From the Chrysanthemum Throne... [PIC]

In 1935, Daimler-Benz delivered this Mercedes-Benz WO7 Grosser Pullman limousine to the imperial family of Japan. Emperor Hirohito's staff chose Mercedes because of their expertise in armored limousines. The car was outfitted with bullet-proof glass on the rear and side windows as well as the partition glass. Steel plates reinforced the sides and roof over the passenger compartment. The limo is adorned with the imperial 16 petal chrysanthemum that was adopted in 1183 AD as the Imperial Seal. Because US bombers were told not to bomb the imperial castle and grounds during WWll, mistakingly assuming that Hirohito had no part in Japan's war making, the limo still exists today on display at the Mercedes museum.

This venerable Franklin Mint was fairly well done for its time, but the real prize, for me, was the models made from the tooling of the much older 1986 Lemaco Japan model that continued to be produced under Xonex and Paul's Model Art. These models were more refined and even offered silk upholstery. I bought one at auction once but it arrived with irreparable damage to the front suspension. This FM model has survived the years without biodegrading so I'm happy with it.