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Topic starter
30/05/2021 10:54 pm
I saw this on eBay last week. It sold for $152.50. The seller noted that the hood is misaligned and may be able to be adjusted and that there was minor rash on the car. It sure looks like diecast rot to me. Are these models prone to this problem? I have the '69 T/A and the gold Firebird 400 and they look just fine. I was interested in adding this Carousel Red one, but not if it's going to self destruct.
30/05/2021 11:13 pm
Pete: It definitely looks like diecast rot to me too. That is a real shame. I have the others and they are fine as well.
31/05/2021 12:56 am
I've seen a few of these on eBay with photos disclosing diecast rot. I've heard they are prone to it as well. My 69 TA and Firebird 400 are fine too.
Topic starter
31/05/2021 2:43 am
Thanks guys. I think I'll steer clear of this one.
31/05/2021 8:23 am
I saw this one on eBay and I have to agree, It would be the 3rd one I've seen with diecast rot. Back when these were new, diecast rash was a huge problem. I got several from DM and never found a good one. Unfortunately, this is a model that I don't expect I'll ever find a good one.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
31/05/2021 8:42 am
OUCH! One I don't have in my collection either, and for sure will not count on ever adding it. Too bad, because it's a nice looking model otherwise. I have the other two color versions mentioned by others here and mine are nice. I'll be satisfied with just them. Thanks for sharing Pete!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Pete Rovero and Pete Rovero reacted
31/05/2021 12:30 pm
Dang, that one looks rough! I've got tthe DM 69 Trans Am in white, and it's one of my favorites. I wonder if the orange paint had something to do with the rot.
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
31/05/2021 2:42 pm
@john-shamblin
The paint color's not the issue, it just so happens this particular color was painted a bad batch of ZAMAC castings for this particular Firebird. ZAMAC refers to a mix of alloy metals consisting of Zinc, Aluminum, Magnesium, and Copper. As I understand it the problem lies in the volume of impurities in the Zamac that corrode and cause the casting to break down. That's about my limited knowledge on the subject.
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
31/05/2021 3:52 pm
Thanks, Pete. Do you think there may be some orange versions of this model that did not suffer from the rot issue? I'd love to add one to my modest Pontiac collection.
Topic starter
31/05/2021 5:56 pm
@john-shamblin
It's hard to say, but there usually are those that defy the odds and are perfectly fine. It could be that there were multiple lots of production and some were unaffected. Since these models were issued over 10 years ago, I would think that this condition would have reared its ugly head by now. It depends on how much of a gambler you are and how much you're willing to spend on the chance that it won't self-destruct in the future.
25/08/2021 9:30 am
I have one too and paint is not perfect but otherwise it displays nice on the shelf.
25/08/2021 12:44 pm
I’ve seen/heard that this particular issue is prone to the dreaded Zemak corrosion / rot. Others to mention off the top of my head are DM 1960 red Thunderbird (sunroof car), FM 55 StarChief black/red LE. And a few others. Beautiful models, a real Shame!!
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