Here's Why This Porsche 917 K Scale Model Costs $25,000

A Piece Of History On Your Desk: The Porsche 917KH

Of the six 917s that started at Le Mans, the number 22 Porsche 917 KH was a special race car with its "shark fins" and prominent Martini livery. Powering the 917 was a 4.5-liter flat-12 engine producing 580 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, and borrowed many of its components from the 3.0-liter engine found in the Porsche 908 race car.

While the engine was potent, the earlier tests involving the car’s aerodynamics were somewhat alarming. The Porsche 917 was initially a handful. It was heavy under braking and a terror in high-speed corners, deterring even seasoned Porsche drivers. Both short-tail and long-tail versions of the 917 were built, the latter was prettier but the short-tail 917 K was the more successful racecar.

The base model was created using a digital scan of an authentic 917 provided by Porsche, ensuring precise replication of its original silhouette. Porsche also supplied the original paint codes which were meticulously adhered to, guaranteeing an accurate and faithful representation of the color scheme. What sets the Amalgam Collection apart from other brands is the painstaking attention to detail the team undertakes for each model.

A dedicated team can take up to 4000 hours to assemble each unit by hand, after which they apply era-accurate weathering effects via acrylic paints. Looking closely you can almost make out each fleck of artificial dirt chips which bounced off the original race car as it set the track on fire. The team uses historical archival images while applying paint erosion effects to ensure authenticity. Only 22 examples of the 917 KH will be made, with each unit priced at $25,810.

Enhance Your Collection With The Whole Range From Amalgam

Amalgam’s models are so meticulously crafted that they are virtually indistinguishable from the real cars in photographs. To achieve this level of perfection, they employ a rigorous process involving:

For Modern Cars:

• Confidential CAD Data: They collaborate closely with car manufacturers to obtain proprietary CAD data, ensuring accurate replication of both interior and exterior design.

• The internal team works directly with design and engineering teams to precisely replicate every minute detail.

For Classic Cars:

• Digital Scanning: They source the finest examples of original classic cars and digitally scan them to capture exact shapes and proportions.

• Extensive Photography: Over 1000 reference photographs are taken to document every aspect, ensuring accurate replication of finishes and detailing.

Manufacturing Process:

High-Quality Materials: They utilize premium casting resins to create precise replicas of their meticulously designed patterns. Advanced Techniques: A combination of CAD design, 3D printing, CNC machining, traditional machining, and handwork is employed to achieve unparalleled accuracy and detail.

Quality Assurance:

Intensive Development: Creating a 1:8 scale prototype can take over 4000 hours, while subsequent models require 250-450 hours of meticulous work. Each model undergoes rigorous scrutiny by manufacturers, motorsport teams, and clients to ensure absolute fidelity to the original car.

Some of the most beautiful pieces were crafted in collaboration with top brands, for example, they recently came out with the Michael Schumacher Collection. This collection consists of 1:8 scale models depicting his 5 consecutive FIA Formula 1 World Championship successes during his tenure at Scuderia Ferrari. The total price of the collection ranges from $53,000 - $87,0000 depending on how you choose to display them with Amalgam providing the setup for display.