(Pics) 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Ertls frustrate me, they clearly are capable of producing a nice Diecast, but so many of their diecast's fall so short in quality and lack of an opening trunk. 

This Monte Carlo is one of their better releases looking at the pictures, I have a 1970 Buick GS 455 convertible that is another one of their hits, then I have some Ertl that fall short, my 1963 split window Corvette, 1967 Camaro and even my 1967 GTO all have issues, The 63 Vette just has poor fit and finish, the 67 Camaro has the drivers vent window leaned into the drivers compartment and the 67 GTO the drivers vent was loose and would lean at an angle into the drivers side, I was able to fix the vent window on the 67 GTO but the Camaro I have not found a solution and the 63 Vette is just poor fit and finish. 

I have a black Monte Carlo with the T-Top and they did a darned nice job on this model.

agree with you, Rich...these Ertl Authentics models were really well done.  I had the silver model, but sold it a few years ago.

Very life like pictures Mike.

@gavin  Cloth seat belts, looks like the glove box opens? Even a spare and T-top covers in the trunk, looks pretty good to me.

Posted by: @john3976

Ertls frustrate me, they clearly are capable of producing a nice Diecast, but so many of their diecast's fall so short in quality and lack of an opening trunk. 

I have had very good luck with the Ertl's I have. This '85 Monte Carlo was not actually in the Ertl "Authentics" series but in the "Elite" line which was nearly as detailed but at a lower price. The T-tops don't come off and interior detail is less than the Authentics, but that's understandable and fine, given the lower price/detail point. All my Ertl 1/18ths are very pleasing and notable standouts among my collection.

Lack of opening trunks on a few Ertl's doesn't bother me at all. Several Yat Ming's (and others) are this way, too, and, again, it's just a different price/detail point.

Ertl's subject range is unsurpassed and, with their successor in Auto World, in my view they offer many great models, now at a higher price than before, but that's true in diecast replicas everywhere given the market now. A number of older Ertl molds/tooling have also been upgraded in various ways by AW. 

@josh, yup...this model is loaded with some cool details.  As Mike mentioned, though...you have to make sure to get the Authentics version, as the Elite loses a lot of the fund stuff.