Collecting Model Cars.

[René]

May 13, 2021 20:55:19 GMT robmarsh said:

A comparison photo against a 1970 F1 car would be interesting.

Looks like this, Rob.

[René]

May 13, 2021 21:53:51 GMT mikael said:

A very impressive model!

Just a small observation: by the last banner image (of Villeneuve) it occurred to me that ... it's interesting (to notice, from the stickers on the car sides) that Ferrari have been using ball bearings from the Swedish manufacturer SKF (in Gothenburg) for "ages", apparently.

In the "old days" it was always said that, "Swedish steel is the best steel in the World". Hence, Swedish brands like SKF and Bacho (tools) made a name for themselves.

In my years in Japan, I have participated in a visit to a Japanese steel manufacturer (located in Chiba, by Tokyo) a couple of times. One time I asked the guide (a retired engineer) about this rumor of Swedish steel. He replied that he knew about it, but said that, nowadays, steel manufacturers can make steel to whatever spec they may wish to, thanks to the present level of metallurgy. So "good" steel or "bad" steel is no longer really an issue. I found this most interesting ...

Please notice the SKF sticker on the side pod (next to "Brembo").

... and apparently, even now, many years later, Ferrari stays loyal to SKF :-)  (Please see the side pod again.)

That is interesting indeed. The SKF stickers can be seen on the Ferraris since the early seventies but their partnership is even much longer than that. I looked it up and this is on the SKF corporate website: www.skf.com/group/industries/cars-and-light-trucks/skf-and-ferrari

Apparently the longest partnership in Formula 1!

[robmarsh]

I was looking at some old footage of F1 cars in the 60s and 70s and was struck at how big the driver's head appeared in comparison to the car. Nowadays it is nowhere near as prominent even without the halo.

[robmarsh]

The following is an extract from an SKF magazine dated 2017:
"SKF, as bearing manufacturer and leading technology provider in the field, has been working with Ferrari since 1947. As such, it resulted in the longest uninterrupted technical cooperation in Formula 1 history."

[René]

May 14, 2021 7:16:05 GMT robmarsh said:

The following is an extract from an SKF magazine dated 2017:
"SKF, as bearing manufacturer and leading technology provider in the field, has been working with Ferrari since 1947. As such, it resulted in the longest uninterrupted technical cooperation in Formula 1 history."

That is wonderful and says a lot about both companies. From own experience I know long term business relations are very important. For some of our clients we have been working for almost 25 years now. Mutual trust and respect.

[charleselan]

Interesting comment about the quality of steel and that at one time Swedish steel was the world leading product in that sector. I always remember back in the 1980's a mechanic/technician I came into contact with was telling me that although Japanese engineering was outstanding (I had a Toyota Corolla Gti at the time) the quality of the steel they used on things like nuts and bolts were not good, he likened them to butter.

One had to be exceptionally careful when undoing, or doing up these kind of parts as it really was easy to round off the head. I say this in no way being disparaging of Japan's products, it was just a fact at that time. Engineering wise they were outstanding, the Corolla 16 valve twin cam engine was an absolute peach, as are their motorcycles.

At one time Sheffield Steel was highly thought of also, products made from that were usually known to be exceptional but now most steel that is used for products in the Uk comes from China or so I understand and it isn't to the same quality.

Coming back to SKF am I correct in thinking they also produced other products like nuts and bolts etc as I have a distinct feeling that my father had boxes of such in his shed with SKF emblazoned on the packaging.

[charleselan]

Completely against all expectation and tracking information, it has arrived this afternoon .

The LookSmart 1/43rd scale 2019 Ferrari SF90 driven by Charles Leclerc to victory at the Belgian GP, his very first Grand prix win.

The model was superbly packaged by the Italian retailer, probably the best i have ever seen and most i get are very well done. After opening the packaging I found a beautiful red box made from high quality card that contained the model in its clear display box, all very high quality.

What can I say the model is stunning and yes it was expensive compared with similar Spark and Minichamps models but it has to be said that it is a step further in detail and overall quality, simply beautiful. I honestly do not think that even at my peak of building kits that I could have built it better than what is in front of me.

Just to give you all some idea I have taken some shots with my iPhone 6 mounted in my DJI OM4 Gimbal, the packaging shots I have reduced in quality s I emailed them to myself, but the model shots are of higher quality but not as high as the originals, the iPhone 6 has an outstanding camera in my opinion.

[mikael]

JC,

it's very likely that SKF also produces accessories like nuts and bolts as well as bearings. Here in Denmark, I believe that the company with the strongest presence in that field - supporting small companies, like car repair shops, with nuts and bolts and the like - is the German firm/manufacturer Würth.

And when saying "Würth", the Group 5, 1.4L turbocharged "monster" Zakspeed Capri's of the late 70's/early 80's come to mind ... Those were fascinating machines, that had very little to do with a standard Ford Capri. They were actually real racing prototypes, complete with tubular space frame chassis, etc. 

Klaus Ludwig in the Würth Zakspeed Capri, 1981.

[René]

Stunning!

Just from the photos you can see the quality of the model. The detail on the floor and the wings and the matt paint finish (like it or not) looks exquisite.

Enjoy your beautiful addition to the collection! 

[mikael]

A most impressive level of details for a 1/43 scale model! It looks great!

[robmarsh]

Love the carbon fibre effect. Very tempting indeed.

[charleselan]

Yes guys it is a truly astonishing little model and i am at a loss as to how they produce something like this and for the price which initially seems costly but really isn't when you see what you have in front of you.

I am not sure how they do these resin castings but back in the 1980's/90's when I built a great many Starter & Province Moulage resin kits, although very detailed the castings always needed cleaning up and the release agent removing so that as time consuming. I then look at the finish on this model and am truly amazed at not only the amazing matt red but the carbon fibre effect and then the advertising decals. No way could I get decals onto a matt finish like this so I wonder if the whole thing has some form of miniature wrap.

Finally how the blazes can these be production builds with the level of detail included, building 1/43rd scale kits to a high degree of detail is time consuming, and that in a business sense costs. It would be very interesting to know how it is achieved.

[charleselan]

Mikael,

The Zakspeed Group 5 Capri's were incredible things and in fact formed the basis of the IMSA Mustangs that were run at a similar period of time. I had the pleasure of seeing the Zakspeed Capri's at that time when they staged a race at Donington Park for this series although sadly it was somewhat depleted when it actually arrived. They were impressive cars, with flames spitting from the exhausts.

I must look out the photos I took at that meeting, but I have far too many to go through.

I was always of the understanding that Würth manufactured tools, but your comment aroused my interest and I did a search and you are correct they supply most things. I also thought that they were a German company, maybe they are, but it seems that they have a large base in the USA.

JC

[René]

Brutal cars those Group 5s. I have two Capris as slot car, the black/yellow/red Zakspeed as pictured above and the bright orange Jägermeister car.. Both very cool, monsters! 

[René]

Here is the SF90 I purchased recently. Scale 1:18 by Looksmart. The other cars are also 1:18 and all very accurate to scale so you get an idea of sizes and how they compare. Lighting is not perfect but it gives an idea.