Agora models, 1/8 Scale Aston Martin from No TIme To Die

[WtShark]

The subscription model business is a new one to me, and I was a bit hesitant, but when they released the No Time to Die Aston Martin, I figure it was worth a try.
A lot of fun, though it's more of a screw assemblies together and then assemble those, they do require a bit of skill. No painting or much modifications, (unless you want to add detail or fix errors) it was an enjoyable build that sparked my interest in getting back into plastic models. Each month, a box arrives with a numbered set of parts, which are assembled with step-by-step directions. There are options for faster builds (all parts at once), standard build (12 month process) and 24 month process, depending on your budget. There were some issues, delays, warped/broken parts, but the customer service was amazing and would happily fix any issue encountered.

The vehicle is a static display, with working headlights, "firing" gatling guns, dash lights, changing license plate, working ejector seat, etc.
The Daniel Craig figure is an add on from Etsy

 

[airdave]

It's obviously a very impressive looking model,
although those lid and door gaps are painfully excessive (lol).
It looks expensive, with all the very nice detail and paint finish.
I would expect to pay a lot more than a boxed plastic model kit that requires a lot more work to build.

So I have to ask that painful question that everyone is thinking, what was the final cost of this model?

 

[urumomo]

It's obviously a very impressive looking model,
although those lid and door gaps are painfully excessive (lol).
It looks expensive, with all the very nice detail and paint finish.
I would expect to pay a lot more than a boxed plastic model kit that requires a lot more work to build.

So I have to ask that painful question that everyone is thinking, what was the final cost of this model?

https://www.agoramodels.com/us/007_db5/

 

[airdave]

Okay, that's a fair bit more than I had imagined.
Odd how the 1 year/12 pack option is $200 cheaper than the 2 year/24 pack option.
Obviously buying the full kit up front is the cheapest option at $1600.

I think an additional $500 for the "Collectors Edition" display case is a bit greedy.

Still, a nice looking model, with some amazing electronics.
And a very nice build WtShark!
The well painted Bond figure adds a lot!

 

[WtShark]

It's obviously a very impressive looking model,
although those lid and door gaps are painfully excessive (lol).
It looks expensive, with all the very nice detail and paint finish.
I would expect to pay a lot more than a boxed plastic model kit that requires a lot more work to build.

So I have to ask that painful question that everyone is thinking, what was the final cost of this model?

Yes, the door gaps are an issue, (one discussed at great length on the Agora forum), and frankly, for the cost of this model, there were a LOT of fit and assembly issues that should not have been there. I see someone already answered your question as to the cost, I opted for the 12 month Collector's edition, hence the case, display base and plaque. Was it worth it? Well, I do like the vehicle, and it did sort of kickstart my jump back into model building, but I suppose that's a question up to the individual. I have also opted to purchase their 1963 Corvette, (which I am at Stage 8 now of) and plan on purchasing their Jaws Orca model once it's released, but the cost is steep.
But my friend, you are absolutely right- it's not a cheap investment.

 

[BarleyBop]

not a cheap investment.

True.
But in terms of enjoyment and value per minute of build time and longevity of the artifact, a much better spend than a couple of hours in a fancy restaurant, blockbuster movie or sports game!
At least to me.

 

[WtShark]

True.
But in terms of enjoyment and value per minute of build time and longevity of the artifact, a much better spend than a couple of hours in a fancy restaurant, blockbuster movie or sports game!
At least to me.

Well said and I agree.

 

[sharkmania]

Well said and I agree.

To be honest with you, the biggest turnoff for me regarding the 1963 Corvette you're working on is that the body is not made of fiberglass, like the real counterpart! The material it's made of as you know is Zamak, and in some cases if Zamak is not being properly formulated will have impurities in the mix that will cause paint rash issues on diecast cars, or even worse than that, disintegration where the car crumbles apart!

Now can you imagine spending thousands of dollars on a Agora model, and have this happen to you?!

 

[WtShark]

To be honest with you, the biggest turnoff for me regarding the 1963 Corvette you're working on is that the body is not made of fiberglass, like the real counterpart! The material it's made of, as you know, is Zamak, and due to in some cases Zamak not being properly made at the factory has impurities in the mix, therefore cause paint rash issues on diecast cars, or even worse then that, disintegration where the car crumbles apart!

Now can you imagine spending thousands of dollars on a Agora model, and have this happen to you?!

I'm not sure I'd want a 1/8 scale fiberglass body, but I certainly appreciate your perspective.

I can also certainly understand you're not trusting a subscription model company, several of them have produced crap, or stopped in the middle of a build, leaving a model builder with a partially complete vehicle. I know some of the issues with Eaglemoss were a big concern for me in the beginning. Having said that, Agora has been around for a while, has some incredible customer service, (speaking first-hand), and although I am only one builder, there are dozens of builders on YT and other platforms who are either building, or have built Agora models and the biggest takeaway is the higher quality of the Agora models and their dedicated customer service, this is what sold me and the others.

I'm certainly not going to talk someone into buying one, nor would I try to talk them out of it, I would let them decide what was best for them. It's a big investment, one that isn't for everyone.

 

[sharkmania]

I used to collect 1:18 scale diecast car models and had a bad experience with paint rash issues on my Exoto, AutoArt, Kyosho and Ertl, just to name a few. And from that point on, I try to stay away from diecast cars made of Zamak, because if not properly formulated, it can be an unstable material, period. Did you ever run into that problem?

By the way, your Aston Martin is a very impressive model, and the paint finish is second to none!

Last week I just received in the mail that I bought on eBay, it's a Franklin Mint 1/12 scale L88 1967 Corvette in Rally red. This model is fiberglass! I will post pictures of it on this forum.

 

[WtShark]

I used to collect 1:18 scale diecast car models and had a bad experience with paint rash issues on my Exoto, AutoArt, Kyosho and Ertl, just to name a few. And from that point on, I try to stay away from diecast cars made of Zamak, because if not properly formulated, it can be an unstable material, period. Did you ever run into that problem?

By the way, your Aston Martin is a very impressive model, and the paint finish is second to none!

Last week I just received in the mail that I bought on eBay, it's a Franklin Mint 1/12 scale L88 1967 Corvette in Rally red. This model is fiberglass! I will post pictures of it on this forum.

It's funny you mention that, I have only recently invested in any die cast vehicles, (other than a few Corgi or Dinky vehicles from when I was much younger), but recently I purchased a 1/24 (ish) scale diecast vehicle off eBay for a steal. There were multiple vehicles, in all configurations and styles from a company that didn't even make it to market because of issues with either their construction or paint. The company was DMC, (Diecast Motor Company) and the seller was very open about "possible paint blemishes and problems" on their listing. Sure enough, although the one I purchased was NIB, there were some blemishes on the paint. The car is incredible, detailed down to the seatbelts and opening hood, doors and trunk, but the paint has fogging and will certainly fail at some point. I also have a 30+ year old 1/20th 1950 Mercury, State Police Car from Franklin Mint, which I've had since new and sits on the shelf, no issues. So, to answer your question, I hadn't, but only because I hadn't really invested in any.

To my knowledge, Agora's vehicle's do not have that problem, but I can say, based on previous experience, if a part shows up with a blemish, or broken, they happily replace it, and thus far, I haven't been charged for replacing either a broken or lost part and extra parts I've requested, (except the shipping from the UK, which was 15.00 flat fee).
Don't get me wrong, there were issues with the Aston Martin, (shipping delays, instructions that were either vague or wrong, broken parts in the shipping bags, etc.) but an email to Agora CS, and the items were replaced, no questions asked. The Corvette's details are impressive, when I was assembling the 327, every nut, bolt, hose and wire is represented, I'd swear if it weren't hollow, one could turn it over. But, again at that scale and price, it's what anyone should expect. I just completed Stage 8, so 4 more to go and the body should start showing up in the next shipment.

 

[sharkmania]

I must say, that 327 engine model is off the charts in detail, incredible!

 

[WtShark]

I must say, that 327 engine model is off the charts in detail, incredible!

It really is. The plug wires, coil and even the vacuum advance on the distributor are all there, hidden under the chrome trim. You could display the motor in various states of build if you wanted to, there is a detailed valve train under the valve covers, a choke and throttle return spring. Ive built a few motors in my life, and the parts and pieces of this are very detailed. They've missed nothing. There are even lifting lugs on the intake manifold and block. I should think about posting a thread on this build, including photos of the block assembly.

 

[blakeh1]

That is a great scale for it. Love the details

When I was a kid I always used to to play with the old Corgi diecast one.
I loved triggering the spring loaded ejection seat and popping out the machine guns
Still have it somewhere
It is this one (not my pic though)

 

[BarleyBop]

When I was a kid

Oh yeah, a kid down the street had one, envy of every boy around!

 

[WtShark]

That is a great scale for it. Love the details

When I was a kid I always used to to play with the old Corgi diecast one.
I loved triggering the spring loaded ejection seat and popping out the machine guns
Still have it somewhere
It is this one (not my pic though)

View attachment 152756

Yes, a friend of mine had that, along with a number of other "ultra" cool vehicles. He was the most popular dude with all of those. He had the entire set of Major Matt Mason (he still has the majority of them in a box in his garage and knows they're worth BIG $$$).
I scrimped and saved, bartered and begged enough to garner the 8 bucks or so (which in 1974 was a lot of money to an 8 year old) and my father took me to our local model shop, (a huge complex with a model train shop, with an entire side of the business with a railroad track/diorama, complete with a gigantic slot car track around it, and a gun store, doll shop, piano store, etc., called "Hobby City") and I was able to buy a sling loaded jeep (which is a parachute rigged vehicle). I must've thrown that thing into the air thousands of times to watch the chute deploy and land gently. No idea where it is, long gone I'm sure along with most of those things from then.
I have picked up the newer version of the Goldfinger Aston Martin, along with a few others, though they'll take 40 or more years to ever increase in value, if ever. Sigh...