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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.
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Short runs of Austin
Goodwood in Blue/Black, and all Black (Le Car Noir)
almost ready.
Proposed New Colour Scheme
for the SpaaCroft Models
Wolseley 25 Saloon
 5
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, will be
produced later in 2010, 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 2010
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
(Just 6 more of the current run to be built). If you are interested in the
Morris 25, please let me know.
The Next Spa Croft Model
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1937 Humber Pullman Mk.I
Limousine
The first 50 castings
have been produced and have been sent away for painting. The first colours
to be produced are the all black version, and the Marshall's Wedding Car
model.
For our next
model, we have once again travelled to Kingston upon Hull, to what is
probably the finest collection of Humber Cars on earth, to photograph
another of Allan Marshall's prize exhibits, the Thrupp & Mabberly bodied '37
Pullman. The real car features a fabric covered roof panel, so, as with our
Vauxhall 25, this will be a separate removable part so the fully detailed
exterior can be viewed. Two colour schemes have been chosen so far; all
black in the Le
Car Noir range (50
models), and 25 in Marshall's Wedding Cars livery of Black Pearl over Shell
Grey with red interior and wheels. The other two colour schemes of 200 each,
are most likely to be green/black, and blue/black. . It is hoped to keep the price below £100.
f you are
interested in reserving one of these models please
send me an email, or telephone me on +44 (0) 1773 872780.
PLEASE NOTE
THAT THIS MODEL, AS WITH ALL OUR PRODUCTS, WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE DIRECT
FROM SPA CROFT MODELS. |
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Spa Croft Models Austin
A70 Hampshire Saloon
A small run of 20 models is
currently being made, the main colour run is Ostend Grey, with a smaller run of
Antrim Blue. A very small number of models will be in all black in the
Le Car Noir
range. These are being distributed at the moment. (14/2/2010) Spa Croft Models
MORRIS 14/6 SERIES III
A small batch of grey, and blue Morrises
has now been completed, and the all black version should make an appearance
before long. (14/2/2010)
Spa Croft Models
VAUXHALL 25 GL
All
models have now sold out, but a further batch will be made in the future.
Spa Croft Models AUSTIN
GOODWOOD
Castings of the Goodwood will be sent for painting very soon with runs of all
colours, and possibly limited runs of the blue/black, and two tone brown
versions. (14/02/10202) Many
thanks, Mike
Coupe
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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
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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. |
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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, four
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 £95 |
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Vauxhall
25 GL Limousine |
Morris 14/6 Saloon |
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1956 Humber Super Snipe Mk.IV |
1935-1937 Wolseley Super Six 25 Series
II |
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