1930 Aston Martin

@randyrusk as for “achingly beautiful” models I narrowed my down to these three:

I have been looking at my 1/43rd photos - searching for something achingly beautiful!  Any Cord coffin-nose (or a Duesie) could fit that bill!  But I might have to go for a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Lungo (Minichamps).

Posted by: @karl

Posted by: @charles-rockett

@frank I'm pretty sure Brooklin made US Model Mint.

From hobbyDB:

US Model Mint was a line of 1/43 US white metal models that was first an independent brand based in Granger, Indiana that outsourced its production runs from SMTS and later from Brooklin Models.  In 1995 Brooklin brought the brand and made it one of its series.

• US Mint from 1 to 14, made by SMTS for Brasilia Press.
• US Mint from 15 to 38 made by Brooklin still for Brasilia Press but sold also by Brooklin.
• Not all reference numbers were made

Many thanks, Karl for this clarification. It certainly gets confusing with so many model design houses and separately, actual model makers.  It's good to be able to rely on people who know their ways around. Added to my conversation with Frank, is my ongoing confusion over Design Studio / Motor City USA and I believe a third 'label' within that stable. Any answers there would be much appreciated too, if it's not too much of an imposition.

I think EMC's Horch fits into that category. 

@karl I had the pleasure of seeing this car in the flesh at an exhibition in London, that also included the Disco Volante. It is an extraordinary car most notable, in my view, for how very narrow it is.  I read that early studies in cutting through the oncoming air barrier, were A) the Blade whereby the vehicle was very narrow allowing oncoming air to pass to the sides of the vehicle. B) the Tank, whereby the vehicle sat close to the road and was prismically curved so maximum air would flow over it. And C) the teardrop.  However this car looks like an Arrow ! Low, narrow and very long.

That said, for me to describe a car as "achingly beautiful" it would have to be Figoni Et Falaschi's 1939 World's Fair Delahaye 167 V12. Without doubt, the most beautiful man-made object I have ever seen.

@charles-rockett, Motor City had several labels and can generate a lot of confusion. 

• Motor City USA Models were high-detail, top-of-the-line white metal models...except when they were resin (as a few later issues were). They dabbled in 1/24 for a very limited number of models. 
• Design Studio Models were a little less detailed. However, their first issue was equal to or better than the MOC models. If I remember correctly, it was a 1949 Buick that came with upgraded packaging. Bob Jackman has one. Subsequent issues were less detailed, mostly. DS was also noted for producing a line of high-detail, high-finish hot rods in their Rod & Custom Series.
• American Models slotted just under DS...most of the time.
• USA Models were nice but lacked the detail of the other series.
• Close to the end, they released the Motor City Gold series of resin-based models. They were less expensive than the white metal series.  

There was a lot of overlap between the top three labels. Production numbers can be confusing and inconsistent. Most folks are surprised to hear that some of the later MOCs, not included in the Gold Series, were made of resin, as their bases were weighted to make the model feel more substantial. 

@jkuvakas Many thanks for clarifying this. It has been a bug-bear for years as their boxes and packaging are the same - apart that is, from the labels and sealing tape bearing different names but in similar graphics. And yet prices are so different. I was able to find the Town and Country pictured below at a reasonably affordable price. However a version identical, to my eye, but with top up and down versions was double the price and in a deep burgundy, as stated above, over £1000 - Phew! On my budget I would rather three very nice models than one 'exceptional' model.

Posted by: @charles-rockett

@karl I had the pleasure of seeing this car in the flesh at an exhibition in London, ...

Frank, I think we just highjacked your post, but this is what I like about this group.  Different cars, different thoughts all lead to a fun conversation about big and small cars!

Charles, these 2 Alfas are in the Museo outside Milano. For any of these beauties, I think you have to see them in person to judge their achingliness.  The proportions, stance, and elegance are just not so apparent at 1:43th the size...

But you win the prize with the Delahaye (or any Bugatti, Delage, Talbot-Lago) from the art deco era!  They are all achingly beautiful! 😎 

@karl  Even the stands that they sit on ring my memory bells. They must have been on a touring (!) exhibition. I saw these at the Science Museum or the Victoria and Albert, who knows, 25 + years ago, looking just as they do in your pictures - and I've never been to Milano.

@karl speaking of seeing in person to do it justice the Auburn speedster does it for me.  The models I have don’t show as well

Posted by: @frank

@karl speaking of seeing in person to do it justice the Auburn speedster does it for me.

I revise my statement:  any ACD is achingly beautiful!  That must be the ACD Museum!  Lovely place!

Posted by: @charles-rockett

@karl  Even the stands that they sit on ring my memory bells. They must have been on a touring (!) exhibition. I saw these at the Science Museum...

Good memory!  https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonheads/alfa-romeo-at-science-museum/3375

@karl You're a genius finding this - and saving my sanity for a little while more! Many thanks for your research.

@frank I totally agree with you Frank. I saw one of these on exhibition, propped up, perhaps two metres from the ground at a wild angle and the feeling of being engulfed by a prehistoric metal predator has stuck with me. The wings on these things are truly massive.

When it comes to "achingly beautiful" it's hard to beat Top Marques Bentleys.