A tale of two Roadsters

Both are well-crafted, but one has the right cast features and detailing. I am talking about the two 1936 Mercedes Benz 550K Roadsters, one from Matchbox, the other from De Agostini. The former has an indicated scale of 1/42 and the other has 1/43. Matchbox usually have a smaller scale than indicated and I suspected that his model was closer to 1./43 than 1/42. Comparing the two reveal that both have about the same length, same driver cockpit volume. Other than that, the difference is very clear from the pictures below. Matchbox, as usual did not put clear plastic on the windshield which is wrongly detailed anyway, However, I like its opening rear seat hood. . 

The real thing

Detailing the 1/18 Ferrari 250 GTO from Kyosho

This model is one of the most beautiful in my collection with respectable detailing from Autoart.  But not good enough for me.  I added a few more details in the interior, underbody and engine.  Posting the opics that remained in my hardk disk from 2008. 

Inaccurate 1/43 scaling

I have long suspected that Matchbox die casts do not really follow international model scale standards. This was confirmed when putting side-by-side a 1938 Lagonda Drophead Coupe from IXO and Matchbox. Apart from the scale, the Matchbox model had same of the major parts wrong, such as the windshield (common error in other Models of Yesteryear models) and in this case, the trunk. The Matchbox model indicated a 1/43 scale and, consistent with other 1/43 models, their !?43 is smaller and should be more on 1/45 or 1/46 scale. The comparative shots speak for the disparity with the IXO having the correct scale.