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by Eugene Birman
Staff Reviewer
Exterior Features, Quality:
Mercedes-Benz answer to the exceptionally luxurious Rolls-Royces of the 1960s, the 600 Pullman, which was launched in 1964 and stayed in production until 1981, was one of the best cars in the world (it was voted such in 1967) and was purchased by celebrities and even heads of state. It was the Mercedes-Benz to shame all others, constructed in small numbers, with less than five hundred sold in its lifespan.
Sunstar's known for unique models, but its limousine range is one of the most original ideas in the diecast industry. Although I knew that this model was not particularly detailed, the subject matter was enough for me to consider it. And now, here's the review. This model is big, very big. It's heavy also, a quality that is true for almost all Sunstars. However, panel gaps are atrocious in several areas, especially along the doors. Front lights look pretty miserable also, with huge mounting posts clearly visible. The grille is not perforated although it is textured (not well). There is a separate Mercedes-Benz logo placed on top of the grille, on a really nice chrome stand. Speaking of chrome, there is a lot of it here, but it is nicely applied (no silver paint, that's for sure). The license plate is realistic in its proportions, placement, and application.
Furthermore, I must comment on the chrome vents just ahead of the windshield which are very meticulously done and look superb. Tires are not marked but look very nice anyhow. The white and chrome wheels are lovely. Mirror stands look a bit flimsy but they are well attached, and the mirrors themselves are accurately attached. The rear Mercedes-Benz logo feels like it's a separate piece, but it's just painted silver which I thought was a bit strange. Rear lights appear realistic but have visible mounting posts, although they're not as pronounced as they are in the front. The exhaust pipes are pretty atrocious with painted in ends, instead of an attempt to make them even appear hollow. The model sure looks impressive but detail here is surely not.
20/25
Interior Features, Quality:
The deep beige interior is in many ways a step down from models of similar price, but is decent enough. The wood is not particularly realistic-looking, but passable. It appears all over the cabin and in several instances, looks fairly realistic. The dash is, again, passable, with its use of stickers and painted plastic to replicate the sumptuous interior of the real 600 Pullman. Again, this is all decent, with no real complaints. However, the seats are hard plastic, and so is the floor. While modelmakers in this price range try to improve their interiors by making seats softer or placing floor mats, Sunstar has not improved here one bit since the Lincoln Town Car Limousine model of a few years past. Moreover, the roof is not finished, with mounts for the pieces of glass being easily visible. This is not impressive at all, although I've seen worse.
20/25
Features:
The 600 Pullman features an opening hood and doors. Unfortunately, the rear trunk does not open as in the Lincoln Limousine model. The hood opens up to reveal a rather well defined but poorly executed blob of plastic, surrounded by crudely detailed pieces. The engine could have been better detailed but it is not as bad as it may look, especially when you look closer. For one, it's not part of the body, which is a realistic touch. The doors feature windows, which is great; the front doors ride on dogleg hinges and open rather unrealistically, but, surprisingly, the rear doors open on very realistic hinges, and allow more of the interior to be seen because of their larger opening radius. Certainly wish Sunstar applied the same hinges to the front door, instead of developing two different designs. However, the rear doors don't close all that well anyway, so work on both styles is needed.
21/25
Value:
Like I always say about Sunstars, their value is so hard to pinpoint, because they're so unique, have such original subject matter. Sunstars certainly aren't expensive, situated smack dab in the middle of what I consider the budget range, and in this case, the model offered is massive and certainly is very impressive to look at. Even though detail is not that good, the subject matter will be enough for most. Two more colors are offered of this style, dark blue and silver. Sunstar also plans a Landaulet version of this car, with an open top for the rear seating areas, which will be released in more colors. I'm sure that the Landaulet models will be even more striking than this one. Obviously, Sunstar is the only modelmaker to replicate the impressive 600 Pullman in 1/18 scale, and I'm positive that it will remain so. The price is not high, and it is unlikely that these models will gain value, but they, in my opinion, have excellent value for their originality and size.
23/25
Overall:
The 600 Pullman was the standard of its class. The Sunstar 1/18 replica isn't. The 600 Pullman was the most meticulously detailed car in its class. The Sunstar 1/18 replica isn't. Does this mean that this is a bad model? No way; in fact, it is a good model, but one that showcases Sunstar's lack of improvement over the last few years, when so much improvement has been seen by many modelmakers in this industry. This model's ability to impress with its sheer size is guaranteed, and its unique subject matter will make many disregard the below-average detail. Still, I wish that Sunstar, in its future efforts, will improve its manufacturing methods and pour more details into these fascinating models. As for now, this one still is a must get for the collector seeking the extraordinary in cars, not models.
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by Eugene Birman
Staff Reviewer
Exterior Features, Quality:
Mercedes-Benz answer to the exceptionally luxurious Rolls-Royces of the 1960s, the 600 Pullman, which was launched in 1964 and stayed in production until 1981, was one of the best cars in the world (it was voted such in 1967) and was purchased by celebrities and even heads of state. It was the Mercedes-Benz to shame all others, constructed in small numbers, with less than five hundred sold in its lifespan.
Sunstar's known for unique models, but its limousine range is one of the most original ideas in the diecast industry. Although I knew that this model was not particularly detailed, the subject matter was enough for me to consider it. And now, here's the review. This model is big, very big. It's heavy also, a quality that is true for almost all Sunstars. However, panel gaps are atrocious in several areas, especially along the doors. Front lights look pretty miserable also, with huge mounting posts clearly visible. The grille is not perforated although it is textured (not well). There is a separate Mercedes-Benz logo placed on top of the grille, on a really nice chrome stand. Speaking of chrome, there is a lot of it here, but it is nicely applied (no silver paint, that's for sure). The license plate is realistic in its proportions, placement, and application.
Furthermore, I must comment on the chrome vents just ahead of the windshield which are very meticulously done and look superb. Tires are not marked but look very nice anyhow. The white and chrome wheels are lovely. Mirror stands look a bit flimsy but they are well attached, and the mirrors themselves are accurately attached. The rear Mercedes-Benz logo feels like it's a separate piece, but it's just painted silver which I thought was a bit strange. Rear lights appear realistic but have visible mounting posts, although they're not as pronounced as they are in the front. The exhaust pipes are pretty atrocious with painted in ends, instead of an attempt to make them even appear hollow. The model sure looks impressive but detail here is surely not.
20/25
Interior Features, Quality:
The deep beige interior is in many ways a step down from models of similar price, but is decent enough. The wood is not particularly realistic-looking, but passable. It appears all over the cabin and in several instances, looks fairly realistic. The dash is, again, passable, with its use of stickers and painted plastic to replicate the sumptuous interior of the real 600 Pullman. Again, this is all decent, with no real complaints. However, the seats are hard plastic, and so is the floor. While modelmakers in this price range try to improve their interiors by making seats softer or placing floor mats, Sunstar has not improved here one bit since the Lincoln Town Car Limousine model of a few years past. Moreover, the roof is not finished, with mounts for the pieces of glass being easily visible. This is not impressive at all, although I've seen worse.
20/25
Features:
The 600 Pullman features an opening hood and doors. Unfortunately, the rear trunk does not open as in the Lincoln Limousine model. The hood opens up to reveal a rather well defined but poorly executed blob of plastic, surrounded by crudely detailed pieces. The engine could have been better detailed but it is not as bad as it may look, especially when you look closer. For one, it's not part of the body, which is a realistic touch. The doors feature windows, which is great; the front doors ride on dogleg hinges and open rather unrealistically, but, surprisingly, the rear doors open on very realistic hinges, and allow more of the interior to be seen because of their larger opening radius. Certainly wish Sunstar applied the same hinges to the front door, instead of developing two different designs. However, the rear doors don't close all that well anyway, so work on both styles is needed.
21/25
Value:
Like I always say about Sunstars, their value is so hard to pinpoint, because they're so unique, have such original subject matter. Sunstars certainly aren't expensive, situated smack dab in the middle of what I consider the budget range, and in this case, the model offered is massive and certainly is very impressive to look at. Even though detail is not that good, the subject matter will be enough for most. Two more colors are offered of this style, dark blue and silver. Sunstar also plans a Landaulet version of this car, with an open top for the rear seating areas, which will be released in more colors. I'm sure that the Landaulet models will be even more striking than this one. Obviously, Sunstar is the only modelmaker to replicate the impressive 600 Pullman in 1/18 scale, and I'm positive that it will remain so. The price is not high, and it is unlikely that these models will gain value, but they, in my opinion, have excellent value for their originality and size.
23/25
Overall:
The 600 Pullman was the standard of its class. The Sunstar 1/18 replica isn't. The 600 Pullman was the most meticulously detailed car in its class. The Sunstar 1/18 replica isn't. Does this mean that this is a bad model? No way; in fact, it is a good model, but one that showcases Sunstar's lack of improvement over the last few years, when so much improvement has been seen by many modelmakers in this industry. This model's ability to impress with its sheer size is guaranteed, and its unique subject matter will make many disregard the below-average detail. Still, I wish that Sunstar, in its future efforts, will improve its manufacturing methods and pour more details into these fascinating models. As for now, this one still is a must get for the collector seeking the extraordinary in cars, not models.
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1966 Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman Limousine (SunStar)
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Total diecast model cars in 1966 Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman Limousine (SunStar): 0
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