Automodello

Automodello is a specialist American brand producing hand-built resin scale models of automobiles. Founded in 2010 by James Cowen and Raffi Minasian, the company was established to serve collectors interested in historically significant cars that had received limited attention from the broader scale-model industry. Its subject matter has generally emphasized British and American vehicles, along with selected European coachbuilt and racing automobiles, rather than concentrating only on the most familiar mass-market classics. The brand introduced itself publicly with a 1:43-scale model of the 1964 Griffith Series 200. The model was launched at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it was designated the event's official model. The introduction connected Automodello with concours culture, automotive history, and the owners and designers associated with the cars being reproduced. Some editions were signed by Andrew "Jack" Griffith, the founder of Griffith sports cars, whose later association with TVR made the Griffith name particularly important to the marque's history. Automodello's product range expanded beyond its initial 1:43 focus. By 2014, the company had released or announced 36 separate models across 1:43, 1:24, 1:12, and 1:8 scales. Its catalog included prewar luxury and coachbuilt cars such as the Duesenberg J, Delahaye 135MS, Delage D8-120, Lincoln K, Packard Twelve, and Cord L-29; postwar sports and specialty cars such as the Cunningham C-3, Dual Ghia, Marcos 1800, Sunbeam Tiger, De Tomaso Vallelunga, Intermeccanica Italia, Gilbern Genie, TVR M-series, Bricklin SV-1, and Noble M600; and concept or competition-related vehicles including the Ford Mustang I Concept, Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, Timbs Streamliner, and Lotus 49. The brand's distinguishing proposition is detailed, limited-production craftsmanship. Models are made in relatively small quantities, typically between 100 and 600 examples per issue, although production may be extended through variations in model, specification, or livery. Larger scales, particularly 1:8, allow more elaborate presentation and can command prices in the thousands of dollars. Smaller models are also designed with substantial visual and material detail. Examples described for the range include flocked carpeting, finely rendered instrument panels, accurate windshield wipers, rubber bumper tips, deeply cut wire-wheel spokes, and alternative display configurations such as the Cunningham C-3's soft top or top boot. Automodello distributes its products through Diecasm and through full-service dealers in markets around the world. Its use of shared or adaptable tooling is suited to a catalog built around related marques and body variations; the Griffith and TVR models, for example, could draw on closely related underlying forms while receiving model-specific changes. The brand has also used signed editions associated with figures including Jack Griffith, Bricklin SV-1 designer Herb Grasse, and racer and safety advocate John Fitch. Automodello occupies a niche between automotive memorabilia, designer collectibles, and scale modeling. Its appeal rests less on volume than on historical specificity, craftsmanship, limited availability, and attention to vehicles that may be underrepresented in conventional die-cast ranges. The available reference material documents the company through its early expansion period, but does not establish its current ownership, operating status, leadership, or active product catalog.

Automodello was founded in 2010 by James Cowen and Raffi Minasian as a specialist producer of hand-built resin automobile models. The company was headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and entered the market with a deliberately selective approach to automotive subjects. Rather than focusing exclusively on the most widely reproduced sports cars and luxury marques, Automodello emphasized vehicles that were historically distinctive but comparatively overlooked by the scale-model community. Its subject selection included British and American cars, together with significant European coachbuilt, luxury, and competition-related designs. The company's first public release was a model of the 1964 Griffith Series 200. Automodello presented the model at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 2010, where it served as the official model for the event. This launch gave the new brand a connection to the concours and collector-car world rather than positioning it solely as a conventional toy or mass-market die-cast manufacturer. The Griffith release also carried historical associations: editions were signed by Andrew "Jack" Griffith, who founded Griffith sports cars and was later linked with the history of TVR. Automodello initially concentrated on 1:43 reproductions, a scale widely used by automotive collectors because it permits broad subject coverage while retaining substantial detail. The company subsequently added 1:24 models and larger 1:12 and 1:8 products. The move into larger scales supported more elaborate craftsmanship and display-oriented presentation. The 1:8 models, in particular, were described as capable of costing thousands of dollars, placing them firmly in the premium collector segment. The early catalog covered a wide historical span. Prewar subjects included the 1934 Duesenberg J Graber, 1937 Delahaye 135MS Figoni & Falaschi Coupe, 1938 Lincoln K V12 Judkins Coupe, 1938 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, 1930 Cord L-29 Brooks Stevens Speedster, 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster Mormon Meteor, 1937 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aero Coupe, and 1938 Phantom Corsair. Postwar and modern subjects included the Cunningham C-3 Cabriolet, Dual Ghia, Ford Mustang I Concept, Studebaker Avanti R2, Marcos 1800, Sunbeam Tiger, De Tomaso Vallelunga, Intermeccanica Italia, Gilbern Genie Invader, TVR M-series, Bricklin SV-1, and Noble M600. Competition and performance-related releases included the Timbs Streamliner, Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, and Lotus 49 associated with Jim Clark. The brand's product philosophy centered on small-batch production and close attention to visible construction details. Typical runs were reported at between 100 and 600 pieces per issue, with tooling sometimes adapted for related models or liveries. This approach enabled Automodello to cover niche subjects without requiring mass-market volumes. The Cunningham C-3, for example, was produced in an edition of 154 pieces and included display-related details such as a soft-top or top-boot configuration, flocked carpet, and finely cut wire-wheel spokes. Other models were noted for features including accurate windshield wipers, instrument panels, and rubber bumper tips. Distribution was conducted through Diecasm and Automodello full-service dealers around the world. Signed editions added an additional layer of provenance and collector appeal, with signatures associated with figures such as Jack Griffith, Bricklin SV-1 designer Herb Grasse, and racer and road-safety inventor John Fitch. By 2014, the company had released or announced 36 separate models across its principal scales. The available reference material documents this formative expansion but does not provide reliable information about later ownership, management, financial performance, current website operations, or whether the brand remains active.

• 2014

  Catalog reaches 36 released or planned models

  [1]Automodelloen.wikipedia.org

  The documented catalog grows to 36 models released or announced across 1:43, 1:24, 1:12, and 1:8 scales.

• 2010

  Automodello is founded

  [1]Automodelloen.wikipedia.org

  James Cowen and Raffi Minasian establish Automodello as a specialist producer of hand-built resin automobile models.

• 2010

  First model launches at Amelia Island

  [1]Automodelloen.wikipedia.org

  Automodello introduces its 1964 Griffith Series 200 model at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it is selected as the official event model.

A premium, limited-production automotive model brand focused on finely detailed resin reproductions of historically important, unusual, and overlooked British, American, and European vehicles.

• Automobile scale models · 2010

  1:43 scale collection

  Automodello's initial and broadest documented scale included a wide selection of British and American specialty cars, European coachbuilt automobiles, concepts, and racing-related vehicles. Subjects included the Griffith Series 200, Cunningham C-3, Packard Twelve, Ford Mustang I Concept, Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, TVR M-series, Bricklin SV-1, and Noble M600. The models were produced in small quantities and emphasized fine exterior and interior details.

• Automobile scale models

  1:24 scale collection

  The 1:24 range expanded Automodello's subject coverage into a larger display format. Documented models included the Cord L-29 Brooks Stevens Speedster, Duesenberg J and SJ variants, Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aero Coupe, Delahaye 135MS, Phantom Corsair, Ford Mustang I Concept, Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, Ford Galaxie, and Lincoln Continental Mark III. The scale offered collectors more visual presence while retaining the brand's limited-production focus.

• Racing-car scale model

  1:12 Lotus 49

  Automodello's documented 1:12 offering was a Lotus 49 associated with driver Jim Clark. It represented the brand's extension into a larger format for historically important competition automobiles and complemented the company's broader coverage of significant racing and performance vehicles.

• Premium automobile scale models

  1:8 scale collection

  The 1:8 range consisted of especially large display models, including the 1937 Delage D8-120 S Pourtout Aero Coupe, 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, and 2011-2014 Noble M600. These reproductions were positioned at the premium end of the catalog, with the reference material noting that models at this scale could cost thousands of dollars.

• 2010Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance official model launch

  United States

  Automodello introduced its first product, the 1964 Griffith Series 200, at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. The model was designated the official model for the event, giving the new brand visibility among concours participants and automotive collectors.

  Outcome. The launch established Automodello's association with concours culture and historic-car collecting.

  Source

• 2014

  Expansion from 1:43 into larger scalesStrategy

  Background

  After beginning with 1:43 reproductions, Automodello broadened its range to serve collectors seeking larger display pieces.

  Action taken

  The company offered or planned models in 1:24, 1:12, and 1:8 scales in addition to its 1:43 range.

  Aftermath

  The expanded scale range enabled more elaborate detailing and premium large-format models, including 1:8 reproductions that could cost thousands of dollars.

  Source

• 2010

  Launch with the Griffith Series 200Product launch

  Background

  Automodello entered the specialist model market with a historically specific British-American sports-car subject rather than a conventional high-volume automobile.

  Action taken

  The company released a 1:43 model of the 1964 Griffith Series 200 at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

  Aftermath

  The release became the foundation of the brand's concours-oriented positioning and its focus on underrepresented automotive subjects.

  Source

1. 1Automodelloen.wikipedia.org