BaughtAndBilt’s Top 10 of 2023

While most of my audience on Instagram may think of me as a customizer, I am in fact a collector of 1/64 diecast as well. My collection is varied but stays fairly aligned with what I like to create… Porsches and decadent liveries and often those overlap as if a singular circle in a Venn Diagram. My 2023 Top 10 is really no different. So without further delay, let’s dig in to what I consider the best of the past (and now last) year.

10. Tarmac Works X iXO Models 1/64 Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 Bathurst 12hour 2016 #88 – Indonesia Diecast Expo Special Edition – HOBBY64

This model went up on Tarmacs site the day I was driving my family down to Disney World. There is absolutely nothing more American than being pulled over on a highway rest stop, on the way to the House of Mouse, buying a toy that is sure to sellout in minutes and it being dressed in the golden arches of McDonalds. I earned this car that day.

Soliloquy aside, this model just hits the right notes. A simple scheme with a deep red on white and the pops of yellow from everyones favorite clown burger joint. While I never attempted to get a Grimace shake, this gave me the McDonalds fix for the year.

9. Hot Wheels Boulevard Porsche 911 Turbo (930)

I hate myself for having to include this. Please take solace in knowing that hate does not even come close to the volume of abhorrence that I have for the Boulevard series. I do not appreciate that someone decided that they should make a series exclusive to a certain retailer that is so terrible at actually stocking product. To twist the knife even more, this series typically gets the first go at new castings and often repeated within Boulevard before going to hobby available releases. The cherry on top is some of the best colors and liveries appear in Boulevard.

All of that said, the 930 is perfect for a Hot Wheels release. I stocked up on the Cyperpunk release so I could make them into the rally cars a la The Keen Project, but the few yellow ones I have been able to find trade for will stay the way they came. We all know this is a nod to the infamous later generation 993 release in 2012. I prefer this yellow a bit more. It’s brighter and the flakes provide that extra bit to make it pop. The detailing on the impact bumpers and rock guards give it a great color break as well. Lastly, it is also a great companion piece to the OG 100% Hot Wheels 930 turbo clad in Signal Yellow.

8. Mini GT Martini Lancia

On its own, I don’t think that the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione makes it in my Top 10. It’s not a new casting and really not a new livery per se. What sets it apart this year though is the commitment from Mini GT to the scene. If you’ve been paying attention, you will know that Mini GT is venturing out more into the diorama pieces. From 1/64 Jun Imai to some questionable Camel Trophy Land Rover Passengers, they are taking iconic people, scenes and pictures and re-creating 1/64 scale worlds.

That is what I love so much about this pick. It’s not just the four car set, it’s a Lancia/Martini branded tent with flags, it’s Martini branded support crew, it’s a Lancia/Martini branded Land Rover support truck. It’s the ability to think about our collection as more than just scaled down cars and think of them as scaled down moments in time.

7. Mini GT Land Rover Range Rover 1971 British Trans-Americas Expedition

Speaking of Mini GT and their Land Rovers, spot seven is filled with their 1971 Range Rover. This model made me do a few things. The first of which was verbally exclaim how awesome it looks. The second of which was to google what the model is a replica of. I would encourage you to do the same because the story is fascinating. Hagerty has a great piece that describes the ridiculous journey these vehicles went on. Suffice to say, they did not look as good as the Mini GT for long.

From a model perspective, this one is great. The sponsor graphics are scaled appropriately and yet still readable. The auxiliary lighting and snorkel are replicated well. The roof rack, spares and bridging components truly give the model it’s defined purpose. I only wish the ladders were removable so I could cross the 1/64 Darién Gap from the comforts of my office.

6. Minichamps X Tarmac Works 1/64 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS GT Silver Metallic

The first Minichamps of the list, but certainly not the last. It’s been a hell of a year for Minichamps since coming back to 1/64 recently. If you are not familiar, Minichamps is more well known for larger scale models than 1/64 and better yet, they are the official supplier to Porsche themselves. If you go into a dealerships gift shop and pick up a scaled down porsche, chances are it is a Minichamps. If you pickup a non-scaled down Porsche, please send me the name of your trainer. 

This specific model is extremely well done. Carbon Fiber details are in all the correct spots. The GT Silver paint shines flawlessly and the wing supports are so small and perfect (and metal!) This is a detail that no one does better than Minichamps. Quite a few colors of this model have come out this year and while others may prefer the Ruby Star version, the GT Silver Metallic is the quintessential version for me as it is one of Porsche’s longest running paints.

5. Pop Race Porsche Singer Mulholland Drive 

Porsche? Check. Wild Livery? Check. 

Pop Race took the real life Singer Mulholland Drive 911 and absolutely crushed it here. When I look at all the details, what really stands out to me is the livery. Creating a livery that flows across and around the body is no easy feat. Scaling that down only exacorbates the issues you can run into. To see that the topography lines match the real car is great but what is truly impressive here is the seamless transition from body panel to body panel with no misalignment in the lines.

This was my first foray into the world of Pop Race and I must say I am quite impressed. I look forward to seeing what else they have up their sleeve this year.

4. Tarmac Works X iXO Models 1/64 Ferrari F40 GT – TWOC Members Only Model

Are we in an F40 Renaissance right now? Everywhere I look the F40 is coming up in some way, shape or form. We all know of the LBWK F40… that isn’t an F40 anymore apparently… and the waves it is making in the hobby. To me though, this is my F40 of the year. It certainly made the Tarmac Works Owners Club worth the price of admission this year.

From what I had gathered, Tarmac has the license to make only the GT and LM versions of the F40. I had also assumed that meant they must have liveries, but that doesn’t seem to be the case based on future releases. Regardless, this is the F40 for me. It’s decked out in the Taisan Starcard livery with Advan stripes that is probably more recognizable on a Porsche 993 GT2 (side note; Schuco X Tarmac released that very model this year and it is really great.)

I had to do some digging to see if this was actually a real car/livery combo and it was! Like the Porsche, this was raced in the JGTC. It also seems that a different version of the livery was used more frequently sans the Advan stripes. Here is to hoping Tarmac releases that version as well!

3. Hot Wheels Porsche Carrera 911 RS 2.7

A dollar. One hundred pennies. Ten Dimes. Four Quarters…. Ok, so Hot Wheels really are not a dollar anymore but the general point remains. For the amount above +25% give or take, you can have perfection in the palm of your hand.

Hot Wheels had a stellar year for mainlines. While I am somewhat picky now with what I grab from the gateway drug of mainlines, this was the “have to own” model for me in basic. And thanks to a few friends, I think I have about thirty of them… I repaint them, not hoard them! Just look in the picture.

When you think of icons of porsche, the RS 2.7 should be at the top of your list. The iconic Carrera moniker returned and it returned in style with bold side graphics. The famous and functional newly introduced ducktail added to the beautiful silhouette of Porsche that remains largely the same today. It also blessed us with two new little letters that continue to drive the Porsche community crazy, especially if you’re waiting on an allocation. Sorry, P-Car purists, I do not count the 718 RSK. Those letters are ‘RS’ which is short for Rennsport.

The Hot Wheels team really did this car justice. While it’s a simple casting, the right touches were added with the lights as part of the window to give it that color break. The bumpers are part of the base, which is great for white and black but does tend to look a bit dull and translucent when venturing to other colors. As for the first release, its perfect. Grand Prix White with the blue Carrera script. This version also gets deco on all four sides with headlight and badge tempos on the front and the model badging and Porsche bar on the ducktail and deck lid respectively.

Hot Wheels had a few paint options they could pull from the real version to wow us with. From what I can tell, they chose the second most popular choice, Grand Prix White with Blue Decals. The most sold color appears to be the iconic Light Yellow (rear right in the picture above.) I was hoping to see iterative releases in Grand Prix white again with the rainbow rennbow of side graphics of red, and green. One can still hope. And while we hope, a splash of Chartreuse would be welcome… along with the newly designed Fuchs that were just a bit too late for this casting.

2. Minichamps X Tarmac Works 1/64 Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS White / Green

While I wait on my 1:1 GT3RS allocation and the winning lotto ticket to afford the ADP alone, I will bide my time on collecting each iteration of Minichamps and Tarmacs 992 GT3RS.

The first two released were white with red wheels and graphics as well as an acid yellow. While good, something just got lost in the visual translation with the darker wheels. The white/green version made up for it and allowed me to see the car as a whole rather than what really looked like a fancy speed form.

As with other Minichamps, it’s the details that set it in a league all its own. Allow me to list them out.

• Wheels that roll, and roll well at that!
• Clearly visible brake discs and black calipers that are static when rolling (other releases have red calipers)
• Six separate aero pieces attached to the sides
• Rear view mirror that is almost impossible to see unless you take it apart
• Decaled instrument cluster, PCM, and chrono that you can’t see unless you take it apart
• Ability to easily take it apart
• Accurately molded Porsche steering wheel and bucket seats
• Paint matched roll bar (white/green only)
• Separate pieces for headlights, taillights and heckblende
• Metal scaled perfectly proportioned wing supports
• Side mirrors are actually mirrored that allow me to look at myself and question what the hell I am doing with my life

1. Minichamps X Tarmac Works 1/64 Porsche 935/19 Salzburg #77

I understand I am becoming BaughtandBrokenRecord at this point. 30% of my picks are Minichamps. 60% of my picks are Porsches, but most importantly 100% of my picks are my Top 10.

The details are much the same as the aforementioned 992 GT3RS such as the self-evaluating mirrors, detailed interior with a full cage and tiny metal wing supports. Can’t you tell that last one is important to me? Nothing ruins a model car more than wing supports that look like they were over served from number 10’s title sponsor. The ‘it’ factor here is the paint.

This specific casting has been done three times before this with the Martini, Gulf and Tenner Racing liveries predating this iconic Salzburg tribute. The perfect red with juxtaposing red stripes like the 917 brings home one of two familiar elements. This car is a tribute in and of itself as well.

The 935/19 was introduced at Rennsport Reunion in 2018. Only 77 were made. Underneath all the carbon fiber is basically a 991.2 GT2 RS Clubsport. Both are not street legal. It’s an obvious homage to the 935’s of the 70’s. The wide aero package and long form screams a modern interpretation of the Moby Dick and Gozzy Kremer.

So why is this my favorite? I think it’s more personal than “hey look at this cool car!” The 935/19, in a way, opened my eyes to the world of Porsche and the ridiculously awesome community of it. (Hi PCA Carolinas Region!) With the 935/19 as a conduit, I’ve been able to have conversations with Andy Blackmore, a legendary livery designer who designed the Apple 935/19 for GMG Racing. I’ve also been able to forge a friendship with Wade Devers who designed the livery for the 935/19 that we have been so lucky to see the past three years race up Pikes Peak with Jeff Zwart behind the wheel. It’s memories, experiences, and nostalgia scaled down that catches my eye in my office every now and again and reminds me to forget the bullshit and go do some bullshitting.