august 2019 | http://www.modelcollector.com 49alloys in authentic Gemini Blue
metallic, Ravenna green and
Canary yellow finishes,
supplemented by a 914/6
version in Signal Orange
with (classic) Fuchs alloys.
Part works have also
provided lots of reasonable 1:43
scale variations on the theme.
Recent past and current
offerings include those from
Herpa, Wiking, Matchbox, Hot
Wheels, Schuco, Minichamps,
Detail Cars, Spark, AutoArt,
Tecnomodel, and (although
slightly outside the remit of
MC) the fairly extensive array
of 914s in 1:32 scale from
SCA slot cars of Spain.
The Minichamps and
Schuco 1:43 scale issues,
together with the AutoArt
1:18 scale model, are
my nominated best
representatives of the 914 story.notably in The Netherlands –
for motorway patrol work.
Finally, the 914 concept
prompted several stylish body-
work designs from leading
stylists of the day, now
captured in 1:43 scale, but
that’s a story for another day ...
50 years of scaled-down 914s
The toy industry was quick to
pick up on the 914 as a subject
and over the past half century
a host of examples have been
modelled. Working up through
the scale sizes, these include
offerings in the past from
Schuco, Siku, Faller, Dinky,
Gama, Solido, Märklin, Playart,
Politoys, Revell, AutoArt and
Bandai. Of the now obsolete
versions, Revell’s 1:18 diecast
offering deserves a particular
mention, as it was available in
914/4 guise with ‘Baby Fuchs’
MC914-related memories prompt this
month's 'Signing Off' on p.81.WORTH A WATCH
Some fascinating footage of many of the “new cars for the
seventies” shown at IA A 1969 can be seen in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKUdF_9fiAThe Minichamps model
has been around for a while
now and part of its attraction
is in the number of colour
variations released (with
more apparently due later this
summer). Representing a 1970
914/4, with roof panel removed
and Lemmerz GT sports
wheels, it remains one of the
best proportioned 1:43 scale
models of the 914 ever made.
The original street version
has been supplemented
with versions representing
well-know cars seen at
Le Mans, two of the three
1970 Marathon de la Route
team (the third was listed
but has yet to appear) and
the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally.
Minichamps has also added
single representations of the
914/6 and 916 to the range.
The more recent Schuco
release is of a slightly later
version with roof panel in
place and nice representations
of the 4-bolt Mahle alloys. As
far as I know, it has only ever
been issued in a single street
colour (Saturn Yellow), along
with two police versions (one
in a green and white German
Polizei scheme and another
in a very eye-catching Dutch
Rijkspolitie scheme for sale in
the Netherlands). Schuco also
issued all three Marathon
de la Route team versions –although, when comparing
the models with photos of the
actual cars, the Minichamps
offering gives a more accurate
representation in certain
detail respects.
AutoArt's 1:18 scale model
set a benchmark, yet to be
surpassed. Being diecast, it
comes with a whole gamut
of opening features and a
substantial amount of fine
detailing. Available in Metallic
Silver, Ivory or Signal Orange,
it represents the 1970 914/6.
In August 1970 I spent some
of my Saturday job earnings
on a copy of CAR magazine,
which triggered a deep longing
for the 914 featured on the
cover and splashed across the
centre spread. The AutoArt
replica is probably as close as
I'll ever get to realising that
dream, but, in my opinion, it
is one of the best scale model
cars ever made. That is, of
course, unless and until...
And it's here I feel we’ve
come almost full circle, because
there's a gaping hole in GT
Sprit’s excellent catalogue
of Porsche models – one that
needs filling with at least
four street variations and a
handful of GT versions
covering the 914 story.