The first representative of the Super Elite collection, the high end line of models from Hot Wheels, that comes in my collection, has materialized in this beautiful Ferrari 550 Superamerica. These models are made to differentiate themselves from the rest of the collections by a better finishing, better details, a different presentation and of course a substantial difference of price. I didn’t find complete reviews for the Super Elite models on the internet, trying to make an idea before buying one for myself, so I will take a deep look here at every single detail and I will try to figure out my impression.
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The model comes in a folding card board box, like BBR ones and is fixed on a base, covered in black synthetic leather, just to remember you from the first sight that you just received something different. Applied on this base, an aluminium badge reveals the type of the car, together with the collection's logo and until now, the model's presentation belongs to a superior level. The model is covered in a beautiful shade of “rosso Ferrari”, the paint job is awesome, well applied, shinny, without differences between the metal and the plastic parts. After a promising start, I'm very disappointed to see the full grills that cover the air vents and I really don't know what they've thought when they chose this solution.
Anyway, moving forward some fine details are coming out, like all the logos and inscription made from photo etched metallic parts, except the “Cavallino rampante” logo on the front lid and on the both sides, the lights are well made without visible stubs and what I really like are the final parts of the exhaust system, replicated by photo-etched metallic parts . The manufacturer, did a great job in making the screen wipers in the same way, the final result and the real factor being guaranteed, these parts definitively looking as their real counterparts and another little detail, but effective, is the real car’s logo printed on the fuel lid.
When it comes to the wheels, nothing can be considered wrong here,because the producer managed to replicate them exemplary. The brake system is looking very nice behind them, having the disks covered with a thin metallic part to replicate the steel and are dimpled to fake crossed drilling. How for sure you already understand, the photo etched parts abound on this model and of course on the red calipers a very nice “Ferrari” inscription was applied in the same way . The tires are not branded, but keep the soft texture which makes them to feel real.
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As on the real car, this model features a functional glass roof, which can be closed and open on the same way. Its frame was printed on with a carbon look alike pattern, but if you want my opinion the final result or better said the realism of this piece is far away from the original, because the carbon texture is over sized and its color is very different from the original. I can't agree as well the sticker which replicate the third stop light included on this roof.
The cockpit is looking awesome and is very well detailed being in this moment the best interior seen by me at any replica of a modern car. By its color and the leather texture, successfully replicated on the seats, the door panels and on the dash board, the interior fits the general look of the car perfectly and keeps it in the well known Ferrari classic tradition. A lot of details were replicated on the central console, some of them looking really good as the CD player, lots of buttons were even painted and for the glove box’s bold they chose a metallic photo etched part. These metallic parts found their place in replicating the pedals, too and are looking quite extraordinary and the same for the textile made seat belt's buckles. On the door's entry the Ferrari lettering was molded on and the entire floor is covered by a rich carpet with the related rubber protections. Unfortunately, I must mention what I disagree here, because are coming to the sight very easy and disturbing by their dimension: the steering wheel and the gear paddles behind it.
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Both lids are opening on so called dog-leg hinges, no what I’ve expected to see on a model that aspires to the highest level. Operating the back lid, the carpeted compartment is simple and hosts a golf case, an original accessory at least for me. The engine is looking good and is more detailed than on the Elite versions and in the same time appears to be made of much qualitative materials. The plastic, for example seems to be better, the paint is also better applied and the lids of different containers are properly marked. The engine is wired and has some nice details as the photo etched “Cavallino” badge on the engine block and many warning labels that surrounding the bay, but nevertheless it doesn't raise to a much higher lever at what we are used to. Underneath the model lacks any single detail.
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The Super Elite models are limited series and as I said before are supposed to be better from any point of view than the Elite versions. But, when this article was wrote the asking price for a Super Elite is equivalent with one for a high-end model. In this moment I can't consider a Super Elite to be a high-end model, because are not enough reasons to make the difference or to justify the higher price. I've noticed a slight difference of quality on some materials and a better finished interior, but the details on the Elite series are still nice and well made. A lot of photo etched parts and few hoses in the engine bay aren’t strong enough to make the difference, not to mention that this model keeps the old solutions and not only a single upgrade from the basic Hotwheels models.
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