[Closed] CMC Aston Martin DB4 Zagato

Hey Paul, it pains me to say this, but I think you're right...

I have a 1/24th model of this car in resin, and the proportions feel very different. The resin kit feels much more true to the original than CMC's model does.

I haven't seen the CMC model in the flesh, this is just my impression from the photos I've seen. I am disappointed by what I'm seeing, especially when compared to CMC's usual artistry (Corsica, Alfa-Romeo LeMans).

What do you guys think? Am I off-base with this observation?

I see, the model looks fatter, less fluid, with appearance of a muscle car the front fender rear curve is slightly slopping down on the real car, something that appears missing in the model. Comparison of course is difficult until you hold the model in you hands and look at it from different angles.

Is that the proper finish? It's lacking that metallic sparkle.

I like it a lot better, dare I say.

Here's something to check out, Dan.....

Richard Dube provided this link if you didn't see it before.
Read what the Tifosis think of the model.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/collectables-literature-models

Is he the CMC marketing guy???????????

Well, he certainly has a mission in this video..... to tell us in his closing comments that it is a very nice model but not accurate to a specific car.

The size of the metallic pigments in the paint job remember me of my silver CMC 2003 MB SLR. They are way too big.

Also, It seems obvious the front suspension is too high and the rear tires too fat.

It will be interesting to see his full review but in same time it is strange none of the contributors on this board have posted their own review because they always receive a complimentary piece.

It may be right and it may be wrong............

Aston Martin built 19 of these cars and in fact no two are exactly alike. They were built to be race cars and as such they were 'tweaked' and modified as they went along, both to fit individual buyers needs (left or right hand drive, for example or accommodations for larger wheels/tires).

It is the reason why it was important for people like me that CMC pick a specific car to model. If they did, then you could compare their model to a specific car and decide if they got the contours, paint, wheel wells, stance, etc. correct.

It is just my aesthetic but I feel like they modeled their model after one of the less attractive iterations of the car. You can't really say they are wrong but I can understand if it doesn't look 'right' to many people.

We were, and continue to be hard on Exoto..........

They were the leaders of the 'upscale price' movement and as their prices climbed we became more and more critical of their shortcomings - remember the flack they took for the windshield on the MKII roadster?

In those days CMC was the shining light. They were seen to have equal or better quality at a better price. Their 'defects' were relegated to esoteric debates on the thickness of the spokes in their wire wheels.

Now Exoto doesn't make enough new images so CMC has taken over the 'King Of The Hill' title and with that they seem to have gotten ever richer in detail but also sloppier as well as more expensive. As the guys at the top the bulls-eye is clearly on them. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

Aren't you obligated to say good words if you receive a complimentary piece?

Of course you are, they are not gonna send you more if you don't.
BTW in medicine these days is illegal for drug reps to give physicians any type of gifts, not even $5 pens. I have not seen drug rep in ages.

The Exoto Jaguar D Type..............

Is nice but far too much expensive at 1K and not a fully assembled model but the detail level is far above CMC and in a class by itself. I have #12.

At least, you can have replacement parts if something goes wrong.

It is a fact they don't come with new images very often but their D Type is going a long way with a few modifications to specific racers and they are very accurate.

Very informative Rich. Thanks.

Don't get me wrong..........

I own 96 Exoto models - they account for one third of my collection and many are excellent. For years they not only made the best models but they were doing images of the cars that I most wanted.

My point is that with their now 1K cost and so few new images Exoto is really in a different class from the other manufacturers now. They are closer to a custom build house these days.

Of the large active producers (AUTOart, Kyosho, Minichamps, etc) CMC is now the top of the mass collector market.

Thanks Rich. That really sums up my impressions well, although I didn't know the specifics he did.

Just to clear up a few things.........

Most of the reviews you read on this board are not the result of complimentary cars and we try not to pull any punches but to give honest reviews.

Many of us have known Joe Kelly for a long time and we know that Joe just does not have it in his DNA to bash a model. He will always show you the polished side of the penny. If you know that going in you can appreciate his reviews for what they are - promotional introductions to new products. There is nothing wrong with that unless you expect nothing less than a full critical review. In that case Joe Kelly is not your guy, someone like Marshall Buck is.

Hey Frank, I agree with you completely. I wish they'd picked a specific car...

And preferably one that had the 'more common' look to it. I know they were all different, but many of them had a great deal in common. CMC really did such a phenomenal job on the Corsica and the Alfa LeMans, that this one is kind of a let-down.

How sad is it that I'm actually kinda disappointed NOT to have to spend $500.00?

You're right, it is hard to compare. I don't know....

that I'll get that opportunity with this one though.