Reader review: Two of Neo's new resin models

Diecast Collector reader Terry Styles reviews two of the latest 1/43 scale resin models by Neo Scale Models...

1975 AMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer was built by American Motors from 1975 to 1980. A strange looking hatchback (an estate version was also available), with huge rear windows that earned it the nickname the 'flying fishbowl', it's been called the ugliest car ever made.

The Pacer came in three engine sizes: 6 cylinder 3799/4235cc and 4979cc V8.

One unusual feature was that the door on one side was longer than the other, apparently for easy access to the rear seats.

The top speed for the 3.8 litre was 104mph. Approximately 280,000 examples were produced.

Neo's model (Ref No 43520) is a fine rendition of the real thing, in brown over beige.

Exterior details include door mirrors, aerial, rear window wiper, number plates, fuel filler cap, badges and door lock, and, of course, those odd-sized doors.

With all those large windows to see inside, interior detail needs to be good, which it is. For a four-seater hatchback, the model looks huge, but then so does the real car.

Underside detail is minimal, with '1:43 AMC Pacer' and 'NEO SCALE MODELS Made in China' printed in silver on the black base.

1964 Daimler Majestic Major
The Daimler Majestic Major, introduced in 1959, was a medium-large saloon that could carry five or six adults in comfort. The 4561cc V8 engine gave 220bhp and 120mph, and the car featured automatic transmission and power steering, optional until 1964 and then standard.

The car remained in production until 1968, by which time 1,180 had been built.

The Neo model (Ref No 44275) could itself be described as majestic. In black over gun metal, this is an elegant model of a luxury saloon car, and an unusual subject for a model.

Fine detail includes chrome trim around the windows, bonnet centre-strip, door handles and filler cap. The grille and all the lights, front and rear, are very realistic. The model, quite rightly, features British numberplates (VCD 275 - a Brighton registration), and scale-wise appears to be very accurate, at 4.7in long - the real vehicle was 16ft 10in.

The interior is just as good, with all the dashboard dials visible, as well as door handles, window-winders, etc.

This is an excellent model of a classic British car, and well worth the price of around £52.