Chevrolet Corvette C5-R 2002 by Autoart
Race/Series: Le Mans 24 Hours 2002
Result: 11th Overall, 1st in LM GTS Class
Drivers: Oliver Gavin (GB)/Johnny O'Connell (USA)/Ron Fellows (CDN)
The model is a 1:18 scale Autoart. It was no longer widely available to purchase new when I acquired mine through a fellow collector for around £50. Packaging is a window style box.
Exterior
The general shape and stance of this model look just right, replicating perfectly the real car. I found several sources containing the real car’s measurements in order to check the scale of the model, and each one suggested that it is wider than it ought to be, though all the other dimensions were correct. I don’t like to rely completely on any of these sources, and it is difficult to determine whether the model is correct purely by comparison to photos. I could be convinced that it is a little too wide, but I can’t say for certain, and it doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of the model. As well as the opening doors (with dog-leg hinges), the front and rear bodywork lifts off, though you have to undo some fiddly screws to free the rear section. Panel gaps are good, though not outstanding, and all the parts fit neatly. The front grilles are covered with beautifully perforated pieces of mesh, and the same applies to the vents in the bonnet and behind the front wheels. Unfortunately the same can’t be said of the intakes on the rear bodywork. The front lights are a little strange, as there seem to be reflective pieces of plastic to replicate the faired-in bulbs, rather than something transparent as you might expect. That said, they don’t look untoward. The four rear lights look very good, with no mounting stubs, but the centre brake light is only painted on. Other details are reasonably well done. Exhausts are neat but not quite hollow enough, and the catches for the removable panels are replicated with silver paint rather than as separate pieces as might be seen on a newer model. I initially criticised this model for the lack of side windows, something which I feel always detracts from the overall appearance, but interestingly photos show that the real car actually raced without them.
Score: 7/10
Paint
The yellow paint is applied smoothly and evenly, and the colour looks accurate. There are some small discrepancies between the colour of the metal parts and plastic ones, but these are not too noticeable unless you are really looking for them. Nevertheless, the score drops a little because of this.
Score: 7/10
Tampo/Decals
The various logos on the model appear to be largely applied with decals, though at the time of writing there are no cracking or flaking issues at all with my model. The sponsor logos, race numbers and markings are all accurately sized and positioned, or at least very close to being so. There are no markings missing, nor are there any additional ones that shouldn’t be there. There are only a couple of places where logos cover two different panels, but where it does happen the join is made very neatly, with the parts lining up well.
Score: 8/10
Result: 11th Overall, 1st in LM GTS Class
Drivers: Oliver Gavin (GB)/Johnny O'Connell (USA)/Ron Fellows (CDN)
The model is a 1:18 scale Autoart. It was no longer widely available to purchase new when I acquired mine through a fellow collector for around £50. Packaging is a window style box.
Exterior
The general shape and stance of this model look just right, replicating perfectly the real car. I found several sources containing the real car’s measurements in order to check the scale of the model, and each one suggested that it is wider than it ought to be, though all the other dimensions were correct. I don’t like to rely completely on any of these sources, and it is difficult to determine whether the model is correct purely by comparison to photos. I could be convinced that it is a little too wide, but I can’t say for certain, and it doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of the model. As well as the opening doors (with dog-leg hinges), the front and rear bodywork lifts off, though you have to undo some fiddly screws to free the rear section. Panel gaps are good, though not outstanding, and all the parts fit neatly. The front grilles are covered with beautifully perforated pieces of mesh, and the same applies to the vents in the bonnet and behind the front wheels. Unfortunately the same can’t be said of the intakes on the rear bodywork. The front lights are a little strange, as there seem to be reflective pieces of plastic to replicate the faired-in bulbs, rather than something transparent as you might expect. That said, they don’t look untoward. The four rear lights look very good, with no mounting stubs, but the centre brake light is only painted on. Other details are reasonably well done. Exhausts are neat but not quite hollow enough, and the catches for the removable panels are replicated with silver paint rather than as separate pieces as might be seen on a newer model. I initially criticised this model for the lack of side windows, something which I feel always detracts from the overall appearance, but interestingly photos show that the real car actually raced without them.
Score: 7/10
Paint
The yellow paint is applied smoothly and evenly, and the colour looks accurate. There are some small discrepancies between the colour of the metal parts and plastic ones, but these are not too noticeable unless you are really looking for them. Nevertheless, the score drops a little because of this.
Score: 7/10
Tampo/Decals
The various logos on the model appear to be largely applied with decals, though at the time of writing there are no cracking or flaking issues at all with my model. The sponsor logos, race numbers and markings are all accurately sized and positioned, or at least very close to being so. There are no markings missing, nor are there any additional ones that shouldn’t be there. There are only a couple of places where logos cover two different panels, but where it does happen the join is made very neatly, with the parts lining up well.
Score: 8/10
Tyres and Wheels
The rubber racing slicks look excellent, with a realistic finish, and the correct sidewall markings are present. The wheels look equally good, with a fairly convincing silver/grey finish, nicely molded wheel nuts, and very neat branding around the centre hub.
Score: 8/10
Brakes
The brake discs look superb, with a proper metallic finish, and nicely detailed hub. They rotate independently of the calipers, which themselves are very nice made, with plenty of molded detail and even some very tiny branding with the name of the manufacturer. Undoubtedly one of the very best parts of this model.
Score: 9/10
The rubber racing slicks look excellent, with a realistic finish, and the correct sidewall markings are present. The wheels look equally good, with a fairly convincing silver/grey finish, nicely molded wheel nuts, and very neat branding around the centre hub.
Score: 8/10
Brakes
The brake discs look superb, with a proper metallic finish, and nicely detailed hub. They rotate independently of the calipers, which themselves are very nice made, with plenty of molded detail and even some very tiny branding with the name of the manufacturer. Undoubtedly one of the very best parts of this model.
Score: 9/10
Engine
There isn’t a lot to see on the engine of this model. Although it looks basically accurate, there is none of the fine detail that can make a diecast engine look so much more interesting and realistic. Everything is molded plastic, with some details being bought out with paint, but very few separate pieces. Although the real car is not all that exciting to look at, the model lacks realism due to the very plastic appearance, and leaves a little to be desired in this category. It is worth pointing out that there is some nice detail to be found in the rear compartment of the model, but once again it lacks the finesse and realism of a slightly newer model.
Score: 6/10
There isn’t a lot to see on the engine of this model. Although it looks basically accurate, there is none of the fine detail that can make a diecast engine look so much more interesting and realistic. Everything is molded plastic, with some details being bought out with paint, but very few separate pieces. Although the real car is not all that exciting to look at, the model lacks realism due to the very plastic appearance, and leaves a little to be desired in this category. It is worth pointing out that there is some nice detail to be found in the rear compartment of the model, but once again it lacks the finesse and realism of a slightly newer model.
Score: 6/10
Interior
The interior of this model is accurate, but like the engine it lacks fine detail. The seat is plastic, and the racing harness, though a separate piece, is also plastic, with details painted on in silver. The same applies to the dashboard and other controls, which are all molded plastic with detail picked out in silver paint, and white in the case of the gearstick. Other details such as the pedals and electrical systems on the floor look a little crude, though not horrifically so. Overall the interior isn’t terrible, but it lacks fine details which you could find on other models, such as legible dials, more separate pieces and more realistic materials.
Score: 6/10
The interior of this model is accurate, but like the engine it lacks fine detail. The seat is plastic, and the racing harness, though a separate piece, is also plastic, with details painted on in silver. The same applies to the dashboard and other controls, which are all molded plastic with detail picked out in silver paint, and white in the case of the gearstick. Other details such as the pedals and electrical systems on the floor look a little crude, though not horrifically so. Overall the interior isn’t terrible, but it lacks fine details which you could find on other models, such as legible dials, more separate pieces and more realistic materials.
Score: 6/10
This model was produced in many different liveries replicating various different races and seasons, and some are more sought after than others. I wasn't in the least bit disappointed with this model when I received it, and although there are some weaker areas compared to models which are newer than this one, the overall score still reflects a nice model which looks great alongside its GT racing counterparts.
Overall Score: 7.3/10
Overall Score: 7.3/10