I’ve always found it odd that the Zonda doesn’t get more recognition in the world of diecast. As I was growing up, it seemed like Horacio Pagani’s latest iteration of his namesake supercar was being featured every season on Top Gear. It had wild styling, an exhaust note to die for, the kind of supercar charm only an Italian company can bring…and in the diecast world, it was nowhere to be found. As Pagani grew, the Huayra found its way into the Hot Wheels line, followed by the Huayra Roadster. Last year, Matchbox (unbelievably) wanted in on the action and created their own take on the Huayra Roadster. In fact, it wasn’t until just a few months ago that the Zonda R finally brought the Zonda name to mainstream diecast. But that wasn’t really the one we wanted…
Enter, MiniGT – everyone’s favorite maker of affordable yet incredibly well detailed diecasts. They dropped the Zonda F, perhaps the most influential and important Zonda of them all, and it’s one of the best models MiniGT has ever made. The Zonda’s crazy angles, ridiculous mirrors, and trademark quad exhaust are all present and accounted for.
Odd as it may seem, I want to start by taking a moment to appreciate those mirrors. I know not everyone is a fan of MiniGT’s rubber mirrors, but these results are hard to argue with. The Zonda’s wing mirrors look impossibly delicate on the 1:1 car, so replicating them in diecast seems like an impossible task, especially on a model that’s made to be taken out of the box (did I mention it rolls?). Making the mirrors out of rubber allows them to be touched without breaking off, which seems like a total win to me.
Almost as much of a win as the incredible level of detailing on this model. Look at how complicated those headlight assemblies are, and how well they’ve been replicated at such a small scale. Likewise, the characteristic nose of the Zonda is well replicated here, in a lovely shade of metallic blue no less!
The side profile highlights just how tiny the greenhouse on this car is – there’s plenty of room for that AMG V12 behind the passengers! These wheels are not my favorite, but they are period correct to the Zonda F, just as they should be.
Speaking of that AMG V12, you can see it through the glass engine cover, complete with Mercedes logo!
I can practically hear that V12 wailing through the Pagani’s signature quad exhausts at the back. I’m surprised by the sense of depth here – the exhaust tips stick out from the rear valence quite realistically! I love the Zonda F logo and those vertically stacked, circular tail lights that I’ve always thought look like they belong on an economy car. The aero is what really impresses me though. That wing is the kind of delicate, detailed plastic wing we wish Matchbox would still make, and the rear diffuser actually features a passthrough all the way to the inside of the rear wheel well for brake cooling!
Not only is this model amazing in and of itself, but its existence gives me hope that we might one day see MiniGT make a model of the Zonda Cinque, which is my personal favorite iteration of the Zonda. Given the crazy carbon detailing on the new MiniGT Bugatti Chiron Supersport (post coming soon), maybe we could even see the gorgeous blue carbon of the Zonda Tricolore! Please keep ‘em coming!
diecastleno.com 
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