--- title: "It’s Never Been Easier to Buy a Tiny Scale Model of Your Favorite ’90s Race Car" description: "Chances are your favorite Gran Turismo car of your youth has been immortalized as a 1/64 model that you can pick up on your next digital Target run." date: "2023-12-01" modified: "2023-12-01" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/its-never-been-easier-to-buy-a-tiny-scale-model-of-your-favorite-90s-race-car" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "The Garage" --- # It’s Never Been Easier to Buy a Tiny Scale Model of Your Favorite ’90s Race Car ![]() *\Adam Ismail/The Drive\* We're firmly entrenched in the gift-giving season, and if you're reading *The Drive*, that means there's a strong likelihood you're searching for [delightful trinkets for your fellow car nerds](). To potentially assist you in that endeavor, I'm here today to share something I recently learned as an enjoyer, though I'd hesitate to say capital-C *Collector*, of miniature cars: did you know your favorite (or least favorite) big-box retailer's website sells some pretty rad and esoteric 1/64-scale models? I'm talking specifically of the Mini GT and Tarmac Works lines. I first happened upon these when browsing Target's app before a late-night grocery-and-essentials run I really wasn't looking forward to. Of course these aren't sold in physical stores, but next time you're ordering something mundane, consider that for another $18, you could snag yourself a little [yellow Mazdaspeed FD RX-7 A-Spec]() with the *best* rims to live on your desk. Or a [Martini-liveried Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione]() for $14. That's just Target; [Wal-Mart]() and [Amazon]() have their own selections, and certain retailers offer some cars others don't through third-party sellers that sometimes jack up prices for rare casts. (You've been warned.) Not too long ago as gifts, I was given a 1995 Toyota Supra GT LM, a *Neon Genesis Evangelion*-liveried GT4 Audi R8 that competed in Japan's Super Taikyu series, and an old Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI WRC car. I did not know you could order these kinds of miniatures from the website of a major retailer, and now that I do, I'm finding myself scoping our model cars more frequently than I have since I was a teenager, and my disposable income was split evenly between scale cars and video games. ![]() *Adam Ismail/The Drive* Of course, I'd be remiss not to mention that there are obviously small businesses that offer this stuff too, sometimes with a greater breadth of selection than your average big-box store, or specific cars that are hard to find through names you recognize. The issue with this is, for someone who fell out of habitual model car buying about a decade ago, is that the players in this space have changed a lot since I was last paying attention, so I unfortunately can't recommend a go-to source. A cursory Google search turned up two sites that seem promising to me: [DiecastDirect]() in Kentucky, and [Jcar Diecast]() in Texas. I can't speak to either, but they could be an alternative if you're looking to shop small. If you know of any local stores that deserve a shout out, please give them some love in the comments! I mainly wanted to share this because, as a 30-year-old, I am continually amazed by the kinds of model cars that are easily attainable today, that I would've loved to be able to beg my parents to buy as a kid. Hot Wheels in and of itself is but one aspect of this trend; [have you *seen* the stuff Mattel has been putting out]() over the last few years as part of its higher-quality Car Culture line? Getting your hands on those releases is another story, thanks to [especially avid collectors]() that time their visits around when brick-and-mortar stores restock, and inevitably, scalpers. You end up spending a little (or a lot) more for 1/64-scale models from the likes of Mini GT and Tarmac Works, but the quality is obviously much better, and the particular cars they're replicating are truly inspired. I mean, [here's a FATurbo-liveried Porsche 911 RSR]() from the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans. I'm pre-adding that to my cart as we speak, so I don't forget about it the next time I need to bulk-order toilet paper. Point is, however you choose to buy these kinds of premium models, for yourself or someone else, they've never been easier to find. Let this be a notice to all my car friends reading this that a tiny version of a rally or endurance racing car from the '90s is always an acceptable gift for me for any occasion, from now until I stop getting gifts. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()