I'll call this a "Public Service Announcement". AUTOart has re-released their 1966 Chrysler Imperial "Black Beauty" model from the old "Green Hornet" TV series. The original car was built by Dean Jeffries who was given 30 days. Ultimately, only 2 were built from budget restraints (29 were built for the movie!) and the #1 car is still MIA. The #2 car is fully restored and has found its way to the Petersen Museum. The model is one of AUTOart's first "hybrid" models offering a diecast chassis with the body in exceptionally durable ABS plastic. The ultimate design did not included functioning panels for the weapons bays so all are modeled in the open position.
Rich, any backstory of why Autoart chose to replicate this particular car? Honestly, it's quite an unusual choice for them. They haven't replicated other TV/movie cars.
@chrisThey probably saw how successful Mattel was with the Barris Batmobile and the demographics of the collector base that watched the shows in '66 and '67 and figured they might too cash in before us old guys cash out. I'm sure the licensing fees were a helluva lot cheaper than what Mattel paid to 4 different entities for the Batmobile (Barris, Warner brothers, DC Comics and Greenway Productions).
I loved it when Black Beauty would rotate from the garage below to the garage above... I'm sure you all remember that, right... Or am I living in La La Land..
@100ford2003You got it right, sir. One of my local TV channels re-ran the series a couple of years back. The car was worth the viewing and seeing a young Bruce Lee doing his thing was also a treat.
Rich, any backstory of why Autoart chose to replicate this particular car? Honestly, it's quite an unusual choice for them. They haven't replicated other TV/movie cars.
I agree its an interesting choice for AutoArt, but they have done a handful movie/TV cars...from 007, the Lotus Esprits from For Your Eyes Only & The Spy Who Loved Me, the Toyota 2000GT Cabrio from You Only Live Twice. McQueen's Mustang from Bullitt.
@chrisAUTOart did do the Mad Max Falcon in a couple of 1/18 releases as well as a pair of 1/43s that included the Aussie Ford LTD that was destroyed at the beginning of MM2.
I'll call this a "Public Service Announcement". AUTOart has re-released their 1966 Chrysler Imperial "Black Beauty" model from the old "Green Hornet" TV series. The original car was built by Dean Jeffries who was given 30 days. Ultimately, only 2 were built from budget restraints (29 were built for the movie!) and the #1 car is still MIA. The #2 car is fully restored and has found its way to the Petersen Museum. The model is one of AUTOart's first "hybrid" models offering a diecast chassis with the body in exceptionally durable ABS plastic. The ultimate design did not included functioning panels for the weapons bays so all are modeled in the open position.
Rich, the model looks fantastic! Thanks for the "Public Service Announcement"! I loved the TV show as a kid and the car was cool beyond cool. Went to AUTOart site, the price of the model wasn't cool (at least in my opinion), at $259 plus shipping. For now I'll watch my DVD reruns of the TV show.
