Reviews of still available 914 toy models

[dziglar]

***PORSCHE DEALER MODEL***
Your Porsche dealer may still have the nice, but only moderately accurate 'official' diecast model by GAMA. 1:43 scale (~4" long) in signal orange. More of a very nice toy than a collector's model. Front and rear trunks open, headlights pop-up, roof panel comes off and fits in rear trunk. Comes in a black paper box with 'Porsche 914' printed on it and a plastic see through window.

Proportions are a bit off. Also made larger than the stated scale of 1:43 -- measures about 1:40. Wheels are generic toy wheels and do not resemble any Porsche or VW factory wheels. Paint color is close to the factory 'signal orange.' Best price I've seen was about $18.

There was a special '25 Jahre 914' version released in 1994. It is identical except used different (but still inaccurate) wheels. Box was silver paper and has '25 Jahre 914' printed on it. Now hard to find, so you'll likely pay a collector's price to get one.

***DETAIL CARS***
Detail Cars has a line of 1:43 scale (~4") 914 diecast models in street and racing versions. Released in 1996. They are very accurate and detailed replicas. They come in a plastic display case, but have no moving parts except the wheels. This is more a collector's model, not a toy.

Available in a street version (red, green, silver, and yellow). All have the traditional VW wheels. The yellow one has the roof attached, the others have the roof panel removed.

Also in three different wide fender race versions. Details include tiny elements down to the door handles and rear trunk release.

Best price I've seen was about $27.

***MINICHAMPS (Paul's Model art)***
Released in 1998 and very similar in quality and detail to the Detail Cars models.
The Minichamps diecast model is also 1:43 scale (~4"), housed in a plastic display care. Only available in a street version, but in a choice of orange or green. No moving parts except the wheels, so like the Detail Cars, this is also more a collector's model than a toy.

The 'orange' one I received was more a 'yellow with orange hue' than the factory 'signal orange' or the orange depicted in the catalog photos. Best price I've seen was about $27.

***OTHERS***
While many 914 models have been made, I haven't found any others available in the USA. There was a Solido release in 1996 that may still be available through some retailers. It was a toy grade simple diecast. While the headlights pop-up and the rear trunk opens, the windshield is a single piece of clear plasic with no frame. Detail is sparse, but at least fairly accurate where done. Sold for $10-15.

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If you've bothered to read this far, then you'll probably enjoy these Internet links:

Photos of Minichamps 914 models:
http://ewa1.com/md/min65661.jpg orange
http://ewa1.com/md/min65662.jpg green
http://www.sportcraftcars.com/IMAGES/Newcars/430.65661.jpg

Photos of Detail Cars 914 models:
http://ewa1.com/md/det342.jpg green
http://www.sportcraftcars.com/DC.html (all 7 versions!)

Porsche Dealers
http://www.************* (good bet for low price on dealer model)
http://www.***********.com (not cheap, but may still have '25 Jahre 914' model)

Filip Fischlein's superb list of all known 914 toy models:
http://www.skurup.se/~carpet/914/modell.htm

General info on die-cast makers, sellers, and collectors:
http://www.die-cast.com/
http://www.xocolatl.com/bamca/toylinks.html

Internet diecast car vendors I've had good experiences with:
http://www.exoticarmodel.com/
http://www.ewacars.com/

Have no experience with these folks, but they have a great site:
http://www.sportcraftcars.com/

[dferris]