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Posted January 11, 2013 by f1nut in Diecast models
 
 

Rare and hard to find Minichamps F1 diecasts


The good thing about F1 diecasts for collectors is that most model cars besides looking great in your cabinet or shelf, retain some value and if you’re lucky some might even increase in value over time.

In the resale market for collectors, Minichamps is probably the most common and popular traded brand. As I mentioned in my beginner guide, sale and re-sale diecast prices start with Amalgam and some of the custom hand built Japanese kits at the top end, Exoto and CMC are in the US$200 to US$1000 range, BBR/Tameo/SRC etc are usually in the US$200-US$300, Minichamps range from US$30-US$250. However you can be lucky sometimes and pickup a bargain online or at clearance sales.

When I was an active collector of 1:43 F1 diecasts I used to keep a short watchlist of rare Minichamps models to look out for. Minichamps are convenient collectors models if you don’t have the time, energy or money for hand-built models.

Seasoned collectors won’t see anything new in this post but new collectors might find this information useful, so I’ve posted it here. These lists are not complete or up to date. On a rainy day with spare time, I might update them.

As a general rule, World Championship cars or cars driven by world champions earlier in their career that were manufactured with limited production runs are highly sought after. Also Minichamps 1:43 models have the most variations in box inlays which can also influence its value or resale price. For example, the limited edition Michelin high box diecasts and special GP editions like the Suzuka Legend or Fuji collections seem to command much higher re-sale prices. Proper tobacco liveries also fetch higher prices like the official West McLaren cars and the World Champions Collection series. If you’re really lucky, driver signed models with a certificate of authenticity will make a rare model even more valuable.

 

Rare  1:8 and 1:12 F1 diecasts

Minichamps have in the past produced F1 models in the larger 1: 8 and 1:12 scale format in very limited production runs under the Pauls Model Art branding. Unsurprisingly, the large 1:8 models (approx 55-60cm long) are usually offered for sale well over the US$1000 mark and these include:

  • Lauda Ferrari 312T (1:8 scale)
  • Häkkinen McLaren MP4/13 (1:8 scale)
  • Schumacher Ferrari F310/1 (1:8 scale)
  • Schumacher Ferrari F310/2 (1:8 scale) LE 196 pcs
  • Schumacher Ferrari F310B (1:8 scale) LE 197 pcs
  • Schumacher Ferrari F300 (1:8 scale) LE 198 pcs
  • Schumacher Jordan Peugeot 197 (1:8 scale) LE 50 pcs
  • Senna Lotus Renault 97T (1:8 scale) LE 333 pcs
  • Benetton Ford B192 French GP (1:8 scale)
  • Schumacher Benneton Ford B194 (1:8 scale) LE 300 pcs
  • Benetton Ford B195 (1:8 scale)

The 1:12 scale Minichamps models include:

These 1:12 scale Minichamps are approx 36cm long and typically go for 400USD+.

Rare  1:18 F1 diecasts

The following Minichamps 1:18 models are out of production but you can sometime find them in model shops or online auction sites, consistently with a US$200+ price tag. Many of the 1970s cars have removable cowling with engine detailing which also adds to their appeal and price.

With Lewis Hamilton accumulating more world championship titles at Mercedes, his 2008 McLaren MP4-23 World Champions edition 1:18 scale model now commands seriously high resale prices. [Ed note: Minichamps will be re-releasing some of Lewis’ 1:18 championship cars, so expect prices to moderate]

In the USD400+ range are:

Lewis’ McLaren MP4/23 has notably notched up higher resale prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the USD300+ range:

 

Minichamps Andretti Lotus78 1:18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the $US200+ range, some rare 1:18 cars are:

 

Minichamps MP4/6 1:18 Senna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rare  1:43 diecasts

I’ve put some US$ completed resale values here as a general guide only, you will find that these models can be a lot more (or less, if you’re lucky!).

 

Super Rare 1:43 (range: US$500+)

Michael Schumacher Benetton Renault B195 – French GP 1995, No.17.  This model has long been considered the rarest F1 Minichamps car due to the history of Minichamps withdrawing it after a very limited 1,995 production run and then replacing it with the No.24 maybe because of a factory error. The No.17 has the double ridged airbox cowling instead of the normal sloping cowling of the actual B195/2 and the inlay should have the T2M French importer labeling and gold lettering on the edition numbering.

I’ve always considered Minichamps’ multiple versions of the Schumacher B194 and B195 models in 1:43 scale to be low build quality (the driver figure is toyish and lacks detail for such an expensive model) compared with other Minichamps 1:43 series but it never ceases to amaze me what resale prices these are sold for by collectors and model shops. During the peak of Schumacher’s career, the No.17 model was often traded for over USD500 (I think the record price was over £1000) – not sure what it would fetch now though.

The folks at www.f1marketplace.co.uk have been kind enough to let me include a photo of this rare Schumacher No.17  model which is on display for sale on their website.

Minichamps 1:43 Michael Schumacher B195 No17w

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2024, the recent auction resale prices of this 1:43 have dropped to around £300 mark.

There is also even rarer limited edition (100 pcs) of the No.17 model with a marble base (which has sold for  £700-900+ range when on the market).

Here is a pic of the T2M marble base version of the Minichamps No.17 B195 model courtesy of David Halpin. You can check out David’s ebay store here.

T2M Schumacher Minichamps Benneton B195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sergio Perez Force India 1:43 models.…..Like their 1:18 models, the 1:43 Force India cars have in recent times been bid up significantly in price. Not sure whether its purely wealthy Mexican or Checo fans but back in 2021 these cars were only fetching around 197EUR. Now some of these have cracked 1200USD at auction!

Aiding these new higher values are that these models were made in very low production quantities.

Checo Force India 1:43 models are fetching bumper auction prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nico Hulkenberg was Checo’s teammate at Force India and the value of his 1:43 models haven’t increased much in comparison to the big increase in the resale values of Checo’s cars. Some recent price action includes:

  • Perez Force India VJM07 2014 season (€1,390 June 2023 auction)
  • Perez Force India VJM07 2014 Bahrain GP ($USD1,226 Feb 2024 auction, €950EUR March 2024 buy now, LE 504 pcs)
  • Perez Force India VJM08 2015 season (€1,370 June 2023 auction)
  • Hulkenberg Force India VJM07 2014 season ($USD300 April 2024 buy now)
  • Hulkenberg Force India VJM08 2015 season (€440 June 2023 buy now)
  • Perez Force India VJM09 2015 European GP ($USD1,200 Jan 2024 buy now, LE 250 pcs)
  • Perez Force India VJM10 2016 Chinese GP ($USD701 April 2024 auction, LE 150 pcs)

 

Very Rare 1:43 (range:$US300+)

1:43 scale Minichamps in the USD$300+ range mainly belong to the newer generation of drivers. Max’s Toro Rosso and George Russell Williams’ 1:43 cars are particularly sought after.

 

  • Alonso Renault R26 World Champions Edition
  • Button Brawn BGP001 Abu Dhabi GP World Champions Edition
  • Kubica Williams FW42
  • Hamilton McLaren MP4/27
  • Hamilton Mercedes W05
  • Hamilton Mercedes W08
  • Hamilton Mercedes W09
  • Hulkenberg Force India VJM08
  • Lafitte Williams FW09
  • Mansell Lotus 95T
  • Modena Jordan 192
  • Norris McLaren MCL35
  • Ricciardo Red Bull RB14 Silverstone Shakedown livery
  • Russell Williams FW42
  • Russell Williams FW43 Launch Spec
  • Russell Williams FW43 2020 Hungarian GP
  • Schumacher Benetton B193B Belgian GP 1st win
  • Schumacher Benetton B194 British GP, Japanese GP, Belgian GP
  • Schumacher Benetton B195 Italian GP
  • Schumacher Mercedes W03
  • Verstappen Toro Rosso STR10 Limited Edition models
  • Verstappen Toro Rosso STR11
  • Vettel Red Bull RB8 2012 Brazilian GP

 

Rare 1:43 (range:$US200+)

The base price of new season 1:43 Minichamps models when released (often USD130+) have increased a lot since 2010, so breaking the USD200 barrier is a lot easier now but they usually need to be iconic cars or rarer models. Alongside the earlier Lewis Hamilton cars, some of the rarer USD200+ range models now include:

  • Andretti Lotus 78 World Champion 1979
  • Button McLaren MP4/30 2015 British GP
  • Brundle Jordan Peugeot 196 – (Qantas Aust GP 1997 – limited edition 500)
  • De Angelis Lotus 88 – Practice Long Beach (limited edition 2,016)
  • De Angelis Lotus 88 – Brazilian GP (limited edition 2,016)
  • De Angelis Lotus 91
  • De Angelis Lotus 95T
  • Jones William FW08C 1981 USA West GP
  • Fittipaldi McLaren M23 1974
  • Grosjean Haas VF-16
  • Jones Williams FW07B (removable chassis cover)
  • Mansell Lotus Ford 88 – Practice British GP 1981 (Limited edition 1,584)
  • Perez Sauber C31
  • Piquet Brabham BT50 1982 Canadian GP
  • Räikkönen McLaren MP4/17D – Malaysian GP 2003 1st Win (limited edition 5,544)
  • Räikkönen Alfa Romeo C38
  • Reutemann Williams FW07C 1981 Belgian GP
  • Senna Ralt Toyota RT3 1982 Test
  • Stewart Tyrrell Ford 006
  • Watson McLaren M28 1979 USA GP West
  • Vettel BMW Sauber F1.06 – Test Driver (Limited edition 1,296)
  • Vettel BMW Sauber F1.07 – USA GP 2007 (Limited Edition 1,800)

 

Minichamps McLaren M23 Fittipaldi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard to find 1:43 (range:US$80-US$120+)

The following cars would consistently be in the higher final price range close to US$100 or over.

  • World Champions Collection series cars or Michelin box cars
  • Older production run world championship cars (Scheckter, Rosberg, Lauda, Prost, Senna) with the plain “jelly baby” driver figures.
  • Any Ayrton Senna Collection cars
  • Some Schumacher Collection cars
  • Alboreto Tyrrell Ford 012 – Practice Austria 1983 (Limited edition 2016; Angled rear wing)
  • Alesi – 1st GP victory 1995 (Schumacher Benetton B195 Taxi – Limited edition 11,695)
  • Alesi – Prost AP04 (Monaco GP 2001; 1st point (Limited edition 999 pcs)
  • Alonso Minardi European PS01
  • Alonso Minardi European PS01 – USA GP 2001 (limited edition 2,111)
  • Alonso Renault R23
  • Alonso Renault R28
  • Alonso Renault R28 – Fuji Speedway inlay – Winner Japan GP 2008
  • Barrichello Honda RA108 (Turkish GP 2008, 257th GP – limited edition 2,257)
  • Button Honda RA108 – 2008
  • Brambilla March Ford 751 – Austrian GP 1975
  • De Angelis Lotus 95T
  • De Angelis Lotus 97T
  • De Angelis Brabham BT55
  • Donohue McLaren Ford M19
  • Häkkinen McLaren Peugeot MP4-9 British GP 1994 (LE 1000)
  • Häkkinen McLaren Mercedes MP4-14 pitstop diorama 1999
  • Johnny Herbert Collection Benetton Ford B195 – 1st win British GP (ed 43, No.1)
  • Hulme McLaren Ford M19 – Monaco GP 1970
  • Gasly Toro Rosso STR14 2019 Brazilian GP
  • Jones Williams FW06
  • Jones Williams FW07 (removable chassis cover)
  • Lauda Brabham BT46 Fancar – Winner Swedish GP 1978
  • Mansell Williams FW14 – British GP 1991 (Senna Taxi)
  • Nakajima Lotus Honda 99T
  • Patrese Brabham BMW BT55 – 1986
  • Panis Ligier Mugen Honda JS41 –Monaco GP 1996 (limited edition 6,000)
  • Perez Force India VJM07
  • Peterson Lotus 78
  • Peterson March Ford 761 1976 (Italian GP, Swedish GP, South African GP)
  • Peterson Tyrell FNCB – Monaco GP 1977
  • Piquet B&S Fabrications McLaren Ford M23 (Austria GP 1978, limited edition 1872)
  • Räikkönen Sauber Petronas C20 – 1st Championship point, Albert Park, 2001 (limited edition 1,512)
  • Räikkönen McLaren MP4/20 – 1st Monaco GP win 2005  (limited edition 999)
  • Räikkönen Lotus E20 – British GP 2012 (Dark Knight Rises livery)
  • Rosberg Williams FW09 – US GP 1984 (limited edition 2,304)
  • Regazonni Williams FW07 (removable chassis cover)
  • Reutemann Williams FW07B (removable chassis cover)
  • Sainz Toro Rosso STR10
  • Schumacher Jordan 191 – Belgium GP 1991
  • Schumacher Alesi Taxi – Canadian GP 1995 (limited edition 11,695)
  • Stewart Tyrrell Ford 003
  • Stuck March Ford 761 – German GP 1976 (limited edition 3,744)
  • Suzuka Legend cars – including Senna McLarens, Suzuki Lola Lamborghini 1990
  • Watson McLaren Ford MP4 – Winner British GP 1980
  • Webber KL Minardi Asiatech PS02 – 5th place Australian GP 2002
  • Webber Red Bull Racing Renault RB4 – 2008

 

Other notable rare 1:43 Minichamps include the experimental 6 wheel test cars:

  • Williams FW08B (note: early version had no driver figure -see photo)
  • Williams FW08B including Keke Rosberg driver figure (for photo review see my post on this here)
  • March Ford 2-4-0 6 Wheeler 1976

 

Minichamps FW08 6 wheel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notable 1:43 showcars

Minichamps have always produced 1:43 showcars early in the season to satisfy the appetite for collectors. Showcars are basically the previous year’s car dressed up in the new season’s livery and sponsor decals. Showcars are not actual cars that have raced and for this reason, they aren’t as popular with re-sale values usually much lower than the model of the actual race car. Although I have noticed some exceptions and it is usually because of a showcar’s limited production run being lower than the proper season car which also happens to be hard to find. These showcars are often in the US$80+ range:

  • Alonso Minardi PS01 showcar
  • Button Honda RA108 showcar
  • Webber Minardi PS02 showcar

 

Formula 1 World Champions Collection

Rare Minichamps F1 Brabham BT52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Models from Minichamps’ Formula 1 World Champions Collection series are always in demand by collectors. These are slightly different from the standard Minichamps 1:43 releases as they come in highbox display cases with a cardboard inlay including statistics like chassis, points, # of victories and circuit wins. The driver figure is usually a superior fully formed figurine with proper decals and painted overalls (although not all of these models contain the detailed driver figure – Hill & Villeneuve). Some of the models were even produced with correct tobacco decals e.g. again the ’96 Williams Renault FW18 and ’97 Williams Renault FW19 with Rothmans decals and the Lotus 72 with Gold Leaf decals.

The models in this series that have been released are:

  • Lotus 72 Ford DFV  Jochen Rindt – 1970 World Champion
  • Tyrrell Ford 003 Jackie Stewart – 1971 World Champion
  • Lotus 72D Emerson Fittipaldi – 1972 World Champion
  • Tyrrell Ford 006 Jackie Stewart – 1973 World Champion
  • McLaren M23 Emerson Fittipaldi -1974 World Champion
  • McLaren M23 James Hunt – 1976 World Champion
  • Williams Ford FW08 Keke Rosberg -1982 World Champion
  • Brabham BT52 Nelson Piquet – 1983 World Champion
  • McLaren TAG MP4/2 Niki Lauda – 1984 World Champion
  • McLaren TAG MP4/2C Alain Prost – 1986 World Champion
  • Williams Renault FW11B Nelson Piquet – 1987 World Champion
  • McLaren Honda MP4/4 Ayrton Senna – 1988 World Champion
  • McLaren Honda MP4/5 Alain Prost – 1989 World Champion
  • Williams Renault FW14B Nigel Mansell – 1992 World Champion
  • Williams Renault FW15C Alain Prost – 1993 World Champion
  • Williams Renault FW18 Damon Hill – 1996 World Champion
  • Williams Renault FW19 Jacques Villeneuve – 1997 World Champion
  • McLaren Mercedes MP/13 Mika Hakkinen – 1998 World Champion
  • Renault R25 Fernando Alonso – 2005 World Champion
  • Renault R26 Fernando Alonso – 2006 World Champion
  • McLaren Mercedes MP4/23 Lewis Hamilton – 2008 World Champion
  • Brawn BGP001 Jenson Button – 2009 World Champion

Most of these units were subject to limited production runs, although around 2014 Minichamps  announced another production of release of the World Champions Collection edition and in addition expanded the series to include the Renault and Brawn and the Williams Fw14B & 15C, which allowed collectors a chance at filling out gaps in their collection at more reasonable prices. The missing cars are obviously the Ferraris due to licensing reasons. In 2020, the prices of World Champions Editions are more accessible again due to Minichamps releases – although the Senna McLaren Honda MP4/4 and the Mansell Williams Renault FW14B still have high sticker prices.

 

Twin Car Sets

Minichamps also produce 1:43 scale twin car sets usually to celebrate a constructor’s championship. In recent times, Minichamps have released twin car sets for Brawn GP 2009 Australian GP 1-2, Red Bull Racing RB6 2010 constructors champions and the Schumacher 20 years anniversary (Jordan 191 and Mercedes MGP W02) but its the early 90’s twinsets that are usually sought after in the US$120+ range:

  • Lauda McLaren Mp4/2B and Prost McLaren MP4/2C (World Champion Set #1)
  • Senna McLaren MP4/4 and Prost McLaren Mp4/5 (World Champion Set #2)
  • Senna McLaren MP4/5B and Senna McLaren Mp4/6 (World Champion Set #3)
  • Mansell Williams FW14B and Prost Williams FW15C (World Champion Set #4 – Limited Edition 6099 pcs)

Since 2014, Minichamps have produces a lot more commemorative twin car sets which are too many to list. These include the Red Bull and Mercedes AMG world championship team cars during their dominant seasons.

Remember: Like any resale market, prices change over time and will be affected by extra supply (e.g. re-release production runs by Minichamps; Spark and Truescale now make the Lotus 78s and Tyrrell P34s) and changes in demand. For example the old Martini Andretti and Reutemann Lotus 79s were very hard to find and expensive but after Minichamps recently re-released both models and the Mansell practice car, the prices have corrected to more sensible levels (also the new Minichamps release build and detailing is superior to the old models).  Schumacher cars were worth much more during the peak of his career but his mixed Mercedes comeback may have even pushed down values – although with his final retirement, they might rise again. Another good example is the Schumacher Jordan 191 – the original was the old jelly bean style driver model but its re-sale value was expensive because it was still rare. The 2012 anniversary high-box re-release by Minichamps is vastly superior, although I’m not sure what impact  this will have on resale values. Also, Minichamps have supposedly for some time been looking at a new production run of the World Champions Collection Series including the hard to find Stewart Tyrrell Ford 006, Jones Williams FW07B, etc. so we will have to hold our breath and see.

Since most collectors are attracted to cars driven by their favorite drivers, you can’t go wrong with adding models that have historic importance. 1970s cars (which are also a personal favorite of mine) tend to keep good value and are sought after. Minichamps look like they are slowly releasing cars again for this period (e.g. Tyrell Ligier JS11s and Brabham BT44s) and their upgraded production quality makes these models worth looking at.

It would be interesting to hear from readers if any others should be added or their own collection experiences.

Make sure to also check on the site:

Like my other lists , I’ll try to update these from time to time.

[This post last updated: 10 April 2024]

 

Download PDF version: F1-nut Rare Minichamps WatchList (June2013) 
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1:18 diecasts 1:43 diecasts Rare Minichamps

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