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02/07/2023 10:15 am
Back in the day, ERTL used to send me models for a photo review. They sent me what I gather was a prototype. It actually came in an Aston Martin DB5 box. It was HORRIBLE! The exhaust tips were blanks (did you blacken yours?); the headlamps looked dead, the brightwork trim was spotty, The 454 , with the air cleaner sticker peeled back and the wiring looked like scale garden hose; and the trunk devoid of liner spare and jack. But the real head-scratcher was a large dent in the front right fender which, being die cast made me wonder how the hell that could happen. The model they sent was a "Chase Car" which was one in a 6 model case that offered some different feature. Looking at yours, I guess it was the vinyl top. With no other info (like "we fixed all of this). All I could honestly do is review what I had in hand and photograph it as attractively as I could without digitally altering anything. The result: They never sent me another model.
02/07/2023 2:25 pm
I remember this "thing." Ertl did a few "low-end-high-end" 1/18 models: this Monte, a Cougar & an Oldsmobile Cutlass. All 3 featured better, scale-hinges and a bit more engine/trunk detail but the finishes, interiors and overall build quality were quite poor.
Rich, I'd say you did the best you could with what you had.
Autoworld has since reissued these, and they are better but still don't measure up considering all 3 are actually nice castings. 😏
02/07/2023 5:10 pm
Rich, my 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo looks good to me, but I did darken the exhaust tips with a black marker, as I have also done with others cars sometimes, too. The headlights are rather dark as you indicated but I believe this was later improved and some people have taken off the headlights and brightened the area behind them.
Mine is the "Elite" version. which was supposedly below an "Authentics" level of detail but above a "Standard" Ertl diecast automobile and priced accordingly.
Since I like 1970 Monte Carlos, I am happy with mine and I realize the "perfect" model will never be built. I guess each person can decide whether they want to spend their money on it, which is the bottom line for these companies, I guess !
John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
02/07/2023 8:37 pm
@mikedetorrice Lord, I hope there were improvements since they sent me that model. I knew I was doomed from the time I looked at it. I assumed it was a protoytpe from the packaging, but they sent no cover letter with an explanation, so I knew if I reviewed it honesty, I'd really have to trash it with just a caveat that it appeared to be a work in progress. I don't know what they expected as it was a pictorial review and the camera doesn't lie.
Dig out your magnifying glass, Mike. On the passenger side of the chassis, on mine, you can read "Chase Car 2007 Release". On the driver's side embossed is a checkered flag and under it it reads: "Racing Champions, Made in China, 1971 Monte Carlo SS 454, Used Under License". Does yours read the same?
I never got the proper box art to supply me with any other info.
John Kuvakas reacted
03/07/2023 12:07 am
Hi Rich : Perhaps they may have done improvements/changes before final release of the 1970 Monte Carlo in it's various forms as a diecast model (Standard, Elite and Authentics) and there may have been early stage construction sent out for review and, then, later, final production items. I recall some controversy in that review and model show items were sometimes handled roughly and were not necessarily "fixed" as that might cause more controversy and issues.
My Ertl Elite Monte Carlo has this item under the driver's side chassis and the second picture is the identifying letters/numbers beneath the 454 V-8 engine :
Christopher Moroni and Rich Sufficool reacted
Topic starter
03/07/2023 7:48 am
@mikedetorrice Indentical set up except mine is marked 1971 (I just noticed the difference of '70 and '71 in the front parking lamps.. Is there a 1971 production model out there I wonder? OK. There is. Auto World American Muscle. I wonder why they chose to do such similar models.
John Kuvakas and Christopher Moroni reacted
03/07/2023 4:19 pm
.... Indentical set up except mine is marked 1971 (I just noticed the difference of '70 and '71 in the front parking lamps.. Is there a 1971 production model out there I wonder? OK. There is. Auto World American Muscle. I wonder why they chose to do such similar models.
Thanks, Rich. I also wonder why the later AW diecast models are labeled as 1971 Monte Carlos ? Perhaps there is some licensing issue or some other reason (or requirement).
John Kuvakas reacted