Saoutchik II

Nice models. I did not buy this Cadillac due to a change in the economic situation in my country. I still regret it.

@vlad-srk I have to say Vlad, this is one of the most expensive I ever bought because I put-off buying when it came out and was sick with regret. So buying just a few years ago was a tough decision, though I was lucky to even find one.

The Minichamps version is on ebay for a mere $70. Not a Chromes, but would fill a gap on the shelf.

Thanks Charles, I had never associated Saoutchik with Cadillac. Always nice to learn something new.

1/24 by MCUSA

1/43 by Spark

The Motor City is a great model with an interesting story. The first production run, by most estimates around 90 pieces, was white metal. The rest are resin with lead weights for heft. No one knows exactly how many were made but it is very likely that it was less than the 450 on the plaques. 

They're stunningly beautiful either way. 

@jkuvakas John, just to clarify, it is the other way around. The initial release of 85 cars was made from resin, but apparently the cost of producing resin models was too high. Due to the high interest in the model, MC decided to make a new run this time using white metal similarly to the Talbot's. The initial resin version has no base and it is numbered on the chassis, it also has a plaque "Mastered by P. Kenna" or something like this. The second white metal version started counting from #1 again, how many were made - I am not sure but I've seen numbers in the mid 200's.

Well I am not familiar with the Saoutchik Cadillac you posted, I may have seen photos but never really paid it much attention. I probably should have, looks fantastic.

The Minichamps version is interesting as well.

Now for the Motor City version, I have the one in white metal, #90. At the time, it was the most expensive model I'd ever bought. I can't imagine ever parting with it now.

@chav, You may be right, Chav. But, isn't white metal far more expensive to use than resin?

@jkuvakas The story of the 2 versions was well outlined in the model review here. I am absolutely certain that historically the resin version was first. I do have a model from the second run and mine is made from white metal. In fact I have more than one of these and took one apart. Regarding the cost, the rumor was that the resin model was too expensive to make so the initial version planned quantity was reduced to only 85, whether that was because of cost of raw materials, cost of labor or undeveloped technology I don't know. Perhaps they were just better working with white metal. They may have tried resin initially to reduce cost (I believe the first series of this Cadillac was their only resin model) but it didn't work, just guessing ...

@chav & @kuvakas I'm not sure when the MCUSA model was released, but going by the time scale of other issues of the car, Milestone Miniatures released a 1948 DeSoto in their 43rd. Avenue range in resin which was their first, and I believe only resin model.   I wonder if manufacturers were experimenting as resin seemed to be the industry's future?

@chav, Thanks. I'll go with your personal experience on this. I've had several but never been brave enough to disassemble them. 

Thanks for this addition to the story.  The history of the courting of Cadillac customers and the featured car is fascinating.

A new Saoutchik arrived to my collection. it's the Pegaso Z102 Cabriolet Saoutchik Serie 1. Detailed pics very soon.