Edit Note #1: As an editor to the Diecast Zone since 1997, the reviews and model photos I posted in the "Car Lists & Reviews" section have been lost during the transition process between web servers from the original website to this current one. I have recently found some of my later reviews on a memory stick, though not all of them. So far these seem to be from 2000/2001 to more current times. These are reviews only and not saved, are the corresponding photos of the time of the review. I'll attempt to pair as many reviews to photos that I have saved elsewhere, for the purposes of reviving these old descriptions of the model cars as they were introduced.
Edit Note #2: As the pairing of separate photos & reviews wane I will post the reviews I have found, without photos. If it is of a model I own, I will take pics and add them as I can. 04/24/24
In no chronological order - first up is the DM '56 Lincoln Premiere Convertible:
Danbury Mint 1956 Lincoln Premiere Convertible - 1483
Even while enjoying the widespread success of Danbury’s ’56 Premiere coupe release, talk of a follow-up convertible almost instantly ensued amongst the diecast faithful. People reasoned that it was inevitable. Discussions of color began at the same time and some held that this particular paint shade would win out. It was all the rage back in the day so it would only be rational to use it on the drop top version. Pastels would probably not make as big of an impact cloaking the cars of today. Maybe a cute little mini-car targeting the younger generation of today’s buyers could get away with one or two pastel shades but the exceptionally broad array of cars painted in these colors back then was truly remarkable. For 1955 through 1957, there were several forms of pastoral greens, ocean shades and the pinkish-toned palette of hues offered by Lincoln. They were so representative of the land yachts of the fifties. There was Cashmere Coral, Taos Turquoise and Summit Green. Fast forward to ’57 and we saw Bermuda Coral, Flamingo, Willow Green-Blue and Seascape Blue. In the year this car was built, 1956, Lincoln used Island Coral (I had no idea there were so many shades of Coral), Champlain Blue, Amethyst and Wisteria. Amethyst has overtones of pink mixed with a modicum of blue. Wisteria, like the flowering vine that lends its name, is an off-shoot of pastel lavender. 1956 is the only year that I can find where Lincoln offered this color on one of their fifties machines. A perfect choice for this model, to represent this year? In my mind the answer is a resounding, “yes”. It so typifies the pastel era of that time in automotive manufacture. One last thing about the color. No other choice would ‘fit’ quite so well displayed next to Danbury’s hard top, in Island Coral.
The drop top iteration shares all the goodies, the form, fit, detail and function, found on the hard top but adds a few distinctive touches as well. This car did not come with the air conditioning option; open air driving purists must have frowned on that frivolity, so DM refashioned the engine bay accordingly. So while you may miss the associated A/C gadgetry you will still appreciate the phenomenal model craftsmanship under the hood. You also benefit from new parts and pieces that come only with the rag top. DM not only fabricated the new soft top, (remind me to tell you about this little treasure) but they fashioned the boot and even a fabric simulation of the rear storage space behind the rear seats as well. The view into the open car, sans roof, is unblocked and spectacular. The dash is grand and so stylish, even for today. The sunvisors, a two-toned affair, flip up and down. The steering wheel has excellent detail, so do the door panels and floor. The seats fold forward to reveal separately fashioned grab-straps attached to the seat backs. The center arm rest folds down in the back seat and what’s that under the dash on the passenger’s side? Could it be one of those cool little period pieces that were all the rage back then? Why yes, yes it is; a tissue dispenser. DM made it so it swings out for the seat occupant to pull out a Kleenex or two. Moving rearward be sure to notice the gold metal foiled scripts. Delicately fashioned, they are scaled perfectly. You may remove the skirts, but the car doesn’t look half as good without them. The trunk opens wide to afford a cavernous look inside. The hinges are scaled right and the inside of the trunk lid shows off terrific detail. Weather stripping is simulated, a jacking instruction label is affixed, the floor mat is realistic and the spare and accessories are in place. On the higher shelf toward the rear seat back is a boot bag; another nice touch. The license plate flips open to give access to the gas cap. As with the hard top, the chassis is replete with details galore. The suspension, chassis fittings, metal lines, tranny and exhaust system all combine to pull off a dazzling charade designed to make you believe that you are looking at the genuine 1:1 article. It would work too if only it weren’t for the limited edition plate. It’s a nice reality check.
Some of the better detail work is still in the engine bay. The scissors hinges have never looked any finer than they do here and they work faultlessly. When closed the hood aligns beautifully and it opens wide to grant you a good look beneath it. All the modelers artistry is found lurking here; impeccable engine lettering, air cleaner labeling, scaled wiring, plumbing and hose-work. Even a nice dipstick appears at the ready for the driver to check the oil level before a sunny day’s cruise. But in the case of inclement weather you will certainly enjoy the up-top once in place. It fits as snug and precise as the real one should. And as promised, an extra little note on the top. The covering is a great fabric simulation; feels real as can be. But the additional detailing beneath is astounding. Separate little chrome pieces carry forward a realistic presentation right down to the simulated gold zipper the operator uses to unfold the rear vinyl window before dropping the top.
If you want an elegantly crafted model of an elegant classic of the fifties, you’d be hard pressed to find one better than this little jewel. A perfect little model in the perfect period color. TP 06/04/2006
fine.................fine pictures...............park this out on the game trail and see how long it takes to fill with bunny rabbits
and thank you for this recovered review Mr Tony 🤗
Thanks JB! I wish I could find the photo that the DM Design Manager gave me of himself (Rick Hanmore). presenting the prototype to management in his Wisteria shirt!!
Tony, how the heck did you manage to extricate your old review from that mess of a "Lists and Reviews"?
I didn't Rich, I found some on an old, unused memory stick. Some of the models are gone so no pics but I have some of the original reviews that were part and parcel of the old Car Lists & Reviews, untouched!
Thanks Tony, what a treasure this review is! You cost me so much money with your stellar reviews, I always wondered what your cut of the profits was from DM and FM.
Thanks Tony, what a treasure this review is! You cost me so much money with your stellar reviews, I always wondered what your cut of the profits was from DM and FM.
Thanks Pete!! On all but one model that the makers sent (by far the most were DM & FM. Then Exoto, WCPD, Automodello and several other 1/18th makers) I got to keep the models. Few people know that I did write some ads and sales brochures for Danbury and was paid a standard fee for those.
Thanks Tony, what a treasure this review is! You cost me so much money with your stellar reviews, I always wondered what your cut of the profits was from DM and FM.
Thanks Pete!! On all but one model that the makers sent (by far the most were DM & FM. Then Exoto, WCPD, Automodello and several other 1/18th makers) I got to keep the models. Few people know that I did write some ads and sales brochures for Danbury and was paid a standard fee for those.
I'm really pleased to hear this Tony. While I'm sure it was a labor of love for you, but as Pete says, your reviews and pics would have sold many, many models.
A flash from the past review from our own Tony Perrone. As I have said many times, I would be a wealthy guy today if Tony and Rich Sufficool hadn't fed my addiction for these miniature works of art. As a side note, the reason that the DM Premier convertible model doesn't have A/C is that it was not available on the 1/1 as the unit was in the trunk, except for the compressor, and therefore there was no room for the system. Also, on the hardtop, the vents were on the rear package tray feeding the plastic tubes that sent the cool air to the vents that were in the headliner. Another detail that DM got exactly right. In 1956 I was 16 years old and worked in a drug store. Across the street was an office building and the father of a girl I went to school with owned a construction company. One day he pulled in the parking lot with a brand new 56 Premier convertible in Wisteria with a white/wisteria interior. From that day to today the image of that car has stood out like it was yesterday. My collection includes a model of this car in 1/43, 1'24 and 1/18 scales.
A flash from the past review from our own Tony Perrone. As I have said many times, I would be a wealthy guy today if Tony and Rich Sufficool hadn't fed my addiction for these miniature works of art. As a side note, the reason that the DM Premier convertible model doesn't have A/C is that it was not available on the 1/1 as the unit was in the trunk, except for the compressor, and therefore there was no room for the system. Also, on the hardtop, the vents were on the rear package tray feeding the plastic tubes that sent the cool air to the vents that were in the headliner. Another detail that DM got exactly right. In 1956 I was 16 years old and worked in a drug store. Across the street was an office building and the father of a girl I went to school with owned a construction company. One day he pulled in the parking lot with a brand new 56 Premier convertible in Wisteria with a white/wisteria interior. From that day to today the image of that car has stood out like it was yesterday. My collection includes a model of this car in 1/43, 1'24 and 1/18 scales.
Ok, now, thanks to DM’s foresight, we’re heating up the diecast auto arena for Fords of the late forties. Hot on the heels of Danbury’s introduction of the 1948 Ford Sportsman, the DM Boys have just released this little bon-bon of 1947 vintage in Super Deluxe Tudor attire. This is classic post-war automotive brilliance in scale form. I pray it does well for DM so that we may see the balance of model styles that the Ford Motor Company offered during the end of the decade. DM conjured up a perfect body style to subsidize the Sportsman and in a most complementary color and equipment combo.
The two-door body, clothed in Monsoon Maroon paint, is not only fitting for the forty-seven but splendidly applied in glossy, even and smooth perfection. But the model’s looks are only part of the story. This review all hinges on, ah, well, hinges. As with the Sportsman, the new tooling utilizes the best hinges in the modeling craft world today. The hood, doors and trunk exhibit the wondrous work of moving metal parts that form a perfectly scaled duplicate of the genuine automotive articles. The hood employs an operational scissors-extension system coupled with minute actual springs to replicate the actual Ford assemblies. The body houses the front door-jamb internal attachment units that allow the doors to open realistically while the trunk lid is supported on dual folding metal suspension hinges.
There are far too many detail touches to enumerate in a review and they must be seen to be fully appreciated. But their presence affords a genuine look back on how the actual car appeared to its buyer. And since I was born the same year as this Ford I actually recall the car vividly through my examination of the DM recreation. You see, my parents owned its identical twin in 1:1 form. They kept it long enough for my mind to recall the car’s grace and sophistication for its time. I swear DM just miniaturized our actual vehicle. The engine bay reeks of a feature-rich material use to showcase the details. Vinyl-coated plug wires, metal-crafted fuel and throttle lines and, down below, the metal utilization of brake cabling are just phenomenal.
The interior has been opulently appointed with gauge readability, delicately striped seat replication and the attention, in scale, paid to the door panel hardware is incredible. The wind wing latch, window cranks and door handles are fashioned flawlessly. Dash knobs and simulated sunvisors are crafted exceptionally well. The chassis, trunk and wheel detailing is above the norm and the overall stance and shape of the vehicle is as perfect as my memory will allow without shedding a tear of joy. I couldn’t personally hope for a better, more nostalgic look back on a wonderful automobile than this one. It should have a place in any diecast car collection. Order #8808-0015 TP 01/06/2009
Great job Tony resurrecting the reviews from the past and an excellent review of the Wisteria Lincoln.
I attribute the production of the Wisteria Lincoln to the late Steve Massaro. For those who don't know, Steve was a fixture on the D4C forums going back to the earliest days. Steve campaigned long and hard for DM to produce this jewel. To me this will always be Steve Massaro's Lincoln.
Great job Tony resurrecting the reviews from the past and an excellent review of the Wisteria Lincoln.
I attribute the production of the Wisteria Lincoln to the late Steve Massaro. For those who don't know, Steve was a fixture on the D4C forums going back to the earliest days. Steve campaigned long and hard for DM to produce this jewel. To me this will always be Steve Massaro's Lincoln.
Agreed John. A terrific D4C guy. Steve came up to one of our Franklin Mint/D4C meetings in PA one year and campaigned FM to do it too! He's sure missed!
Great job Tony resurrecting the reviews from the past and an excellent review of the Wisteria Lincoln.
I attribute the production of the Wisteria Lincoln to the late Steve Massaro. For those who don't know, Steve was a fixture on the D4C forums going back to the earliest days. Steve campaigned long and hard for DM to produce this jewel. To me this will always be Steve Massaro's Lincoln.
Agreed John. A terrific D4C guy. Steve came up to one of our Franklin Mint/D4C meetings in PA one year and campaigned FM to do it too! He's sure missed!
Tony, I recall that time at the D4C annual meeting. I believe you drove up with your C5 ZO6.
