Spark Models

Spark models exists because Hugo Ripert, its founder, is a car and model freak who's father Andre was in the modeling business before him. Hugo worked with the Vitesse, Quartzo and Ixo brands and was in charge of research and model development. He would follow a particular model from photo research through prototype modeling, hand samples and on into production. His job consisted of attempting to ensure accuracy and quality during the inevitable compromises demanded by producing any model to a price and cost schedule. Back in 2000, whilst still with Ixo, Hugo started arranging for the first Spark models of Le Mans cars to be produced and distributed. Initially concentrating on the cars at the "back of the grid" ignored by the major manufactures such as Minichamps and Ixo, the models were produced in small runs of around 700-1000 pieces. Not wishing to teach potential competitors the business, all the models were initially hand cast in resin, then painted, assembled and decorated in different small factories in Guandong province, Southern China. The problem with dispersed production was that Hugo found it difficult or impossible to control production schedules and quality. One of his collector friends suggested that the solution was for him to start his own factory and thus attempt to control the whole process. Hugo eventually agreed and so Clive Rigby became an investing partner. Along with Cecilia who runs the factory. If our brand has been successful, it is in large part due to the partners' collective enthusiasm for cars. Calling them car nuts is neither insulting nor an exaggeration. They race and restore cars. They collect full size cars and models. They go to race meetings, festivals and museums. Their passion for models is reflected in the never-ending search for improving modeling techniques and materials. From purely resin castings of car bodies Spark has moved into Zamak diecasting injection molding. Increasing production has necessitated a new purpose built factory with a total of about 1000 employees. Vertical integration has meant that Spark recently began producing its own steel casting moulds in-house, as opposed to sending out for them. By bringing the various production steps in-house, the company aims to better control the whole production process. Spark's photo and documentary archive never stops growing. The library is added to daily as car magazines, books and new Internet research continually comes in. This archive is a key element in researching classic cars and is managed by ex autojournalist, model car freak - Luigi. Once a decision has been made to produce a particular car, measurements, drawings and photos are given to one of the craftsmen who then sculpt a prototype. This goes through various approval stages prior to mould production. These craftsmen in an earlier generation in China, would have probably been ivory or jade carvers. Their skills are extraordinary. Current production cars are often modeled by cad-cam techniques from computer data supplied by the original car manufacturer. Spark models are essentially serially produced hand built kits. When Hugo started the business he essentially took what had been the, largely European, cottage industry of resin and white metal, small-run, hand built models to China where skilled workers could continue a craft at far more affordable prices than the boutique European producers. The challenge is to maintain the price advantage without losing the handbuilt quality. The partners in the business, being model enthusiasts, are continually on the lookout for improved modelling techniques. Take for example chrome window frames which, in the past, were either simply reproduced in silver paint or more realistically in photo etched steel. Spark started using chrome foil which allowed for a more realistic finish usable on more parts of the car such as curved strips. The partners' enthusiasm for model collecting is such that Spark frequently uses costly techniques and finishes that would not be financially acceptable to a more purely business oriented producer. This is also frequently reflected in the choice of models produced. Just because a particular model might sell relatively poorly is no good reason for us to not produce it. Indeed the company was founded by Hugo's desire to model the entire grid of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Not just the winners and the best known cars already produced by the big model manufactures. Small production runs necessitate the use of resin, as tooling is much cheaper than for diecasting. This also has the advantage that it allows for modifying details on cars such as extra louvres and air intakes, wider wheel arches and different spoilers that change on any given real racing car as it appears at different circuits and in different years. It is probably this attention to detail and continuous search for improved realism in an ever-widening range of models that is the reason for Spark's successful entry into the market place.