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13/08/2002 2:25 pm
DM finally delivers my '57 Fuelie: Warning! unbiased opinion inside
My first impression was slightly upbeat, but only after putting on the 'up' top. The too shiny dash, convertible boot, and the red/silver seat trim was not appealing.As with others, my paint finish was also dull, but a treatment of Novus brought out the shine- and more disappointment. As with all silver painted cars, the body better be just about perfect, or little flaws become very noticeable.In my case, the trunk lid has both high and low points which are VERY noticeable.For that matter, WHY should we have to polish a $100+ 'precision'diecast anyways? I understand the mold has been around a while, but sight down the side of the car, as you would a real 1:1-it looks like this car has been sideswiped on both sides, and pounded out and bondoed[sp]. There are some nice features, such as the p/etched fender flags-but wouldn't it have been better to do all the emblems? For a comparison [put on battle gear here-prepare for rebuttal] I have included pics of an Ertl $20.00'Happy Days' '57 Belair HT. The paint finish is just as smooth, the trims and door gaps are more uniform, and I think the fins are more accurate too. Granted, it does not have the detail of the DM, but it sure looks just as good,if not better! Copy and paste this Fotki link: http://public.fotki.com/carbroke/57_belair_comparo/
I'm heading for my foxhole now and await for rebutttal. Fire away!:-/
13/08/2002 5:56 pm
Interesting critique David....
I have one of these cars coming, and am interested to see it for real. I don't particularly like 57 Chevys, but always felt the '57 Bel Air Fuelie had a very strong mystique. Something about that "Fuel Injection" script on the fenders; a rare and fairly rapid car in its day. Keep tellin' it like it is....but also keep your head down for a bit!!LOL
13/08/2002 6:05 pm
GREAT PICS! Thanks and I totally agree with you .........
About the top boot being too shiney and the car looking better with the "TOP UP". Mine also has a lousey, lumpy looking casting more noticable after I shined it up. My most favorite thing about this model is the Roof, believe it or not. I love when DM uses realistic cloth on the convertible tops. To me, that enhances the look and realism 100%. I wish I had an extra top for my '61 PB Lincoln, so I could cover it in a real cloth type material. I only have the one that came with it and I wouldn't want to alter it as this model is in prestine condition and changing anything would greatly affect it's value. I rated this a 3.5 Star due to the mentioned flaws. If this didn't have the upgrades (working suspension, PH badges, cloth top-up, etc..) I would have given it a 2.5-3 rating! Another error I noticed is that the front suspension looks collapsed as if its sitting too low, and the whole grill and front clip when veiwed head on looks rediculous! I totally think that TFM's version has far better proportions, a nicer grill AND a more correct ride height. The 57 Chevys I've seen at shows always seem to look very tall and sit up high. FM captured this very well with all of their versions of the '57 Chevy. I always tell it like it is and in this case FM's Chevy is the winner. I am even judging it by the Black convert version and the casting and paint is smooth and straight as you can get a model to be.
13/08/2002 6:32 pm
I sure hope the folks at DM are reading this!!!
:))I had this conversation with a DM staffer when I told him I was diffident about this LE. To do a variation on a car like the '57 Chrysler is fine because the whole model is techno-current to begin with. The alterers (diecast docs) can only do just so much surgery and get away clean. The '57 Fuelie is a great effort that's doomed from the start, just because of its place in the chronology of the precision model. As my wonderful dad used to say : "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!" He was righter than he knew!!!!
14/08/2002 2:16 am
Speaking of a "Sow's ear" ..................
GOT MILK??????????? LOL
14/08/2002 3:25 am
Jay can you e-mail me I tried to e-mail you but it came back! : (
14/08/2002 5:01 am
David, I can't argue with this kind of presentation. DO you need a job?
I was on the fence on this model, but thanks, I have
spent too much already, and will save my cash for the
next winner from the diecast world. Well done.This is
why I am a member of the D4C.
14/08/2002 5:33 am
14/08/2002 5:46 am
TONY I also prefer and will more then likely ONLY collect 1:24th scale as .......
the size just seems "perfect" Its big enough to be able to include worlds of details (just look at DM's 57 TP Cruiser and CMC's 300d)but not too big that you need to put up an extention on your house if you get "addicted" and have a 100+ model collection. I own about 80 of these 1:24ths and I couldn't imagine where the heck I'd keep them all if they were 1:18ths. Also, even the more detailed models (ERTL precision line, GMP, etc.) 1:18ths to me still look toyish due to their size. Much of our little cars is plastic and while most parts that are detailed look realistic and "passable" in 1;24th scale, start looking fake, plasticy and toyish in 1:18th. A headlight in 1:18th is a perfect example of what I am talking about. I'll keep my collection primarily 1:24th unless something REALLY outstanding comes along, say a 1966 Toronado. I own a 1:1 and would take a precision die-cast in ANY scale!
14/08/2002 7:57 am
OK, so everyone missed David's point.....
The comparison was in my opinion a look at what was
old, out of date, and not what you would expect from a
$100+ model in the year 2002. David's comparison to
a 1/18th Ertl model was simply to show how fit and
finish as well as accuracy on this dated 1/24th model
was not up to 2002 standards even for a cheaper 1/
18th model. The point was, is this model worth the cost
based on what you get with more updated newer
model at the same cost. For me it's not, and David
saved me some money. There was NO move to show
a 1/18th model as better, just a better value in
comparison to an old repaint.
14/08/2002 7:58 am
It appears in your photos that there is a lot obviously wrong with the Ertl as well...fuelie decal in the wrong
place...roof does not look right and the kit is not right
either...the literature shows them having the V and
name on them. The door gaps and trim match on the
Ertl, which should be easier to get right in the larger
scale, looks pretty bad. What is really wrong with it is
that, as Tony and Phil so aptly put it, it is 1:18. If you
want a fair comparo...go to original pics of a 1:1 for both
and take in to consideration the constraints of each
scale. Or compare the DM and FM versions. I too think
as a reproduction image, FMs is better to my eye, but
then it is not a fuelie and does not have the top-up
option, working suspension or the wiring and some
other little details. Yes, it would have been nice if DM
had started from scratch and made it to current
standards but that would not have been viable for an LE
nor even make sense on another 57 Bel Air. I am
thankful for all the updates they did do...I wish when
they did a top up that they showed the rear-seat
windows up as well. But I can always come up with
something else I would like to see...an opening gas
cap in the fin...ad nauseum.
By the way, padded dashes were optional on 57
Chevies and the non-padded ones were quite shiny. I
agree about the boot, but then I don't expect to ever
display it with the top down...I have enough like that
already.:D
Would anyone wish to compare both of these to a 1:1
and 1:43...along with the price points?:O
14/08/2002 8:10 am
You said:
"The point was, is this model worth the cost
based on what you get with more updated newer
model at the same cost. For me it's not, and David
saved me some money. There was NO move to show
a 1/18th model as better, just a better value..."
A 1:18 has no value to me whatsoever. And I personally
think the DM is worth the $135.00 and the fact is it has
many many updates and revisions and therefore is not
a re-paint. Alas, it is not perfect, but I have not seen a
perfect one yet, in any scale, even 1:1.
14/08/2002 9:34 am
14/08/2002 9:40 am
David, I agree. I have, or have had all of DM's '57 Chev. .....
converts and hardtops; generally like the blue convert and the black hardtop; but really didn't think that this one was nicely done or current in technology.
Further, the quality of mine was suspect, the steering wheel cracked (and wouldn't operate the wheels) and the incorrect undercarriage and exhaust really ticked me off, considering that it was a premium-priced diecast. Add the dull paint and old technology, and it went back, with no replacement requested.
I just didn't see the value, here, and I AM a '57 Chev. fan, having owned every 1:1 model save for the 4-door wagon, in my younger days.
Those of you who like this one have my continued respect, but I think DM blew it on this one.
Regards,
Terry Daly
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