AutoArt 1:43 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG Dick Browne tells us about a Mercedes in classic silver. Is there a more perfect stocking stuffer? Review by Dick Browne

Overview

New from Autoart is a very nice model of the classy Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG. While it is similar in appearance to Mercedes-Benz’ standard CL63 pillarless coupe, in reality this car is a rich man’s hot rod. It is powered by a 6.3 liter 32 valve DOHC V8. The engine puts out 518 horsepower at 6800 RPM. The torque is 465 lb-ft @5200 RPM. All this power moves this 4597 pound car, on a 116.3-inch wheelbase, from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and to a top, electrically governed, speed of 155 mph. All this performance and luxury does not come cheap, the MSRP for the 2009 version is $143, 575.

AMG stands for the German company, Aufrecht, Melcher, Groâaspach. They began in business in 1967 forging racing engines. The name of the company comes from the founders, former Mercedes-Benz engineers, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. Groâaspach is a town near Stuttgart where the company began. The relationship with Mercedes-Benz continued to grow and AMG was eventually acquired by Mercedes-Benz in 1999

The Autoart model is complete in every detail and appears ready to zoom off down the autobahn, its Silver paint gleaming in the sunlight. Like nearly all good 1:43 scale models there are nearly no moving parts. Opening doors and hoods do not lend themselves well to this scale as the necessary shut lines would appear out of scale. The wheels, of course, do rotate and the front wheels will move to 45 degree angles. The chassis clearly shows the detail of the dual exhaust system with mufflers and resonators. The solid Black interior is difficult to see through the closed tinted windows but by shining a light the detail can be made out.

The German and other European automakers utilize 1:43 scale for their promotional models just as 1:25 was, at one time, the scale for American promos. If you are a Mercedes-Benz fan, as I am, you will want to add this model to your collection.