Majorette Chrome Cars: Nissan GT-R, Jaguar F-type Coupe, and 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Chrome-colored cars: gleaming cars designed to capture the attention of folks young and old, mostly very young.  The idea sounds like a good one, but most of the time it's an epic failure.  For example, chrome does not adhere well to diecast metal so plastic bodies are used instead.  If paint is applied to chrome, you'd better make sure it cures properly or you'll get paint run-off or fade.  I've seen it happen to a few wheels that were painted over chrome and even the Ford logo's on some late 2000's Ford vehicles on the road today!  Most of the chrome cars are left for generic fantasy vehicles where plastic would be an easy fix that would not upset most diecast collectors.  Majorette is now trying to defy the odds with this latest premium set of chrome cars, six in total.  All six have varying degrees of colors on chrome on stock cars with most of them new castings for 2016.  I decided to check out three of them to see how well they can stand up to the test of time.

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Nissan GT-R

The main reason why I got this pack is for the Nissan GT-R.  Yes, sure there are plenty of R35 GT-R's out there in diecast, but Majorette did a fantastic job with this one and in chrome green it looks sweet.  It has the proper look with clear headlights like the Hot Wheels version, but with a wider stance, exterior mirrors, and all-around better look on blacked-out multi-spoke wheels.  The front clear headlights are shared with twin hood scoops, lower black grille with GTR badge, and side gills on the bumpers.  The clean, yet edgy sides are highlighted with flared front fenders and a wrap-around windshield look to the roof.  The rear has detailed quad taillights, GT-R badge, and quad-tipped exhaust.  The rear spoiler is not see-through yet still looks accurate to the real vehicle.  The doors open up to an interior with a left-hand driving position.  There's seating for four with nicely bolstered front seats, a 3-spoke steering wheel, center stack with screen and switches, and a shifter that looks a tad bit too tall.  On the track the GT-R follows the other replica's out there with insane speed from the 3.5L twin-turbo V6, all-wheel drive, and exotic car-like handling, but in this Majorette version the working suspension really helps the car out here.  Excellent track performer, and gracefully styled as well.

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Jaguar F-type Coupe

As mentioned before the new Majorette F-type coupe is one of the best 1:64 scale models out there with the proper blacked-out rims, beautiful styling, and great handling.  To add to that is this gorgeous light chrome blue with white racing decals on the doors.  The front has the clear headlights, round grille with Jaguar badge, and side grille scoops.  The long hood and sloping roofline are beautifully done here, leading to the E-type-like taillights and quad-tipped exhaust.  The doors open to an interior with seating for two, a 3-spoke steering wheel, and a dashboard that is nicely laid out except for the additional grab handle added to the left.  The 4.2L supercharged V8 and eight-speed automatic work in conjunction with a lighter car to produce fast speeds and excessive rear tire smoke.  In a more mild manner state the Majorette F-type does really well on the track and has better feedback than the Matchbox version.  The hardest decision here is deciding which is better: the blue F-type or the green GT-R?

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2010 Camaro SS

Now for the least-effective chrome paint is the black on the 2010 Camaro SS coupe: is it chrome or is the paint fading?  Hard to tell as the color on my tester was done rather sloppy with some paint fade on hard edge areas.  The 2010 Camaro is yet again another fifth-generation Camaro in a field of them, yet this Majorette version has some charm of its own.  The stance is a bit high, yet the front-end is normal (unlike Greenlight's version) and the rear wheels are at normal stance (unlike Hot Wheels version).  The front has clear headlights and signal lights, eggcrate grille with bowtie logo, and lower bumper with lower grille and foglights.  The hood has dual stripes in yellow, the sides have the Camaro badge that is a tad bit big, and blacked-out wheels.  The rear has detailed quad taillights in red, reverse lamps below, bowtie in the center, and dual exhaust tips.  This car is the only one in the group with a detailed undercarriage that mostly shows off the exhaust system.  Inside the interior has a nice layout with seating for four, 3-spoke steering wheel, and the correct dash curve with center stack controls.  The downside is the lack of any console detailing, including the required shifter.  On the track the car actually handles quite well for a Camaro even if it's not as edgy as some of the Hot Wheels Camaro castings.

So two out of three are not that bad and all look great in that chrome paint look, no wild graphics to be found!  Oh and for those who are curious the car bodies are still made of diecast metal, not plastic.  The other three offered are a red Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT, a blue SRT Viper GTS, and a green 2015 Ford F-150.  Collectors love the look of these models and the success of the line means that we can expect more from Majorette in the coming years.

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