Porsche 959 (Autoart 1:18)

[karansharma8783]

I was thinking of writing a review of the Autoart CL63 AMG next but I remembered Guggga would kill me if I didn't post pics of the 959 soon. So here goes a review of the amazing rendition of the 959 from Autoart.

For a whopping Rs. 6500/- it's definitely on the expensive side. I wonder though why it's not priced like other Autoart models at Rs. 5500. Perhaps the extra 1000 was for Porsche giving the world a storm in the 80's I believe the signature colour of the 959 is white so even though Modelart Delhi was having this last piece of the 959 in stock, I was still pondering whether to pick up the red one. Eventually I did (albeit with a little push from my other SMC friends that day at Modelart ). And now I don't regret it, the red one looks way hotter than the bland white one

PROS:

1. The proportions of the 959 need to be captured just right or the final effect would be very ruinous. We all know Autoart do not definitely botch up in this department and the 959 is no exception. The wide, 'flat-eyed' frontend has been replicated accurately with 'foggy' headlamps which frankly speaking do look a bit weird to me. The icing on the cake is the huge overhang-style spoiler on the rear end.

2. Engine is a masterpiece to behold on the 1:18 959. The rear engine hood can be opened up all the way with solid hinges which make it up stay beautifully without the irritating habit of falling down without support that I have come to expect on other Autoart models. The engine has all the parts beautifully and intricately modelled with nice, thin wiring running around it to give it an authentic feel. I particularly loved the huge twin pipes running on either side of the engine which culminate in the bottom in the form of exhaust pipes. Superb!!

3. Interiors of the 959 were really spartan, no-nonsense kind and Autoart have done a great job of capturing that essence. The steering wheel is a work of art with 'Porsche' stencilled across it and the dials have been modelled finely. The flooring has a generous dosage of carpetting although the fleecing could have been done a bit finer to make it look appropriate with the scale of the car.

4. The paintwork has a nice even smooth finish to it and the shade of red is such that it lends the car nice glow when kept in sunlight as can be seen from all the pictures.

5. Other minor features that lend the whole model an authentic premier feel include the amazingly replicated wheel rims and the brake calipers with 'Porsche' etched on it with the correct font style. The 959's exterior was dominated with mesh grillwork all around the frontend and the rearend and although my pics don't capture the detailing of these, yet I can confidently say, these mesh grills have been finely replicated and you can actually see a little bit into the innards of the car through the mesh grillwork. Another simple little feature of the car that really brought a smile to my face was the rail-thin support rod given in the front for keeping the bootlid of the model in the upright position when opened. This support rod can then be swung up into the underside of the bootlid in order to close back the bootlid. You can see this in the two pics I have posted of the opened-up bootlid. I wish they could give this kind of feature in all their 1:18 models.

CONS:

1. The size of the model is a bit in question. Although I haven't exactly measured the model with a scale and done a comparo with the 1:1, but just by looking at the model I feel, it's just a tad smaller than it should be. It's actually a bit smaller than the Diablo 6.0 VT model. Maybe I can be wrong here and the 959 IS actually a small, petite car.

2. The 'Porsche' stencilling running across the entire rearend strip of the car could have been made more legible so that it could be read from a greater distance. This is the signature feature of the 959 apart from the unique spoiler design and Autoart should have given more attention to this little detail.

3. The indicator lamps on either side have large, visible, ugly black studs which take up quite a portion of the small lamps. A feature that is not expected from a manufacturer like Autoart and a small turnoff. This can be noticed in the closeup shot of the front left wheel I have posted.

As you can see, the negative aspects of this great model are few and wouldn't really bother anyone from getting such a fine rendition of the 959. I would like to see the Exoto version firsthand and see how it would compare to the Autoart one. But for me, the Autoart one more than makes up the lack of a 959 in my collection and I'm really happy with it. Overall, quite expensive, no doubt, but a fine model by any standards.

---

---

[manishalive]

Nice car karan, the color is just right for the porsche. I like the engine detailing a lot. Worhty buy I might say.

[Petrolhead]

Great acquisition,Karan!!I have an identical example and love it to bits.AutoArt has done a very impressive job on it.I think this is better than the Exoto 'Motorbox' rendition.I haven't seen the latter in the metal but the Exoto is a very very old mold in comparison.I also read somewhere that since Motorbox is Exoto's more pocket-friendly line,the 959 wasn't built to the same standards as all the really great stuff from Exoto.
You need to find yourself a red 1:18 Ferrari F40 (I recommend Kyosho.) to park next to this now.

[srinjayray]

@Karan : It seems that you are going crazy another Autoart in your stable. Great detailing, amazing stance and a lovely color. And thanks for the nicely detailed review. I would certainly add this one to my 1:18 garage sometime in the near future \m/

---

Yeah the visible attachment stubs are a bit of a turn off. I've seen the same flaw in the other newer Posches from Autoart too.Y

[the4thlord]

Cool Acquisition dude!!!
Not a big fan of the 959 but the model looks very well detailed
Autoart's done quite a good job on this!!

Lovely outdoor pictures too!

[channabasanna]

Great write up Karan, nice detailed pics.
The details in the engine is mind blowing. Like its decent looking interiors.

[amarkatira]

nice car Karan congrats.
And as usual great review.

[winstoncds]

Congrats on yet another fine addition Karan. I can see the fire works from where I am sitting. Red is definitely good looking on this model and quite recently an auto mag had compared a red 959 with an F40. Not that red would have made the Porsche go faster but I think a Porsche looks great in any color.
Long long time ago, a girl friend of mine had thought about starting her own car collection and her first model was a 1:24 959 in black color. I think it was a Sunnyside model. Looking at the first 959 model on this forum reminded me of her and the joy on her face when she got that model.
Old Confuscious saying or was that Sid saying, 'a 959 is incomplete without an F40 next to it.'
There is something else red reminds me about...what was that????

[model collector]

Nice piece here!

[Guggga]

Finally!

I have been trying to convince myself that I don't need a 959. Your photos aren't helping my cause... what a model! What a car! I think I'll need this one to put next to my F40 now.

Glad you got this one!