1/18 Elite F40 LM Pics

Me first, me first!

Well i have been waiting a while....and I am disappointed.
It just doesn't look "right". If it wasn't a Elite I'd be cool
with it. But for an Elite I think they could have done better.

I WISH Kyosho would/could make a 1:18 F40 LM....

 

No it doesn't look right but it does say "not final image" and the angle may be screwing with the proportions. Guess we'll have to wait and see - but the only real alternative was from Bburago almost 30 years ago and it won't be too hard to beat that.

 

I hope that is not the final Image.. it looks bad. Panel gaps, wheels, tires, paint, all bad.

 

The problem with it, from what I see on the pictures, is that in typical Hot-Wheels-toy-fashion, they did not make a new model, but modified the existing one, which is basically adding to the messed up Bburago model from over two decades ago.
They obviously had to slightly modify the base, as there are more ducts in its side, but left the same completely wrong framework in the back. They made a new engine cover and wing, but left the wings 'supports molded separately like on the previous model etc.
It is extremely sad, but they half-assed this model, that so many people waited for a long long time. And when it is out its price would be raised with another $10-$15 on top of the Elites now.
I don't understand. They come out with a totally new and cool molding for their Elite Dino, then the superb 410 Superamerica and now this?!?!?!?! It makes no sense at all.
I can't wait for their license to expire and someone else to start making Ferraris.
Hey, GMP, hear this? Make us a nice F40 LM, PLEASE!!!!!!!!

 

Looks like the emotional abuse continues for us collectors who are waiting for a quality 1:18 F40 LM that doesn't cost $800+.

So much excitement a few years back when it was on Exoto's "Upcoming Releases" list. Then those hopes were dashed.

Maybe (hopefully?) the pictures are only of a prototype "mule". Wheels look like they came off a MeriKit transkit.

Looking forward to seeing "real" pics.

 

They are essentially toys. Just mass produced, generic stuff. They really have nothing to do with collectable miniatures. Elite or not.

 

Terrible

 

You know what? I agree. I have moaned about Mattel a fair bit in the past but hey, at least they have stuck to their word and produced a model of the F40LM. I'm fed up with having to buy some transkit to modify a Bburago model which I never want to pick up coz something will fall off or the wheels don't turn. I don't want to fork out loads of cash for an all resin model either.

I think it will look better in the flesh and certainly, when there is a non decaled red version, it will be a 'must have'. Kyosho should have bitten the bullet and made an LM instead of given us the odd ball 'lightweight' (great model - but a few more mods and we could have had a top class LM). There is a LM transkit available for that on Ebay! Anyway, let's just wait and see what the production version is like.

 

I disagree with most of what both of you said.
There is nothing wrong with Mattel making Ferraris. They have proved that they can do a pretty decent job if they wanted. Look at their 410 Superamerica, their "new" Dino and then look at some other POSs that they make. Their Elite Mondial is nothing short of fantastic. But from what is on the pictures it looks like they just added some half assd parts to the old Bburago molding.
And please stop pulling the riches card. I am not rich. And neither are half the people on here. And that is exactly why you SHOULD have a problem with what Mattel are doing.
You can buy a Lambo Gallardo Superleggera, made by Maisto, for $20 from any TARGET store and it blows Mattel's Elite F40 out of the water.
Am I going to buy the Mattel F40LM? Yes, I will, but not because I like it but because I don't have an alternative. You are trying to tell me that I should be happy with an old molding from almost 25 years ago, to which they added different intercoolers and exhaust plus a new front hood??!! Yet they left the old lack of any resemblence with a chassis in the back and the wrong plenum on the engine. Then they put in the seat from the 430 Challenge and some funky wheels. And you are OK paying over $100 for this??!! To pay THAT much $$$ for THAT kind of model you got to be the rich one that doesn't mind blowing money for $#!t.
To me it looks like just a better base for an LM project.

Of course, somewhere deep down inside of me, I am still harboring the hope that the production version will be better. Maybe just fix the plenum and mold the sides of the rear wing together with the hood. At least that.

 

Has anyone built the APM transkit F40 LM?

 

You mean this:

http://www.autoplacemodel.com/product/prod_20090901_f40lm.html

As usual it's pretty comprehensive although the headlights don't look quite 'real' enough and the wheels look like the 'lightweight's' OZ's and not the LM's OZs.

Looking at the 'Elite' LM again, it does look pretty crap! I really hate the way the rear wing uprights are still seperate to the rest of rear molding - Kyosho managed it. I also want an LM with the window mounted racing mirrors, wheels and tyres that are the right size. I will buy the Elite LM but I'd like one that out of the box that looks more like the Kyosho F40 with the APM transkit!

 

Well said Michael.

Interesting. I don't think I've seen those pics before. Some faults, sure, but at least some effort and thought has been put into it.

I too am hoping the production run is better than these pre-production pics. Saw these two on the Exoticar website.

The cynic in me wonders whether HW has a "good enough" approach to certain models because they know that they will sell out no matter what they throw out there. They know people like me/us will buy each version of the Elite F40LM no matter how many faults it has (and I truly hate to admit that).

As I type this I can see all my Kyosho 365 GTB/4 Comps and can only imagine what a great job Kyosho would've done on the F40LM. No matter though, as that train has left the station and we're left with what we're left with at this price point.
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I am absolutely sure that the second picture is a photo of the IXO 1:43 model used just for reference, which by the way has a better build quality than the Mattel's 1:18

 

It is, and the first one is a slot car that I have.