Every Amalgam Collection model is made entirely by hand from thousands of parts. In short, our models require a prototype before.
During the development phase, master patterns are created using original CAD data from the manufacturer, or extraordinarily accurate digital scans and hundreds of photographs of an original car. The patterns are used to create silicon rubber moulds that capture every detail. Prototyping resin is then used to cast the parts from the silicon moulds. Around 20 to 30 parts can be cast from each mould and before a new one must be made. CAD design, 3D printing and CNC machining are combined with traditional machining and hand working techniques to shape only the most precise, accurate and faithfully detailed parts. It takes between 2,500 and 4,500 hours to develop and create the first prototype model at 1:8 scale, depending on the complexity of the car, with classic cars taking the longest. During the development of the prototype, it is assessed and approved by the manufacturer or motorsport team to ensure its authenticity and precision. Once the development of a model has been completed, it is time to cast, fit, fettle, paint and build each further model in that edition, a process that takes between 250 and 450 hours at 1:8 scale.
Many parts of Amalgam models are machined from metal with the major components hand cast from the finest quality prototyping resins that replicate our perfectly designed patterns in every minute detail. We always use the best available material to replicate the real effect at a smaller scale. Genuine car paints and manufacturer or archive colour references are used to spray the bodywork, whilst decals are used to recreate the smallest details, such as the weave of carbon fibre.
Car seats are a good example: we do not use leather because at scale, the texture does not look like the original. Instead, we use a substitute material which replicates leather's texture and gives us realistic looking seats. Tyres?
Unfortunately, not. Our models are designed primarily as completed art pieces, not as kits, so our methods are not set up to deal with the additional processes involved in creating instructions and managing the distribution of the parts. In addition, we employ special jigs and tools in our production process making many of the parts unsuitable for a kit build.
Beyond the incredible detailing of the original, weathered models are meticulously hand-painted and detailed by our master model makers to show every detail of a particular car at specific point of time during a certain race. Our distinctive race-weathered and race-damaged models are handcrafted in very limited numbers, sometimes just as one-off special projects. Our expert team of artisans in Bristol use their specialist skillsets to create every single one of our weathered models, using archival imagery and accounts to replicate the race dirt, tyre wear, damaged bodywork, oil stains or temporary repair tape relevant to each historical moment. Race dirt is applied in many layers of thin water colour, each one a slightly different shade, with details and features built up brush stroke by brush stroke. The edges are softened with further layers of colour, dragging the paint and gently wiping it off. The worn decals, temporary repair tape and damaged headlights are all individually created and applied with meticulous detail. The artistry applied to our extremely limited weathered replicas underlines our commitment to creating beautiful hand-made pieces which fully capture both the spirit and precise appearance of iconic race cars.
Functionality varies from model to model at 1:8 scale and this is usually reflected in its value. Our most complicated models contain opening engine covers, trunks and doors, displaying intricate interior and engine detail, whilst we have historic Formula 1 cars where entire panels of bodywork can be carefully lifted off to exhibit the innermost aspects of its engineering. If you are seeking to discover whether a specific model possesses opening parts, we recommend viewing the images of the model on its product page.
Unfortunately, due to the way our models are built, 1:12 and 1:18 scale models do not have opening parts. Our models are made from the highest quality casting resins which, while they allow us to create such intricate details at 1:12 and 1:18 scale, do not have the strength to support opening parts.
ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE:
Unfortunately, not on this model. Decisions on the level of detailing are always made in conjunction with the manufacturer and is affected by anticipated costs and lead times, amongst other matters.
In this situation, it is best to contact our sales team via email: sales@amalgam.com.
Please check out our catalogue of models on our website. If you cannot find it, we do not currently sell it.
Ultimately, we have the capability to build anything
Yes. Our team of artisans is capable of building anything at scale and we have often created aeronautical and maritime pieces for our clients. You can view a variety of our past projects on our Commercial Services webpage.
You can. If the car in question is already built by us, contact us on
Unfortunately, due to our methods of production, we can only build bespoke and unique models at 1:8 scale or larger.
Due to modern advertising regulations, we are unable to show any tobacco advertising and so for our . Please contact us at sales@amalgam.com if you wish to see
Please note that the images above contain blurred sponsor graphics due to licensing restrictions agreed with the manufacturer. The logos are not blurred on the physical model.
The taillights will often be transparent when it is a kerbside car without a working engine, but when the car is turned on, the lights turn to red. All our standard models and bespoke models are made with this feature to reflect a working car and this has been approved by Ferrari themselves.
Depends on the exact car, naturally, but it's roughly 8.5kg (F1) to 11kg (GT) with case and base. Base and case weigh about 6kg of that.
Maybe divert the question towards the fact that we scale down metallics. With regard to colour we stick to an as true as possible match to the original.
We use automotive paints, mostly glasurit 55 line https://www.glasurit.com/za/products/glasurit-55-line and associated lacquer system.
Real carbon fibre doesn't scale down well, so we use decals to recreate the weave of carbon at a smaller scale. Where possible we use authentic materials, but our ultimate goal is that the model looks as realistic as the car on which it is based.
We make a few structural parts in a FDM printer (a relatively low-resolution type of 3D printer that makes tough parts in thermos-plastic) but most of the model parts are cast from prototyping resin into moulds made using SLA printed, hand finished patterns.
Scale guide
The price of our models is driven by the cost of the huge number of man hours spent building each one. Each model has thousands of parts, takes thousands of hours to develop and hundreds of hours to build. Our profit margins are modest and sufficient to maintain investment in new models for the manufacturer and race team partners who come back time and again to work with us.
Shorter:
Each model has thousands of parts, takes thousands of hours to develop and hundreds of hours to build. No effort or expense is spared in the process to ensure complete accuracy of representation.
These are pure cotton gloves that are suitable for handling the model to avoid any damage, scratches or fingerprints.
We use high quality make up brushes as they have soft bristles that do not cause damage to the model if brushed lightly to remove the dust.
This is currently a project in progress, and we are in discussions with a Swedish ‘detailing’ products firm. We recommend that you keep an eye out for our new cleaning kit that will hopefully be ready over the next year.
This is entirely dependent on the model. Usually, they do not feature a working steering wheel, however a few of our older models do have steering wheels that turn.
Unfortunately, none of our models drive as they are designed to be exhibited rather than played with. However, we can build bespoke models with lighting which do come with a remote to control them, and we have previously done for a customer who owned a real Gullwing. You can get more of an idea from a McLaren Senna we have previously featured that can be discovered here: McLaren Senna with Lighting and Electric Doors – Amalgam Collection
Unfortunately, the convertible tops do not open automatically, however it can be removed by simply lifting it off the model. It's largely down to the development cost of creating such a function. We have previously built remote operated doors and lighting in some of models, but the cost of a model can increase significantly from even what we already charge!
We strongly advise keeping models out of direct sunlight, as the acrylic covers do not have UV protection, in fact they will yellow themselves if left in sunlight/UV.
Whilst we love the idea of using real leather, it doesn't scale down well, so we use resin castings to create the realistic effect of the leather seats.
Our full focus is on delivering the most perfect and accurate finishes and details we can achieve on all the visible parts of the model. The model is fully designed for viewing on the base and we have no expectation that it will be removed from the base. So, for the underside which is invisible when the model is mounted on the base, we have not created any detail.
It is true that our 1:18 scale models, like many of our 1:8 scale models, are created and assembled in our workshop in China. We first established our China workshop in 2004 and continue to draw on the abundant skillsets of craftspeople involved in product prototyping in the locality. Our 200+ strong team are carrying on the highest skilled work of creating the patterns and tooling, casting the parts, and completing the finishing and assembly of many of our 1:8 and 1:18 models, whilst supporting our teams and facilities in the UK and in Hungary.
Answer
We can certainly make this model for you. However, it isn’t something we have modelled before and therefore would be a Unique one-off build and would require a completely new development. We only build these types of models at 1:8 scale or larger, and because of the nature of the process (acquiring the data, getting the licenses, building the tooling plus much more) that is involved with this, each model would start around £85,000 GBP. Moving up accordingly for opening features, engine detailing etc.
Please see the below links to our webpage which details our bespoke programme, and also our unique one-off commission builds:
https://www.amalgamcollection.com/pages/bespoke-one-off-models
https://www.amalgamcollection.com/pages/unique-commissions
If this is of interest to you, please feel free to send details of the car specifications, high quality photographs of the interior and exterior of the car to our sales team at sales@amalgam.com who will be happy to provide an in depth quotation.
Short answer:
This isn’t something we have developed at any scale, and are unlikely to do in the future, sadly, due the price point of our models. A private development could be funded if someone were keen enough, but the process would likely exceed the cost of the original car.