[Closed] franklin mint 1963 impala imperfection

I think you mean "error" and TFM was notorious for models with them back in the day!

Oddly FM models with errors became coveted by collectors and worth substantially more while DM models that were released with "errors" just were known as screw ups and or something that we could nit pick apart here on the BB.

Phil, I'm not sure where you get the idea that FM models are worth more because of errors in their replication, but I respectfully will say that is nutty thinnking.

Guess I'd offer that we may have nit-picked DM for errors, but the reason was because from DM we didn't expect them and it was out of the norm of their usual excellent craftsmanship.

While with FM, the norm was that they were usually always wrong after the first years. FM got lazy and didn't care enough to get the detail down and get it right. And sadly, they often charged slightly more for their cars that DM did theirs.

Not saying that FM didn't hit any homeruns, because they did. But that was more so in the first few years of the company. In later years though, seems every car had issues with accurate replication to the original 1.1.

I personally have never felt bad that FM is out of the 1.24 business. If they weren't going to provide a quality replica, then I'm glad their gone!

I'm hoping DM will get their China manufacturing issues corrected so that eventually we will see them cranking out their superb models again.

George, as more time goes by with nothing from DM, I begin to wonder if ever again...

...Maybe as we near Christmas, they will be more forthcoming.

I wish, for those still collecting, that DM will continue.

George I dont know if you have followed this hobby for the amount of time I have but...

What I said is not an "idea" but is rather FACTUAL and spot on. There was a time about 10-15 Years ago when TFM released a model with errors that it soon was much desired and worth substantially MORE then its corrected counter part. There was a time when your incorrect small WW 1955 Pontiac was selling for $300-$500 JUST because it had the small WWs. Another example is the SMOKEYS Hudson. The ones with SMOKEYS on the front fenders were selling for $1200-$2000++ back in the day compared to the corrected version "pure premium" Then there was the incorrect RED rim 1928 Rolls Royce with "wide track" LOL I have this "error" version and there was a time when it was much desired and sold for $450-$700+ There were many other models that had "errors" that routinely sold for 2-4+ times the amount that their corrected counterparts sold for! This isn't my opinion, MY thinking, MY "Nuttyness" or anything else. This is a FACT! Ask members here what I am talking about and they will validate this or ask Roy Rauch what some "error" cars sold for back in the day. At the time they were much coveted, some STILL are. I cannot think of a single DM model that is or ever was worth more that had "errors" We the collector just chaulked them up to screw ups and that was it! Nobody cared more or less to have the error version. Two that immdediately come to mind are the DM Mercury TP cruiser with the window frames, and the Eldorado 57 convertible "TOOTHY" edition that was missing the center bar in the grille. ( i have both versions of the Caddy) The first batch had a missing verticle grille bar which DM later corrected! I have not seen either version sell for any more then its' correct version. There have been other corrected DM models, but none (to my knowledge) are any more valuable due to the "errors" Again ALL FACTS! Where do I get this from??? OBSERVATION and from closed auction figures from D4C and E-Bay from 10-15 years ago when I followed this "trend"

I agree Phil

There is also the FM '57 Corvette with white walls that was an error model, which just a few years ago would bring $300+. Now sells for less than $100.

Unfortunately and just my observation, it seems the value of our little cars across the board has tanked since FM & WCPD stopped and DM slowed. Just look at eBay, it's ugly. I saw and operating trunk Pierce Arrow with a buy it now of $800 yesterday these were $3000 just a few years ago. There are some models that still bring decent money, but once everyone that wants one gets one that will end...

You Are Correct, Phil

Well Phil and others...if indeed folks were paying big money for FM cars with errors, then they are in plain English, Goofy!

But, since the FM 55 Pontiac with the thin WW tires is so valuable, how about someone taking mine off my hands? I'll gladly take some nutjob'a bucks who has money to throw away.

The world gets screwier the older I get.

Not really George think of it this way.....

There was no finite number of error cars recorded and noone knows how many of each were made. These were later corrected and readily available in CORRECTED form. That said the "error" cars were the rare odd balls that few collectors had. Due to this, like anything, you will always find a niche market for such items that few people have. Most call this "bragging rights" Some like to be able to say that they have something that few others have thus the reason for the inflated price on the error models. It makes sense if you look at them as "rare" models which they indeed are/were! Would a purist want a Corvette with incorrect WWs or a Rolls Royce that looks as if it has "wide track" suspension?? NO neither would a nit picker whom seeks to find ANY flaw they can with a model as it would drive them nuts! But to the guy who has everything, or to the person that likes odd balls and wants something in his/her collection that's a little different then their peers, then an "error" model is JUST the model they want and they're willing to pay a premium for it.

Quit calling people names!

Quit calling people names!

thanks for the info thanks for the info Phil it is much appreciated. I don't think my impala is worth much at all considering I first go it when I was young and played with it. its now missing a mirror and the windshield wipers but I still have it many years later and still enjoy it. I personally own a real 1963 impala convertible that is red with black interior. I combined the black convertible interior from the blue impala with the red impala to get a look alike to the real thing. due to the rarity of the red FM impala this is probably a sin but im ok with it so please don't hold me against it.

NOT at all I think it's cool you made what you WANTED

These aren't precious gems (though we sometimes think of our little cars like they are) but rather massed produced "
Adult collectibles" and there isn't a single thing in them that has any intrinsic value. That said it is US the collector who has gave these any value at all! Im glad you made the car to YOUR specs/likes!