Somebody Said Feeling43? | FerrariChat

Somebody Said Feeling43?

Discussion in 'Collectables, Literature, & Models' started by Miniwerks, Jul 1, 2005.

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  1. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    I enjoyed seeing all of the BBR pictures, I think at one time or another every one of those models has passed through either my collection or my inventory for Miniwerks. I sold them all for a 1:1 F355 but I still deal in handbuilt models and among my favorites are the masterpieces from Feeling43. Here are some pictures of a Ferrari 250 TR 57 LeMans 1958. What separates Feeling43 from other high detailed 1/43rds is that he designs some of his creations with lift-off bodies revealing full chassis detail and running gear. There are 18 photos of this TR but I think most of you will enjoy and appreciate the skill that went into this miniature piece of art. You can see other high detail 1/43 masterpieces by builders like Jacques Brauer, Stephen Barnett, Feeling, Veloce43 and others in my Gallery ( www.miniwerks.com ), just click on the thumbnail images to see all photos. If I started collecting again, I would limit my collection to these types of models only, they are simply mind-boggling.
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/259tr21_1.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/259tr21_2.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/259tr21_3.jpg
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    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/259tr21_8.jpg
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    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/259tr21_17.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/259tr21_18.jpg
     
  2. Challenge64

    Challenge64 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2004
    6,299
    Full Name:
    Ron
    Of course I cant remember the name right now...

    But those remind me of those Japanese kits that were made in the early/mid 1990s. As I remember they were all brass and most people that bought the kits actually never had them built or had them built with the body off w/ the body staying unpainted. Ive seen the 250LM kit (i think it was) and it was incredible.
     
  3. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    I have the BANG-version of this Testa Rossa. Cost me about 20 bucks :D

    But like you said, this is simply mindboggling. True works of art. I would be willing to pay topdollar, of only I would be able to.

    Thanks for the pics!
     
  4. model builder

    model builder Formula Junior

    Oct 15, 2003
    315
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Edward Cervo
    You are probably thinking of Make-up. As far as Feeling43, they are probably the WORST engineered kits in the world. Yeah sure, lots of detail but I can count on one hand how many builders actually attempt to try to finish one. They look very impressive in hte box but nothing fits right. Buzz Lockwood is working on the P4 and had to remake just about every part in the kit. I'm sure if you ask Steve Barnett he would say the same thing. These are top builders. Most if not all above avaerage builders would not be able to complete one correctly.

    Still they are interesting, but if you buy one, expect to run into every problem you can imagine. But for between $300 - $400 a kit, I would expect a little closer attention to proper fit.

    Ed
    Island Collectibles, Inc
     
  5. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    Yes, the kits are indeed very difficult to build, I have heard this from many builders also, including Buzz, Stephen, Laurent Tay of Garage43 and others. I would steer away from kits and only buy the factory builts like mine, his own builder does an amazing job. I have pictures of the most complex Feeling43 model made, the Sunoco 512M of Mark Donohue, see links below. I recently sold this model but another is on the way this month. This model sells for $4500US. I only deal in factory built Feeling43 but like Ed said, if you get into one of their kits, expect to do a lot of modification, Laurent Tay of Garage43 even went so far as to make his own doors and panels out of brass and tossed the ones that came in the kit. I have a 250LM #21 LeMans winner that was done by Veloce43 and it is spectacular but I do not know how he could have made any profit making it.
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_1.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_2.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_3.jpg
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    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_8.jpg
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    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_11.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_12.jpg
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_13.jpg
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    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/f512m_18.jpg
     
  6. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
    7,289
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    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    I still think the best model maker in 1/43rd scale is Bouissou, who only makes Bugattis. When he started in the early 1980s, his models only cost about $400! They are now around $4000

    http://perso.wanadoo.fr/alain.bouissou/
     
  7. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    I agree, I met him at Retromobile when he shared a booth with Feeling43, very nice man and exceptional talent! It was the first time I saw one of his creations and could not believe the detail, accuracy and quality. He is such a humble man too, it was a pleasure to meet him and speak him. Here is a picture of Alain in the yellow shirt, Serge Divies of Feeling43 next to him, Amadeus Gurlitt (fellow collector/dealer in Japan) and myself seated. This was my favorite booth at Retromobile.
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/retromobile.jpg
     
  8. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
    7,289
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    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    One of the most remakable things about the Bouissou models are the leaf springs. Each leaf is a seperate piece of metal, so the suspension actully works! The hood straps actually work too, and are less than 1/8th of an inch wide.
     
  9. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 22, 2004
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    Furman
    That is interesting to hear about the fit of the Feeling43 kits. I was thinking of purchasing a kit as I can't afford a factory build and I have the skills for high detail. But rebuilding parts so they fit? No thanks, not for the $400.00 cost of a Feeling43 kit.

    Anyone heard anything about the MR Collection kits that have opening body panels (F40, 288, etc.), to be released in the near future?

    -F
     
  10. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
    7,289
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    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    I'm personally interested in the MR Alfa 1750. It is a re-release (hopefully, with some retooling and redesign) of the same kit made by Bosica circa 1981. The Bosica Alfa 1750 was one of the first kits with engine detail, opening doors, boot lid, and engine hood....but parts did not fit well, and the hinges were actually cast as part of the opening item, and broke very easily.
     
  11. model builder

    model builder Formula Junior

    Oct 15, 2003
    315
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Edward Cervo
    That is an extremely impressive build. In the hands of the talented builders you mentioned these kits can turn out stunning. And these are intended for such individuals. $4500 is a fair price. Buzz also made new panels for the P4 out of brass. I haven't seen the progress but I hope to get pics of the finished model (whenever that might be).
    Thanks for the pics Mike.

    Ed
     
  12. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    Ed, having said that about Feeling43 kits, Buzz Lockwood is in another universe. Buzz would take the finest kit in the world and still make it better, his talents seem unsurpassed but I hear there are some Japanese builders who are also in this league. Buzz seems capable of doing anything it takes to make the car as exacting as the real car, I have never met someone so intent on doing the car exactly as it exists right down to the paint. Buzz will never do a classic Ferrari for example with a glass-like finish like a BBR, he will match the paint the way it was done 50 years ago, especially on the vintage race cars. He will match the color of the gearbox which can be different from the color on the block or other engine castings, exhausts perfectly treated as if they just finished a few hot laps, etc. And to top it off, he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in this hobby. I have been fortunate enough to have a couple of his creations years ago and never should have let them go.
     
  13. Harold

    Harold F1 Rookie

    Jun 19, 2004
    3,305
    Singapore/Australia
    Mike, could you share pics of the Buzz Lockwood models.... I have never seen one myself.
     
  14. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    Harold, I checked my archives and no luck but I did find this article that I scanned from my December 2003 issue of Forza. If you zoom in at 100% you should be able to read the entire article. I still correspond with Buzz but he suffered a quadruple bypass several years back and while he is back building models again, he is very far behind. If you have any interest, I can ask him if he is still accepting orders. Hope you enjoy the article, he is one of the best as a builder and as a person. Enjoy, Mike
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/lockwood_1.JPG
    http://www.miniwerks.com/models/lockwood_1.JPG
     
  15. noelsairplanes

    noelsairplanes Karting
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    Oct 19, 2004
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    #15 noelsairplanes, Jul 7, 2005
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  16. patpong

    patpong Formula 3

    Jul 6, 2004
    2,274
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    Patpong Thanavisuth
    Alright.....Mike
     
  17. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    Can you say "Lust", I thought that was the real bike. I don't ride motorcycles but have always admired the vintage race bikes, especially the Italian bikes like the MV Agustas and Ducatis. I even wanted to buy a real Ducati MHE900 and just park it in my garage so I can stare at it every night.

    Any more pictures of Buzz's work? I know you have a few lurking in your vast collection. The Honda is fantastic, thanks for sharing!
     
  18. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 22, 2004
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    Miniwerks (or anyone else),

    Do builders like Buzz Lockwood, Laurent Tay, DVA, etc. buy kits from BBR and other suppliers, kit bash them, add their own details, and then sell them to dealers?

    I'm just curious how the process works.

    Thanks,

    -F
     
  19. Dino 208gt4

    Dino 208gt4 F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2003
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    Roel
    A little O/T but because of the "modelspecialists" are in here:
    Who knows more about the AB Models?? Are these BBR kits and made by a proffesional builder? I have several of them and I think quality is very nice, same as BBR factory build.
     
  20. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
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    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    I am not familiar with AB models, but I have been out of the business for quite some time.
     
  21. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike McCormick
    This one could take a while to answer. DVA makes their own molds, they do some excellent models, their most recent is the high detail F40LM with lift-off nose and full engine detail completely plumbed. They also do an amazing 250P that even has photoetch keys dangling in the ignition on a microscopic ring. Their 333SPs were 100% their own and better than BBRs version. Another model they did that literally blew away BBRs effort was the Cadillac LMP cars but demand was not real high on those. DVA even went so far as to obtain the actual paint used on the real cars. They are a Father and Son team and wonderful to work with. As for Buzz Lockwood, he does start with base kits from a very broad spectrum and is not limited to cars as you can see by the amazing Honda bike that Alan posted. Buzz is considered one of the World's most talented builders and his skills are scratch-building literally any component to make the most accurate replicas of machinery in any scale you desire, it's just a matter of price and how far you want to take it. AB Models does their own molds, they do not use BBR kits and their quality and reputation is excellent. They recently started a series of F40 race versions on leather bases that look outstanding and they have nothing to do with BBR. Also, the AB Models (AutoBarn) McLaren F1 GTRs are even a step above most BBRs, have you seen those? I know they are not "F" cars but you have to appreciate the McLaren. Laurent Tay is an independant builder and he will build almost any kit you ask him to. He is capable of enhancing many kits and typically builds any kit to a quality level better than factory, just like Rosso or Veloce43 or ScaleArt, these guys are all one-man shops and capable of very high quality work. For example, a BBR "factory built" Ferrari 360 N/GT might sell for $225 whereas the same car built by Rosso from the BBR kit will go for $280+ because collectors know the quality is much higher. This is not meant to be a slam on BBR, their quality is excellent but Rosso is better and you have to consider that BBRs builders must crank out hundreds of the same model whereas Rosso is building only a few and can take more time and attention to detail. The BBR factory builders work in stations where you have one person doing the interiors, one doing the paint on the bodies, another doing decals, etc like an assembly line, Rosso is one person. The only one-man shop I know that does his entire models from scratch other than Alain Bousseu sp? is Jacques Brauer, he forms his bodies from brass and aluminum and fabricates every part of the car but his models cost $3500-8000. In BBRs defense, I would add that if you collect models and want to protect your investment, you are probably safer to buy "factory builts" as the majority of collectors prefer these with all original packaging. Having said that, builders like Rosso, Garage43 (Laurent Tay), ScaleArt and Veloce43 are becoming well known and respected and it is possible that their work will command higher values with time.
     
  22. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
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    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    Are you sure the Jacques Brauer models are entirely scratch built? Years ago, his stuff was highly eleaborated upon AMR kits.
     
  23. Miniwerks

    Miniwerks Formula Junior

    May 13, 2005
    270
    Sacramento, CA
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    Mike McCormick
    Sorry, I meant his recent models like his 250 GT Competizione, 250 GT SWB, 250 GTO 1964 and his 275GTB. I think he also did some AMR and maybe LePhoenix kits with lots of added details but I have only had his more recent subjects.
     
  24. Dino 208gt4

    Dino 208gt4 F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2003
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    Mike,
    thank you very much for your very complete information.
    You are really "into" this world.
    Suprised to hear the AB are not BBR kits. Really like the id to have "more exclusive" models. I really like the AB models, but on eBay the prices stay much lower then the BBR models.
    Thanks again!!
     
  25. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 22, 2004
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    Miniwerks,

    Thanks for the info on how builders make hand builds.

    Do you know why builders (I'm specifically thinking of MR Collection) release the hand built versions first and release the kit versions much later or at all? Again, I am specifically thinking of MR Collection's Open and Close series. They have released the hand builds but there is no release date for the corresponding kits.

    Wouldn't it be easier to release the kits than it would the hand builds?

    -F
     

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