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Topic starter
09/03/2021 8:57 am
WHAT A GREAT BROCHURE!
It makes the FRANKLIN MINT model it is advertising as big an event as the car it is featuring. On Dark Black Glossy Paper, with the Lettering and the Car in GOLD! The announcement was:
The 1955 CHEVY GOLDEN BEL AIR
THE 50 MILLIONTH GENERAL MOTORS AUTOMOBILE
It was obvious from the immediate glance at the brochure that FRANKLIN MINT was issuing a re-paint of their popular RED/WHITE and BLUE/WHITE versions of this gorgeous ground-breaking Chevrolet. And it's monumental because this particular car from General Motors was indeed the 50 Millionth automobile that rolled off their assembly lines. For this reason alone, having this car in my collection was a no-brainer. I mean, this was history!
However, and the brochure reflects this, there was a most glaring error on this model that simply wasn't part of the REAL 50 millionth Gold Chevy that was the actual car that General Motors produced. The error? The Continental Kit! The REAL '55 Chevrolet Bel Air that was the 50 millionth car, DID NOT have a Continental Kit! For this solitary reason, I personally have always felt that this error on FRANKLIN MINT'S replica detracts from it being an authentic representation of the REAL car.
The reason the model had a Continental Kit was that their two previous releases of the model had it. It would have relatively easy for FRANKLIN MINT to take the extra effort, and perhaps a slight added expense, to create a regular rear bumper on the model. I mean, aren't these little cars advertised and touted as being authentic replica's of the REAL cars?
Sadly, there was one lessor error on the model, and that was Fender Skirts. You guessed it, the actual car DID NOT have them! But again, whether by mistake or lack of caring, FRANKLIN MINT neglected to NOT have them on this model. It was with THIS MODEL from FRANKLIN MINT that I had real issues with. They were selling a model as being an AUTHENTIC REPLICA of the ORIGINAL REAL Chevy, but it wasn't. Is it possible that they thought know one would notice or be wise to the mistake(s)? And it's also possible that FRANKLIN MINT gave it no thought at all. But regardless of the reason(s), this beautiful model is flawed.
All the above said, I bought the model, as I assume many thousands of collectors did, because it was a historical model. Perhaps we were the fools, as had we rejected the car for the mistakes it carried, FRANKLIN MINT would have been forced to learn from their thoughtless oversights. I like this model and I'm glad I have it, so I guess that's really all that matters.
And BELOW is a 1999 publication titled, IMAGES OF MOTORING GENERAL MOTORS A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY. Right there on THE COVER is actual photographic proof of the REAL 55 CHEVROLET BEL AIR "50 MILLIONTH" General Motors car. NOTE: No Fender Skirts and No Continental Kit!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
09/03/2021 9:30 am
I added this one when it was issued. I was never very fond of the gold chrome treatment. I always thought I might change it someday, never have.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
09/03/2021 9:31 am
The only 55 Chevy I never bought. Too many errors from the 1/1 and too toy like IMO.
Topic starter
09/03/2021 10:13 am
The only 55 Chevy I never bought. Too many errors from the 1/1 and too toy like IMO.
I think you nailed it with your "...and too toy like". Back in the 1980's the bank I worked at offered "toy car banks" that were Gold and made of Metal. When I first saw Franklin's "Gold" Chevy, it did remind me of those toy banks. And I'll be honest, if there was one car in my collection that would be easy to part with if I were forced to, it would be this Chevy. The only reason I ever added it was for what it represents to General Motors history.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
09/03/2021 3:07 pm
I've got this one as well. TFM could have used the rear bumper from the Police/Fire Chief versions. The skirt issue would have required a modification to the casting, and you know that would never happen. On the plus side, they included a very nice display base!
09/03/2021 4:59 pm
George. As usual, enjoy your daily mail. Makes me think about all the cars I have that I did not realize I have. From a previous post, I mentioned that the 55 was my favorite out of the tri-series. I think it has the most style, but that is my opinion. One thing about this car having the continental tire kit, could be that GM would not allow them to do the car without the kit. If I am not mistaken both FM/DM had to get permission in order to market the cars. Tony could verify that. And I do agree that FM if allowed could have taken the Police or Fire model and used that then to do the gold car. Anyway I have all the 55 Chevy's that FM did in both convertible and hardtops. Love them all.
Topic starter
09/03/2021 5:15 pm
George. As usual, enjoy your daily mail. Makes me think about all the cars I have that I did not realize I have. From a previous post, I mentioned that the 55 was my favorite out of the tri-series. I think it has the most style, but that is my opinion. One thing about this car having the continental tire kit, could be that GM would not allow them to do the car without the kit. If I am not mistaken both FM/DM had to get permission in order to market the cars. Tony could verify that. And I do agree that FM if allowed could have taken the Police or Fire model and used that then to do the gold car. Anyway I have all the 55 Chevy's that FM did in both convertible and hardtops. Love them all.
Thank you for the compliment regarding my "I'VE GOT MAIL" posts. They're fun to do. With regard to your thought that maybe Franklin Mint would have needed General Motors permission, I don't know about that. I suppose it's possible, but I'm guessing that FM just didn't take the effort and in all likely hood did not think we'd notice it. And honestly, I really don't want to believe that, but I do believe it.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota