A Model Dose... Wednesday 2/15/23

Great shots! I was a big fan of the first generation Falcon (1960 to 1963) and perhaps even more the generation 2 (1964 & 1965) Falcons. Sure wish FM gave us one of those year's or a 60 in blue; for obvious reasons!  

Love the combination of red and white on your images John. The Falcon was an underrated car in the early 1960s but more respected now.

I have the plain Jane white one and really like it.

I worked for fun for a short time at the Franklin Mint retail store in the Mall of America back in the later 1990's.  Of all the model cars on the display shelves, this '60 Falcon was the one least purchased.  It was as if the model was invisible.  I looked at adding one to my own collection, but every one that the store had, the side doors didn't stay closed.  I like your photos John, but not sad that I didn't add this one to my fleet.  In my opinion, it wasn't one of FM's finer moments in 1:24.  

Highly unusual for diecast manufactures to produce a bottom of the line image, as most collectors prefer high end versions. These two look great together. Love the pics of course.

The oddball cars that FM did is what made me get the white one originally, and then I picked up the red one on the other auction site.  I am happy to have both, they stand out in my collection.  John great shots, thanks for sharing again.

I only have the white one and have always been happy it is a part of my collection.

I have the white one as well and then got the Corvair to pair with it.  I was always curious as to why the red/white one was referred to as the Australian version.  It's not right-hand drive.  It looks more like a fire chief's car.  Anyone know? 

@pete-rovero Hi Pete, I can only suggest that at the time of release FM were very high profile and I'd imagine quite successful in Australia. They had a large distribution centre in a Melbourne outer suburb, heavy direct mail activity and a couple of mall stores. I also remember them having a very large glass display cabinet in the Melbourne airport terminal. Perhaps they introduced the red "Australian version" to capitalise on this success? Along with the terrible RH driver oversight, most 1961 Falcons sold here were 4 doors. They rarely appear here on the secondary market so I doubt they sold well.

Thanks Geoff, that makes sense.  It's more about the where rather than the what.

@pete-rovero Good question Pete as I too wondered about that Australian connection. Thanks Geoff for your input.