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Bought this one today (at a considerable price reduction).
Not a diecast but a resincast TSM Rolls Royce Phantom V Sedanca de Ville by coach builder James Young.

That don't look too bad Gerrit, can't imagine what its going to look like after passing through your custom studios...

Ghosty.

This is not to be customized.
I like/half like this car. It was offered to me 6 months ago at a reasonable price, but I was not aroused.
Now I took it after some haggling.
Indeed don't look too bad.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:That don't look too bad Gerrit, can't imagine what its going to look like after passing through your custom studios...

Ghosty.

I was pulling your leg Gerrit, it looks more than just "don't look too bad", its a lovely model as most of the models currently being marketed by TSM (True Scale Models), are and it would certainly find a place in my collection.

Ghosty.

The new generation of models from companies such as TSM and Matrix is superb, and the detailing amazing. My problem with these models (apart from the price which means I can only buy the odd one here and there) is their fragility. You can hardly breathe near these models for fear of knocking something off them. I noticed the other day that the rear windscreen surround on a Matrix Jensen had "pinged" off on one side, despite being left untouched in a cabinet. Due to the tension, it will be very hard to reattach unless I pull it off completely first. To be honest, I prefer to go with the price/quality level offered by the likes of Oxford Diecast and Vanguards, and I find that Neo in particular can get things quite wrong sometimes. One good advantage of these high-end producers is that they can go for some superb subjects which are too niche for the more mainstream players.

That's the same with me Fred, they are very good models and as you say can be quite delicate due to their method of construction. I don't know what mark-up are on these models but prices do tend to fluctuate depending on where you shop and as Gerrit has shown you can still get a bargain against the model's full retail price.

I agree with you on the price/quality ratio with Oxford and Vangaurds Diecast models, providing that stays like that I am very happy with them, its just a shame Oxford are a little haphazzard with announcements and then the producing of them announcements, but I must not critisize them too much, they are one of the few remaining British (by birth), mainstream model companies we have left, that are producing models we actually want!

Ghosthunter.

Fred7A, I agree with you on the fact of fragility of these models. Also I am not sure how they will endure through time. I have seen examples where paint just started dropping off, probably because of materials which do not interact properly.
But they are so beautiful, and like you say, their niche/limited availability make them very collectable.
Regarding the price, I bought this one for 40 Euro's (50% off) and I got two other TSM's bought new at 50 Euro's (40% off) last year.
As time progresses and remaining stocks do not sell, you can have a sizeable rebate.
Another producer is Best of Show, they are very nice priced at around 40 Euros new/boxed.
I guess they are Matrix knock off's. Matrix itself is pretty high priced (if not a sniff overpriced), but they are only 1/3 of what Ilario is charging for their models (325+ Euros).
This the latest offering by Ilario, I love this Phantom III See my two BoS models below, they are also gorgeous.

Those Hooper-bodied Wraiths are very nice! I've seen a few Best of Show models and been impressed. A collector I know recently bought their Mark 2 Granada estate in 1/18 scale, and it is absolutely superb. Their prices are pretty reasonable too, compared to some other brands.

I do agree with Gerrit.
Some Ilario casts are even used by Matrix !

But I must admit that some are nice.

These Ilario's are so good. That is a small fortune of cars you have Stéphane.
And PIII's always very pleasing.