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27/06/2021 10:38 am
This 390 Fairlane was GMP's first model of the series and most unfairly, the most maligned. When it was first released, many collectors were howling over the bench seats as they should have been buckets. GMP pulled this model and then proceeded to make a plethora of variants mostly 427 equipped. Well it turned out that one could have ordered the car with bench seats so it turned into another tempest in a tea pot. (We were very militant in those days).
These models had lots of bells and whistles for their time, including pose-able side windows and a very nicely engineered active suspension. What tickled me most about this particular variant was that it was the only one in the series with pneumatic tires. With the slight flattening of the tires under the models considerable weight, it offered a more realistic look, but what fascinated me was the life-like "bounce" the model had when dropped between the weight,suspension and the tires.
Anyway, what reminded me of this model was an email I just got from George Bojacciuk who is having another mini-auction and this is one of the models up for bid. For those of you who are on the notification list for these auction, you know that the items wind up being sold for next to nothing. I'd say, if this genre of automobile is something you collect, I strongly suggest giving this model some thought. I have a slew of the Fairlane variants and this is the only one I display.
27/06/2021 2:35 pm
What a great looking diecast model from GMP ! An excellent subject wonderfully executed. LOL, and the "experts" mis-fire over the non-existent seat issue is many times par for the course in such matters.
Topic starter
27/06/2021 3:52 pm
@mikedetorrice I'm sure you remember back in the day some of the unnecessarily heated exchanges on this site. Maybe we've all mellowed with age as we're all kind of civil these days, thankfully.
27/06/2021 7:28 pm
LOL, there were "exchanges" ...... and occasionally at least, I think they could happen again here and there ! No model car is ever utterly "perfect". One point was, if someone is so worked up over some perceived issue, how will they feel when there are NO 1/18 diecast cars at all to even pontificate about ?
Also, some of us indicated that there is no absolute rule that a diecast model can't be of a possible option ; a restored car ; a "what-if" idea ; a dealer-installed feature ; or even an aftermarket look. The key point was, if you like it, buy it and enjoy it and if you don't like it, simply don't purchase it and send a message that way.
There is no way to 100%, to an absolutely certainty, guarantee what any particular car's "factory" look may have been, so just make up one's own mind and enjoy the hobby. I'd take one of those GMP Fairlanes if it had folding lawn chair front seats ! 
Rich Sufficool and Rich Sufficool reacted