Team AUTOart gives fans an early look at their painted sample, 1:18 scale Aston Martin DB4 G.T. Continuation in Aston Racing Green exterior. This full 360 access replica will feature composite panels with an internal diecast metal shell. Based on the initial images their efforts look promising. No word on the official release date, however, we suspect Q2 2021.
Product# 70281
Nope. Lost me on the wheels. Unless they are metal, like they did on the series 1 E-Types, not interested. And that steering wheel looks like an overscaled CMC steering wheel. But, the nitpicking aside, I fo not find AA’s composite models worth the money. No matter how hard they try, they look like what they are, plastic.
Yes, those upgraded DB5 wheels still look horribly wrong. If they wanted to use something from stock, than they could have used the Austin Healey wheels. Those do look more like the real thing than their first or later upgraded release wheels on the DB5.
For this DB4 it would have been a good thing if they went for real metal wheels like use on the E-type!
All, let’s remember this is pre-production sample. Maybe the wheels are from the existing part bin? We’re not defending AUTOart just suppling all possible reason. Let’s hope the FINAL will have the wheels on point.
At a reaction on FB (AA europe), AA already more or less acknowledged that the wheels are not ok. It is just a sample and it will go to Aston Martin for approval as well, so there is hope these wheels are not on the final prduction model.
Yeah… those wheels are a deal breaker. I also don’t understand, and can’t justify why they decided to replicate a “New” continuation car rather than any of the original cars, some of which have REAL racing history. Oh well, go figure.
Probably more to do with availability than anything else. Their models are always based on hard scans rather than period-correct info. Explains why the models are always authentic to the museum cars rather than the way they were during a particular race/year/season or whatever.
No, it is not really due to availability of the cars. I know, I’m in the business and have been producing model editions since 1989. This time it was CAD files made available to them from Aston Martin, BUT… they could have easily eliminated the tow hooks, roll cage, and modern seats.
I think at that point they’d be getting in way over their heads. Now they have to actually do the research and maybe go see a car (they published an article about having to do that for every model they make) and making a continuation version was just the easier thing to do I bet.
Based on what AA has done here; all they needed to do was go with the info on the continuation car, and then make the few changes I noted, for which there are numerous books and available photos & sources for all. Very easy to find for these particular cars. There was NO need to go see a car in this instance. What they did here was definitely Not an “easier thing to do” since they actually had to produce and fit extra parts.
Agreed! / Good point Wes.
AA also announced the le mans winning db4 from 1959 (nr 85906)
The 1959 Le Mans winning car was an Aston Martin DBR1, not a DB4. DBR1 is completely different from a DB4 GT. And the only DB4 GT entered/run at Le Mans in 1959 did not even finish the race.
my fault, you are correct. But AA is still making that db4.
Thank you, and thanks for mentioning that AA is making the DB4. Hope they improve the wire wheels on them.
At last, AUTOart have finally corrected the low roof line of one of their very first 1/18 scale models. A mistake which was carried over the upscaled rerelease years later as can be seen in these pictures I took below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23973738@N03/50138447871
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23973738@N03/50138448186/
I expect that retooling and painting a plastic body is much simpler and less expensive than diecast. I’m really looking forward to this model (wheels notwithstanding) but the price will probably be prohibitive for my budget.
Not corrected – this is a much different body & chassis. DB4 GT is much shorter than a DB5 so not really a correction, but they did get the body right for what it is a model of. Also other body differences, well done except those bad wheels.
Dear Autoart, if you’re listening:
Lotus Elan 26R. Please!
You already have mold for SE which doesnt require too much modifications.