The 1/43 Replicarz Indy Duesenbergs
So simple, so fine
After a bit of a break, 1/43 scale Indy car models are back. The new 1/43 Replicarz Indy Duesenbergs explore some of the earliest Indy winners in detail. Even if the actual cars were very simple racers, the small detail differences on each model car are there for the careful finding.
Each of the three models is a very limited release. The 1924 car is an edition of 144, the 1925 and 1927 just 120 each.
Generally speaking
The first thing you will notice is that the nice blue Replicarz outer box is gone. Replaced by a simpler outer box, it holds a narrower base and dust cover as well. The descriptive engraved silver nameplate is still there and the dust cover still has nice rounded edges.
To be honest I really don’t care much what kind of packaging a model comes in. As soon as I receive a new model I initially admire it as it arrives but then off from the base it comes and into a dust-free cabinet it goes. The packaging gets saved for later use should I move or want to sell the model. So beautiful packaging means little to me. I want the models.
And these models are quite good!
The 1924 Indy Duesenberg
This is the first all-Duesenberg to win at Indy and was driven by LL “Slim” Corum with relief driving from Joe Boyer when the car hit trouble. Alone among the three new 1/43 Replicarz Indy Duesenbergs it has an aero cover at the front of the car. Also unique to this car is the flat front grill. Aero fairing, not-so-aero grill.
Decoration is super-simple on all three models. Cleanly applied racing numbers are it. Unless you catch the super-tiny Duesenberg logo on the front grill surround. The chocolate brown paint and yellow numbers are a nice color combo. Good choice 1924 team!
The tires have no mold line to be seen and have legible Firestone imprinting. The wire wheels are superb with their photoetched tw0-prong knockoffs. Suspension is by silver leaf springs all around. Large finned drum brakes are subtle.
On the left-side louvered engine cover you’ll find a small opening for what looks like an air induction scoop. On the right-side the engine is very visible and the long exhaust pipe has a proper open end to it. Very realistic hood straps are there with minuscule buckles. Don’t overlook the photoetched hood ornament.
The simple cockpit includes a seat and a correct 4-spoke steering wheel poking out of the dash that holds four tiny gauges. A tiny “windscreen” is there to keep the bugs off the drivers. Theoretically anyway.
The 1925 Indy Duesenberg
One thing that struck me was how much attention Duesenberg paid to aero details. Shaping at the front of the cars is enhanced by the smoothing of suspension pieces, the frame and bodywork. Its “longtail” is a thing that continues on race cars for better top-end speed to this day.
This particular car screams at you. The bright yellow paint really sets the model off as do the aero wheel covers that blank off air from both the inside and outside of the rear wheels.
Driven by Peter Depaolo, the car ditched the front aero cover from 1924 but added a peaked grill. The grill surface on all three cars is quite convincing.
Other details are pretty much the same as on the 1924 car.
The 1927 Indy Duesenberg
The last of the Replicarz Duesenbergs is this robin’s-egg blue car that won the 500 with George Souders driving.
Again most details are the same across all three of the releases but this one has black leaf spring suspension and a silver frame.
Get them while they’re hot
Extremely small editions of these fine 1/43 Replicarz Indy Duesenbergs means that if you are a collector of Indy 500 winning model cars you should consider ordering soon.
Or right now.
Click here to order and/or see other coming Replicarz Indy, Can-Am and Trans-am models in 1/43, 1/18 and 1/12 scales.
You can find other Replicarz Indy car reviews here.
Even more model, art and racing articles here.
