BBR’s New 1/64 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA Brings Some Italian Flair

We are definitely living in a golden age of 1/64.  From inexpensive but wonderful models from the toy brands at Mattel to display-worthy models from MiniGT and Tarmac Works, there’s a plethora of ways to spend your 1/64 dollars.  When I heard that famed 1/18 maker BBR had partnered with 1/64 darling MiniGT, I knew my wallet was about to get a fair bit lighter. 

Happily, compared to BBR’s mostly three figure model offerings, this Giulia GTA costs a reasonable $20.  That’s noticeably more than a MiniGT, but is well worth it for the quality of model BBR is producing: it’s heavier than a MiniGT, and feels like a piece of art.  This Giulia is an absolute stunner, with loads of detailing and some of the best paint quality I’ve seen on a 1/64.  This shade of red does seem a bit brighter than the press color of the GTA, but there’s still plenty of metal flake and it highlights the lines of the casting wonderfully.  BBR launched two nearly identical versions of this car – the Giulia GTA and GTAm.  The one you see here is the GTA, differentiated most obviously by its smaller, more reasonable decklid spoiler compared to the GTAm’s boy racer wing. 

The front end of this BBR is very detailed for a 1/64, with carbon fiber detailing on the canards and a barely visible but fully detailed Alfa Romeo badge.  I’m struck by the intricacy of this front bumper, with intakes and splitters and canards all layered over each other.  There’s also some detailing in the clear headlight lenses, though they have a bit too much mascara on them for my tastes. 

This Giulia GTA is such a perfectly proportioned sedan, and from the side it seems like every detail has been replicated here.  There’s plenty of carbon fiber, including the side skirt, rear fender flare, and even the mirror cap!  I particularly appreciate the miniscule Sauber Engineering logo at the back of the carbon side skirt – little details like that are really what make these models come to life.  Alfa Romeo’s trademark four leaf clover badge is accounted for, as is the GTA’s Autodelta sticker beneath the fender vent.  I appreciate the black pillars on the clear window piece as well – something I’d like to see Hot Wheels start doing on their premiums. 

These wheels might not be the most intricate design on the market, but I think they’re a faithful replica of the ones on the 1:1 car.  They’re perhaps a tad on the thick side, but that’s to be expected given the small scale.  They roll smoother than any MiniGT in my collection, and the center lock nuts are even detailed with the Alfa Romeo logo on them!

The back is perhaps the highlight of this Giulia, starting with that fully carbon fiber detailed decklid spoiler.  There’s also some particularly impressive carbon fiber detailing on the rear diffuser, complete with red reflectors.  Unlike a MiniGT, this BBR features chrome exhaust tips, which provides a nice color break and really makes the Giulia GTA’s unique center exhaust tips stand out.  The Alfa’s brake lights are also nicely detailed, with detailing to distinguish the brake and reverse light sections.  The printing is a little bit off on the right side brake light on this particular model, but not by too much.  I absolutely love this Alfa Romeo badge, which is reflective chrome and fully detailed, making it really look like the real thing.  

As you would expect, the roof is fully carbon fiber, though the weave is noticeably tighter than the carbon fiber pattern on the rear spoiler and wing mirrors.  At the top of the windshield, there’s even a cutout for the sensors on the back of the interior mirror.  Through the windshield, you can just make out the red GTA logo on the passenger side of the dashboard.  

One of the ways BBR is differentiating itself in the 1/64 space is through their detailed interiors.  This doesn’t have the roll cage of the GTAm, but you can make out the Alfa Romeo logo on the steering wheel, which is a nice touch! 

Since I open my models, I don’t normally comment on the packaging, but the unboxing experience really stood out on this BBR.  The box is heavy weight cardboard that slides off to the side to reveal the model inside.  This feels like a jewelry box, and the plastic inside ensures you can keep the model safe if you ever need to transport it.  Of course, MiniGT includes a nice box with their models too, but this BBR packaging feels premium instead of utilitarian like the MiniGT boxes. 

True to form for BBR, they are celebrating their Italian heritage with a slew of Italian cars in their lineup.  No word yet on whether they will eventually expand their lineup to cars from other countries, but there’s certainly a need for more exotic Italian cars in the 1/64 world.  Next up is the new Maserati MC20, which I am very excited to get in hand.  BBR has also announced an upcoming model of the MC12, Pagani Utopia, and 6(!) Ferraris.  It’s a great time to be a 1/64 collector…as long as you don’t want a heavy wallet, anyway.