FM's 30 year old streamliner... [PIC]

This model was based on the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R #18 car introduced in the French Grand Prix driven by Juan Fangio in a slightly different configuration. It's definitely a Fangio car but for the exhaust configuration (both exiting the lower right port) and the lack of wide opened front and rear barred ports seem to make it at least a 1955 variant. FM seemed to put this model out there to compete with the various 300SLR models by CMC and PMA. It's not a bad model, but in comparison, it lacks the refinement ( castings are not as well chased) and parts count. The wire wheels are a bit thick and the engine bay is over-chromed, but they did use proper plaid upholstery and real wire mesh for the grill and hood intakes. All in all, for the level of precision Franklin Mint was at in 1992, I thought the model was a fair representation of a most beautiful silver arrow.