Looksmart v. BBR

I personally have collected for a number of years both BBR, and MR collection etc. When it comes to the higher productions models like the 575 SA or the new 599 of course Looksmart would be the better buy if you are on a budget. Even if you are not on a budget, the looksmart has the same if not better (in some cases) quality as BBR models. BBR models focus a lot more on the rare "one-off" ferrari's as i have seen and their prices have been getting a little out of hand. but if you really want bang for buck, try Exoto models!!! I recently purchase one of their 1/18 scale 500 F2's and it is spectacular!!!!! has engine detail and realism like no other (cloth seats etc.) for the same price as some BBR models these days. I recently had a discussion with a collector friend of mine about this very question and the BBR line definetly have the "rare" one off models that is second to none. Looksmarts wheels on their "classic" Ferrari models dont appear to realistic IMO.....
Happy collecting!!!!

 

my quick background here is I was a BBR dealer from 1992 to 2004. I also sold MR models when they debuted too. Looksmart models are a new addition to the high end Ferrari models out there.

First BBR. BBR is kinda like comparing a Ferrari to a Porsche back in the 1990s. The quality in the Porsche was twice as good at half the price. So why did anyone ever even buy a 348 over a 911? Well...its because it was a Ferrari. Same as BBR. They have the name and reputation. They have had some wonderful presentations as well.

MR Models. These guys came out roughly 1994 and due to some bad blood between BBR and MR have been competitors since. Their range includes Porsche and Lamborghini to name a few.

Looksmart is new to the lot and are very nice models

While I still havent really answered your question, I personally collected just BBR models. At one point I had just about everyone ever made. Ive sold alot and have reduced my collection to just the BC series, Formula 1, 333SPs, and cars Ive owned. I think BBR is more "collectible". But that could change..as its market related.

End of the day..buy what makes you happy. For years people would call my store and ask whats collectible and my response it kinda been whatever you want to be collectible

 

i am a big fan of looksmart. the differences between bbr/mr and looksmart are very small, indeed. in some cases, there is no difference. i think perhaps the wheels are biggest difference between the two. paint is close (BBR a little better), and interiors/trim are the same. i personally buy looksmart first, then bbr/mr. i don't see the point in spending twice as much for a model that is only a little better.

john

 

One hugh difference is the BBR cast wheels. All the cast wheels are crap. Most are just 2-D photo-etched pieces. MR usually has actual cast 3-D wheels. Photos if you want...

 

i've asked myself that question, compared the two and went with the Looksmart.

and now, Make Up is coming out with one as well. Granted, it is in the BBR price-range, but going from their 288 GTO and F40 (street and competizione) models, it'll probably be your best buy if you're looking for a handbuilt 1:43 599.

I tend to prefer BBR when it comes to vintage Ferrari's (allthough I am not too crazy about their Daytona), but their more contemporary Ferrari's like the 308 (but awesome 308 GT4), 288 GTO, F40 are somewhat dissapointing.

And their built quality isn't always up to standard. When a windscreenwiper is missing or some piece of trimming comes loose, it is usually a BBR-model on which it occurs.

Other than that it is obvious that in the 1:43 Ferrari handbuilt miniature - game, more players have entered the field. While it started off with BBR (Styling Models) and MR, they are now joined by the likes of Looksmart, Make Up Co (Eidolon), Tecnomodel, Ilario, GT Cars (the label of Rainer Goetzke, who is planning to come out with his RGM-brand again).

BBR is no longer the obvious supplier for Ferrarimodel collectors, nor are they setting the standard in this business.

 

If at all possible, I would love to see "compare and contrast" pictures of BBR, Looksmart and Make Up.

 

Regarding comparisons, take a look at this site: www.miniwerks.com

Mike has lots of pics from different companies. Also browse the forum. A lot of collectors post closeup pics of their models again from different companies. The 'Recent Purchases' thread has lots of pics. Some of the collectors are great macro photographers so that you can see the differences.

Hope this helps.

 

Excellent idea Lawrence - thanks.

 

The BBR 599 has lousy mounted C-pillars. They don´t attach to the rest of the car all that well. Perhaps this is only true for early models, but Looksmart had it right, right away.

 

I have collected BBR, MR, LookSmart, etc. for several years. As a basic statement, you are now seeing some very high quality handbuilts from LookSmart (which was started by MR), and Gasoline (started by BBR), due to the companies using lower cost labor for production. As I understand it, these models are built from basically the same kits used by BBR / MR, but they are mostly assembled in a country other than Italy, where labor costs are cheaper. Many, if not all, Gasoline models are built from BBR kits, and some LookSmarts are re-releases of previous MR models. I think the quality is very close to, and sometimes equal to, that of their BBR & MR brethren. One down side of these models is that they are plentiful, and thus do not seem to hold the collector value that some BBR & MR models have.

 

I totally agree
allthough longtime collectors who have early MR's in their collection that are now sold by looksmart for 1/2 the price will not be thrilled.

Look smart produces several modells in series of 500 pieces.
I don't of this goes for all their modells, but on the website www.looksmartmodels.com most of the series are sold out.
To me production-numbers do count

Anyway uptill now, for older ferraris like the 375 agnelli, several vignales, superfasts and others, BBR is still the best choice!
If I need to make a choice (mostly new modells like 612 and 599) I wait and see which is the best, and the money comes in second.

For me collecting is having a high-quality collection.
I rather prefer 50 super models, instead of a megacollection of 400 diecasts or cheaper(not so rare modells ( it's a choice).

I rather display one cabinet with dazzling modells,
than filling a whole room that dazzles you by the sight of it.

In another thread there was a discussion on the quality of 1/14 brianza ferraris. Everybody who has one, has to agree they are not as well detailed or perfect as a kyosho, or a tamiya.
but. ....
The time they were made, there were no computers!!! This also goes for early BBR's. The skills of the makers were impressive, and the numbers made, are small ,to me that is also a quality. It's like painting, There are only a few rembrandts!

Finding a specific modell is a challenge, going to a store and buy them from a stack is not my kind of thing. It's a thrill finding a rare bbr or a brianza for a reasonable price.

Nowadays costs of developing a modell are lowered by the techniques applied.
Making them in china cuts costs. Building series of thousands is easy, but for a longtime collector it has no challenge even if the money is available.

The quality of a collection is not in the numbers. nor the money involved.
If looksmarts makes the best.... its mine if not.... i'll go for bbr, brianza, ilario or other builders like feeling 43

 

575 GTC : not BBR or LS is the winner first place Tecnomodel
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FXX Ilario my favorite pic is from www.ilario.com
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BBR 430 and BBR 612 and now please show me LS
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Roel,

Regarding who makes the best 599. Based on their F40s and 288GTOs, I would wait for MakeUp company's version of the 599 due out this year. Makeup IMO makes the best F40 and 288GTO in 1/43

 

I think the best 1/43rd models in the world are by Alain Bouissou, but he only does Bugattis.


http://www.bouissoumodels.com/

this is a detail shot of the T37 chssis he does!!

http://www.bouissoumodels.com/chassis_bugatti_t_37.htm




Feeling 43, IMO, does the best Ferraris

http://www.feeling43.com/

Here is a photo of their 330P motor

http://perso.orange.fr/feeling43/IMAGES/mc12%202a.jpg


Here is a link to Jacques Brauer who also does superb work

http://jacques.brauer.free.fr/


and here, to a Ferrari model site...

http://perso.orange.fr/ferrarimodelcars/