PSA: Horrible News on LCD´s Clear Carbon Paganis! (UPDATE) • DiecastSociety.com

PSA: Horrible News on LCD´s Clear Carbon Paganis! (UPDATE)

** UPDATE ** We’re hearing field reports for the first Carbon Blue production models that have shipped from China that QC issues are present.  To what extent we’re not sure.  Missing  If you order one, have your retailer review it prior to shipping.  Challenges include missing parts and exterior imperfections, similar to those noted below. 

There is news amongst collectors that LCD´s clear carbon Paganis suffer from serious issues. We have recently positively reviewed the Zonda HP Barchetta without clear carbon, but with the purple clear carbon version released now, serious issues are reported.

For one thing, the clear carbon seems to be replicated by adding transparent carbon decals on top of the ordinary paint. However, photographic evidence reveals air bubbles and other enclosures under the wrap, the carbon decals peeling off or being unprofessionally pieced together.

Even worse than that assembly seems to be extremely bad. A new model is unboxed with multiple pieces having come off and sometimes completely missing in that they are nowhere to be found inside the packaging. Parts are reported to have a crooked assembly that provokes further damage by simply operating the normal functions of the all-open model.  A forum member of modelcarforum.de kindly shared his documentation of the damage and we explicitly have his kind permission to replicate the shameful evidence here.

The community reports at least 4 more such cases and angrily mocks the fact that a QC card has signed these specimens off as having passed quality control, although there is no plausible way that a model can have sustained damage and completely lost parts like this in transit.

It is our sad duty, particularly after having given due praise in our review, to warn the hobby community that something is unacceptably wrong about the clear carbon versions of LCD models. I remember having seen a clear carbon version of the purple Huayra Roadster in photos taken at a toy fair before they were released without clear carbon back then ­– and I now understand why. This very clear carbon version of the Huayra Roadster is also to be released soon – obviously without the issues being solved. There is also the blue clear carbon Zonda HP Barchetta to be released soon.

We urge LCD not to ruin their hard-gained reputation by having more such wrecks reach collectors who have sometimes paid in excess of 350 Euros for it! Halt delivery and production and make sure the model deserves the QC card issued with it!  If you have bought a clear carbon Pagani by LCD, please share with us what it is like!

We advise prospective buyers to have their model checked by the retailer before it is sent off to you and advise retailers to do so before disappointing a customer.

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37 Responses to "PSA: Horrible News on LCD´s Clear Carbon Paganis! (UPDATE)"

  1. DS Team says:

    Wow wow wow! Thanks for bringing this to everyone’s attention. We have a couple of DS team members awaiting the arrival of the carbon blue based on our earlier detailed review. Truly shameful, and unaccepted based on the provided photos alone!

    PS – Where are the China members with their negative feedback or is this only a given to Almost Real products? What do you say?

    • Ramzes says:

      In the Chinese community, there is a saying that goes buying an LCD model is like buying a lottery, you never know if it’s a perfect one or a car with assembly inconsistency issues.
      Even with this, The review car seems to be extremely bad luck :(

      • DS Team says:

        Thanks for the feedback. So we are clear, the above is not a review and is feedback from a European collector. This level of poor QC was reported by more than one person too.

  2. flathead says:

    It’s a beautiful model. Too bad there are issues.

  3. Kostas says:

    Thank you for informing us! LCD must attend to this matter immediately, issue refunds and also improve asap its QC department.

  4. Scenic's View says:

    That’s awful! LCD are certainly not consistent with their models. The Huayra BC was a disaster. It had too many issues. I’ve read about the carbon decals issue on the purple one. Fortunately the one I received was alright.

    • DS Team says:

      Never seen this one in the flesh. Though the few that we have seen were from good to outstanding efforts.

    • Aaron says:

      I have received my carbon purple and it has some of the issues shown above.
      I have the same amount of carbon printing peeling on my door and worst of all is the bonnet sits flush on the left hand side and on the right sticks out 4mm. If it didn’t have these issues I would consider it an amazing model. At this moment I would stay weary of it.

      • Karsten says:

        Thanks for sharing the sad news and confirming the more general nature of the issue. I do hope, you can get a flawless replacement.

  5. Giorgio262 says:

    LCD should issue a fix on their QC card addition policy, by adding a QC certificate to the QC card to guarantee that the QC card is indeed given after a meticulous inspection to the model and not just thrown in the box like a used tissue in the bin.

  6. Thomas says:

    And it was supposed to be better than the BBR version… lol

    • DS Team says:

      It is better than the BBR, far better! And cheaper too!!

      • Thomas says:

        Not in my opinion… and no also for the price.

        Even if i love my full opening diecast models the BBR is more impressive than the LCD.
        Better overall finish, glossy “paint”, more accurate carbon weave, no quality control issues, leather display case… And i paid 320 euros for it, cheaper than the 350 euros announced in Europe for the blue carbon LCD.

        I have been impressed by the LCD Huayra roadster for the 200 euros price, but i wouldn’t pay 350 euros for this manufacturer.

  7. Atalante says:

    That’s scary! I believe when you want a model-car with carbon finish it is still better to go with experienced manufacturers such as AUTOart with their tampo-print technique (blended with carbon decals lately) or the usual established resin manufacturers. LCD in many ways is still too “green” for my liking. And even if the decals are applied correctly and QC has done its job what will happen in 5 years with possible rash appearing under the clear coat/decals? Resin or ABS/composite are more stable materials on the long run and they are likely more suited for carbon finish.

    • SPONGE says:

      Autoart makes some of the worst looking carbon fiber on their 350€+ models. Almost Real nails it though

      • Karsten says:

        Carbon patterns were the least of my problem with AA´s Huayra Roadster and not the reason why I returned it, but (I hope) AR will indeed be first choice for Paganis, including superior carbon patterns. Let´s keep our fingers crossed!

      • Atalante says:

        AA carbon fiber pattern may be oversized but it is generally well executed. For better patterns see the high end resin manufacturers.

  8. KTON says:

    Almost Real doesn’t have a great track record of QC either. My Zonda was missing straps and sagging suspension. Seems like Pagani is too complex of a model for many makers to perfect.

    • Mike Wiseman says:

      No doubt, I returned a zonda I had ordered from BBR Exclusives with the carbon box. The rear wing and rear lower diffuser were firmly secured in a drastically crooked position. The driver door rubbed the tire when opened. A rear wheel had piece of the suspension laying loose, unattached to the wheel. And a small peice of mesh was missing from an air port on the rear bonnet. I was unable to find it in the packaging or inside the model. Completely unacceptable for a nearly $600 usd. price point. There is alot to be excited about in this hobby, but unfortunately as in every other industry, we live in a world of greed and little pride. Businesses multiplying prices for a products while maintaining very little consistency in quality. Buying a model is like buying fast food anymore… better check the bag before you leave the lot…

    • Olof says:

      That’s too bad to hear! I’ve read about some problems with the QC of Almost Real Pagani models and am in general happy with mine. There’s two minor problems with the paint (only visible up close) and as you write, the sagging suspension in the back messing up the stance. This really buggers me as it constantly looks like the car displays with a front axle lift raised. In my opinion both of these manufacturers need to step up their game and fix the QC problems.

  9. Karsten says:

    To be fair, ALL manufacturers have had QC issues, increasingly so over the past ten years. My retailer of choice went out of business because AA quality issues made business unsustainable for him. I have been in the hobby for quite a while now ( since the late 80s), but never in my life have I seen anything as remotely abysmal as what LCD has sent out to obviously more than one or two unlucky customers. The 4 models have all been bought from the same retailer, a good friend to one of the collectors who has over 3000 models in his mansion, with no replacement left to offer.

    My suspicion is that LCD panic, because AR is just bringing so many models to market, some without much prior announcement, having been very tight-lipped and secretive about future models in recent years. LCD knows AR are doing Paganis, the announced some carefully placed around the Barchetta, seemingly avoiding competition, while the Huayra Roadster is done by AA, AR and LCD. Who says, AR is not doing the Zonda HP Barchetta? LCD need to sell theirs off rather quickly before we get wind of an upcoming AR. And there is other surprise players too, e.g. the whats-their-name-again who do the Countach LP 800-4 …

    • DS Team says:

      The WHITE example was a retail purchase not brand provided sample… We borrowed it from a friend. It is seriously contrasting to what is shown above. Cross-fingers this is addressed prior to the BLUE CARON release!

  10. WS says:

    These hiccups happen – All of you recall the 1st edition of AutoART’s DeLorean DMC-12, right? It will be interesting to see how LCD manages this one.
    -WS

    • Karsten says:

      I cannot remember the De Lorean falling to pieces. This here is much more than a hiccup.

    • Karsten says:

      80% of the DeLoreans were failures in recreating the stainless steel finish and therefore did NOT pass QC, let alone were sold to unsuspecting collectors. See the difference?

      • WS says:

        Quite true.
        I’d want to say this could be worse but I have made a stink over panel closures and gaps…well, I certainly hope they have a real good fix for the LCD crowd. I would hope to acquire one soon for first LCD my collection at some point.

        My bad.

  11. ER1981 says:

    Had a lot of issues with a purple Huayra Roadster, few parts came detached, including passenger seat and I was not able to install it back due to conflict with the door, the seat didn’t allow the door to be shut perfectly, it has almost no tolerance and pressing the door, so either the seat in place or the door is closed. Example of a bad engineering. Also almost every single model from LCD and Kengfai arrived with badly glued parts scattered inside the box. You get what you pay for.

  12. Karsten says:

    I had no issues with my purple Huayra Roadster, nor anything major with any KengFai
    ( Lykan Hypersport and USSV aka G-Patton reviewed here), on the contrary their Audi RS7 is great. “You get what you pay for”? All of these cost around 200, just like many excellent Almost Real models, e.g. latest Jaguar XJ and S Class. The Barchetta can cost in excess of 350 Euros in some markets! If you pay that, you should get more, far more! Even budget models have better QC!

    This is NOT about bashing LCD in general, this is founded criticism on their latest clear carbon efforts, nothing more, but nothing less either.

    • DS Team says:

      “This is NOT about bashing LCD in general, this is founded criticism on their latest clear carbon efforts, nothing more, but nothing less either.”

      Yes! Sometimes one needs to wonder if they actual know up the brass chain that the model left the factory like it. Truly embarrassing!

  13. Wes says:

    I attempted to repair a friend’s LCD Huayra with a faulty hinge. After an hour we couldn’t do it.

    Also I don’t know how no one is noticing the misalignment of the carbon on this model between the door and the engine compartment, if you look at the model from the side. Horacio Pagani is famously strict about the perfect alignment of the carbon weave on his cars. Look at any side view pic of this model and you see the weave on the door pointing one way and the weave on the engine cover pointing another way, which is atrocious. Could have been avoided with the use of tampo printing, but then it would cost twice the price. As one commenter said, LCD are still “green” and I think that’s very well put. Hopefully they’ll figure it out but as they do, undoubtedly you’ll see the prices go up cause there’s no such thing as a free lunch and consistency is expensive.

  14. Mike Wiseman says:

    I don’t understand why so many manufacturers don’t just clear coat over carbon decals… I do with the models I rebuild or repair… it looks great. It would increase the durability of the finish and drastically reduce the chance of peeling. Autoart paint application is top of the line but their carbon fiber finish is trash due to lack of gloss and improper sheen… plus over time when I polish AA models it starts removing the carbon pattern. I continue to point out we live in an era of asking top dollar for little as can be gotten away with

  15. Douglas Morales says:

    I think so Pagani should remove the license to this scale car manufacturer.

  16. Karsten says:

    I am happy to report that there were no QC issues with my blue Barchetta … unlike with the recent AR Zonda Cinque.

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