Maisto 1:18 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Specialroadster

[karansharma8783]

Make way for royalty guys....the ultra-sexy and classy roadster that graced the 1930's and now graces my display collection too This was one of the earliest vintages that I had laid my eyes on just when I had started collecting back in 2008 but had left it many times since I had no taste for vintages back then. Even now, it took me God knows how long to decide on the colour to get it in from among white, red and blue. Finally decided upon red as it just looks super-awesome in this colour.

A winner again from Maisto.....this name is now synonymous with diecast collecting here but once in a while, you come across real gems from this brand, models like the Stingray. The 500K falls in the same category. It's simply got an amazing presence and not just because of its pose or stance or overall looks but also by the painstaking attention to detail put in by Maisto.

Bodywork - Proportions seem to be flawless but I cannot be 100% confident in this since I am not a vintage car enthusiast but more of an exotic one. However judging by the looks of the 1:1 on the internet, I think they match really well. The long swooping rear end has been captured brilliantly and is the major aesthetic difference between the 500K Roadster and this 500K Specialroadster.

Paintwork - Since this is in red, I would be a liitle biased in saying that the finish is awesome. All the cars I have in red till now have one thing in common - the red paintwork is of that flat finish rather than the metallic gleaming pixellated finish in some other colours like black and orange. Nonetheless, one of the major appeals of this car lies in the paintwork.

Interiors - This is where Maisto have made the home run. The dash, the dials, the chrome gear levers and the steering wheel are at par of that of a typical Signature model. And that's saying a lot for a Maisto. Only turnoff is that the seats are really stiff plastic and the flooring could have been improved upon.

Engine - Again a hit from Maisto, much much better detailing than in other regular Maistos. Not the stupid black lump of plastic that we have come to expect from them. However the major reason for this could be that the overall engine setup is different in vintages than in modern cars. So they probably couldn't have gotten away with slipshod work here.

Some other notable plus points:
1. Superb chromework which complements the red colour. The trim-lines are exquisite and enhance the long flowing lines of the car.
2. Wheel rims are a sight to behold. Nicely meshed wheel spokes coupled with the MB star logo at the centre in gold along with red make the model come alive.
3. Front gillwork meshing has been done pretty nicely too.
4. Openable rumble seat at the rear, really one of the distinctly unique features of the car which will make anyone fall in love with it immediately.
5. Exhaust tips are not just visual add-ons but actually part of the undercarriage piping which leads to the spring-like menacing twin exhaust pipes leading out from the right cowl of the engine.

However Maistos are not without their usual flaws, so beware of these:
1. First thing that put me off was the MB star logo on the hood. It's really thin and fragile plus it's not pointed in the way it should. A bit bent at an angle and that doesn't look good at all. Signature models have really stiff and sturdy logos.
2. Stupid dog-leg hinges for the door making them snap shut with a tight thud.
3. Rear wheels are a bit bent along the vertical axis making the car look as if it's going to fall down on its rump anytime. This is a common problem with Maisto with the Stingray also having this problem.
4. Some bad panel gaps along the engine cover.

But apart from these flaws, some of which you can pretty much ignore because the car is just too damn attractive to pass over. The blue and the red versions cost a mere 1650 whereas the white one costs 2000 since it's a special Maharaja of Indore version with twin spare tires on both sides as well as small longitudinal containers running the length of the floorboards on both sides of the car tied down with leather straps, which I presume were there in the 1:1 to accomodate the various hunting rifles of the Maharaja.

Overall rating - 8.5/10. This is a must to have for both vintage and non-vintage lovers alike. A real treat from Maisto. Enjoy the pics, there's lots of them!!!

[karansharma8783]

Here's more pics:

[amit V8]

nice pictures karan. the problem is, i feel bored when i look at this vehicle. even though i have 2 of these-one in 1:32 & the other in 1:6 scale.

the vehicle is so common among diecast collectors that it has lost it's charm. (my personal opinion) maisto could have made some other models from the era.

[channabasanna]

Nice review Karan, the car looks great in Red

[winstoncds]

Superbly written review Karan. All that time and effort you spent on putting together the pics and writeup is very much appreciated. The 500K is a indicative of the kind of stuff Maisto is capable of. I so wish they continued making gems like this in the vintage section. They should revive the vintage and motorsport line up of models that they made.
I also really really really wish they make this car in black. Just imagine how terrific the chrome should look on a black car.

[karansharma8783]

No effort Winston, shooting pics and then jotting down in detail what you think of the entire model, its pluses and its flaws is a major source of personal satisfaction, it's like an entire add-on feature that comes with every new model I acquire. I simply can't buy another model and then not post pics and reviews of it here.

The 500K in black, haha, never even imagined that. Sure, the chrome would just sparkle out of the blackness. Colour plays such an important part in a car's appeal. All the major Lambos are in yellow but the famous iconic Countach was not portrayed in yellow but in white or black. I don't know the reason why but I can imagine it would look horrible in yellow!! Only the Murcielago can pull off an outrageous colour such as bright green. Imagine a Maybach in that colour!!!!

[winstoncds]

The modern day Lambo models in Verde Ithaca (thats what the green is called) are really desirable and fetch premium amounts on Ebay. Only the 40th Anniversary Murcielago goes more insane prices. I certainly wouldn't mind the Gallardo 560 LP by Welly in green either.
Edit: A link to the pallete of colors you can order your Lamborghini in. >>>>Lamborghini Color Palette<<<<

[siddvi]

Got to give it to you karan, awesome review and the best shots to complement it. Red looks fantastic, better than white, I vaguely remember seeing the same car in white.

+1 Diablo, would have been a killer if this car was offered in black.

[karansharma8783]

amit V8 Wrote:nice pictures karan. the problem is, i feel bored when i look at this vehicle. even though i have 2 of these-one in 1:32 & the other in 1:6 scale.

the vehicle is so common among diecast collectors that it has lost it's charm. (my personal opinion) maisto could have made some other models from the era.

Amit, the commonality or the lack of exclusivity of a particular diecast should (ideally) play no part in deciding its desirability to a collector. Sure rarety of an item increases its appeal but the overall rule should be how attractive and important that model is to you as a collector rather than how much appreciation you will get for owning it from fellow collectors. If that would have been the major objective, I would have left this hobby long back.

However, I do agree with you on the fact that Maisto should make more models from the 30's and 40's vintages era. They would have done an excellent job and more importantly at affordable pricing. Would have given stiff competition to Signature models.

[karansharma8783]

siddvi Wrote:Got to give it to you karan, awesome review and the best shots to complement it. Red looks fantastic, better than white, I vaguely remember seeing the same car in white.

Thanks a bunch Sid. Yup, red looks super hot I had come across the white version in the flesh just when I decided that the 500K should be my next addition. I left it though as I was hellbent on getting it in red only.