Review by CoMod Lotus of Carrera DIGITAL 132 Evolution the /
Bill Thomas Cheetah “Aluminum Car”
(Art.Nr. 30648/27432)
Another one in chrome?
YES! Although, actually NO, because they’ve never actually been chrome-plated—they’re aluminum-vapor-deposited. But in theCarrera community, they’ve been called CHROM-XXX since the very first model (you can insert the respective model name for XXX). And there have been quite a few chrome-plated models in recent years:
It all started with the legendary chrome Porsche (911 GT1 98), which was actually intended only as a test to see if something like this could be mass-produced; it was then manufactured in small numbers in 1998 and subsequently given away all over the world. But that’s a story for another time. It continued with the 132 300 SLR in 2001 and the two 124 streamlined racers, the AUTO UNION Type C and MERCEDES W125. In 2003, the Aston Martin Vanquish 132 was released as a production car, along with the extremely rare Bentley EXP 8, which—like the 911 GT1—was never sold commercially but was instead given as gifts to deserving dealers orCarrera awarded as prizes in racing
competitions. For me, the 2004 DTM C-Class doesn’t count as a classic CHROM, since the car competed so regularly in the DTM. The same applies to the DTM successors from 2006 and 2007.
But in 2006, four more treats were released: For the press event unveiling the following vehicles, Mercedes-Benz commissioned the production of four special models: the CL Coupe, the E-Class, the SL, and the GL SUV. Each car came in its own box with tracks; all four boxes together formed a complete racetrack. Then the good times came to an end for a while; it wasn't until 2013 that there was some news again regarding high-gloss cars: Exclusively for the 50th anniversaryCarrera
, a chrome Porsche 911 model will be released for the club in the middle of the year ; the gold-plated 911 was given away all over the world at the Toy Fair.
And now, of course, there’s also the Bill Thomas Cheetah as an “Aluminum Car.”Now you might think the designers ran out of ideas—after all, we’d had a few years’ break from chrome cars. Far from it!!!!!!!!!!!
This vehicle really does—or did—exist. As is well known, the Cheetah’s body is made of fiberglass. However, the first two prototypes of the Cheetah were built with aluminum bodies. One of the cars was apparently sold to Chevrolet for research purposes; the other, according to… Statement by Bill Thomas, owned by Sonny& Cher (for the younger folks on the forum: They were a singing duo in the ’60s—back when music still came in analog form from various devices or boxes, and the only formats available were records or tape). By the way, rumors suggest there was a third aluminum-bodied model. There are now a few replicas, but none of the original vehicles are said to still exist. On the following page, you’ll find some good pictures of the aluminum Cheetah as well as a brief historical overview:www.gatsbyonline.com
There isn’t much to say about the model itself: . My test vehicle was superbly crafted (the “chrome plating” doesn’t forgive even the slightest flaw), though the tire sidewalls detract slightly from the overall look due to their fanciful name. Thanks to its very wide tires and wide track, the Cheetah sits on the track like a board and is very hard to throw off course. A great rival for the Cobra, which, in my opinion, doesn't even come close to the Cheetah in terms of looks.
Have fun with the car!!!
CoMod Lotus
Another one in chrome?
YES! Although, actually NO, because they’ve never actually been chrome-plated—they’re aluminum-vapor-deposited. But in the
It all started with the legendary chrome Porsche (911 GT1 98), which was actually intended only as a test to see if something like this could be mass-produced; it was then manufactured in small numbers in 1998 and subsequently given away all over the world. But that’s a story for another time. It continued with the 132 300 SLR in 2001 and the two 124 streamlined racers, the AUTO UNION Type C and MERCEDES W125. In 2003, the Aston Martin Vanquish 132 was released as a production car, along with the extremely rare Bentley EXP 8, which—like the 911 GT1—was never sold commercially but was instead given as gifts to deserving dealers or
But in 2006, four more treats were released: For the press event unveiling the following vehicles, Mercedes-Benz commissioned the production of four special models: the CL Coupe, the E-Class, the SL, and the GL SUV. Each car came in its own box with tracks; all four boxes together formed a complete racetrack. Then the good times came to an end for a while; it wasn't until 2013 that there was some news again regarding high-gloss cars: Exclusively for the 50th anniversary
And now, of course, there’s also the Bill Thomas Cheetah as an “Aluminum Car.”Now you might think the designers ran out of ideas—after all, we’d had a few years’ break from chrome cars. Far from it!!!!!!!!!!!
This vehicle really does—or did—exist. As is well known, the Cheetah’s body is made of fiberglass. However, the first two prototypes of the Cheetah were built with aluminum bodies. One of the cars was apparently sold to Chevrolet for research purposes; the other, according to… Statement by Bill Thomas, owned by Sonny& Cher (for the younger folks on the forum: They were a singing duo in the ’60s—back when music still came in analog form from various devices or boxes, and the only formats available were records or tape). By the way, rumors suggest there was a third aluminum-bodied model. There are now a few replicas, but none of the original vehicles are said to still exist. On the following page, you’ll find some good pictures of the aluminum Cheetah as well as a brief historical overview:www.gatsbyonline.com
There isn’t much to say about the model itself: . My test vehicle was superbly crafted (the “chrome plating” doesn’t forgive even the slightest flaw), though the tire sidewalls detract slightly from the overall look due to their fanciful name. Thanks to its very wide tires and wide track, the Cheetah sits on the track like a board and is very hard to throw off course. A great rival for the Cobra, which, in my opinion, doesn't even come close to the Cheetah in terms of looks.
Have fun with the car!!!
CoMod Lotus
