10 Porsche Scale Models that are Almost as Cool as the Real Thing
Forty-lot collection of Porsche models includes those from Maisto, BBurago and Scaletrix. Here are our 10 faves from the auction.
At some point, your Porsche collection will outgrow your ability to store them, whether it’s a couple of cars, or a couple dozen. Memorabilia can help keep everything moving along, while also dressing up your garage.
Of course, if you have to have cars, Porsche die-cast models and model kits are perfect for your desires. We recently happened upon a 40-lot collection of such items at Mecum’s Porsche Scale Model Collection auction. Here are our 10 favorite mini Porsches that we’d love to own.
1. 1:28 Martini Racing Porsche 935 No. 1
Here’s a classic from the FIA Group 4/5 days, the Porsche 935 flatnose. The car’s existence was a result of a loophole Porsche found when preparing the 935 for Group 5 competition in 1976 (specifically, no mention of headlight height in the rules).
This example was manufactured by Japan’s Eidai Corporation, who made and sold models to the United States through the Seventies and Eighties under various names. It’s an excellent piece of history, for sure.
2. Porsche 911 Glass Model
This is one ice-cold Porsche 911! Made in West Germany, the lead crystal paperweight and wood base looks like an ice carving on display, yet it’ll never melt at room temperature.
3. Porsche IMSA 962 Lowenbrau Special
Jumping into the Eighties, Porsche changed up their Group C-dominating 956 enough to bring it into IMSA GTP as the 962. The full-size version of this scale model was campaigned by Holbert Racing from 1984 through 1987, according to Sports Car Digest.
The famed blue-and-white Porsche would go on to dominate the class for the majority of its run. The car remained in the Al Holbert family estate until 2012, when it sold for $1.93 million at auction in Amelia Island, Florida.
4. 1:18 Porsche 911 Speedster
Coming straight from Fontana, California’s Maisto is a purple 911 Speedster. Specifically, it’s a replica of the 930-era Speedster, the real-life version built only for the 1989 model year prior to the 930’s succession by the 964. The hard tonneau cover hid a soft top, ready for the days when the wind was too cold to enjoy the sun.
Meanwhile, this 1:18-scale example features opening doors, hood and engine cover, but no folding soft top. The black Fuchs with chrome trim rings are a nice touch, too.
5. Porsche Panamericana Concept
Debuting at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1989, the Porsche Panamericana Concept blew the minds of many Porsche fans far and wide. Named after the Carrera Panamericana race from the early Fifties, the concept was built upon the 964. Though its designer, Harm Lagaay, hoped a few would be built for the road, the concept’s legacy influenced both the 993-era 911 Targa and Boxster.
This model, meanwhile, was likely one of a few handed out to those attending the Frankfurt Auto Show. Per the listing, it has an engraved signature from one of the Panamericana bosses with a date of September 19, 1989 on the wood base.
6. Mitsuwa Porsche 956 & 962 “Egg” Model Kits
You’ve likely seen some funky die-cast cars while shopping in the toy store, but you won’t see these unique models nearby. Made by Mitsuwa, the little Porsche 956 and 962 models “are more cartoon-like than a scale model depiction of the real thing,” according to the listing. They’re certainly the cutest Porsches we’ve seen.
7. Porsche 911 Targa Rally Car
Porsche 911s are no stranger to rallying. In 1984, one even won the Paris-Dakar Rally in Rothmans Porsche livery. This one appears not have seen a sandbox, but it’s a neat little car for the kid in all of us.
8. Porsche 917 – Flamethrower AFX Magna-Traction
Who remembers Aurora AFX slot cars? Aurora Plastic Corporation built thousands of these famous slot cars from 1971 through 1983, upping the ante with each update.
The Porsche 917, too, upped the ante when it arrived in 1970, dominating endurance racing so hard, Porsche decided to take the party to Can-Am to do the same thing. This Aurora AFX example is a match made between the baddest slot cars around, and the baddest Porsche of the Seventies.
9. Porsche 911 Carrera RS
Aurora wasn’t the only one in the slot-car game, though. The equally beloved Scalextric exploded on the scene in 1957, finding fans of all ages.
One of the many cars to grace the Scalextric track was the 911 Carrera RS. We especially love the little guy inside the car, who we imagine drives to victory all the time.
10. 1:43 Porsche 924 Turbo
Finally, we can’t leave out the front-engine Porsches, like this red 924 Turbo made by BBurago in its namesake home of Burago di Molgora, Italy. Part of the Maisto umbrella since 2007, the company made 1:43-scale cars from its start in 1976 through 1980, then again from the mid-Eighties. We certainly love the detailed Hugo Boss livery.
