After the release of the 1:8 scale, Amalgam has completed their 1:18 scale version of the classic Aston Martin DB5 Vantage. This is a resin and fully sealed model that is supplied with much filler, at $1200 US it should be. 800 hours of R&D and as per Amalgam “Built using original CAD designs developed from a scan of an original car”.
About the Aston Martin DB5 Vantage…”Often billed as the “most famous car in the world”, the Aston Martin DB5 Vantage is widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful cars ever made and is often labelled as the most attractive built by the British marque. Certainly, it is one of the most beloved, thanks largely to its now eternal association with a certain agent of international espionage.
Built between 1963 and 1965, the DB5 was nearly visually identical to the previous DB4. However, DB5’s most substantial change occurred under the bonnet: the introduction of a 3995cc naturally-aspirated straight-six, producing 282bhp and 280lb ft, with that power sent through to a synchromesh five-speed ZF gearbox and a robust Borg & Beck clutch to the rear wheels. It was the first time this engine was used by Aston Martin in a road car, having first seen service in the Lagonda Rapide (based on Aston’s DB4) and the Aston Martin DP215, the 1963 Le Mans endurance racer. Chassis changes included the adoption of the Girling disc brakes that had only been used on DB4 GT, along with 15” wheels. Many other improvements were incorporated including electric windows and twin hydraulic brake servos. Inside, the new car was more luxurious than any Aston before. A Normalair air-conditioning system was available as an option. However, the DB5’s many upgrades meant it weighed over 100kg more than the car it replaced, though the bigger engine kept things on track, reducing the 0-60mph time to around 8sec.
The DB5 was propelled to worldwide fame when used as James Bond’s car in the movie ‘Goldfinger,’ as well as a number of subsequent James Bond films, eventually spawning a special Aston Martin Works creation known as the Goldfinger Continuation that was built in 2020. The association with James Bond was a marketer’s dream, the perfect example of product placement, which nearly didn’t happen at all: Jaguar’s E-type was the preferred choice, but Jaguar turned EON down, and Aston Martin’s owner David Brown was also initially reluctant to supply a DB5. The rest is history, and James Bond’s gadget laden Silver Birch DB5 became an immortal silver screen phenomenon.”
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Not a fan of how they made the crhome trim around the windows it looks a bit too much Autoworld. On this respect the old Autoart looks better. The rest of the model seems ok. I’m no expert on the DB5 but it seems to me it’s the best rendition of if in 1:18 shape wise. Those wheel… The spokes are maybe even too thin, but they look good and kind of make the model, in my opinion.
As usual the “Amalgam price” puts it safely outside of my per model budget.
$1200 for a sealed model… no thanks, i rather would buy Solido DB5 for $40…
Glad, I have my old AUTOart Aston Martin DB5 in silver to stick with.
It definitely has some problems and is not worth the price. Over priced like all of their models. Amalgam seems to be in love with themselves and always mentioning their use of original CAD designs developed from a scan of an original car. CAD design and 3D scans NEVER guarantee a good or great model. There is a lot more to model making than that. I just can’t stand all the smoke & mirrors and general BS from most model manufacturers.
‘Built using original CAD designs developed from a scan of an original car’… Exactly like every other scale model these days lol.