Javan Smith - The man and his models

That first car is an R33 Skyline.

What's the story there? I have one of those myself.

T.

 

(Late post) Have seen Javan Smith models going through the roof on prices. Much nicer than Amalgam because he scratch built every model and now that Smith has moved on to full scale race cars the small scale ones will go up in value even more! Amalhams are nice and may be assembled by hand but are so perfect they look like a computer assembled them. Javan's models look like they came out of a major auto manufactures design studio with old world workmanship!

 

Epic thread revival. Well done

 

Amalgam are pretty special models, especially in the larger scales.

Any there other photos of Javan's models that I can view ?

 

This chap specialises in large scale models and usually has a few Javan Smith pieces.
https://www.reviloclassicmodels.co.uk/product-category/the-worlds-finest-model-racing-cars-le-mans-grand-prix-handbuilt-1-8-scale-models-to-rare-1-18-racing-legends/?filter_scale=18

 

One of forum members Mr. Buck runs Automobilia magazine which recently had an article on Javan's models, nice to see the recognition of a fine model craftsman in print.

 

Sorry to say, but this is very wrong on a number of points. I have personally bought and sold numerous Javan Smith models, as well as having seen many more. Also same for Amalgam. Javan's models do not always sell well, and the ones that sell at auction mostly sell for more than they are really worth. The auction houses consistent sales prices have elevated the retail & resale market to some degree. Every single Javan Smith model I have bought to resell has needed repairs - falling apart in some cases due to quick & dirty workmanship and poor/low quality materials...i.e. a lot of hot glue is used along with straws, etc. Not a pretty sight. Javan has always been involved with full scale cars, that's nothing new, and has NO reflection on values.

1) Javan's models have been selling well at auction for a number of years - really for more than they are worth. Even so, they really aren't so good, but they are big, and of popular cars, so that always gets attention. Some are better than others in that they have decent detail and capture the car fairly well. An example of two good Smith models are his Mercedes W196 GP car, and Jaguar C-Type. Examples of some of his worst are any of his Aston Martin DBR1 or DBR2 models, and GT40s, and others....
2) They are NOT at all scratch built! That is completely wrong! Most auction houses and dealers don't really have a clue about making models, they all too often improperly describe and misrepresent models for sale. Javan's as well and many others. Buyer beware! Vacuum formed bodies with white metal and resin castings, generic wheels & tires, etc. They are essentially hand assembled kits. Granted Javan did make the masters, but again the models are NOT scratch built.
3) You really can not and should not compare an Amalgam model to a Javan Smith model. Though I am NOT a fan of Amalgam, their models are far superior in every way to a Javan Smith piece.
4) "Javan's models look like they came out of a major auto manufactures design studio..." NO they do not. Well maybe if you look at them from 20 or 30 feet away. The models made in ANY auto manufacturers design studios are far better.
5) As a professional who has been involved in the specialty model car industry for 40 years (and I have some close ties with car mfgs, and other as well) your statement about value: "....now that Smith has moved on to full scale race cars the small scale ones will go up in value even more!" Is wrong for many reasons. None of which do I need to explain. They will NOT go up in value due to his work with real cars. And as I already mentioned, he's been involved with real cars for a long time...

Your post appears to me, to read like one that is trying to "pump the market" for Javan Smith models.

 

Thanks for the plug David, but we have never had any article on Javan Smith models, and there are no plans to. Maybe you're thinking of the four part series we recently did on Michele Conti who did makes his model from scratch. Conti models are a perfect example of true old world craftsmanship and making everything by hand.

 

Thank you for your opinion! I like his models more than Amalgam. You did not change my mind. Sorry

 

You're welcome, but my statements were fact, not opinion, and what I wrote was to educate. Anyone is of course entitled to like what they want to, and to have their opinions as you do, but dissemination of incorrect (wrong) information is never good. All I did was state accurate and correct information.

 

No matter what the "god" of scale models says, I will continue to collect Javan Smith models. Too much drama, underlining things and bold caps. Really??!! Just cancelled my subscription to Automobilia!!!

 

Buddy this is a forum ffs !!

If you can't handle a bit of educated, informed feedback then you may as well cancel your "subscription" to Ferrarichat too !!

 

Glad we agree on point 3. From the photos I've seen of Javan's models they are a world away from Amalgam- and so should they be.

Amalgam is a relatively large company with their own purpose built resources, access to the real vehicles and a large number of skilled personnel.

The Rothmans William's pictured above looks like a 1/12 scale Minichamps model from the mid to late 1990's. Good, but nothing compared to modern large scale models of today.

 

That's a pretty snarky remark. Noticed you have less than 10 posts, which is fine, but the 'attitude' is not. There are so many other ways you could have approached the subject of these models and engaged in a good conversation. FYI...Underlining and bold is a way to emphasize something without yelling. This is a forum, where a variety and huge amount of good solid information is available from many knowledgeable sources - plenty of great information from numerous members just for the asking... for free. I often learn a lot from a number of posts in the assorted forums on Fchat. As the saying goes: "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." And we're ok with your cancellation of your subscription.

 

What a JA!

 

User Swany and E.Ferrari are the same user. Violation of forum rules prohibiting multiple accounts by the same user. E.Ferrari account merged into Swany account.

Swany given a 1 month ban for having multiple accounts and coming back to attack another user for comments made 15 months ago.

 

What's a JA ??

Does he mean jack a$$ ?

 

No need for that type of useless & childish

Yes, that is exactly what JA means.