Hold onto your seats, fellow model enthusiasts, because 2023 was an absolute game-changer in the world of scale model collecting! It’s not just our opinion – it’s a unanimous shout-out to a year that delivered a feast of new models and a diverse lineup of brands bringing freshness and excitement to our beloved hobby. No lab coats here, just genuine passion steering the ship.
Now, let’s talk awards. The suspense was real, the excitement was palpable, and after a heart-pounding 30 days of voting that drew in a staggering 3317 votes, we have a winner! The top five contenders battled it out, capturing a whopping 37% of the votes collectively. And if you thought you’d seen it all, brace yourself because this year’s contest was the closest we’ve ever witnessed, with a mere three votes separating first from second place. Three votes! It’s a tight race that leaves you saying, “Wow,” with a knowing nod.
Drumroll, please! The moment we’ve all been waiting for – the DiecastSociety.com 2023 Model of the Year goes to the exceptional LCD Model Pagani Barchetta! Let the applause and cheers fill the room because this win is well-deserved. It’s not just about its uniqueness, but the overall aesthetic charm, and the fully opening piece that adds that extra touch of magic, like uncovering a hidden treasure. A node to budget-friendly brand Norev for keeping pace with their Porsche 911 entry against Almost Real and CMC.
A massive thank you to the dedicated team and everyone involved in making this happen. We extend our gratitude to the brands and sponsors who continue to support our shared passion. And, of course, a heartfelt thank you to all of you – the thousands of individuals like you who share in the enthusiasm for this fantastic hobby! Until next year, when we’ll undoubtedly embark on another thrilling adventure in the world of scale model collecting.
Very well deserved. Fantastic model, and unbeatable in its price range.
What a race !!! Who would have thought that AR´s Pagani after such a comfortable lead would be overtaken. With how close it finally was, both models would have well deserved to win. The LCD has the advantage of replicating the more interesting original car. Obviously voters forgave LCD the sometimes serious issues with some of those.
Another remarkable win, in the „budget“ category, is how Norev made it to 3rd place overall. Again, subject matter and recent review might have helped.
AUTOart suffers a steep fall, both in the polls and in terms of output. The Burago ahead of the AUTOart Speedtail is a slap in the face, although AA ´s Speedtail certrainly is a good model. At the same time, the Speedtail is the only AA in the polls and reflects on how little AAs are released these days.
AR could have had more entries and I wish their Jaguars would have been allowed entry. With only one other sedan, winning the sedan category was not that hard for the Mercedes Maybach S680. Winning the utility category is another remarkable win, as the RUF Rodeo causes mixed feelings, even before scaled down.
LCD and AR have certainly changed the landscape of high-end models, AA has long lost its crown, inviting in the competition to do better.