by a thin silver painted line, not a problem as far as on the real car there must be a led band. The reflective items were developed as single parts. Sadly, all the air intakes are missing the real meshes, this is where the model lost points.
For the aerodynamic parts, spoilers and side air intake covers they chose to replicate the carbon fiber, an option on the real thing and they did well, because the look is more high tech now. The carbon pattern is well replicated, but for my taste isn't put in evidence enough. Should be more darker and shiny, because now is hard to be observed, the body shade don't rise it and in the poor light for example you must look very close, just to realize that there they really replicated it. Looking at the spoilers, the finish isn't what I've expected, on the both front and rear, are some signs on the surface, maybe from the mould or glue tracks. Very cheap finish here.
The front lights were modeled nice with a visible led band, but a poor light bulb leaving the impression on a quick view, of an empty space. On the back side, the main light system was put in evidence by a thin silver painted line, not a problem as far as on the real car there must be a led band. The reflective items were developed as single parts. Sadly, all the air intakes are missing the real meshes, this is where the model lost points.
For the aerodynamic parts, spoilers and side air intake covers they chose to replicate the carbon fiber, an option on the real thing and they did well, because the look is more high tech now. The carbon pattern is well replicated, but for my taste isn't put in evidence enough. Should be more darker and shiny, because now is hard to be observed, the body shade don't rise it and in the poor light for example you must look very close, just to realize that there they really replicated it. Looking at the spoilers, the finish isn't what I've expected, on the both front and rear, are some signs on the surface, maybe from the mould or glue tracks. Very cheap finish here.
If I should say what I like, I'll insist on the skirts, covered in carbon decal and keeping the inscription "675 LT" visible and with orange accents, the perforated grills next to engine bay and the exhaust pipes nicely put in evidence and of generous dimensions.
The badges seem to be qualitative enough for this range, but sadly, the worker could not find the right position for them. I have seen before many collectors complaining about the windows on their resin made models in general. And here we are again, because this model provides really thin plastic made windows, not a positive point to the quality level and I still have the impression that if I'll miss to catch my beloved model, my fingers will pass easily through that surfaces. In fact, what should be the engine transparent cover is already unglued on one of its corners, really not what do you want to see or find on your brand new model. And if we are here, I'll mention that this rear window, to call it so, is cut through and keeps the engine visible. Here, again, if you are to take a closer look you'll find a budget finish level on a model who wants to be placed more higher.
The badges seem to be qualitative enough for this range, but sadly, the worker could not find the right position for them. I have seen before many collectors complaining about the windows on their resin made models in general. And here we are again, because this model provides really thin plastic made windows, not a positive point to the quality level and I still have the impression that if I'll miss to catch my beloved model, my fingers will pass easily through that surfaces. In fact, what should be the engine transparent cover is already unglued on one of its corners, really not what do you want to see or find on your brand new model. And if we are here, I'll mention that this rear window, to call it so, is cut through and keeps the engine visible. Here, again, if you are to take a closer look you'll find a budget finish level on a model who wants to be placed more higher.
What is really making this model, are the wheels. Are very beautiful detailed and finished, we have the right size for the tires wall and a nice detailed brake system behind. This includes ceramic brake discs, detailed rotors and huge orange calipers. The front wheels don't steer and on the both axes are spinning together, but the brake discs remain still.
On the interior, the orange shell seats are accompanied by some nice details, as the legible rev counter, the carbon fiber console or the "on mode" navigation. Some fabric made seat belts could be a nice option, but the manufacturer chose to ignore them.
As on the real thing, I guess, nothing can be seen underneath, excepting for our model the Top speed logo and a metallic plate with the serial number, because I've forgot to tell you in the beginning, the model is limited to 999 pieces.
On the interior, the orange shell seats are accompanied by some nice details, as the legible rev counter, the carbon fiber console or the "on mode" navigation. Some fabric made seat belts could be a nice option, but the manufacturer chose to ignore them.
As on the real thing, I guess, nothing can be seen underneath, excepting for our model the Top speed logo and a metallic plate with the serial number, because I've forgot to tell you in the beginning, the model is limited to 999 pieces.
At the end of this review, the 675 LT remains a model for the brand passionates or for the collectors that are searching for exotic models. It offers only the possibility to have a scale replica of your favorite car, not a great manufactured or high value item. This is why I consider that the price isn't deserved, if you are not to take in consideration the costs for the brand license. As a relative young producer, the True Scale subsidiary, lacks the experience and the QC of the big brother. Maybe the time passing will bring them experience and results capable to give the same emotions delivered when a True Scale model comes out of its box.
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