Spark 1:64 F1 Models and Pre-Orders: A Collector's Guide

Spark 1:64 F1 models are small, detailed replicas of Formula 1 cars, often modelled on one driver at one particular Grand Prix, and they cost far less than Spark's better-known 1:43 versions. We first added them to our pre-order section back in 2022 and new cars have followed every season since, so here's our guide to the range, how it compares with 1:43 and how pre-orders work.

What is Spark known for?

Spark is best known for 1:43 motorsport models, and most of its models are made from resin rather than diecast metal. It covers racing in real depth. At the Le Mans 24 Hours it models cars from right through the field rather than just the winners, and in Formula 1 it makes cars race by race, picking up the livery and detail changes that set one Grand Prix apart from the next.

As well as 1:43, Spark makes F1 cars in 1:18 for anyone who wants a big display piece, and in 1:64 for collectors who want more cars in less space.

Resin vs diecast: what's the difference?

Diecast models are made by forcing molten zinc alloy into steel moulds. Those moulds are expensive, so diecast suits long production runs, and the finished models are heavy and fairly tough. Resin models are cast in much cheaper moulds, which makes short runs affordable. That's how a maker like Spark can produce the same car in several race-specific versions without needing huge sales of each one.

The trade-off is that resin models are sealed display pieces with no opening parts. They're lighter and more delicate, and they're meant for the shelf rather than for play. Spark's 1:64 F1 cars take the same display-first approach, with fine printed sponsor detail and slender wings and mirrors that may not survive a fall. Mini GT also makes 1:64 F1 cars in diecast, including classics like the McLaren MP4/4 that Ayrton Senna drove to victory in the 1988 Japanese Grand Prix, and they sit happily next to Spark on a shelf.

What the Spark 1:64 F1 range covers

The Spark 1:64 F1 range follows the current grid closely. New cars are announced through the season, usually tied to a particular race: a win, a podium, a one-off livery or a driver's first pole position. Some come with extras such as pit boards or a driver figure, and there are occasional two-car sets.

You'll find cars from earlier seasons too, such as the 2023 Red Bull RB19 of Max Verstappen from his title-winning year and the 2023 Alpine A523 of Pierre Gasly as it finished seventh at Monaco. Spark's 1:64 range isn't only F1, either: Le Mans cars, GT3 racers and a few road cars sit alongside the F1 models in our Spark listings, and our F1 collection brings together F1 models from other brands as well.

Spark 1:64 vs 1:43: which should you choose?

• Size: a modern F1 car at 1:64 is roughly 8 to 9 cm long. At 1:43 it's around 13 cm, which leaves more room for fine detail.
• Price: a Spark 1:64 F1 car usually costs well under half the price of the 1:43 version.
• Space: a full season's grid at 1:64 fits on a shelf or two. The same grid at 1:43 needs a proper cabinet.
• Detail: 1:43 wins on sponsor logos you can actually read, cockpit detail and the finer parts of the wings. At 1:64 the shape and livery still come through clearly, but the smallest details are simplified.

Our advice: if you want every car from a season, or your favourite driver at every race, go for 1:64. If you'd rather have a few special cars, such as a championship winner or a race you went to, a model from our 1:43 range makes more of a statement. Plenty of collectors do both.

How Spark pre-orders work

Because many Spark F1 models are based on a particular race result, they can only be announced once that race has happened, and production follows later. That's why so much of the range appears first as a pre-order.

• A pre-order is a model that hasn't been released yet. The date on the listing is the manufacturer's estimate, and those dates often move, so please treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
• Current-season cars can take many months to arrive. At the time of writing, some estimates run well into next year.
• Our pre-order information page sets out how pre-orders work in full.
• If you're collecting several cars, our Build a Box service lets you enter the code BUILD at checkout so we hold your orders and send them together in one parcel.

FAQs

How big is a Spark 1:64 F1 model?

A modern F1 car at 1:64 is roughly 8 to 9 cm long, so a whole season's grid fits on a shelf or two.

Should I collect F1 in 1:64 or 1:43?

If you want lots of cars, such as a full grid or one driver's whole season, 1:64 makes sense. If you'd prefer fewer, more detailed models, go for 1:43.

When will my Spark pre-order arrive?

The date shown is the manufacturer's estimate, and it often changes. We'd suggest treating it as a rough guide rather than a fixed date.

Are Spark 1:64 F1 models suitable for children?

They're collectors' display models with small, delicate parts, so they're best kept out of reach of young children.

See the latest Spark 1:64 F1 cars, in stock and on pre-order, in our Spark collection.