[Closed] Anyone here collect Auto Art?

The Bulk of my collection is AA and I will buy their version of a car when it is made by multiple manufacturers. So many of their cars look like they took a real car and shrunk it down with some kind of sci/fi ray gun or something. While I am looking forward to the Mustang I really wish that AA would realize there is a lot more to American cars than Stangs and Vettes. Seems like they fallen back to do only these two cars. And as much as I like them I also don't like the direction they are moving in from a customer service/connection standpoint. They no longer answer emails and they don't seem to care when they do get something wrong (Ex: the incorrect chrome bumpers on the otherwise excellent 1971 Mach 1. They could have fixed this on the black version but released that one with the mistake as well). So, while I love their models and think they are one of the best going, especially at their price point, I do worry that they seem to be showing the early signs of exotoitis.

Thanks for the opinion Mark...

...one question though...what does the word "exotoitis" mean...? i couldn't find it in the dictionary...is it really bad, ignorant, or just a lessening of standards...?

Thanks again Happy New Year!

I agree with you Randy.AA makes some beautiful models.

I have 12 AA models and am pleased with all of them.Tremendous value for the money.My four favorites are my 68 and 71 Mustangs in red,53 Corvette in white and my 65 Chaparral.
I am also looking forward to their 05 Mustang.I hope it dosn't take as long as the 59 and 62 vettes.I'm still waiting on them.

Remember this---------------AA is the parent of UT

LOL here's a hint it's Exoto-itis. If you don't follow the 1/18 scenr closely, it has to do with the effect of "hubris" on diecast modeling.

Agreed. The XJ13 is arguably their crowning achievement.

The vast majority of my 1/18 collection is of AA lineage: UT, AutoArt, Biante

I collect primarily road racing cars, and AA is one the few companies that makes them on consistent basis. Also, with a street price of about $50US (but ogin up recently) they are not as hard on the wallet as Lane, GMP, to say nothing of EXOTO. Also, most of the AA racing models have tampo printed graphics as opposed to more expensive Minichamps ones, which suffer from decal peel and chipping.

I have almost every model AutoArt makes and there has never been a disappointment. All of their

Jaguars are little jewels, their 1979 Jeep Wagoneer is one of the finest 1/18 models out there. The 2002 Maybach is grand, their Subaru series is fabulous.......their Corvette series is first rate....their SUV series is unmatched........I could go on (I have about 70 of their models). Mustangs....great too! You can't go wrong with AutoArt.

LOLOLOL got it thanks!!!

Rich's translation is correct

A Perspective on AutoArt

Due to space and financial constraints, I have had to limit myself to AutoArt's '67 Mustang. I got it on the secondary market and it looks like "honey I just shrunk the Mustang" -very impressive, esp for the price. The engine, interior and trunk areas look perfect. Only error is they left off the "FORD" hood letters, which I hope to add if I can find 1:18 photoetched letters. I'm hoping their promised '59 Vette comes out and is accurate.

Bob, could you please send me your email address, mine is wflynn2@nc.rr.com Thanks very much !

My Favorite AutoArt Car

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but of all my many AA cars, the one I like the best is the '59 Corvette StingRay. The precursor to the 1963(and on) StingRay.

This was one beautiful car and besides being just a concept car, this car was quite sucessfully raced in sports car races of the time. It was painted two colors over its lifetime: silver and red and AA makes both. AA's job of rendering this beauty is exceptional and is a must-have.

Tony Perrone wrote a great review of this car although his sample looked like it'd had a rough night when he photographed it.