Model Car Icons

The Porsche 935/78, better known by its nickname Moby Dick, is one of the most distinctive race cars Porsche ever built, and CMR has released a 1:12 scale resin replica that captures it in genuinely striking detail. The original 935/78 was Porsche's response to the increasingly aerodynamic demands of Group 5 racing in the late 1970s. Its elongated, whale-like bodywork, the source of its nickname, was built around airflow rather than conventional styling, producing one of the most recognisable silhouettes in motorsport history. The car's long tail and wide stance made it instantly identifiable on track, and decades later it remains a favourite subject for scale model manufacturers precisely because of how visually striking it is. This particular CMR release reproduces the #70 entry, sponsored by MOMO and driven by G. Moretti, which finished second in the DRM round at Norisring in 1981. It is a specific historical livery rather than a generic representation of the mod...

Image Credit: WERK83 / CK Modelcars View the WERK83 1:18 Porsche 956K #2 Record Lap Nordschleife 1983 at CK Modelcars (affiliate link) No manufacturer dominates the collector diecast market quite like Porsche. The combination of motorsport history — Le Mans victories, Nürburgring records, Group C supremacy, and GT1 dominance — and an extraordinarily diverse road car lineage gives Porsche collectors a subject range that is effectively inexhaustible. At every scale, from the highly detailed 1:12 showcase pieces through to the deep 1:43 catalogue, Porsche is the most consistently well-served manufacturer in the hobby. CK Modelcars, one of Europe's leading specialist diecast retailers, carries one of the most comprehensive Porsche selections available — covering Minichamps, WERK83, Spark, Ixo, CMR, Ottomobile and more across road cars, endurance racing, rally and Formula 1-adjacent subjects. This guide is a curated walk-through of the best of what is currently available, orga...

Image Credit: Minichamps View the Minichamps 1/18 Porsche 911 GT3 R #911 Manthey Grello – 2nd Place 24h Nürburgring 2024 (affiliate link) The diecast model car market has never been in better shape. Whether you collect 1:18 racing legends, curate a 1:43 Formula 1 grid, or pursue the premium 1:12 sector where craftsmanship begins to approach fine art, the range of subjects, manufacturers and price points available today is genuinely extraordinary. This guide covers what the serious collector needs to know: the scales that define the hobby, the brands worth following, and the categories that drive the most interest right now — and where to browse a deep European catalogue of collector-grade model cars. If you want to browse directly, the full diecast catalogue at CK-Modelcars includes Formula 1, touring and sports cars, road cars, rally, motorcycles, movie cars and special editions across multiple scales and manufacturers. Browse the complete CK-Modelcars catalogue here Why...

No category in motorsport history generates the same emotional response among collectors as Group B rally. Five years of unrestricted technical development from 1982 to 1986 produced the fastest, most powerful, and most dramatic rally cars ever built. The Audi Sport Quattro, Peugeot 205 T16, Lancia Delta S4, and their contemporaries became something beyond racing machines – they became cultural objects, representing a moment when manufacturers were given almost unlimited creative freedom and used it to build monsters. At 1:18 scale, these cars are extraordinary subjects. The aerodynamic complexity of a Group B machine — the wide-arched bodywork, the enormous wings, and the mid-engine configurations — translates beautifully at this size. A 1:18 Lancia Delta S4 or Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 on a display shelf communicates immediately to anyone who knows what it represents. CK-Modelcars carries one of the strongest selections of 1:18 rally and Group B models available from a European spe...

Few names in automotive history carry the weight that Ferrari does. For diecast collectors, a 1:18 Ferrari is not simply a model — it is a piece of motorsport and automotive culture, frozen in miniature with extraordinary precision. At this scale, every curve of a 250 GTO, the aggressive stance of an F40, or the aerodynamic architecture of a 296 GT3 can be appreciated as a genuine collector's object. The challenge lies in choosing well. The 1:18 Ferrari market spans a remarkable range of manufacturers, prices, materials, and subject matter. Some models are limited to under 200 pieces; others are widely available and entry-level in finish. Some are sealed resin masterpieces; others offer fully opening panels and hand-assembled interiors. This guide identifies the top 1:18 Ferrari models for serious collectors in 2026, focusing on the manufacturers and model types most relevant to a discerning buyer. Browse the current 1:18 Ferrari selection at CK-Modelcars here. How To Choose a ...

  Discovering the Miniature Marvels: Road Vehicles from Minichamps Welcome back, fellow diecast enthusiasts! Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting to dip your toes into the world of model cars, there’s something truly captivating about a finely crafted miniature vehicle. This week, we’re diving into the remarkable offerings of Minichamps—a brand that has become synonymous with exquisite detail, authenticity, and having collectors’ dreams realised. If you’ve been hunting for high-quality diecast models that blend precision craftsmanship with a love of road vehicles, stick around. Why Minichamps Stands Out in Diecast Collecting Minichamps isn’t just another name on the shelf; it’s a benchmark. Since their inception, they’ve focused on delivering road vehicles that don’t just look like their full-sized counterparts but feel alive with realism. From the paint finishes capturing every metallic shimmer to the meticulously replicated interiors, Minichamps models offer a tac...