WHAT ARE WHITE METAL MODELS?

I am often asked, "what are white metal models, and why are they so expensive?". To answer this it isnecessary to explain the production of white metal models. Spa Croft Models and the other white metal model manufacturers, generally produce models which are not considered commercially viable by the diecast manufacturers such as Corgi as they often have a limited appeal. The metal used in the die casting process ia a hard metal, and can only be cast in steel dies. The tooling costs are, therefore, extremely high, and because of this, the manufacturer has to be sure that the investment will be recouped. Subjects, therefore have to have a wide appeal, and be capable of being produced in a variety of forms and liveries, with little, or no alteration. Plastic is used to produce many of the smaller items such as radiator grilles, bumpers etc., and interiors, because this is also cheaper. Generally the only none metal parts used in white metal models are rubber for the tyres, and acetate for the windows. Everything else is metal which conributes to the weight of the model and its overall impression of quality.

Whilst the production of white metal models is still not cheap, because the metal used has a low melting piont, rubber moulds can be used to cast the models, by means of centrifugal casting, and it is this process that is much cheaper than die casting, because tooling costs are much less. "Why is the end product so much more expensive?", I hear you ask. There are several reasons. Because of the limited appeal of many of the subjects of white metal models, for instance, they may only be known in the UK, and therefore have no interest world wide, the recovery of tooling costs is spread over a smaller number of units, very often no more than 600 pieces. Each model is also hand built, and hand finished, and in some cases, hand polished. This is a very labour intensive part of the production of white metal models, and because production is totally local, the white metal manufacturers cannot benefit from the much cheaper foreign labour available to our diecast colleagues.

"Why should I buy white metal models then", you may ask. Because you are getting a special model which no one else produces. None of the models produced by Spa Croft Models is currently available from any other manufacturer, die cast or white metal; white metal models are very often more accurate and have more detail than their die cast counterparts, although the die cast manufacturers are now recognising the demands of the discerning collector, and things are definitely improving; the finish of white metal models is of a greater quality because they are handbuilt; your collection will be more unique because there are fewer examples of each model arround, and I suppose, to be a little light hearted, you will not be filling you cabinets as quicky, because you will be buying less of the more expensive models, unless of course you are a lottery winner. Ultimately, the value of your collection may increase more, because of the desirabilty of these little gems, but that's a bonus. Collecting is about the fun of it, and the intrinsic value of your collection.

Happy collecting.

When you purchase the new SPA CROFT MODELS Morris Oxford Series III, you will have the opportunity to win a unique version of this model. Finished in Clarendon Grey, with the Number plate 132 OCK, thisversion will be one of only two models produced as such. Details of how to win are in each box. Because the second batch of models were late in being produced, it has been decided to extend the time for qualification for the draw, which will now be made at the end of the year. See below for an image of this special model.

28th February 2001

Pete Kenna has now received the initial castings. Final detailing is now required, so the first batch of castings should be available for painting and assembly before the end of March. It is a highly detailed model so it won't be cheap, but I am still unable to advise on the price.