While I used to be into collecting 1/64 hot wheels & minicars, I never really got into larger scale models, and I had never heard of Make Up Co. until today when I saw this tweet by my favorite hot wheels/minicar customizer Joe-san:
積極的な蒐集からはとっくに降りてるけどこれは見過ごせない。静岡で見て以来待っておりました。まさに らいく あ じゅえりー。#singerPorsche pic.twitter.com/B41brxDQFB— Joe KANNO (@joe_kanno) September 26, 2019
You can check out Joe's customs also on Instagram
I immediately headed to my go-to preorder site amiami. ¥7,290!(roughly $68USD) That's before shipping, and it's pretty eye-popping. Lot of times, if not most of the time, hot new preorders sellout fast on amiami. These Make Up Co. Singer 911 preorders are still up, and probably because of high asking price.
I ordered two. Gray & white. It's bit of a gamble at these prices, sure.... but if you collect these things you know, you snooze - you lose. Off the top of my head, these cars were the most amazing 1/64 models I had ever seen & combine that with the vintage Porsche charm(more on that later), I was willing to play. Check out the photos from Make Up Co. website + notes on their entry into the 1/64 market:
Key notes from their page:
- Titan 64 is the new 1/64 scale brand of the Make Up Co., and it'll be leading off with the Singer 911(964)
- They are handmade.
- Make Up Co.'s previous smallest scale releases were 1/43.
- Piece by piece, they are committed to paying same close attention they pay in manufacturing the 1/43 scale model cars.
- In order to achieve higher detail feel, they are using separate individual parts, where typically just get painted with different colors for separation.
- Front & rear blinker parts are chrome plated before clear resin are added to give it depth.
Again, more on their page. MSRP is ¥8,424 & it'll come in these four colors:
TM001A - Gulf Blue
TM001B - Gray
TM001C - Ivory White
TM001D - Ice Blue Metallic(Blue 2)
My Thoughts:
You guys remember when Ignition Model entered the 1/64 scale diecast market? Manufacturer previously known for their larger 1/18, 1/43 scaled super slick & detailed diecast cars. Highly anticipated, most of us weren't sure what to expect. Vehicle models they were to release, they weren't typical factory models. They were Pandem/Bunny Rocket kitted R35 Nissan GT-Rs.
When 1/64 Ignition Models finally arrived, personally, I was pleased with the quality they delivered. My major gripe came from all these modern models they chose for the releases like the R35 & Toyota 86. I wanted the old school cars like Kenmeri Skylines. Boxy JDM sedans. The classics, but I digress.
While these Singer 911 cars from Make Up seems much higher in price & quality, their arrival reminded me of the Ignition Model. Another larger scale diecast manufacturer entering the market with their 1/43 market savvy, custom Non-OEM cars never seen in the 1/64 market. In this case, Singer. Another company I had never heard of. :p
According to Wikipedia, Singer Vehicle Design builds modified vintage Porsches. Unlike Ignition Model cars with their newer modern cars, these Porsches at least still have the classic look & I approve! :D
Only time will tell if these Titan 64 cars are worth $80. I got a pretty good feeling on them though. Lot of us have a soft spot for classic Porsches, and details displayed in their stock photos are pretty amazing for 1/64, even by collector standards. :)
Also saw these tweets from my Twitter friend @F60BB(2019 Japan Hobby Show):
1/64 miniature cars.— F60 (@F60BB) September 29, 2019
ホビーショーに展示してあったタイタン64のシンガーソングライター911です。見るからにできが良いので自分の年代的には変化球よりも直球のラインナップできてほしかったです。 pic.twitter.com/MwwHbErJsx
今日のホビーショーで。 pic.twitter.com/R3JcypqrPX— F60 (@F60BB) September 29, 2019