Last updated 7th December 2009

WHAT ARE WHITE METAL MODELS?

I am often asked, "what are white metal models, and why are they so expensive?". To answer this it is necessary to explain the production of white metal models. Spa Croft Models, and the other white metal model manufacturers, generally produce models which are not considered commercially viable by the diecast manufacturers such as Corgi, as they often have a limited appeal. The metal used in the die casting process is a hard metal, and can only be cast in steel dies. The tooling costs are, therefore, extremely high, and because of this, the manufacturer has to be sure that his investment will be recouped. Subjects, therefore have to have a wide appeal, and be capable of being produced in a variety of forms and liveries, with little, or no alteration. Plastic is used to produce many of the smaller items such as radiator grilles, bumpers etc., and interiors, because this is also cheaper. Generally the only none metal parts used in white metal models are rubber for the tyres, and acetate for the windows. Everything else is metal which contributes to the weight of the model and its overall impression of quality.

Whilst the production of white metal models is still not cheap, because the metal used has a low melting point, rubber moulds can be used to cast the models, by means of centrifugal casting, and it is this process that is much cheaper than die casting, because tooling costs are much less. "Why is the end product so much more expensive?", I hear you ask. There are several reasons. Because of the limited appeal of many of the subjects of white metal models, for instance, they may only be known in the UK, and therefore have no interest world wide, the recovery of tooling costs is spread over a smaller number of units, very often no more than 600 pieces. Each model is also hand built, and hand finished, and in some cases, hand polished. This is a very labour intensive part of the production of white metal models, and because production is wholly in the UK (or America and Europe), the white metal manufacturers cannot benefit from the much cheaper foreign labour available to our  colleagues in the diecast model industry.

"Why should I buy white metal models then", you may ask. Because you are getting a special model which more often than not no one else produces. None of the models produced by Spa Croft Models is currently available in 1/43rd scale from any other manufacturer, die cast or white metal. White metal models are very often more accurate and have more detail than their die cast counterparts, although the die cast manufacturers are now recognising the demands of the discerning collector, and things are definitely improving; the finish of white metal models is of a greater quality because they are handbuilt; your collection will be more unique because there are fewer examples of each model around, and I suppose, to be a little light hearted, you will not be filling you cabinets as quicky, because you will be buying less of the more expensive models, unless of course you are a lottery winner. Ultimately, the value of your collection may increase more, because of the desirability of these little gems, but that's a bonus. Collecting is for the fun of it, and the intrinsic value of your collection.

Happy collecting.

 New Colour Scheme for the  SpaaCroft Models Wolseley 25 Saloon

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Four of the five colour schemes which were produced by Wolseley on the Series II Super Six, are already available on our popular model of that car. The fifth scheme, described in the Wolseley catalogue as Duotone Brown, is currently being produced ,and will be limited to a maximum of 25 models. To reserve one of these models, please CLICK HERE

The model shown above is a colour test sample, and is included here purely for illustration purposes only. The production models will be made to the same high standard as is expected of Spa Croft Models, including a non drooping rear door handle !!!!!

Proposed Spa Croft Model for late 2012

Morris 25 Special Coupé

For our next model after the Humber Pullman (more about that later), we are planning to add the very stylish Morris 25 Special Coupé to our range (SPC15). This is a very rare beast, and to date we have only located one in existence, and that is undergoing restoration, so if you know of any, either Series II or III, please let me know. Colour choices are limited on this car; black of course, with brown upholstery, grey with light blue upholstery, or sports blue with light blue upholstery, so we shall be producing each of these colour schemes. The Morris 25 will be a fine stablemate to our Morris 14/6, more examples of which will be completed soon, and of course, the Wolseley 25. If you are interested in the Morris 25, please let me know.

Illustrated below is the Spa Croft Model range of models. Production is now beginning to get back to normal levels, so our products should start to become more readily available. If you have ordered any of our models, or wish to place a new order , please e-mail, phone (01773 872780), or write to Spa Croft Models 98, High Street, Tibshelf, Derbys DE55 5NU

Humber Pullman Mk.I two-tone £110
Wolseley Super Six 25 hp Series II  two-tone £110
Wolseley Super Six 25 hp Series II Tri-tone  £112
1956 Humber Super Snipe Mk.IV £99 Forest Green/Tyrolean Green	1956 Humber Super Snipe Mk.IV £99 Pearl Grey/Mayfair Grey
1956 Humber Super Snipe Mk.IV  £99 Marshall'sLivery Black Pearl over Shell Grey
Vauxhall 25 GL Limousine  Maroon/Black  £110	Vauxhall 25 GL Limousine  Grey/Black  £110
Morris 14/6 Series III Grey £97	Morris 14/6 Series III  Royal Blue  £97
Austin Goodwood  Red  £95	Austin Goodwood  Green  £95
Standard Vanguard Phase III Green/Cream £97	Standard Vanguard Phase III Blue/Grey £97
Austin A70 Hampshire  Ostend Grey  £95	Austin A70 Hampshire  Antrim Blue  £95
Morris Isis Series II  Turquoise/Swiss Grey £99	Morris Isis Series II  Birch Grey/Damask Red £99
Morris Oxford Series III  Black/Swiss Grey £99	Morris Oxford Series III  Sage Green/Twilight Grey £99
Standard Vanguard Phase I Luminor Green £95	Standard Vanguard Phase I Champagne £95
Austin Hampshire Countryman Cream £99	Austin Hampshire Countryman Elfin Green £99

Many of our customers have asked if the models we produce are available in black. To satisfy this demand, we have decided to produce a parallel range of our models, but produced only in black. This range will be identified by the name Le Car Noir, and the number will be limited to 50 models of each car. The whole range of Spa Croft Models will be included eventually, but at the moment only four models have been produced, as illustrated below. The Austin A70 Hampshire will also be available in all black.

Le Car Noir 

Due to collector demand, we have created a sub range within the Spa Croft Models collection, of the standard issues finished in all black. To date, five models have been issued in this colour, as illustrated below, soon to be joined by the Austin A70 Hampshire. They will be a limited issue, up to a maximum of 50 models, and are priced at £97

Humber Pullman Mk.I £110

Vauxhall 25 GL Limousine  £110

Morris 14/6 Saloon

1956 Humber Super Snipe Mk.IV

1935-1937 Wolseley Super Six 25 Series II £110

Brooklin Models

Lansdowne Models

Spa Croft Models

Pathfinder Models

Somerville Models

Crossway Models

Kenna Models

J&M Classics

Robeddie Models

US Model Mint