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  Most of the 35 limited edition one-tenth scale models of the Jim Beam Falcon have already been sold.

A hulking giant has just re-written the rules for scaled-down race replicas in Australia.

It's a massive one-tenth scale model of the Jim Beam Falcons raced in this year's V8 Supercar championship by James Courtney and Steven Johnson, produced by Biante Model Cars.

The newcomer towers over the 1:18 scale models which are most popular with collectors in Australia, and absolutely dwarfs anything in the smaller 1:43 and 1:64 classes of V8 Supercar models. But it comes at a giant price - $3000 - and only 35 are being built.

Most are expected to be snapped up by corporate collectors, including backers of Dick Johnson's race team, although several have gone to keen and cashed-up private buyers.

"It's the only one-tenth resin model Biante has made, so I would have to say it's the best in its category," says Biante's development chief, Marion Scrivens. She has led the project for close to a year and overseen everything from the moulds - the parts are made from resin, not the more-common diecast process used for 1:18th scale - to the final artwork. "The project has been around for the last seven months. Biante has a relationship with DJR so it made sense to do their Falcon first," she says.

The prototype is still being completed but Scriven says most of the limited production run - 20 copies of Courtney's Falcon and 15 of Johnson's - are sold. "It's a fair go for anyone who can afford it. They are nearly all sold out."

She says the 1:10th model weighs a little over five kilograms and is supplied in a custom-made display case. Although the demand is likely to be limited, she can see future runs in the large scale.

"We're probably spoiled 1:18 collectors. It's a niche market," she says. "Early indicators show it is successful and it is a niche model. Hopefully it will lead to future projects."

But she is not ruling out new developments in the popular, and more affordable 1:18th scale where cars cost around $200 and Biante competes against the rival Classic Carlectables.

"We're exporing more and more resin and 1:43rd scale. We need to make it interesting for the collectors," Scrivens says.