[Closed] Automodello Packard

Wayne, your concise yet informative review sealed the deal for me. Just ordered one. BTW...

I appreciate your excellent photography. The background really sets that ivory color off!

I'm comparing my IXO Packard Victoria (pic) to your pictures. I was ready to order, but now I'm not sure this new model is that different. Is it really? The main difference, other than the roof, I can see are mirrors on top of the spare tires.

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From what I can see in your Ixo photo, the Automodello model has a very delicate p-e grille instead of plated plastic, ditto the trim around the hood louvers, ditto the trim on top of the headlamps, more detailed wheel centers. and of course it's in an actual Packard 1938 color, not metallic gold. I suspect the interior detail is also better but haven't seen the Ixo model so can't say for sure. It's roughly twice the price of an Ixo, so it's everybody's call whether the extra "finesse" or "scale fidelity" is worth the extra cost.

Wayne

Have the IXO, but ordered the ivory Automodello. It's a shame that IXO used that strange gold paint.

Otherwise, the IXO is a pretty decent model.

PICS - I think the proportions will be very different at least in the eyes of some beholders - and I know that peoples' perceptions differ greatly. To my eye, for some reason, these late '30's Packards bedevil patternmakers such as Tin Wizard, Ixo and Solido who I think don't quite get it right. I see Rextoys, Auto Replicas, Motor City USA and MiniMarque capturing the Packard's design with most accuracy.

The fenders and headlight pods on the Ixo/Altaya are very full and quite upright:

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The Automodello's fenders appear thinner and more forward at the bottom as in the Motor City example here. Some folks may completely disagree with me here and I'm OK with that. Variation is a characteristic of our species. I'll let you know when I get the Automodello.

Now before someone takes me to task for comparing a $40 model to one worth 10-30 times that, the pattern of the former Auto Replicas is quite close to the MCUSA in its fender treatment and the Rextoys' '40 Packards also are similar. the latter can be had at half the price of the IXO.

Here's the MCUSA:
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I always loved Barry Lester's Auto Replicas model.

It wasn't easy to build with all the various body sections but Barry's casting equipment wouldn't allow for a one piece body. It did seem an accurate model to me but it's more than possible these later ones are better...I don't have the knowledge to form an opinon. I think Randy is right though. Some cars are just damn difficult to get 'right', one of the trickiest being the Morris Minor with its preponderance of convex and concave forms all running different ways.

Don't forget to consider how few Packard convertibles were available before the Automodello...

Until something better came along, there weren't that many to choose from, particularly when considering price.

Thank you all for the information. I value the information I receive on this forum. Great stuff!

Frank, I have 29 counting the Brooklins (7 1932's).

Wayne, Thanks for the info. I bought one too 🙂

Yes, but what color will the REAL Ixo be (as opposed to the Altaya)?

3 times Wayne, but who's counting?

I bought one in March and haven't seen mine yet ....need to remind Jim Cowen

Dick, how many models are there of the 1938 Packard Victoria that we're specifically talking about?