Author: ChiliBoy

TSM / TopSpeed have issued their first major new product announcements since the tariff war exploded earlier this Spring, making it virtually impossible to set firm pricing on anything produced anywhere outside the US, especially China, where most quality diecast and resin models are produced.

Most of the prices on the 1/12 scale TSM Ducati motorcycles, 1/18 TopSpeed and 1/43 TSM racing and sports cars listed include the 145% tariff on China exports currently in effect. Almost certainly, that number will change several times before these models arrive in the US, where and when the tariffs will be collected so we expect the final pricing of these models to reflect those changes. Most of the extra cost is being absorbed by the manufacturer, distributors and dealers but bottom line is that models will cost more until this game of chicken ends.

If you’re not comfortable ordering under these circumstances, I truly understand. No one in this business is happy about what’s going on.

Paul Zimmermann, Owner, The Motorsport Collector.

Solido’s 1/18 scale 2024 McLaren MCL38 arrived today. Two versions each for Lando Norris (including hi Miami GP winner!) and Oscar Piastri.

Surprising quality and detail for just $64.95.

Click HERE for details.

It’s not just flashing, snarling Porsche cars that racing photographer Rainier W. Schlegelmilch captures in these shots from 1963 to 1988 – though his zoom effect lifts them dramatically off the page. It’s his story over the years, it’s the reality of the track, drivers’ conversations, mechanics’ dirty hands. Feel the vibrations and smell the oil!
 

Massive Hardcover, 14.2 x 11.9 in., 8.90 lb, 356 pages

$125.00 – Order HERE

The recent escalation of the Tariff War between the US and China will affect pricing on most, if not all the model lines we carry. Effective last week, a 54% Tariff will be imposed on all goods produced in China as they arrived at a US Port of Entry. 

We will attempt to absorb as much of the new Tariff as possible but at that level we will be forced to increase retail pricing to avoid taking a net loss on each model. I fully expect that rate to fall as negotiations progress and our pricing will be adjusted as that happens. 

New product listings on our website will be priced based on the Tariff rate the day they are uploaded. 

Hopefully this situation will be brief.

Paul Zimmermann

Owner, The Motorsport Collector. 

The #13 AWA Corvette Z06 GT3.R in 2025 Daytona livery is one of 5 1/18 scale models that TopSpeed will produce later this year. Details HERE.

In addition to the 50+ models discussed in this morning’s post, Spark Model has announced 1/43 scale models of 26 Classic Formula 1 cars, the most important of which (in our opinion) is the #4 Lotus 49 driven to victory in the 1968 South African Grand Prix by Jim Clark. It was Clark’s 25th Formula One Grand Prix victory, breaking the record of 24 held by 5 time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio. Sadly it was Clark’s final F1 win, as he was killed a few months later in a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim, Germany.

Check out the complete list HERE. Please reserve by Monday, April 7.

Spark Model will produce the Penske Sunoco Camaros that finished 1-2 their class in the 1968 12 Hours of Sebring in 1/43 scale as part of their US National Series. The #15 driven by Mark Donohue and Craig Fisher (above) finished 3rd overall and first in TA 4 laps ahead of teammates Bob Johnson, Joe Welch and Craig Johnson (who pulled double duty) in the 4th overall #16 (below). Both cars will be modeled in Limited Editions of 300.

You’ll find the list of Daytona and Sebring subjects added to the US National Series HERE..

Spark Model and LookSmart have just announced more than 50 forthcoming 1/18 and 1/43 scale models. Check out everything HERE.

Advance Order Deadline is Thursday, April 3.

LookSmart will produce Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 China Sprint Race winning Ferrari SF-25 in both 1/18 and 1/43 scale.

Details HERE.

BBR has released their 1/43 scale Limited Edition replicas of the 3 Ferrari 499P Hypercars from the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, including the winning #50 of Fuoco / Nielsen / Molina.

We expect delivery in late March. Limited availability on all 3. Reserve HERE.

Reserve your copy HERE.