The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1997
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Topic starter
31/08/2026 10:52 am
Hi, folks. It's been many years since I've participated in these Forums, but I figured I'd give this a shot. As some of you might have noticed, the Russ Truelove '56 Merc was issued with only one windshield wiper. If you examine period photographs, you'll see this is 100% accurate but it has been driving my OCD self crazy. When I asked Russ about it years ago, he told me that he removed the driver's side wiper because it would flutter at higher speeds and was VERY distracting. So, if any members here might have a driver's side wiper from any Sunstar '56 Merc they would be willing to part with, I'd really appreciate it. Thanx in advance!
This topic was modified 3 weeks ago by Gene Herman
31/08/2026 1:39 pm
Welcome back, Gene. I've quoted you many times, to wit:
"HA!"
This post was modified 3 weeks ago by Paul Rouffa
31/08/2026 3:57 pm
Wow.... Gene Herman, I remember you! It's like the Twilight Zone! Your best bet may by to find any 1/18 junker '50's car and pirate a matching set of wipers from that.
Good luck, and nice to hear from you!
GDH reacted
31/08/2026 5:19 pm
Hi Gene ! It is a terrific looking Mercury diecast and I am confident you can find or fabricate a replacement. Many years ago I purchased a cool SunStar 1/18 replica but it was missing a headlight or trim piece. It was not a dramatic loss, but when my dealer later found out about the missing piece, he personally contacted SunStar directly. He had a good relationship with them and they quickly sent me a replacement part immediately by mail. That was really exceptional on both the dealer's and SunStar's part, and I very much appreciated it.
31/08/2026 6:30 pm
Gene good to hear from you. Do you still have the 48 Dodge?
GDH and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
31/08/2026 9:00 pm
@bob-jackman Yes I do, Bob. Good memory! Hope you are well.
GDH and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
31/08/2026 9:06 pm
@mikedetorrice Mike, my experience with Sunstar couldn't have been more different. When I first contacted Russ to congratulate him on Sunstar selecting his car to replicate, it was the first he had heard about it. They never contacted him before they began to produce it. Not that there was any question about trademarks or copyrights, but I thought it might have been common courtesy for them to at least contact him about their plans. And then, getting them to let him have a few complimentary copies was like pulling teeth. They eventually did but, holy cow, you'd think we were asking them for the keys to Fort Knox!
GDH and Christopher Moroni reacted
31/08/2026 9:29 pm
Maybe because it was a diecast replica they made and a dealer also inquired about the part, the service was excellent.
Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
31/08/2026 9:31 pm
@mikedetorrice Maybe, Mike. We were dealing directly with the U.S. distributor at the time.
GDH and Christopher Moroni reacted
31/08/2026 9:40 pm
I thought the dealer I bought the diecast from (probably being a good retail dealer for them), and SunStar may have liked my pictures featuring their cars, I got very quick and courteous service.
There is also the supposed "Rule of Fifteen" in which you may tell a couple of collectors or friends how pleased you were with the car or service. But ..... if you had an unfortunate (or unsatisfied) experience, you may tell/complain to fifteen friends . ... who may then tell fifteen friends, and so on.
GDH and Christopher Moroni reacted
31/08/2026 10:55 pm
@monteverde802 Didn't your brother have one ('48 - '49 Dodge ) too? I remember a blue-ish/gray coupe.....
This post was modified 3 weeks ago by Christopher Moroni
GDH reacted
Topic starter
31/08/2026 11:02 pm
31/08/2026 11:11 pm
I must say Mike, yours is the best - and ONLY - good Sun Star-direct customer service experience I've ever of. I know of two "brick & mortar" hobby store owners and one online dealer who have all recounted horror stories about defect reimbursement, returns, damaged product, and poor quality.
One of those owners, in fact, no longer sells 1/18 Sun Star products.
And we ALL know that SS's overall build quality is terrible... practically every 1/18 Sun Star I've received (NIB ) had some sort of issue, usually lose pieces but occasionally missing ones.
That's why I suggested Gene might be better off just buying either a "cheapy 1/18" - w/nice wipers, or a 1/18 junker.
YOU were lucky! 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
Their '56 Mercury stock car is a nice model though! 😉
Gene Herman and GDH reacted
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