Pocher Model Buyers Guide

Pocher manufacturered some of the most detailed and complex automotive scale models ever produced. Made from a combination of metal, plastic, and rubber pieces these cars were exquisitely detailed down to bolts and hoses. While these kits were very detailed, they were never manufacturered in great quantities. Those models and kits that survive come at a high premium. Unassembled kits are the holy grail to detail scale model enthusiasts.

Buying a Pocher kit carries a risk; Pocher is no longer in business. While there are still a large number of NOS kits to be found, there are also many faulty, even resealed kits out there. In my experience, about one of every six unpunched Pocher kit is not perfect, and have some kind of fault (missing or damaged pieces), some major, some relatively minor. A large number are because of factory defects, others are due to missing pieces, or damaged caused by improper storage.

Poor Quality Control

A factory sealed kit should be perfect, Right? Well, let’s hope so... Even buying a new factory sealed kit does NOT ensure that all pieces will be there, or that the kit will be flawless. Some of the most common flaws are missing metal pieces inside factory sealed bags, an incorrectly made metal part, an entire bag of plastic pieces missing, the entirely wrong metal pieces bag stapled to the cardboard (so you get doubled of those and none of the other), and warped plastic pieces due to manufacturing flaws. Of course, you sometimes find extra pieces too.

Many people buy Pocher kits on eBay, and put them away as collector’s kits. They never unsealed the kit, never did an inventory, or do not know what all the pieces are supposed to look like, so they are not aware that they have a defective kit.

A long-time hobby shop owner told me that even when they were selling Pocher kits back in the 70s, there were frequent missing pieces issues in new kits that customers complained about.

Potential Issues

A guy once told me that he had a unopened Bugatti kit, open the seal to find NO metal pieces flaps inside. I also heard that somebody had a kit with 2 of the same metal pieces flaps inside. That means all those metal pieces present are doubled, the other half are missing. Then there is the guy that got 2 left fenders in his kit instead of left and right. I also heard that somebody had a Pocher Porsche with TWO front suspension sub-frame on the vacuum sealed blister pack instead of front and rear sub-frames.

Improper Storage Damage

Because many Pocher kits are from 20 or so years ago, there is a chance of possible damage from improper storage. Some of these kits were stored in hot attics or hot warehouses. This can lead to heat damage. Because Pocher kits are combination metal and plastic, the metal pieces can heat up and start to melt the plastic piece that is tightly packed next to it. I’ve seen metal wheel rings leaving their imprint in the plastic fenders. The heat can also cause plastic pieces to deform or even melt down altogether. I have seen Fiat yellow rims that are melted. The plastic bags can also melt onto the pieces, causing permanent damage. One possible evidence of heat damage is a faded box.

Conclusion

Pocher made some beautifully detailed models in their day, most that hold up to the test of time. Because of their increasing rarity their value constantly increases. Whether your buying a Pocher scale model kit to assemble or collect, it is important to understand the potential pitfalls of buying a kit online without being able to inspect it.