lambodiecast

Automobili Lamborghini SpA was founded in 1963, but it would be 1964 for the first production car to leave the brand new factory gates in Sant'Agata, Bologna, the 350 GT model with those oval headlights (in Europe), after 120 units the 3.5-liter V12 engine could be replaced by an optional 4-liter engine of which 23 units were built ... keeping in mind some of these were actual 350 GT cars that had their engine replaced with the larger displacement one ... making things even more complicated the latter would be called a 400 GT ... which should not be confused with the scale model we are looking at here ... the 400 GT 2+2.

The very first Lamborghini GT cars were two-seaters, behind the front seats there was a bench that could hold some luggage, but by 1966 Ferruccio Lamborghini decided a 2+2 configuration would be more interesting for customers, so he took the larger 4-liter optional engine from the 350 GT and had the bodywork slightly modified to put two additional seats in the rear ... creating a 2+2 model that would sell about 224 units in total.

At first glance, you might think the 350 GT and the 400 GT 2+2 are the same cars but with an additional pair of seats, but in fact, almost none of the body panels can be interchanged between them, on the other hand, the 350 GT was made from aluminum while the 400 GT 2+2 were steel-bodied cars, and to have space for the rear seats the latter was also 35mm taller, came with a different rear window and a different luggage space cover ... so these two models are quite different in real life.

The scale model

When I saw KK-Scale was going to release a 1/18 scale model of this classic Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 I was really happy, and I bought the first two shades they released the moment they went online, finished in a nice dark grey metallic and a bright blue metallic, these looked great. But then I saw they would also release a black over red version ... I just had to add that one too, so now I have three of these models in my collection.

Now all of these shades are limited edition models from KK-Scale, but their numbers vary a lot, the grey one is limited to 750 units, the blue one at 1,000 units, this black one at 750 units ... and they also have a red over tan one that will be built only 500 times, why do they make different volumes of this model for different shades I don't know, but still not too many are being built it seems.

I liked the grey and the blue one, that blue is such a typical shade on a GT like this from the Sixties, and the tan interior inside the dark grey one is just stunning ... but my favorite is surely this one finished in black over a red interior ... I just love this combination on such a classic Lamborghini model, it oozes luxury and has a sumptuous feel about it, absolutely beautiful.

Do note that these KK-Scale models are in fact diecast, these are not made from resin, but they are sealed, and that's a pity as the interior is actually quite well detailed and nicely finished, over 10 years ago I bought the Ricko made Lamborghini 350 GT and it is really a very nice model, that opens up completely, in late 2015 I added the CMR made 350 GT which is a sealed model too that cost €99 at the time ... compared to these KK-Scale models the interior on the CMR is just bad.

At €70 for these KK-Scale models, they are a lot better value for money, and I for one would have been more than happy to pay €99 for a version that had opening doors and an engine cover to reveal the 4-Liter V12 engine, that would be a premium I would agree with ... but KK-Scale is a sealed diecast, so that's what we have today, at least we now have a very nice 1/18 scale model of this classic Lamborghini from an era when they were just getting into building super exotic cars like today (the Miura was shown in March 1966).

If we take a closer look at this KK-Scale 1/18 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 we notice both the 'Touring' and the 'Superleggera' badge on the car, on the rear luggage lid, the front fenders, and the engine cover ... in real life, this would indicate an early production version of the 400 GT 2+2 as the Touring company went out of business and later 400 GT 2+2 models were built by Marazzi and didn't have the Touring badge on them anymore ... the very last 400 GT 2+2 didn't even get the Superleggera badge anymore either.

These cars usually came with a large wooden steering wheel, so that is what KK-Scale put into their models too, and if you look really close at the central console you'll notice the four small dials are set on a wooden background, that is also correct for most 400 GT 2+2 in real life (the 350 GT used a brushed aluminum plate there) and also all of the 400 GT 2+2 were built with a manual gearbox, the later Espada would be the first Lamborghini to offer an optional, automatic transmission.

So the interior inside these KK-Scale models looks really good, as does the exterior, those 72-Spoke Borrani wheels look great, and you can see small disk brakes and calipers behind them, the front wheels even steer on these models, and if you look really close at the dual exhausts you can just distinguish those red rings from the Ansa exhausts ... now that's attention to detail.

The headlights and taillights look really nice, and they even put the reverse light underneath the license plate which has two lights at either side ... just as seen on the real car. A pair of chrome vents in front of the windshield and two nicely made wipers finish this model off ever so nicely. One thing I did notice were the turn signals on the front bumper ... KK-Scale went for partly orange lights there ... on all the photos I have from real Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 models these lights are completely white, but I'm not sure some had these orange and white units in real life.

Bottom line

I for one am very happy with these €70 KK-Scale 1/18 models of the Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2, I have seen an announcement from Looksmart they would also do a 1/18 scale resin model of this classic Lamborghini, but I haven't seen that one yet, and it will probably cost about €270 anyway ... for a model that will be sealed too, so why not get this much cheaper KK-Scale diecast version instead.

If I would have to choose from the four available shades I would get this black on red one, I just love this combination, as a second choice I would go for the classic light blue over black version, that is just so 'Sixties' for a Lamborghini I think ... but that's just me.

If you are into Lamborghini models, or into classic GT models, this KK-Scale Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 is a very nice, low-cost addition to your collection, and with the limited production numbers I wouldn't hesitate too long to get one of these.

Originally released in January 2020.

our RATING

Exterior		8/10
Interior		8/10
Engine	Not visible
Accuracy		7/10
Overall rating		8/10

Original price : € 70