TK Maxx is Fulvia of surprises

TK Maxx offer some absolute gems from time to time - mainly up to the Chrimbo rush, the shelves are abound with plenty of diecast procured from all sorts of places. Indeed as previously blogged before, I picked up a Minichamps 1/43 Cayenne Turbo for about £6.99, when the normal retail is around £35-ish.

I have to say I have a bit of a impulse 1/43 buying streak, so if I do see a model sometimes for next to nothing - even if it is summat like a Mondeo or a Golf in 1/43 and from a reputable manufacturer then I snap it up.

If memory severs me correctly I paid about £4.99 for this Norev effort of the Lancia Fulvia. Complete bargain if you ask me. It will not go on display, but I like the knowledge that it is parked in the garage.

Is the paint job really worth it??

Abarth 500 - quality as far as I am concerned and Fiat Group have for this right (unlike calling the Chrysler 200 a Lancia Fulvia...).

But some owners insist on making their cars stand out, and a new fad is getting the wheels kitted out in what I call a Carbon Black finish.

Basically this is just matt black. And on this Abarth, it looks good. However what happens if someone scraps it of gives it an unintentional coach line ?

If this was my car - and although it looks the business, I would be forever paranoid about it in terms of bodywork being breathed upon, etc.

So, is the actual finish worth the hassle and heartache in the end??