Brooklin Models Factory Visit

Anyone who visits my office at the church knows right away that I like small cars. Most of what I collect is 1/43 scale models, many of them made of a very heavy alloy called "white metal." None of them are toys and most of them are hand made for older car-lovers like me. 

Through the hobby, I've been able to meet a huge number of truly great folks, most of whom have a deep appreciation for miniaturization, all of whom have some not-so-hidden passion for automobiles. It's good, clean fun and, except in some extreme cases, keeps us occupied without costing an arm and a leg. I'm fond of telling folks who ask, "We're a bunch of guys who collect and talk about little cars! How bad can it be?"

Brooklin Models has been one of the most prominent makers in white metal scale models ever since their beginnings in Canada in the early 80s. They expanded their range after moving to Bath, England, where they are today. 

One of my bucket list items, for some time, has been to visit the facility in Bath. For a white metal collector, this is the Mecca/Shangri-La/Holy Grail of road trips. Kelly and I had the chance to do just that at the beginning of our sabbatical last month. 

Led by Nigel Parker and partnering with Bulgari (Nicola Bulgari is an avid car collector), Brooklin has remodeled their showroom and made great strides forward in the detail and accuracy of their models. With the invaluable help of the most gracious and amiable John Roberts, we had the pleasure of seeing the entire operation. 

The foyer oozes of class and refinement with indirect lighting and the models prominently displayed like jewelry.  

Anyone who has been in need of a spare part or some obscure information about a model knows how helpful and accommodating Amanda can be. She met us at the door and presented me with a set of limited edition models sent ahead by Mo Brown of the British Brooklin Collector's Club.

We were pleasantly surprised when Nigel greeted us personally, then took the time to give us some background on the company and an overview of the process we were about to see for ourselves. He's passionate about cars but he also has a clear vision for excellence. It's contagious! You can see it in his staff and team. 

Moving out into the production rooms, we were enthralled with how intricate and complex the process is. Right from the beginning, we saw how the white metal had to be heated and poured under exacting conditions and carefully removed from the molds. This takes training and a high level of artistry!

Nearly every piece of the model is made right there in the facility, much of it painstakingly rendered by hand.

The minute detail is evident in trim, door handles, nameplates and other add-ons. They are all hand-made, hand-assembled and part of the build process. 

At some point, each model is handled by each person on the staff. It's a well-coordinated team effort. 

All those tiny parts have to be fabricated, separated, then built into the model.

The entire crew seems dedicated to producing high-quality, miniaturized works of art. It takes tremendous concentration and patience. 

They're a modern group of people who practice old-world craftsmanship. This is no sweatshop and these folks are invested, pleased and proud to be part of Brooklin. 

These are new models, fresh out of the molds and at the very beginning of a laborious process. 

Even mixing the paint requires a high level of expertise and concentration. 

The new '65 Impala Convertible looks pretty rough before each individual model is inspected, smoothed, filled and refined prior to being primed and painted by hand. You can see the hand-filled, sanded and smoothed area on a few of the trunk lids. 

Each member of the team has an area of expertise but is able to wear more than one hat. Every step in the process requires skill and dedication. 

Here's where all the work and tiny parts come together.

Every step of the production process requires hands-on work in 1:43 scale performed by 1:1 people.

We gathered back in the foyer after the tour. Kelly and I had an all new appreciation for how these little gems are made and felt like we made some new friends along the way. That's Nigel on the left and John (JR) on the right. 

Afterwards, JR took us to a pub in Bath to help us absorb all we saw. He's a true gentleman and a great ambassador for Brooklin and the hobby.