This review was possible thanks to www.diecastdiscount24.com
The luxurious cars are not a part of my collecting theme, but don't go unnoticed. I like this kind of cars and I try to add models to the most eccentric, but also to limit this segment. Since the new resin models manufacturers release tones of particular models is hard enough to keep up, not only buying, but even to observe. But, for the following model and the subject of this review, the things came different. It quickly made note and stayed in my mind as a possible future acquisition. Soon after, I was lucky enough to receive the black Neo's box hosting the gorgeous Bentley Continental S3 Mulliner Park Ward. This model is resin made and represents the roadster version of the S3 saloon or "Drophead" how the manufacturer calls its luxurious jewels of this kind. In the following, I'll try to make a quick reference to the real car and a most complete review of its scaled counterpart.
The luxurious cars are not a part of my collecting theme, but don't go unnoticed. I like this kind of cars and I try to add models to the most eccentric, but also to limit this segment. Since the new resin models manufacturers release tones of particular models is hard enough to keep up, not only buying, but even to observe. But, for the following model and the subject of this review, the things came different. It quickly made note and stayed in my mind as a possible future acquisition. Soon after, I was lucky enough to receive the black Neo's box hosting the gorgeous Bentley Continental S3 Mulliner Park Ward. This model is resin made and represents the roadster version of the S3 saloon or "Drophead" how the manufacturer calls its luxurious jewels of this kind. In the following, I'll try to make a quick reference to the real car and a most complete review of its scaled counterpart.
Following the second world war, Bentley will resume his production to civilian automobiles in the same time with the relocation from Derby to Crewe. Here, beginning with 1952, Bentley's engineers will produce so-called R-Type Continentals for the next three years. These very expensive cars were a genuine success, long-term their weakness lay in the inferior steels forced on them by government's post-war controls. The R-Type chassis was also sold to the custom coach- builders. Beginning with 1955 the R-type will be followed by the S1, S2 and S3 chassis. The last of them, S3 chassis was an improvement of the S2 and is distinguishable by its four lamp mounted in the front wings. The Bentley S3, a 4-door saloon with seating for five, was produced from 1962 through 1965 with a total of 1630 examples being produced. It was basically a modified and modern version of the Bentley S2. Some examples were bodied by Park Ward, H.J. Milliner, James Young and others, while most received coachwork from the marque. A limited number of 32 examples were created on a stretched wheelbase adding to the interior comfort for the passengers. The S3 body was entirely coach build. Let's move now to the other side and observe in detail the 1:18 replica of this classic luxurious car.
The model is protected by a styrofoam box and fixed with 4 screws, which take some more time than usual to let the model free and a standard designed card box, having the logo and the manufacturer brand printed on. The name and serial of the model are present on a little label applied on one side. From the beginning, it gives a strong impression: the model is very heavy, well made and put together, excepting the sun visors replicated by 2 delicate photo-etched pieces, glued on the windscreen frame and the external antenna, which in my case came off instantly. So, maximum attention is required. It has a perfect stance and the generous dimension of the real car is well put in scale. But, not only its presence is impressive, the general look is astonishing: they chose to replicate a wonderful shade of blue, which come in a perfect contrast with all the chromed parts around. This is a replica dedicated to the premium level and the attention for details and finishing is visible everywhere. No glue traces can be find on my model and this is a point ahead for a resin made replica. The paint job is just perfect and the chrome, applied on different pieces is in the same way: thin, uniform and glossy. It is smooth enough to fit a classic car in comparison with the metallic shades presented on the newer models.
Let's start to observe the model from the front side. Here we will find the first delight: the radiator grill, massive, chromed, having the grill made by photo-etched metallic parts. The brand logo is visible, precisely made and applied on the frame surface. The winged “B”, embodying the traditional Bentley's logo, is made of plastic, but delicate enough and robust. We have chrome everywhere and it looks so good: on the lights and signal's frame, around the fog lamps and on the supplementary grill's frame. The lights are exemplary made, keeping the glass texture from the original thing, including the paint for the signals and are attached without visible stubs. The main front optical group, included into the fenders is surrounded by metallic photo-etched parts and the overall appearance is great. Metallic photo-etched parts were intended to replicate the bonnet central ornament, the wipers and the frame of the additional side windows. If the solution works for the other parts, in the wiper's case the result looks a little bit strange -maybe just for me -because, even if are very delicate and keep great the original structure, are looking flat and unreal. The round edges instead, could be closer to the original and give a real look to the final product. Is not a minus, just a question of personal taste and I repeat, the pieces are great looking and detailed for their sizes.
The windscreen is surrounded by a thin chromed ornament and is glued on its metallic frame. If you are to look carefully or in the strong light, a visible gap is present and like in the BOS's models case I don't think that this is a right solution. Looking around the body, I'll mention the beautiful mirrors situated on the front fenders and perfectly chrome covered and the door handles, very delicate and keeping the correct shape. The door's lock was replicated by a minuscule photo-etched parts with 3D profile, very impressive for their sizes. What I like on this model are the shut lines. Even if the model has not operable parts, the shut lines are deep enough to put in evidence the separate parts of the body.
On the back side, we have some beautiful details, too. The trunk handle of generous dimension is great replicated and chromed along with the both model and country indicatives replicated by photo-etched parts. The back lights were fixed with visible stubs, maybe because their reduced sizes. On the rear bumper we have the same logo beautifully crafted and applied. The model provides real license plates, nicely detailed and painted on a metallic base. The wheels are keeping the simple, but very elegant and massive design of its original counterparts. The same perfect chrome covers the entire rim, excepting the circular line in the same body colour. In the center of the wheel the lug nut is beautiful replicated, keeping the original shape and lettering. The wheels are not moving individually, but together using an axle. In my case the front wheels provide a negative camber and are not rotating uniform. In fact, they keep a “V” position, but I wasn't able to observe this issue on other models from the photos, so I can't consider it as general issue. Front wheels are designed to steer, but in my case according to this problem the process is limited. Tyres are not branded, but keep a right profile. Being an open cabrio, the all interior is easy to be observed and the manufacturer continued here in the general note.
The interior is well made and finished, from the blue and generous seats to the dashboard, covered in wood trim. The trim looks very good, giving to the RHD cockpit the necessary luxurious note. Door handles and some switches are very delicate replicas and were chromed. All the gauges are legible. I like a lot the blue carpet and I have a special note for the pedals: are awesome detailed and replicated by 2 metallic parts wearing the right texture and the car's logo for the brake pedal. Neat job here! What let me down in this area is the lack of protection for the rear wheels, giving the possibility to see “through” the floor and killing all the realism. I really don't know why the manufacturer didn't pay some more attention here. Underneath, the coach chassis frame was rude moulded on a resin made base. No details of suspension or brake system can be seen.
Missing the functional parts, the Bentley S3 is a piece to be exposed. Isn't a model dedicated to provide many or great details. It offers only the pleasure of seeing an impressive and beautiful luxurious classic car. And here the manufacturer has served his purpose very well. As I said before, with a few exceptions, the model is great made and finished. Since the model was offered to me for this review, I'll not make any comments regarding the quality-price rapport and I'll let all the interested collectors to decide for themselves. In a classic collection or brand dedicated one, the model will be a remarkable and unique piece.
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