Burago Alfa Romeo 8C aka LIQUID

[karansharma8783]

After having seen almost everybody get this exotic and wondering what the fuss was all about, I decided to do some serious research through flickr and other diecast sites. I am very finicky about adding exotics not in my wishlist so had always held some reservations against this gorgeous. Coupled with this, the typical front-engined 2-seater coupe/GT layout of the car didn't particularly appeal to me since there are tons of exotics with the same layout out there. But I came across one pic on flickr that simply floored me. It actually took my breath away and to be honest, I put it up as my desktop wallpaper for many days. Here's the link to the original flickr pic - http://www.flickr.com/photos/claughe_00/...9/sizes/o/

Anyway, enough of chit-chat. Here are the pros and cons:

PROS:

1. At the top of the list, we have the gorgeous, luscious, liquid, sexy paint finish and choice of colour from Burago. This is not precisely red but a slightly darker, tastier version Infact, the paint almost gives off a pearlescent effect so that the colour gains different shades in different lighting. Hats off to you Burago!!
2. The interiors are definitely much much better than average Buragos. I particularly loved the flappy-paddle gear shifts and the seatbelts. Quite good attention to detail here, no doubt about it.
3. The wheels also deserve mention here as they aren't the sicky chrome wheels one has come to abhor in Burago models. The rims design in the 8C is simply exquisite and one of the most unique and the ones in the model are no exception. Brake calipers and discs have also been faithfully represented here.
4. Headlight setup is a sight to behold. Amazing precise work by Burago here with the collection of 3 round differently sized headlights under one glass casing. Just looks superb.
5. Chrome side window frames have again been done quite well by Burago. I was quite pleasantly surprised that this much attention to detail has been given. The chrome frames help to accentuate the almost-roundish shape of the side windows.

CONS:

1. The RVM's at the top of the list here for sure. Both RVM's paint has been absolutely ruined. There is not even a hint of metallic finish and the shade doesn't even match with the rest of the car. It's just a dull, sick, gloss light red finish. Looks extremely ugly and my friend suggested me to take out the RVM's for good.
2. Engine detail is far from authentic and pathetic to look at. Looks more like the carcass of a cow!!
3. Another model in which Burago have royally botched up the scale big time. I compared the dimensions of the model with those of the 1:1 and turns out the scale is more like a factor of 19.5 than 18.
4. The proportions of the roof and the entire flow and shape of the front hood are not quite right. The roof should be more rounded and so should the hood with the edges of the openable portion more rounded before meeting the rest flat portion of the bonnet.
5. The black mesh in the front inverted triangle (symbolic of the Alfa Romeo) does not cover the entire portion of the triangle and is also slightly loose and moves around when poked. This feature is the signature of the car and should have been given adequate attention.

I found a very interesting link comparing the Welly and the Burago versions of the Alfa. Please do go through it - http://sgdc.8.forumer.com/a/comparison-a...t2149.html

Although the Burago version by itself is extremely attractive, yet for the discerning collector, the comparison above points out to the many deficiencies in the model from Burago. As far as I am concerned, if the Welly version was available in the same candy red colour here, I would have no doubt gone for that over the Burago.

Here's the final verdict:

[asaran23]

Awesome car and ultra fantastic review(short, crisp and to the point) Superb car too may get one once all high priority car are in!

[Diecast]

Congratts karan...and your reviews are precise .....awesome car lovely color.....

[karansharma8783]

Thanks a lot Saran and Ravi.....if you guys don't have this car by now and are anywhere near being exotic fans, I suggest you do so immediately. Only try getting your hands on the Welly version if you can, you'll enjoy it even more then.

[Diecast]

(08-03-2010 03:24 AM)karansharma8783 Wrote:  Thanks a lot Saran and Ravi.....if you guys don't have this car by now and are anywhere near being exotic fans, I suggest you do so immediately. Only try getting your hands on the Welly version if you can, you'll enjoy it even more then.

Sure i would keep eye on it as i wanna add a Alfa to rest

[amit V8]

karan, you are on a roll man. nice car & review.

[karansharma8783]

Thanks Amit I ordered this and the Morgan together and received both of them the same day!!!

[alanjg]

waiting for welly version it looks better than bburago.
Bburago tyre mark and exhaust awesome but welly ruined.

[Guggga]

Nice add there Karan.

[karansharma8783]

@ Alan - Dude, I don't think there's any point in waiting for the Welly version, I think it will be years since Zapak guys get some sense into their heads and realise what it is that the collectors really want, their marketing head must be a real numbnut!!!

@ Guggga - Thank you jee!!