If this example from CMC is already on your pre-order list, you’ll be happy to know the project is coming along nicely, latest photos of the street-going 1:18 scale Ferrari 275 GTB/C are looking mighty fine in Ferrari Red! Engine detailing is layered as a typical CMC product is, along with the interior side and what we can observe from the undercarriage. Enjoy!
Product# M-210
Not impressed. These models have an MSRP just north of $600, and at least a few thousand of them will be made. Should be better. Obvious door/window fit problem with this pre-production sample, but any company should really try to show a product at its best. Other areas that are instantly seen as problems; seat leather looks toy-like, hand brake & gear shift are terrible, and so is the out of scale exterior windshield and rear window trim. Trunk hinges are too big, tail lights are wrong, exterior door handles also not too good. Engine could use some improvement, and why are the wheels polished?! They never were on the real cars.
I’m very happy with my BBR 275 GTB/4 street car, but I still would like a great model of a 275, but doubt I’ll be able to justify buying one of these. I’ll wait to see final product, but I’m sure most of these problems will still be there.
I am very disappointed with the current situation of CMC.
You’re right on all of these issues. I’ve always been aware of the inaccuracies of their cars but was still accepting of them (even giant rivets) because of the overall quality and craftsmanship, but this is just something that looks sloppy, plus they don’t have the best history of fixing the glaring issues of their pre-production models that are pointed out by collectors. At the very least, I hope they do something about the front and rear window trim because it looks downright ridiculous and way worse than giant rivets or stitches.
First off – never judge a model by a pre-production example. I own 24 CMC models so am well aware of what I consider minor issues with some. I still will take a good diecast with infinitely more detail and opening features than a closed, plastic body any day. The price differentiation is not all that much either now that prices in general have gone haywire. It comes down to a matter of each to his own. Take a good close look at the CMC Maserati 300S and You will see a great example of the detail and depth you just can’t get in resin.
What a gorgeous, fully detailed, fully opening model of a car I’ve longed for in 1/18 scale, the simply stunningly beautiful Ferrari 275 GTB. Now let me scroll down to see the price – WHHHAAAA! Why is the most desirable model of a Ferrari this year, the same price as the real thing!
It is the same price in the CMC store as all CMC models the last couple of years. So no suprises there really.
And to put some in perspective, it is 20% more than the same car from BBR (which is sealed resin).
Funny thing that in my region i can buy those from a local store for quite fair price, in fact with our capped customs tax and imported VAT from online purchases, it would cost me probably as much as ordering autoart from overseas (or even less).
So if it reaches our local stores, i’ll get it.
Where do you live to find quite reasonable retail prices for CMC models?
About time they release this model!
The very first thing I noticed is the “hump” this model has on its back, right where the bottom of the rear window meats the body. It would not be the first time CMC misrepresents the body shape of a model in their catalogue.
The second thing that immediately pops up is that this is not a sample of a street car, but definitely of a racing one. The engine is racing spec, the body has the lights for the racing numbers on the door and on the trunk and the interior has plain door cards and racing seatbelts.
Last, but not least, again the cry of the price. First off, the model retails in the $400s, just like all previous CMCs for the past few years, not “north of $600”. And then again, if AR’s Zonda goes for $500 and everyone approves of it, why would this be considered “overpriced”, when it is clearly the more detailed and definitely more expensive model to produce?
I have two different BBR 275s, but I am looking forward adding this CMC model for sure. I had every opportunity to get their 250 GTO in any color I wished and I didn’t, because of how wrong the shape of its nose was. Well, now I regret that decision and I will not make the same mistake again.
It’s a given that their model is a 275 GTB/C – race variant. That is what has been advertised since first announced. There are many little issues as well as one’s you’ve noted.
The model retails higher. The USA MSRP prices are DEFINITELY “north of $600.” All you need to do is take a look on the CMC USA website to see the advertised MSRP prices!! Here’s the link: https://www.cmcmodelcarsusa.com/product-category/manufacturer/cmc-ferrari/
Their 250 GTO was based on a well known car that was unfortunately the worst one to pick to use, but located in Germany, which was convenient for them. The car was rebodied/restored incorrectly a number of years ago by an independent restoration shop. All the body panels were made for it in England! The history of that car is well known. I used to consult with/for CMC, unfortunately they rarely listened.
I fully understand what you’re saying and I am very familiar with the story behind the GTO. But what we have here is the all so familiar difference between HYPOTHETICALLY and PRACTICALLY. There is a really funny joke about it, but in today’s woke society I’ll get chastised if I posted it on here, as it would go against the liberal political correctness taking over the world.
Anyhow, we need to be objective and compare apples to apples. Right this second, as I am writing this, I can buy three different 275 coupes and two different NART Spiders from BBR directly, with the most expensive one of them being $355. What they are being sold for by resellers is a completely different story.
The AR ZondaF was suppose to have a $400 MSRP, but you can’t buy it from them directly and your only option is to pay the $500 asked by people who I don’t know if they are resellers, distributors or scammers.
Meanwhile, there are numerous well known model distributors that have been selling CMC models from the beginning of the company, who are selling the model for a lot less than the $618 on CMC’s site. And by the way, the $618 on CMC website includes shipping to US and probably has VAT fees in it, which should not be there anywhere outside Europe.
So, Theoretically the BBR model is the cheapest of the three and the CMC model is the most expensive. Practically tho, the CMC model is going to end up being the least expensive and (if you don’t act fast) the BBR the most expensive, with the AR model being very very close, well above it’s suggested price.
But the main point I was trying to make is that people judge the worth of a model based on their emotions toward the model subject, rather than the model itself. And then they go out of their way making excuses for a given manufacturer, trying to justify the price, because subconsciously they know they overpaid.
The other thing was just simply making the decision that I am not going to repeat my mistake with the CMC GTO.
Got it all. And as far as the woke, P.C. and liberal nonsense spreading like a bad cold, I’m in agreement. I never consider whether a model is good, bad, indifferent based on price. Cost is only one factor to be considered and used only sometimes as a comparison. My comment regarding BBR was simply to point out that overall I am very happy with it, and that overall it fits the bill better than the CMC piece. BBR’s sealed resin production runs are also much smaller in quantity than CMC. I’m not impressed by over emphasized parts counts & working features especially when there are glaring mistakes. I have many models with them working parts, etc. There are too many variables to point out & discuss here. BBR models also often have little issues, and as far as business ethics go….BBR has no clue as to what ethics are, which is another completely different subject.
That said, as much as CMC is known for packing in numerous parts, they are also known (in some circles) for lack of good research, and for making numerous mistakes big & small. I never bought bought any of their GTO models, I saw all the problems with it. All 11 of the CMC’s I’ve kept have various issues. And two more CMC’s might be leaving soon!
FYI: Carmodel.com has them listed on pre-order for 423.69 Euros without VAT, or about US$483. If you catch one of their 10% “Special Day” sales, it brings it down to 381 Euros, or about US$435. Plus shipping of 34.95 Euros, or about US$40. Shipping is flat rate, so order more than one model (of any kind) and the pro-rata shipping is materially reduced, e.g., I’ve got a 6 model order in so the pro-rata shipping is less than US$7.
MSRP is indeed over $600 but it is only a *suggested* price. It is not hard to find it for $508 at major retailers in the US. Not cheap but not a bad deal compared to the AR Zonda (as mentioned above) or a sealed BBR 275 GTB that retails in the US in the $450-500.
I know exactly what MSRP is. That’s why I wrote it in that way. My company produces models, and buys & sells them too. I am extremely well aware that the “S” in MSRP specifically and only means “suggested.”
And yes, I am fully aware that you can easily find CMC models being sold at lower than MSRP. I always see numerous dealers discounting CMC and other brands of models.
I know you know all that Marshall. My comment was mostly intended for the other readers.
Ok, now I get it. Thanks for clarifying….that’s often the problem with forums and mails… sometimes difficult to really know what someone means.
Not sure why my previous comment wasn’t approved, but just in case…
something funny happening with CMC in our region, the local shops sell them for MSRP or sometimes even lower (while they are new releases) and given the recently capped customs tax and increased VAT for online purchases, probably the price for this model in local shop would be in the same ballpark as price of ordering AutoArt from overseas + customs + vat. So if that trend continues, i’m getting this model if our stores will sell it.
For those who have not received this model, here are my evaluations of CMC’s red 275 gtb-c M-210 model deficiencies . I hope CMC will correct these scale detail mistakes before other color and race versions are issued.
As many have commented, The front and rear windshield rubber gaskets are over scale and still need to be reduced. The metal insert at the rear window of model #75 of 1800 was rough and poorly finished. Wipers are improved. The front wing amber side marker lights seem over scale but well done. As for some past CMC models the steering wheel is too fat and I hope will not be leather covered for the race versions as are pictured in some of the prototypes. The seat belts should now be correct fabric reproductions. Care at assembly must be taken that the front bumpers be installed flat and level without any up tilt toward the rear.
The most important details needing correction are: 1. Correct over sized wheel knock off design by down sizing knock off center diameter and lengthening knock off wings especially for the wire wheels on race versions. Thankfully the alloy wheels have a satin not bright chrome finish. . 2. Reconfigure the incorrect and reverse opening wind wings that open out toward the front instead of opening out toward the rear. Also the pivot bulge on the wind wing chrome frame needs to be added, 3. Replace the rear all red tail lights, correct only for the #26 race version. All other competition 275 gtb-c have very detailed round half amber over half red taillights with a small centered chrome ring reflector. BBR represented them with half amber and half red without the chrome ring detail.
These last three details might have offered CMC minor tooling and casting cost savings but detract from the otherwise exceptional craftsmanship of this model. The 25 anniversary Black Prince along with so many others offered no such disappointments. At these elevated prices CMC must proceed to correct these detail inaccuracies and to secure their reputation. It is my opinion that customer purchases of this model will wain if these deficiencies are not corrected. That would be to the detriment of all concerned. These scale models are longer in the realm of a toy.
Great insight. Thank you.