Brand > Amalgam Collection

About Amalgam Collection

At Model Universe, we are proud to be an authorised dealer of Amalgam Collection models, which occupy a unique place in the world of fine car models. Amalgam creates unrivalled examples of the most iconic and luxurious cars, setting a standard comparable to fine watchmakers like Richard Mille. Through close partnerships with leading designers, engineers, drivers, and automotive brands, Amalgam produces models for internal use, development models, one-offs, and various displays. Whether crafted for a private collector or a world-renowned driver, each model is made to the highest standard with no expense spared, continually pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship to create masterpieces of model-making art with enduring value.

The Amalgam Legacy

Founded in 1985, Amalgam initially focused on creating fine architectural models for prominent British and German architects, including Foster & Partners. They also provided product prototyping services, notably creating parts for the first Dyson vacuum cleaners. Since 1995, after founder Sandy Copeman approached the Jordan Grand Prix and Williams Formula 1 teams, Amalgam has been dedicated to producing exquisite model cars. With Ferrari joining their roster in 1998, Amalgam has built strong, lasting relationships with some of the most important manufacturers and teams in the automotive world. Using precious data from these partners and skills developed over decades, Amalgam delivers the authentic spirit of each car with passion and precision.

The Amalgam Team

Amalgam Collection operates globally with workshops in Bristol (UK), Dongguan (China), and Pécs (Hungary). Their headquarters remain in Bristol, inspired by the city's long history of engineering innovators like Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The UK team has deep connections within the automotive world, possessing extensive knowledge of the history, people, and cars of Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, and other leading luxury car manufacturers and race teams. This expertise is complemented by their innovative model-making skills and techniques, allowing the Bristol workshop to create design models, special projects, and one-off models of extremely high value.

Global Craftsmanship

Amalgam’s workshop in Dongguan, China, established in 2004 and moved to its current location in 2009, draws on the local abundance of skilled craftspeople involved in product prototyping. The 160-strong team in Dongguan handles the creation of patterns and tooling, casting parts, and finishing and assembling many of Amalgam’s 1:8 and 1:18 models. In 2015, Amalgam expanded to Pécs, Hungary, setting up a workshop on the former site of the Zsolnay art porcelain factory. With 40 skilled craftspeople in a newly refurbished building, the Pécs team focuses on finishing and assembling many of the 1:8 and 1:5 models for Ferrari and Porsche.

Prestigious Clients

Amalgam collaborates with top luxury automotive manufacturers, motorsport teams, their sponsors, renowned designers, and champion drivers, many of whom are also clients. Ferrari, a partner since 1998, has seen Amalgam develop models of its dominant F1 cars, including those driven by Michael Schumacher. Bugatti has been a partner since 2005, and Amalgam's collaboration with McLaren began in 2007 with the McLaren Formula 1 Team. Notable figures in motorsport, such as Zak Brown, display Amalgam models in their offices and homes. Richard Mille, a patron who shares a passion for engineering detail, has commissioned numerous unique models for his collection and boutiques. Since 2010, Amalgam has also collaborated with Ralph Lauren to create detailed models of the finest cars in his collection, available exclusively from his flagship stores worldwide.

Creating Perfect Models

Amalgam models capture the essence of the original cars, making them indistinguishable from real cars in photographs. To create these perfect scale replicas, Amalgam uses confidential CAD data supplied by manufacturers and collaborates closely with their design and engineering teams to replicate interior and exterior finishes accurately. For classic car models, Amalgam goes to great lengths to find the best examples of original cars, digitally scanning them to capture precise shapes and proportions. They also take around 1000 reference photographs to understand and replicate every detail and finish. Amalgam models are crafted using the finest quality casting resins, perfectly replicating their meticulously designed patterns. Combining CAD design, 3D printing, CNC machining, traditional machining, and hand-working techniques, Amalgam creates the world's most precise, accurate, and detailed models. Developing a 1:8 scale prototype can take over 4000 hours, with each subsequent model taking between 250 and 450 hours to cast, fit, fettle, paint, and build. Each model undergoes detailed scrutiny from the manufacturer, motorsport team, or client to ensure it accurately represents every detail of the real car. As an authorised dealer, Model Universe is thrilled to offer these masterpieces to collectors and enthusiasts.