My first experience with LCD Models was their McLaren 600LT, which I bought on a whim after finding a killer deal on one last year. It blew me away with its quality, especially the carbon fiber detailing and fully detailed interior. So, when LCD released a McLaren P1 – a car I’ve been wanting a premium version of for years – I couldn’t wait for a sale and had to pick one up right away.
Despite their 3 letter name and Chinese address, LCD is not some fly-by-night unlicensed manufacturer. The cardboard box for this P1 features a McLaren official product sticker on the bottom, though not much else. Like the 600LT, this box is one of the most basic, least detailed packaging designs I’ve seen from a premium 1/64 model. As a loose collector, this doesn’t bother me, and it certainly helps the car stand out in the package, but collectors who keep their models in their boxes may be disappointed.
The metal McLaren P1 logo on the base is a nice touch, and I appreciate that LCD secures their models using only one screw, which makes them nice and easy to remove from the base.
While red would not have been my first color choice (I think most McLarens look best in orange), I didn’t have the patience to wait for a future orange release. This Volcano Red finish still definitely looks good though, and I’m once again impressed by LCD’s paint quality. Look at that sparkle!
Sadly, my example is plagued by a QC issue on the front bumper, where there is some bubbling in the carbon fiber. The rest of the front end looks far better, with a raised metallic McLaren logo and impressively tight fitment of the headlight lenses.
The P1 has one of the most iconic side profiles of any hypercar short of a Zonda, especially with the wing in the raised race mode position, as it is on this model. As impressed as I was with the wheels on the 600LT, the ones on this P1 are even better. They feature McLaren logos on the center caps and even have visible holes for the lug nuts! Behind the wheels are yellow brake calipers, which are even in the correct orientation! Like on previous LCD models, the carbon fiber detailing on the doors is the correct glossy finish, rather than the matte finish we see from so many other diecast brands.
These mirrors are also a step up from other premium diecast brands. Not only do they stick out impressively far from the body of the car, but they are also fully detailed with that gloss carbon fiber finish that I love so much and they have a reflective element for the mirror!
Around back I’m greeted with another minor QC error – some marring on the rear diffuser. I’m also a little disappointed by the finish on the rear grille, which doesn’t replicate the fine mesh of the real car as convincingly as I would like. The rest of the rear detailing looks good though, with the P1’s center exhaust featuring a different finish to help it stand out from the grille. The thin LED brake lights are a little hard to see against the red paint, but they are fully detailed and would likely pop against a darker paint color. The highlight of the rear of the car has to be that massive spoiler, with carbon detailing wrapping all the way underneath and the weave coming to a point along the centerline of the car, just as it should.
As great as the P1 looks from ground level, its best angle might be the overhead ¾ view. From above, all of the aero work throughout the car’s body is much more visible, from the hood vents to the intakes in the tops of the doors and back to that massive spoiler. The carbon fiber roof scoop is a nice touch as well!
The interiors are always a stand-out feature of LCD models, as I’ve never seen alcantara detailing like this from another diecast brand. If the texture wasn’t impressive enough on its own, there’s also a McLaren logo on the steering wheel and red seat belt release buttons. Even the infotainment screen and buttons on the center stack are fully detailed!
There’s something endlessly charming about a hyper-detailed little model like this. While it lacks the toy-like quality of its Hot Wheels equivalent, the much more accurate proportions and high level of attention to detail makes it feel like I’m getting a chance to get to know the P1 better. I rarely get to even see a P1, let alone spend significant time with one to better understand the design. As I spend more time looking at this model, I feel like I’m always finding additional details, which makes it the perfect model to add to my display case. I’m a little let down by some of the QC issues on this example, as my 600LT was flawless, but perhaps that just provides me with an excuse to upgrade to an orange version in the future!
diecastleno.com 
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