REVIEW: CMC Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS • DiecastSociety.com

REVIEW: CMC Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS

Words and photos courtesy of Wes Shakirov

 

I’m sitting here wondering how the engineers at CMC managed to stick 1800 parts into this little thing. It’s very diminutive and not all that heavy, but the more you twirl it around, you start to notice that all the parts that are usually molded together into one on other models, are all made of separate pieces here. But hey, that’s CMC for you, and I’m happy things haven’t changed in that department! A new CMC release is always an exciting occasion and I waited with bated breath for my little Alfa to arrive to my local diecast shop. As is usually the case, I didn’t know much about this car before I heard that CMC were going to produce it. It was driven by a chap called Tazio Nuvolari (now him I have heard about) to victory in the grueling Mille Miglia, in 1930. In fact, 1st to 4th places were all taken by these cars, as well as 8th-11th places. And umm, 15th. And 16th. You get the point, it was an Alfa day for sure. Some 135 cars were entered, so for 9 of these cars to finish in the top 15 meant that someone at Alfa Romeo was doing something right. So now that we know why CMC chose to recreate this car in 1/18 scale, we can get back to the model.

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS3

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS10

The paint finish is a sort of matt, or satin, burgundy, and I dig it. The tampo graphics on the hood are masterfully applied. Having said that, I honestly don’t know where to begin, or if I should bother at all. You know how it usually goes with CMC models. I’ll wax lyrical about the leather seats and the myriad of different noble materials used in the construction, basically telling you what you already know. Instead, I’ll try to explain what I love about this model, and, hopefully, that’ll help you decide whether you’d like to buy one or not.

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS14

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS11

First off, there are so many things to play around with! The red headlight covers, which kind of make the car look like a three-eyed spider, come off and reveal beautifully meshed lights. I particularly love the functional leaf springs, and never get sick of pushing the car down just to see them work. As always, you can remove all four wheels to get a good look at those rudimentary brakes, plus the two spare tires. It seems with every new model, CMC outdo themselves when it comes to wire wheels. First, they introduced nipples protruding through the rim, and now it feels like the spokes are more slender than ever, and the nipples crisper. There are two spot lights on swinging supports, on either side of the windscreen, that can be pointed forward or folded back. The windscreen can be folded forward. There are also two bolts that can be unscrewed, most likely to remove the windscreen, although I’m not brave enough to find out.

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS16

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS20

There are two caps to open – one for the oil tank, which is actually in the cockpit and looks eerily realistic – and the other for the fuel tank at the back, which can be seen if you flip the car over. It’s made of stainless steel and sprouts two copper wires – which I’m guessing are meant to emulate fuel lines – that snake all through the undercarriage. Opening the tiny “trunk” cover first doesn’t reveal much, but shine a light inside and take a closer look and you’ll see two metallic boxes – storage compartments, I’m guessing. This is why I love CMC. Who would think to look there? Even in the cockpit, deep underneath the dashboard are wires that you really have to crane your neck to glimpse.

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS22

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS30

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS35

It’s a shame that the folded top is not functional, but maybe one day CMC will implement that feature as well. Can’t imagine it’ll be easy though! The engine is not exactly a feast for the eyes, due to the fact that it’s not terribly complex. It was 1930, after all. But whatever part was present on the real car – you can bet it is faithfully recreated here. Every tiny wire and plaque is present and correct. The only criticism I have about this model is that the doors don’t want to stay closed. It seems that all you have to do is think it, and the doors will pop open as if they have a life of their own. I’ve never encountered this before and I’m not sure if it’s endemic to my model or other collectors have experienced this as well. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker but annoying nonetheless. Also, I should mention that recently collectors have complained of excess glue residue and finger prints on their CMC models. I’m not as bothered by these as some, but these issues should not exist on such a premium model. With ever rising prices, us collectors expect sharper quality control, so get on that, CMC! Please, and thank you!

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS28

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS42

I have to say, I quite like this model. It’s got a wealth of detail topside, underneath, and everywhere in between. I’m no longer surprised that it contains 1800 parts. Sure, it’s got a couple of flaws, but what model doesn’t? CMC hit another home run here, and you’d do well picking up one of their versions – be it the plain red, this Mille Miglia, or the unpainted body. I can’t wait for their next release, and with the recent reveal of the forthcoming 250 GTO, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

Buy the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport 1930 Mille Miglia at Racing Heroes

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS2 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS4 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS5

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS6 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS7 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS9

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS12 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS13 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS15

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS17 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS18 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS19

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS21 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS23 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS24

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS25 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS26 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS27

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS29 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS31 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS32

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS33 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS34 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS36

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS37 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS38 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS39

Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS40 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS41

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13 Responses to "REVIEW: CMC Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS"

  1. JS Coleman says:

    What scale is it?

  2. Olivier says:

    1/18 like most of the CMC’s models

  3. George K says:

    I’ve got the red plain version on the way- something very dashing about the “Alfa Romeo” script on the grill. . .

  4. Alex says:

    I received my first CMC ALFA ROMEO 6C 1750 GS 3 weeks ago and was very disappointed because the wind shield that folds down was off where it latchs on to, and the front right wheel had too much positive camber than the other side and it looks like who ever put this diecast inside the styrofoam did not fold the side lights in properly and ended up bending the lights down. I had to send it back to the distributor for they can send me another. The second car arrived and I noticed the same issue you had mentioned about the door poping open on its own. I have over 30 1/18 CMC cars in my collection and in the past 2 years have been noticing poor workmanship on there products. Like again what others are complaining about over glueing and white glue film with finger prints on the surface. With the prices of CMC models going up these issues should not exist on such a premium model like you have mentioned. I love my CMC models but I expect better workmanship and better quality control coming from CMC. I hope CMC is listening because I expect better workmanship when they release the Ferrari 250 GTO

    • Wes says:

      I agree. I doubt things will change, but who knows. Prices only increase with the rate of inflation. I doubt they would increase prices to afford better QC. I think they should implement better preventative measures instead.

  5. Riccardo Pagani says:

    Thank for the review, very interesting. I own almost all 1/18 CMC models, but every time I buy a new one I am scared by the possible issues I can find. But it happens also with Exoto. My last CMC is the 312 Berlinetta and I discovered that the steering wheel is fixed (not linked to the front wheels that can steer right left properly): I asked to the shop and they asked directly to CMC that answered “it is normal because there was not enough space to have the steering wheel functioning”. With the last Bugatti Atlantic I have, me too, the “self-opening door”. Another shock: the front suspensions in the Aston Martin are fixed (there is a little suspension effect due to hidden springs, but the real suspension schema does not work). Anyway even with some issues CMCs are incredibly beautiful models…

    Coming back to this Alfa I’d like to ask if it has working steering wheel? And if it works fine or you need to turn and turn the steering wheel just to see a minimal steering effect on the front wheels (as my Alfa 8C 2900 Le mans)?
    Thanks and regards to all the collectors!
    Riccardo

  6. Udo says:

    I got mine this week. Beautiful model I’ve been hoping for for so many years until it now finally got reality. Would only be topped if they’d also bring out a 8C 2300 Monza in the future.

    Despite the satin paint finish I find it a little too shiny in respect of the real car – like all CMC’s. The original car wouldn’t have sported unpainted stainless steel fuel tank, spring leaves or shock absorbers.

    As of the quality doors are closing well and I haven’t yet seen any glue or fingerprints (but yet haven’t looked at it at daylight). But there are other quality issues: The spotlights are very loose and shaky – they would move every time you take the model in hand. The headlights are mounted with some back angle so that they would shine in the air. Camber and and toe-in are different at both front wheels. And the steering column isn’t fixed properly at th dashboard. It moves up and down when operating the steering.

    @Wes: Although the steering wheel doesn’t turn if the wheels are turned, it is working the other way round: Turning the steering wheel will move the front wheels. However there is a lot of play around of the central position, so you have to turn enough until you see it taking effect. But it works relly well (unlike (C 2900B).

    All in all a real nice model regrettably with some minor quality issue that shouldn’t emerge at a model of this price tag.

    • Wes Shakirov says:

      Totally agree, but being a hand made model consisting of so many parts, there ought to be a couple that don’t work too well. I think in order to keep the costs (relatively) low, they’ve cut down on quality.

  7. Folks, I’m really sorry to hear the number of issues that you are having with CMC workmanship . I have a large number of their pieces , going all the way back to the 1/24 scale and I have to admit that I may have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to their build problems !! I remember when I first discovered Exoto which have always more expensive , things like seats would fall out (not well enough glued)….That happened to my “53” open wheel Ferrari F1 #10. Similar problems occurred with other Exoto’s. It’s true that most of my CMC’s purchased in the 1st decade of 2000 were really solid in hand with spectacular paint and the working features worked well. I really loved them……….Of late the kind of issues I find are like doors that don’t equally open, and don’t open enough and smudges on inner windows these things happened with my “new” year old Aston Martin,DB 4 which also had restrictive front wheel articulation. My Alfa 8c also bought new had some niggling little problems , but in a world where we now have a fool in the “White House” I’ll live with something as good as CMC , and be glad for it, even though I also notice a decline in what were once amazingly great model’s, are still great model’s, and often amazing…..Just not always both ! Look, we pay a lot of money to have those things we love and we want them perfect, but as was commented by someone earlier , when you put 1800 parts together in something you can hold in your hand , to have it perfect ? that could make it a very expensive proposition !! I still get an awful lot of pleasure just looking at them and knowing they have as many cool details , as they do….

  8. Looking back at my comments I wish to 1st say that this is not a place for political opinions….So insofar as calling Trump a fool, I wish to retract that statement having just watched the 45th inauguration , I’ll just pray that the weight of the office will bring the best from the man,and some of the behavior witnessed during the campaign will be left behind ! To anyone I offended, I truly apologize ……So please , back to those things that are our unfettered interest’s Diecast vehicles of all stripes !!

  9. Julian Rosser says:

    I’m pretty pleased with my example which I’ve only just acquired new. No problems with quality – the spotlights are a little loose as others have noted but the doors will click shut if you apply pressure.

    What puzzles me is that the tip of the exhaust is just ahead of the back axle so exhaust gases would vent all over the axle and rear suspension. Surely the cars weren’t built like this in the factory ?

    As regards CMC quality in general, I think it’s probably better than Exoto, whose models tend to shed parts as you remove them from the packaging !!

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