Over the festive period I spent some of my available time getting my house in order. The dozens of model cars that I have gathered since what seems like birth have been boxed up neatly and put in safe storage in my attic, ready for retrieval when necessary, after years of being marooned at my parent’s place ten miles away. The plan going forwards was for me to rediscover these old models once more, unbox them, play with them and share the more interesting ones with as many people who cared to join in.
That was the plan. The reality is that the collection has continued to grow in an only-just-controllable manner. The Internet is a dangerous place, and just before Christmas I found myself ordering the model you see before you. Click the jump to see more.


I already have a Citroen DS (made by Solido, not the best model in the world though you’ll probably be able to judge for yourself in an upcoming article (what a very, very exciting prospect)) and a Citroen XM made by the same firm. Buying a CX to go with them completes the double-chevron sedan (or hatchback…) trifecta. Trouble is, this model by Norev rather outshines the other two.

Parking it next to the other two it looks absolutely perfectly formed, rendering the XM slightly underscale and the DS a little bloated. Perhaps Norev will bring out an XM at some point and we can reassess. Individually, before we get the micrometers and callipers out the CX looks to be absolutely bang-on proportionally. From the list we can tick off working steering, opening hood and trunk and two opening side doors. The rear side doors are sealed, unfortunately, and there is no attempt at working suspension; something to do with the problem of sphere miniaturisation, no doubt. Actually, my DS does have a lever which varies the ride height. It would be so cool if this did.
It’s the fine external detail on this model which makes it, though. Check out the windscreen shade-strip.

This model goes quite a way beyond the basics. Let’s start on the inside where everything is in its right place. Detail extends to the chrome finish on the door speaker grille covers and the correct material pattern on the door trims. In extremis Norev could have added even more detail; minor switches could be marked, for example, but there’s no real reason why they should have. As an accurate depiction of the interior of a 1977 CX, this will do just fine. Let’s go round the back.

That they’ve taken the time to accurately reproduce the actual metal pressings used on the rear bulkhead really shows attention to detail. It’s painted body colour, too, and you’d like to believe that the model was produced in the same order as the 1:1; bare bodyshell paint-dipped, mechanical assemblies attached and then all the pretty bits glued on at the end. One thing’s for sure, whatever process they’ve followed they’ve made a damn good job of it.

Under the hood you see that 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine rammed right the way forwards, together with the awkwardly placed spare wheel. Suspension spheres are reproduced and picked out in more-or-less the correct colour, and there are a pair of horns in attendance. About the only thing there is to crow about in the above image is the dog-leg hinge mechanism for the hood, but I don’t think we can complain too badly.

With the right photography this model could easily be made to pass for a real car. The paintwork is excellent, the shut-lines crisp, the lights are deep and accurate, even subtle details like the finning on the oil sump can be seen under the front of the car.
And Norev are, really, a mid-range company. This model cost way more than I should be spending on toys (my monthly budget should be approximately £0) but didn’t even approach the cost of an AutoArt or Hot Wheels Elite. As a result of this monetary reasonableness, I’m going to go out there and give this model a 100% rating.
Those things that could be improved in my mind couldn’t without upping the cost substantially.  Anybody with circa $60 in their pocket can get one of these from eBay right now, and if you’ve any passion for these incredible time-defying spaceships of the road, I humbly suggest you pick one up.
(All images copyright 2015 Chris Haining / Hooniverse)