Amalgam 1:8 Models - Secondary Market

Patrice de Conto retired?? I could see his models becoming very valuable as they look almost real. Patrick would know.

 

The 1/8th scale models were made by Patrice for my company Minidelta. I have been in the model business for a very long time . I started building models in the late 70ies as a hobby and then built for shops like Ralf Avis' St Martin's Accessories in London, Lambert Ley Street of GPM when my then full time job involved a lot of travelling in UK. Then I started my company Minidelta in the very early nineties and, Marshall, after we met at Modelex 1991 you became one of Minidelta first customers. You wrote very nice comments in Vintage Motorsport, I remember. Years later I met Patrice De Conto and we became close friends, he was employed by ACB, the French company that was about to close its workshop in 2002. We decided to work together and to launch a serie of 1/12th and 1/8th scale models under the Minidelta label. We produced 4 1/8th models, the 315S (Sebring and Mille Miglia), the 335S (Mille Miglia), the TR58 (Le Mans winner) and the 860 Monza (Sebring, Mille Miglia and Nassau) and the 1/12th 1966 Spa Ferrari 330 P3 coupe and the 1966 Sebring 330 P3 spyder (kits). At the same time, Patrice produced under his Patrice De Conto Productions label the 1/6th scale 1955 Monaco GP Lancia D50 and the 1956 Ferrari Lancia D50, a 1/6th 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Touring coupe, a 1/6th Maserati A6GCS Pininfarina low roof coupe and some 1/10th models as the1969 Le Mans Ferrari 312P coupe and the April 1964 Le Mans Tests Maserati 152. Patrice and I decided to retire end of last year, because of our age, I am 71 and he is in his sixties, and also because we did not want to invest the amount of money required to produce these models anymore (me) and the time to create them (Patrice and me), (I am sure you know what it means Marshall) especially if you make your models the old school way. It was a very pleasant and interesting experience, I met very knowledgeable and passionate customers and people and we still enjoy building models in taking our time.

 

Patrick, I started in the business a long time ago too; and a similar path with building in the late 70s as a hobby and for some shops in the US. I remember the Modelex days, and meeting you back then. I always thought that you were one of the most talented craftsmen/builders I had ever met, and I still believe that to be true today. Your attention to detail, fit, finish, and historical accuracy are top tier, and are all the things I strive for with every model I make. On the subject of Modelex, I do wish there was an equivalent show like that today. I wrote a lot for Vintage Motorsport (10 years) and your models were among the best. It's a shame that Vintage Motorsport does not have a proper model column any longer; readers liked it a lot, but the current "Editor" didn't and doesn't. I currently write for several others that understand the value of this.

I am truly sad to see both you and Patrice retire, but I do understand. I still make my models mostly the "old school way." I combine old world craftsmanship with some modern technology, but not at all to the level or abuse that other well known firms do. As for my custom builts ,and scratch builts..... with the exception of tires, those are all made the "old school way"....all by hand.

Patrice is a master model maker, an artist and craftsman. That can not be said about others. His works are all superb, they are in the category of the best. And for several reasons, are all extremely desirable pieces. Through your firm Minidelta, you and Patrice have given serious collectors some of the finest models in the world. I extend my best wishes to you both.

 

I have a feeling that if you still had them you would make a profit in the future selling them. Not many people can build like Patrice de Conto. Sad that Patrice and Patrick are retired but now they can enjoy their hobby without worrying about the business.

 

Minidelta, thank you for providing some history of your company and working with Patrice. If the stories are never told, they become lost in time.

And we can't work forever. At some point it's OK to move on and let the next generation give it a go.

And your work is out there, in collections, still being bought and sold. So a physical legacy remains.

-F

 

You are talking about Patrice de Conto, i have a question for the specialist of he's production. I heard that he made long time ago some Lamborghini, the Espada and the Miura. I never see any picture of those model, i'm not sure they exist, can someone confirm me this information? And provide me with some picture? Did someone now if he made other Lamborghini?
Thank's for helping me to complete my information!

 

Any idea on the value of the Amalgam F1-2000 Schumacher 1:8 model?

 

I’d be interested in buying second hand 1/8 amalgam models

 

Hi, I am also interested in 1/8 Amalgam F1 models (Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes). If someone here is willing to sell one, please keep me advised. Thanks.

 

OK, not Amalgam but 1:8 scale on the secondary market, both recently sold by Gooding & Co and both vintage Bugatti GP cars.

First from the Geared Online Scottsdale edition:

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2021 | GEARED ONLINE SCOTTSDALE EDITION
BUGATTI TYPE 59 GRAND PRIX MODEL BY ANTONIETTI-BOSSAC


SOLD $16,875
Estimate

$5,000 - $7,000| Without Reserve

https://www.goodingco.com/lot/bugatti-type-59-grand-prix-model-by-antonietti-bossac/?filtersInput[itemType][0]=Automobilia&sortBy=ENDING_SOONEST&pageNumber=36

Second from the Phil Hill automobilia collection (wow he had a loft of stuff!):

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2020 | THE PHIL HILL AUTOMOBILIA COLLECTION
1924 BUGATTI TYPE 35 GRAND PRIX MODEL BY ART COLLECTION AUTO


SOLD $6,000
Estimate

$4,000 - $6,000| Without Reserve
https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1924-bugatti-type-35-grand-prix-model-by-art-collection-auto/?filtersInput[itemType][0]=Automobilia&sortBy=ENDING_SOONEST&pageNumber=43

Compare and contrast.

 

You can't really compare these two models. Different makers, and a lot else. The Type 35 was made by Art Collection Auto. That model was a production run piece, and was first offered all the way back in the 1970s, and production continued up until only several years ago!! Well over 1,000 were made. The Type 59 is a scratch built model. Only a few of these were made, and each was built one at a time with no computers, etc. Tires can be replaced, but of course at additional cost.

 

I had never heard of Antonietti Bossac before this post Marshall. Do you happen to know if they modelled any other cars apart from the Bugatti 59?

regards to all.
Mark

 

Mark, yes they made many other cars....various Bugatti's: Type 35, Tye 13 “Brescia", Type 57 Atlantic, Type 50 Royale, Type 50 "Esders" Roadster, and other Bugatti's. Also Mercedes-Benz 500K and 540K Roadsters, 427 Cobra, Ferrari 's: 250 SWB, 250 GTO, 512BBLM, and others. Their Cobra's & Ferrari's were not very good, and I don't recommend them to any of my clients. They were best at making Bugatti's and Mercedes'. The duo, were very prolific in the late 1970s to mid 1980s.

 

Thanks Marshall, that’s very interesting background. Similarly I only recently became aware of the long defunct Sapor modelltechnic and their impressive 1930s Bentley and engine. It seems there were many quite transient producers over the 80s and 90s who never achieved a very high profile.

Regards.
M

 

You're welcome. Sapor also made a Mercedes-Benz SSKL and a Hispano Suiza. Many of the model makers such as Antonietti & Bossac, Sapor and so many more were actually quite well known in circles of specialist dealers and collectors of these types of models. I've often thought of writing a book covering most of them, but that would take a huge amount of time, which I can't give at this point. Maybe one day.

 

I am looking to part with my 1:8 LAF based on my car I sold. Any thoughts as to where to sell it?
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/334000231270

 

I currently own about a dozen models made by Marc Antonietti, ( Henri Bossat was more of the salesman in the partnership and some models do not even have his name on the plaque) .

I mostly have his Ferraris, some in duplicate, but as they were hand made no too are exactly alike. Each one had some unique details. I do also his Bugatti Royale coupe de Napoleon and the Mercedes 540K.

It is true that some of the post war cars, such as the Cobra and the 1964 GTO did not capture the body lines accurately, but some of the others such as the 512M , Daytona Groupe IV racing and especially the 1958 Testa Rossa are excellent.

Although the modern digitized Amalgam may be more detailed and more accurate, but they are made mostly from resin in China in editions of 100 per varient. I think there may be close to 1000 of their GTO's given how many versions they made. Antonietti only made a few of each subject, never more than a dozen, and Like I said, each one is unique.

Also, with an Antonietti you get a body hand-hammered from brass, many machined and cast metal parts, and a true handmade feel. In fact, the Amalgam Testa Rossa, that I used to own before I bought the Antonietti, does not have functional doors. The Antonietti, actually has door locks that are activated by pulling the strap on the inside, just like the real car.

Most of the master builders, who worked in metal, such as Olive Sans, Gerald Wingrove, Marc Antonietti, Michele and Muritzio Conti and DeCorte have all passed away. The few others such as Jacques Catti or J.P. Fontenelle have retired. The few that remain charge $30,000 - 80,000 for their models.

The skill of forming metal bodies is rapidly disappearing.

An Antonietti model is well worth the price. That is why when I started to find them in the $12,000-15,000 range I stopped buying Amalgams and in fact, starting selling my Amalgams, which do not hold their value. I was lucky to get half the price I paid.

If any one is interested, let me know and I can post some photos of my Antonietti models.

 

I would like to see your Antonietti creations please, as I'm sure there are many others that have not seen your post yet.

 

Yes, please show some pics!

 

Definitely would love to see some pictures please!!

 

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I think these bodies, with the exception of the 512BBLM, are fairly accurate.

I am not sure if the BBLM is off or just the real car had a strange shape.

I agree that the GTO body is off.

I no longer have the SWB, but I think it was also fairly accurate.

 

The only place I regularly see Amalgams second hand for sale is Collector Studio.

I think the only way to make a profit on them is for the people who bought a few years back when they cost considerably less.

An interesting observation: I have noticed a lot of the 3D model outlets remove Ferrari from their selection. This will effect all the independent makers who can’t create their own CAD. It used to be easy to buy a 3D model and then 3D print a body. Now you need to do it from scratch.

I have a 3d scanner but even that is very time consuming. Of course you need an original to scan so it’s often easier and faster to create a CAD design from scratch using blueprints/tech drawings.

Even then, once you have a complete design in CAD the best 3d resin printers are sloooooow. A set of FXXK wheels takes a little over 20 hours to print. The detail is worth it though.