As I sit here early on a Sunday morning, my first thoughts are what label or theme of this review will inspire me?  Well the go forward name, which I believe it fitting, is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Two models will be reviewed in detail; they are the Porsche 911 S 2.4 Coupe 1973 and Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa 1973 from Schuco.  Both pieces come from their 1:18 diecast series and feature opening parts.

When both pieces arrived, the excitement level was high.  Why, you ask?  Well their earlier pieces of the Porsche 911 (991) Coupe and Convertible, along with the highly anticipated Porsche Cayman GT4, were very capable models, and exceeded expectations for the most part.  Surly these two models would be on par?  Firstly, they cost more than the aforementioned models.  Removing the two models from the large shipping container I knew something was off, each box was extremely light, to the point where I thought there was nothing in the box.  More on this later.

From an exterior view, both models for the most part, hit the mark in terms of mirroring the originals cars.  Do note I’m no Porsche authority, so I will not know the possible variances when moving a model to scale.  You Porsche experts can do that for the rest of us.  Paint is completed well, typical Schuco execution.  As you can see there is a lot of chrome work on both pieces.  The execution here is extremely poor.  My best comparison, do you remember the dated Revell scale models for years past? Very similar to that.  The poor chrome work is constant throughout the Coupe and Targa.

Also Schuco delivered the model as a ’73 platform, but both models show the oil-fill door behind the passenger side door (for the dry-sump oil tank) which was specific to 1972 models.  This was updated/removed ’73 in response to people inadvertently filling it with gas (thank you Carson).

Panel gaps are below average for a Schuco piece.  My Targa has a large gap found in the rear hatch.  On the flip side, shutlines for the most part are very good.  Continuing with the exterior, the trim pieces seem like after thoughts, the lower rocker guards especially.  They look cheap and poorly crafted!  As with the earlier Schuco pieces, I mentioned there were a few pleasant surprises.  For instance the operable gap cap on the 991 and Cayman.  Not here, both pieces have sealed gas caps.  Boo!

The storage area on the front of section of both pieces features no carpeting or flocking, just some cheap generic plastic fitted piece.  Jeez Schuco at least put in the effort to make the part look somewhat authentic.  Note the absence of supporting struts found on earlier releases too.  Also the horn grilles (thank you Carson) found just below the headlights are bulky and poorly finished.  Overall remaining elements of the front area are receiving a passing grade.

The rear is not much of an improvement.  The cooling grille front and centre is cheap looking, along with the badge.  The overall quality of the finish materials are poor and drag down the love for both these models.  Note the painted vents just above the rear window on the Coupe.  In the past this detail would be moulded in the body itself.

Access to the engine is completed with a two simple hinges.  Operation is flawless.  Overall motor detail is very good – layers and depth are available with both pieces.  I appreciate the added OEM decals and centre lock apparatus.

Underneath each 911 S the detail continues.  At first I was very impressed with the amount of detail Schuco added.  The fail is the quality of material, textures, and colours.  The package doesn’t feel authentic, quite generic in tone.  Something you would find on Maisto or Bburago of old.  If you have one of these models in hand you will understand my point of view.  Also remember the weight issue I brought up earlier, this most likely is due the undercarriage is completed entirely in plastic, no diecast here.

The wheels on both pieces are typical of the era, very simple, a Porsche trademark.  The execution side is good for completing the packing with all the elements such as tires, rims, rotors and calipers.  The fail part once again is the chrome work; it’s awful to say the least.

The interiors on the Coupe and Targa are actually executed quite well.  There are no flashy bits, just a straight black interior for the most part.  Each area is hammered out well, but the “above and beyond” touches we saw with the earlier releases are once again absent. The movable seats, for example.

For the Targa, the supplied removable roof is a poor lump of plastic.  I’m okay with plastic, I’m not okay with the plastic when the required textures and quality materials are not used or implemented well.

The Porsche 911 S 2.4 Coupe 1973 and Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa 1973 from Schuco are huge disappointments.  The overall quality, fit and finish is no where near what one is accustomed to seeing from the brand.  I rarely think a model is not deserving to be in one’s collection, in this case both models are a pass.

This brings me back to the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde reference.  How does one company go from three great efforts earlier in the year to these huge disappointments?  The funny thing, the price point on these two models is higher too!  Schuco, I don’t want to begin to understand the logic here, what I do understand is that your cost cutting measures suck!  I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth, and now questioning my favorite brand.  My only wish is that I wrote this review a lot sooner to warn collectors from buying one.  Enjoy the pics!