Several companies have done 1:18 scale diecast models of Ferrari's 550 Maranello, including Burago, Maisto, and UT. Of the 3 manufacturers, most hobbyists (all hobbyists?) would tell you that UT's is easily the best of the three. As the owner of a silver 550 from UT, I can definitely vouch for the consensus. UT did 2 different colors, red and silver. Silver is by far the rarer of the two colors...if you survey past and present auctions on ebay, or search online diecast resellers, you'll see far more reds available than silvers.

In fact, almost all of UT's Ferraris are consider rare and fairly valuable, some more than others. The silver 550 Maranello, the red and yellow F355 GTS models, and the yellow and black Berlinettas all are quite difficult to find and somewhat more expensive than original issue price. However, one thing I've learned as a newbie collector is that price and detail/quality don't always go hand-in-hand. Let me explain...

UT's silver 550 Maranello is a very nice model, and having paid $40 for it I have no regrets about the purchase. After all, if you want this particular car represented in a collection, this is the only way to go. Unlike the red version, the silver 550 features detailed brake discs and calipers, which are a very noticeable improvement. But it's worth mentioning that of all the UT models I own (quite a few Porsches, BMWs and Corvettes), this 550 is nowhere near UT's best efforts.

First off, there's no carpeting in the interior or trunk. This cheapens an otherwise very nice interior, with matte-finish deep red seats and a nicely detailed console. Every one of my 11 UT Porsches, plus both Corvettes, feature a felt-like material for carpeting in both the interior and trunk areas.

Secondly, while the car's stance and proportions are right, it just doesn't look very muscular. The tires don't seem to look right...it's not that they look bad, they just don't look like performance tires. If this doesn't make sense, take a look at any UT Porsche Turbo (or non-turbo for that matter) and you'll see what I mean. Maybe it's the way they fill out the wheel wells...on the 550, they don't as well as they should.

I can't say this for all UT Ferraris, but my model seems to suffer from a little too much "creak and groan" when I handle it. This is just the squeaking and creaking that you hear when a model isn't tight, or put together solidly. Again, this is a very subjective trait, but for example my Mattel Ferrari 288GTO feels a heck of a lot more solid than my UT 550. (I've had my hands on a UT 355 as well, and noticed the same thing).

Having said all that, there are many reasons to like this model. The interior detail is very nice for the price range, as is the wheel detail with black Ferrari calipers and yellow Cavallino centercaps. The doors open smoothly, and the trunklid stays in the 'up' position (the hood is overly loose, but will stay up if you "set it" right). The silver prancing horse on the trunk lid is a raised emblem rather than a sticker, as is the "Ferrari" lettering on the top of the trunk lid. Engine detail is nothing special (too plasticky for my tastes), and the underside is pretty basic (though I've never seen the underside of the real thing, so maybe I shouldn't comment there!). Headlights and taillights are well done, though mounting posts detract from the otherwise nice foglights. I do like having it in the collection, and it presents very well. And as I've said before, if you want the 550 in your collection this is the only way to go.

But there's something ironic about the supply/demand equation and pricing with these cars. While I paid $40 for mine, others have sold for $50-$70 on ebay. Yet, as I write this auction there are five UT 1:18 Porsche 996 black Carreras available on ebay, all for under $25. Some are selling for less than $20. And as the owner of one of those, there's absolutely no comparison between the two...UT's black 996 is MUCH nicer than their silver 550. So, in closing, if you want a 550 I have no problem recommending UT's silver Maranello. But if you've simply got $50 burning a hole in your pocket, and you want a Ferrari, you'll end up with a much nicer model if you buy one of Kyosho's 365BBs, 512 Boxers, or new Daytona models.