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Topic starter
22/11/2022 9:56 pm
Less than three weeks ago I bought my first 1:24th scale model from White Box. I guess they get their name because the models come in a white box?! Most, if not all, of their models are foreign makes. I was interested in seeing the level of detail and how they might fit in with the Mint cars. I found them on eBay, but there were no domestic sellers, only European. The cars aren't that expensive, and shipping is incredibly cheap compared to shipping inside the US. Model was $37.90 plus $13.90 shipping from Germany! And surprise, the package arrived in sixteen days! The model I purchased was an Opel Manta, a car that was popular in the late '60's-early '70s when GM, Ford, and Chrysler were looking for small fuel-efficient cars to import before their domestic subcompacts were in production. The Opel was sold thru Buick-GMC dealers, similar to the Capri and Lincoln-Mercury. In reviewing the Manta, I would say White Box quality and level of detail are equivalent to Welly or Sunstar, but at a higher price. However, where else can you find new and interesting models in 1:24? The proportions look great, and the scale appears to be right on the money. The interior detail is a bit lacking, but the dash looks good. The front wheels are not posable, and the hood and trunk do not open. I will probably add an Opel GT and an Opel Kadett in the near future. Let's take a look!
The Manta comes in a nice window box mounted to a sturdy plastic base with four Phillips head screws. This is listed as a 1974 model but would be equivalent to a '70-'73 U.S. spec Manta with the slim bumpers. U.S. spec cars for 1974-75 got big heavy bumpers to meet the 5mph crash standards. I've included pics of the Manta with the Welly Capri and FM 240Z for comparison below. Thx for checking it out!
22/11/2022 10:39 pm
I love this one. I remember seeing these around in the Metro-Detroit area when I was a kid. I remember being crazy about them, wanted one when I grew up, LOL! Then we moved to Northern Michigan, and I never saw another one.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Topic starter
23/11/2022 12:59 am
I saw a lot of Opels running around town when I was in high school. The local Buick dealer was just a few miles away.
Tony Perrone reacted
23/11/2022 1:54 am
thats a spot on review Pete thanks, Great positive approach to our current 1/24 position as well. I have quite a few of them, selling under either Whitebox or Hachette, Salvat or IXO. Earlier models come up under Leo Models and Quattroroute and Fabbri. Just like the mints to a degree in that quality can vary quite a bit between models. A Peugeot 403 (Colombos car) was delivered a couple of months and was immediately placed right out of the way on a back shelf. Poor quality everywhere. But this nice 30s Citroen turned up a couple of weeks ago and the quality is similar to your Manta. Around the same prices for model and shipping too from France. U.K postage is very reasonable as well.
Pete Rovero and Tony Perrone reacted
23/11/2022 6:52 am
Pete. Thanks for sharing. I remember the Opel well. Saw a lot of them growing up on Long Island. I think for the money it would be a nice addition to any collection. I especially like the Capri. I need to find one.
Pete Rovero and Tony Perrone reacted
23/11/2022 10:33 pm
I would like to find this one in 1:43; in that yellow or perhaps orange. The accent stripes really work!
Well....that didn't take too long via good old ebay!
This post was modified 6 months ago by Jack Dodds
Ed Davis and Pete Rovero reacted
24/11/2022 12:28 am
These models are superior to Welly, Maisto, Bburago etc. They are up to scale with accurate proportions, and tight gaps. I believe they are made in the same place and sell under different brands, they rotate with different colors through: Hachette, Salvat, IXO, Leo, and finally WhiteBox. WhiteBox use to be sold in the US by American-excellence.
Topic starter
24/11/2022 4:06 pm
I thought the Hachette and White Box models looked very similar. Hachette makes the same Opel, but in orange. I have a Salvat and IXO, but they don't have any opening features. Thank you for that information, Chav.
24/11/2022 6:04 pm
I thought the Hachette and White Box models looked very similar. Hachette makes the same Opel, but in orange. I have a Salvat and IXO, but they don't have any opening features. Thank you for that information, Chav.
the opening features I think depend on the target prices of the models and the countries they were targeted for. If the series was issued in richer country, the models had opening features from the get-go, e.g. the first series of Alfa's and European cars that was issued in Italy as well as the Japanese collection. All models issued for Russia and Eastern Europe were models without opening features. Later the French series didn't include opening features though, probably to keep cost and prices low. I don't even know if any of this is true. This is just my observation as some of these Hachette, Salvat and IXO models eventually make it as WhiteBox models, not the whole line but just selected ones.
Pete Rovero and Tony Perrone reacted