Psst... want to know a great secret?

Nov/Dec 2020 edition
Issue #13 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Marshall Buck

The amazing and captivating works from Racing Dioramics have to be one of the best kept secrets in the field of specialty car models for collectors. The two partners behind the magic are Crittenden Rumford and Nestor Spinelli. I own four of their fantastic works, and am hoping to acquire a few more… if & when I find any!

Racing Dioramics, based in California, specializes in classic Grand Prix and road racing scenes (mini dioramas or vignettes) in 1:43 scale. Their first little scenes were made in the mid 1980s, and by 1990 they started making them steadily for collectors. Currently prices vary from $450-$650, though some can be higher depending on details and degree of difficulty. Considering the work involved and the rarity of each piece, I’d dare say these miniatures represent great value. Today they build commission work of all eras, and some limited editions of only 10-15 pieces per edition. Their waiting list is a long one, hence they are not accepting any new commissions for any dioramas. But a number of driver figures are available to order as are separate jewel-like little helmets, well… that is if you don’t wait too long.​

Above and Left: Made about 20-25 years ago...Stirling Moss driving the 1955 Mille Miglia winning Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with Denis Jenkinson navigating. Jenks wearing eyeglasses and sporting his full beard is also holding and looking at his lengthy & famous pace notes. RD made a total of just three of the Moss & Jenks epic MM win in the 300 SLR. The SLR kit was either from Provence Moulage or Starter, both from France, and both long out of business.

As a rule, I do not like any models with figures in them or around them, or any of the mass market CMC type of dioramas due to the fact they are most always poorly done, however… the dioramas by RD are a shining exception to that rule. Each scene depicts a real point in time from auto racing history. These vignettes are truly miniature works of art. Crittenden’s amazing ability to give life to her figures is more than impressive. Combining that with her partner Nestor’s great talent to create the rest of the scene and build the cars is a winning combination. Crittenden tells me that for the cars: “Nestor uses existing kits and modifies them if needed. Sometimes he makes his own model for a diorama. [Nestor has made a number of exclusive RD model cars for their scenes] The driver figures are hand carved, and custom fitted for each diorama. We don’t make many of any one subject. Usually one-offs or just a handful at most.” And keep in mind, the cars shown on these pages are only about 3.5" long.

Above and Right: Below: Bugatti Type 35 road car: the suave-looking driver has wonderful detail. I especially love his scarf flowing behind in the wind, and his amazing cap made up of thousands of hand painted dots in four colors, all done with a single hair! The beautifully built Bugatti is made up from an SMTS kit from England. Only one of these vignettes was made.

stakingly carved & hand painted, by Crittenden; no CAD or any sort of 3D modeling. The oh-so accurate faces, period clothing, helmets, and gloves.....even their goggles have separate clear lenses! Folds in clothing, girth of some drivers like González and positions of hands, arms and bodies perfectly replicates the drivers in action, or they could be stepping out, or standing, or waiting in the cockpit for a race to start. No matter the pose, they have life. Each racing car is hand built (some from long out of production rare limited run European kits), beautifully finished, and with many custom added details; some have featured hand-laced wire wheels by Vincenzo Bosica. Each detailed display was, and is, created by hand. 

Over the years RD have produced a few thousand pieces, the vast majority, past & present, are custom one, two or three of a kind. Most are genuinely one-of-a-kind. Previous limited-edition series ran no more than 30 of each, often less. 

Right: Jochen Rindt, the 1970 FIA World Champion, sitting on his Lotus 49 with his gloved hands clasped. Note the goggles hanging around his neck. This is a one-of-one piece, made well over 20 years ago. The Lotus is a great model with extra detailing, including plug wires on the engine.

If you can’t find one of their full dioramas at the moment (which you most likely cannot), I strongly suggest the following: As I mentioned, RD also produces 1:43rd limited run driver figures and helmets. In the past they also made several 1:18 scale driver figures – long sold out. The 1:43rd figures run the gamut, from the 1950s to the modern era of around 2016, and are numbered limited editions of just 25 of each figure. You must see them! To date there have been about 151 figure editions, 76 of which are sold out. 

Below: Another favorite is this one-off model of Luigi Muso sitting in his Ferrari 801 waiting for the start of the 1957 French GP at Reims while he smokes a cigarette…See the hot red tip with a little wisp of smoke rising up. He finished 2nd, behind Fangio. I think the cigarette must have slowed him down! Helmet, goggles and clothing are all correct and in period along with his leather driving gloves, which also have open holes on the knuckles. The Ferrari was built from a Renaissance kit from France.

Left: Looking at this Ferrari F188C, with debris stuck to all four tires and Gerhard Berger stepping out, is like looking at a little 3D photo capturing an exact moment in time. I still expect to see him to continue moving…but he doesn’t, and the steering wheel with curled cord is resting on the front cowl. This is from one of RD’s limited editions, of which less than 30 were produced. I believe the kit used for the Ferrari was a Tameo edition, from Italy.

Below: Ever determined, you can see it on his face, José Froilán González piloting his Ferrari 553 Squalo in the 1954 French GP at Reims. Unfortunately he was a DNF after only 13 laps, engine failure. The Ferrari model was built from an old Grand Prix Models kit from England, and greatly enhanced with added details including a rare set of hand laced wire wheels from Vincenzo Bosica of Italy. Only one of these vignettes was built.

Above and Left: Graham Hill was one of the all-time great drivers; though he was a DNF with mechanical failure in a Lotus 12 at the race depicted here, the 1958 Monaco GP. The car and figure are wonderfully detailed, and you certainly know it’s Graham Hill when looking at the face with his signature thin mustache. Another one-of-one made many years ago. That US penny gives a little perspective on the detail in this minute size. The Lotus was built from a John Shinton kit from England.

Above and Left: Jim Clark, 1963 FIA World Champion, turning into a corner in his Lotus 25. Notice the position of Clark’s crossed arms and hands on the wheel & his fingers, still gripping with the thumb of his left hand as he leans and looks into the turn. The Lotus itself is a beautifully made model and perfectly placed on the track, built from a Tameo kit. This scene is from one of RD’s limited editions, of which 30 or less were made.

For each edition, Crittenden makes one original master, which is then molded and cast. Each figure is assembled and detail painted by her, one at a time. These are made on a “to order” basis. Waiting time is several weeks. Prices range from $75-$165.

The helmets are each custom made; there are no edition limits. For any not shown on their web site, collectors just let Crittenden know what they need for their model and she will see if it’s something she can make. Prices range from $28-$75 each, depending on the graphics involved or other level of difficulty. 

After more than 30 years, demand is still very high for everything they make! That in itself is a true testament to the excellence and desirability of their work.  RacingDioramics.us

​Marshall Buck

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