[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

@perrone1 My Esders model suffered from the dreaded metal fatigue. The bonnet, hood, curled up like a potato chip and the rear suspension collapsed. A few years ago at the Chicago show I came across a stripped down example with a perfect body and undercarriage for $5.00. I now have an excellent example of the model.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 My Esders model suffered from the dreaded metal fatigue. The bonnet, hood, curled up like a potato chip and the rear suspension collapsed. A few years ago at the Chicago show I came across a stripped down example with a perfect body and undercarriage for $5.00. I now have an excellent example of the model.

Great outcome. I no longer own neither the green nor this gray & red model but when I parted with them, they were flawless. Sorry you had to go through that.

Danbury Mint 1966 Ford Mustang Hardtop - DM1605

The sixty-six ‘Stang has been a very important tooling for the Danbury Boyz. I mean, jumping Jehosaphat, they’ve produced 34 separate 1966 Mustangs to date! But winnowing down those numbers, we must realize that the majority of these are rendered as convertibles and only 3 of them are non-sports team vehicles. So that leaves, if my math is correct, but 2 hardtop versions, this being the second and latest issue and the first re-release of the model since 1995. The original hardtop was issued in a vintage Burgundy with black vinyl top. It debuted on our list in June of ’95.

This fresh-faced version is bright, cheery and impeccably appointed. It features the Hi-Po (high performance engine), sleeper-like presentation that was oh-so-cool in 1:1. The model has up-dated chrome metal-foiled block letters on the hood with matching scripts and emblems on the side fenders. The vinyl roof still has the lovely textured ‘feel’ to it and the gorgeous styled wheels of the original release. The chassis assembly is astonishingly real. Just check out the exhaust clamps, trans linkage springs and metal tubing lines.

The trunk and interior are opulently detailed and the engine is strictly out of today’s detailing playbook. Even the dipstick is scaled and realistic. The model looks great in the period light Arcadian Blue and the contrasting black top adds a nice touch. The interior is black also and the tires are thin whitewalls. The suspension is static so the ride height is engineered to be perfect.

If you do not have a hardtop in this year Mustang, it will compliment your collection amazingly well. TP 12/29/2009

Danbury Mint 1925 Ford Altered T Dragster – 1362 

In the hey day of the Double A Fuel Altered (AA/FA) category, especially in the 1960’s and ‘70’s, it was commonplace to see stretched Model T’s, such as this one, running blown engines and setting low ET’s at the drag strip. Dubbed by DM as “Big Red”, this little T bucket typifies the quintessential ‘look’ of the lightweight body and chassis setup with big slicks and a supercharged mill running in the 7’s at 200 mph and better. Born strictly to race, DM put all the right period ‘go-fast’ pieces onboard and left no detail or innovation left unattended.

The dark red, nearly maroon, metallic paint is faultless in coverage and shine. The graphics are sharp and crisp and appropriately nostalgic. The flames come directly from the yellow engine block and flow rearward accented in red and white. Sponsor’s decals are tampoed in select places and the dragster’s name, “Big Red” is painted in gold with black shadowing. Though the small car is purpose built it doesn’t lack for detailing. The engine and driver’s compartment, in particular, are awash in the model maker’s art. The power plant is a fully blown and injected hemi. Stahl® Zoomie headers are separately formed individual pieces set in photo-etched header flanges. The plug wires start from the center of the valve covers, travel through photo-etched wire looms attached at the cylinder heads and join together at the distributor.

The Moon™ gas tank, located in the center of the radiator cover, looks for all the world like spun aluminum. Nice touch DM! It feeds the fuel pump with neatly plumbed rubber tubing and moves upward to eventually feed the massive four port injectors. The metal throttle linkage is a richly detailed affair and lends total credibility to the authentic drag race build-up. The photo-etched blower pulleys and rubber, notched blower belt are intriguingly detailed. The straight tubular axle front end is workable. The transverse mounted leaf spring and dual shocks flex just right. Likewise, the rear assembly operates too. Large traction arms, chromed and cross braced, hold up the rear axle on a single leaf spring in conjunction with working coil-over shocks. Check out the brake lines and the battery cabling that runs up to the battery located in the opening trunk.

The rear slicks are period sized and suitably sticky for good traction. The front skinnies are tread-patterned well and mounted on lightweight, magnesium, spoked wheels set in chrome rims. The interior has a complete believability to its build. The front cowl has an aluminum cover and that plays back into the driver’s compartment where the opening door is paneled in kind. The roll cage frames a center driver’s seat and fabric lap belts are seen bolted to the floor pan with rivets. The shoulder belts are similarly attached to the roll cage with photo-etched brackets. The dash gauges and column mounted tach are realistically readable and the Hydro Stick is mounted between the pilot’s legs. A Line-Lock is also mounted on the column and a photo-etched rip cord flows from the roll cage to the drag chute mounted behind the driver. The brake pedal is on the floor to the left and the gas pedal, on the right, is a cool little photo-etched piece riveted to the floor and featuring a toe wrap.

This is a grand little exercise in hot rod nostalgia worthy of every bit of praise deserving to the DM for making great use of existing stock pieces such as the ’25 T body. It is obvious that only ‘car people’ could have pulled this all together without missing a beat. It rates a strong 9.85 on my Thrillometer!  TP 04/27/2005

Danbury Mint 1925 Model T Salt Flats Race Car – 1402

What a surprise and shear delight to view this little T up close! Danbury has some mini-diorama action going on here with this release. They not only worked their magic with the little ’25 Bucket T Salt Flats roadster but they give us some salt, complete with tires marks, to go with it. It is even granular to the touch. Once positioned on the properly spaced tire grooves, you may add the little wooden sign that points to the starting point of the flats. There’s also an orange and white stripe caution cone, a racing helmet with goggles and leather chin strap and a photo-etch buckle. You have the option of hooking on the town bar and when ready to boogey, you better get the engine side panels in place and top those four carbs with the aluminum hood. There are leather tie-down straps that traverse the hood, front and rear and join up with the two photo-etched buckle ends on each of the two engine side panels. Better fasten down the tonneau cover too for less wind resistance.

The diminutive car itself is sensationally cool. Done in a deep blue DM also had the forethought to include some fly-up salt on the paintwork, especially near the rear tires and there is a thick coating of the sodium-based compound all over the tire treads. The wheels are really something special too. Red, they show off silver lug nuts and a black valve stem. The trunk lid opens to disclose a black tool kit. S.C.T.A. is labeled on top while the Moon® Equipped Moon Eyes logo appears inside. There are several tools simulated in the box. Under the trunk is genuine wood, a nice nostalgic touch. Under there you will also find a Halibrand® Quick Change differential rear axle, brake lines and fully detailed drum brakes. Rubber brakes lines also find their way to the front units as well. Back up top, once again, check out the austere driver’s lair. You can even open the passenger’s side door for a better look if you need one. The battery box, complete with cabling, has been mounted on the passenger’s side floor, an old fashioned shift lever and knob are onboard with old time foot pedals and four detailed gauges on the simple, yet effective dash.

Of course this is all about power so DM did a resplendent job of the Ford flathead V-8. All four pots get their fuel via see-through vinyl lines heading out from the chrome fuel block mounted on the firewall. All wiring and plug wires are positioned and check out the individual carb linkage to each fabricated in miniature metal. Definitely one of the hot items that make this model so spectacular. The grillwork is photo-etched metal and looks great. With all the pieces in place or displayed as if getting ready for a launch down the salt flats, this is a smile-evoking little hot rod sure to brighten up any corner of the room where you decide to show it. The Thrillometer gives this bucket T the 9.85 that it deserves! TP 08/07/2005

Danbury Mint 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster – 1541

Here they go again. Danbury is breaking out another BIG gun from their armory of classic car models. One-twelve the size of the real car that Cadillac built in 1930, it is every bit as gorgeous and darn near as functional. This time around, however, there is a bit of a twist and it is worthy of considerable consideration. I know it is hard to fathom springing the big bucks for one of these detail-laden monsters but be cognizant of what came before it and what might NOT follow if this heavyweight does not sell well. DM has given us one 1:12th scale car made by Kyosho, the BMW Z8 in 2001. It did well so we saw a couple ’57 Chevy Bel Air’s followed by three fifties Corvettes and a Mustang. Are you catching my drift here? Danbury modeled Fords and Chevies in twice their normal ‘precision’ size.

Some may now consider this big Cadillac as the very first true ‘classic’ automotive icon in DM-large scale. The elegant and timeless design of this roadster has won acclaim all over the world. Now only seen in concours events, museums and on TV, in books and internet vignettes, the sight of this lovely car is diminishing. But thanks to DM’s immortalization of replication, we can own and enjoy the big Caddy for countless years. The color pick is actually classic in its own right. The paint is perfection. Metallic is scaled and the top coat is glossy, rich and smooth as glass. The model is spectacular in its presence no matter where it is displayed. It commands the same attention in scale that it does on the 1:1 concours field. Not just another pretty face, the imposing diecast packs more features and operational pageantry than any model I have handled.

First, pick it up by its running boards and realize its heft. Take in the chassis view while you have the chance. Phenomenal detail. The wheels are removable and offer an alternate look at the undercarriage. The steering activates the pivoting lights that helped the driver see into a turn. You may rotate a rear tire to see the operation of the driveshaft and cooling fan. The wind wings fold forward and back, the windshield glass opens and the windshield folds down. The cowl vent opens and the luggage rack raises and lowers. The rearview mirror is posable and you may operate the windshield wipers, adjustable seat, open the rumble seat and work the footrest back and forth. Of course the hood vents open and the hood raises to show off the behemoth V-16 in all its detailed glory. But the top may steal the show along with your heart.

DM fashioned the cloth boot to be easily removed and the top to be totally functional. It looks so realistic down, up or anywhere in between. Center stage of the car’s operational system belongs to the electrical lighting. Hang on, here we go; the headlights, taillights, high beams, courtesy lights, storage compartment light, brake lights and instrument panel lights all work. And hidden underneath the dash is a switch that activates the “Pilot-Ray” auxiliary lighting. Inside the storage compartment is ample room for a gold bag, just like the real car had. But DM supplies us with a bag and clubs to go with the car.

I’m hoping that the model does fantastically well and paves the way for more classic images of automotive’s finer, elegant collectibles. And while many of us may not have room for a number of these large-scale masterpieces, I welcome the diversity from which to be able to choose. Is the model worth the price of admission? Oh my YES!  TP 02/09/2008

@perrone1 I surprised myself for having the two T Buckets, obviously a result of your pictures and writeups. Surprised myself? yes because I usually but models that represent show room stock vehicles. The best way for me to describe these models is that they are fun to look at and study. Because they are open they are easy to study the details that make them so cool.

@perrone1 Tony, the 1930 Cadillac in 1/12 scale stops everyone who tours my collection. Years ago my wife who loves mt models did have a request that we not have models in the living room or dining room. When this model showed up she almost flipped out and said it was so beautiful that it needed a special place on display...she immediately had me bring it into the living room where it has been displayed since. !/12 scale models can fill up space quickly which is why I only have three.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 I surprised myself for having the two T Buckets, obviously a result of your pictures and writeups. Surprised myself? yes because I usually but models that represent show room stock vehicles. The best way for me to describe these models is that they are fun to look at and study. Because they are open they are easy to study the details that make them so cool.

A perfect analysis my friend!

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 Tony, the 1930 Cadillac in 1/12 scale stops everyone who tours my collection. Years ago my wife who loves mt models did have a request that we not have models in the living room or dining room. When this model showed up she almost flipped out and said it was so beautiful that it needed a special place on display...she immediately had me bring it into the living room where it has been displayed since. !/12 scale models can fill up space quickly which is why I only have three.

How cool is THAT! You married a peach Bob! (And HEY; she did OK too!!) 

Danbury Mint 1935 Ford Pickup- Vintage Hot Rod – DM1601

This model actual reprises one that Danbury released all the way back in 1999. The 1935 Ford 50-830 Half-Ton Custom Pickup, in dark Burgundy, was a custom remake of the standard issue truck that was first issued in 1995. The top was chopped, the body and suspension lowered for that, “in-the-weeds” look and it was outfitted with cool custom parts. This go-round, however, brings us a little nostalgia in the form of a period vintage hot rod with well worn primer.

The little rod features a custom paint job to simulate a number of rough and worn out areas over the truck’s surface, a set of exhaust stacks that run from the bottom of the vehicle, through the running boards and up alongside the front of the bed. The running boards have chromed Ford step plates and the truck bed dutifully shows signs of rust. You’ll locate an auxiliary fuel tank in there too and DM plumbed it straight through the wood bed with a metal line. The tail gate opens and is tethered with vinyl-clad wire. And check out the swinging 1935 Arizona license plate. It reads, “ACE” and it is mounted on actual chains. It might have something to do with the painted logo on each door, “ACE Hot Rods”.

To go along with the western theme, we find a Native American blanket covering the seat and take a glance above you on the cab’s ceiling. Yep, it matches. The dash and period-cool shifter are superbly crafted. I like the way DM fashioned the outside rearview mirror, club sticker on the windshield and the intricate pinstripe detailing on both headlamp shells, tailgate and hood. Careful with that, it just rests in place. The bed cover, on the other hand, snaps down to form a perfect fit. It is adorned wonderfully with a large ace of spades. Danbury even thoughtfully provides a vintage Moon Eyes cardboard box complete with a couple spun aluminum moon disc wheel covers.

The engine detail is positively delightful! The flathead V-8 features colorful trips and the mill is plumbed and wired nicely. Finishing up the nostalgic look are yellow-painted wheels with whitewall tires and small chromed Ford hub caps. DM does customs and rods right and this little example is pleasing to the eye. Its sassy stance and altogether wrong attitude is just as cool as it can be.  TP 10/23/2009

Danbury Mint 1937 Studebaker Dictator Coupe- Nbr Ltd Ed/5000 - 1507

This new tooling from the Danbury Mint came out of the blue; Bermuda Blue, that is. Similar to the waters surrounding the Bermuda Islands, which may have inspired the name, the paint on this Studie has a hint of both Atlantic Ocean green and Caribbean blue. But this time, it is about the new car itself. Painted black, puce or any shade of red, it would still be all about Danbury’s offering us this automobile in the first place.

Ford fans want more Blue Oval images; Chebbie fans demand more Corvettes. But most died-in-the-wool diecast collectors who consider themselves car fanatics, crave new and different, not-previously-done models. This replica is just that; different yet wholly exciting, pure and simple. Not so much for what DM has become known for; full functionality, opening ash trays and glove boxes, scissors springs hinges under the hood, but a clean and correct image of something radically new, depicting something old.

The model looks fresh and new. A pleasant departure from some newer era releases, it reawakens our nostalgic look backward to a less stressful time and age. Yet with the jaunty color choice and DM’s magnificent wax job, the car would stand out in any modern day car show. The hood, as it opened straight up, like an alligator, as DM terms it in their sales brochure, was a big step in forward-looking styling and ease of operation back in the late thirties. DM added the dimension of side panel removal so that a total engine detail view is possible. That view is aided tremendously by the delicate wiring and engine plumbing detail that went into creating an overall accurate look at the Studebaker inline six cylinder “L” head motor. They carried that realistic detail work into the main passenger cabin and crafted exceptional miniaturization in the textured feel of the seats and door panels, realistic gauges and foot pedals and working visors. The seat backs flip forward so that you may lift the rear curtains to reveal the spare on the passenger’s side and storage shelving behind the driver.

Lifting the trunk lid affords a grand view of the generous space that Studebaker built into this coupe. DM fashioned a working and realistic-looking metal, folding prop support rod. There are little detail nuances all over the model that help to sell the illusion of precision scale formulation. The thinly made antenna raises, the external door hinge brackets are extremely well crafted and tiny simulated nuts and bots that fasten the chrome bumpers to their respective frame supports lend excellent believability. So do the vent wing latches, door handles, externally and internally and the wonderful chassis detailing. You will note, too, the painstaking application of a slender green pinstripe that runs the entire perimeter of the cars beltline. It encircles each wheel as well, just outside of the hubcap.

What an unexpected treat; a new image, great color choice and fantastic model-work from the replica masters of 1:24th. Keep in mind that this, now 70 year old image, will only be made in 5000 units. Don’t miss out on owning this beauty! Issue price is $140.  TP 03/01/2007

Danbury Mint 1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe - DM1598

This is DM’s first 1939 Ford. In Deluxe Coupe form, it reprises their past coupes of 1940 vintage. With subtle and minor but accurate trim changes, the thirty-nine assumes a slightly different look. In jet black with chrome wheel covers and wide whitewall tires, it takes on an air of opulence. Not bad for a run-of-the-mill car in that monumental era. Danbury spruced it up (pun not intended) with wood interior trim, knock-out upholstery and detailed refinements throughout.

Although based from a lower tech tooling, you’d never know it by looking at it. The perfectly flawless application of paint and faultless fit and alignment, every door, truck and hood panel meshes seamlessly. The huge trunk is representative of its day and features the spare way back there. The chassis is also good at portraying the genuine article but the engine bay may still be DM’s best hole card.

The stickers, wiring and fuel linkage are magnificent. The ride height and posture of the entire car has been masterfully created and even displayed among other forties, will stand out. Cast this as another model year that we now have and one in which to build, hopefully, upon. I’d like to see a wagon and even Tudor version for thirty-nine. TP 09/09/2009

Danbury Mint 1940 Ford Hot Rod – 1544

‘Cool’ is where you find it. In terms of classic, period hot rods, thirty-two’s, T-bucket twenty-three’s and assorted thirty-something’s machines are often what our minds conjure up. But the forty, as a hot rod, has long earned its stripes over time and has become an honored and respected mainstay in many hot rodding circles. DM conjures up a beauty in this period correct late fifties, early sixties era hot rod of today. More and more rodders are looking to the past for cues of nostalgic hot rod styling without going the route of the mega-buck beauties that compete in high dollar rod shows.

This is such a car. DM dropped a full-race flat head V-8 into the forty and added “trips”, three two-barrel carbs. They plumbed this baby in traditional fashion and added scaled wires, distributor and belts and formed some great little fuel lines that flow from the fuel block to the 3 pots. In pure rodding fashion, they painted the buggy in that suede, sort of satin, flat black that was all the rage back then. Then just to balance out the bad-boy ‘look’, they crafted perfectly miniature pin stripes for the front fender, inner grill and dashboard tops, and trunk lid. Look closely and you will see the main design in white with a nice touch of red thrown in.

Carrying that theme out we see the white firewall, red and white striped interior and rear passenger compartment deck and the red wheels with large whitewall tires. Period-perfect little baby moons adorn the wheels and the prerequisite “Moon Eyes” logo shows up on the front fender bottoms. And you have to check out the cool handling of the exhaust. Just as it did back in the day, the pipes join the headers and form a junction where they then split to the lakes-style caps and flow back, through the twin mufflers into the rear where they exit the rear bottom fascia of the body. I love the little touch of having an eight ball topping the floor shifter.

The trunk features a thick gray carpet matching the interior and rubber treads coat the running boards. DM fashioned the hood with magnets to hold it in place while allowing an easy and complete removal so you can show off the engine. Displayed either way, it looks terrific. Danbury has made wonderful use of the forty Ford Deluxe Coupe tooling and it has granted us several great pieces but none any more pleasing to my eye than this one. Order Item Number: 8218-0019

TP 07/19/2008

Danbury Mint 1947 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Nbr Limited Edition – 1532

Danbury’s gorgeous Sequoia Cream forty-seven is, at once, compelling as a classic automobile and exceptionally exquisite as a diecast model. Their line of Buicks, in 1948 attire, was as opulent as they come and now we have the promise of an earlier elegance, 1947. Where they started the ball rolling on the ’48 with a Sedanette (coupe), and followed up with an awesome drop top, they kicked off the ’47 series with the Roadmaster Estate Wagon. I was elated to see a series addition in the form of this ’47 convertible all the while praying for a coupe version to come later on. DM’s color picks on these masterful Roadmasters are era-excellent. They are rich and classy and typify their popularity for the period. Sequoia Cream, to me, seems to be an understated blend of Cord’s Cigarette Cream and Bermuda Beige.

Danbury applied it evenly and silky smooth. The final finish is crystal clear. The deep russet interior was all the rage back then and still compliments the exterior color marvelously. The car has those period love-it-or-hate-it wide whitewall tires with chrome rings and caps on cream wheels. The floor mats, down top boot and fabric-covered up top are solid black. The stance, fidelity of shape and build craftsmanship are impeccably Danbury. The fit and operation of moving parts is flawless. Speaking of which, we have the inboard door hinges, a 1:1-true hood that opens from either side, movable windshield wipers, folding sunvisors, pivoting antenna, folding front seat backs, and an opening gas filler door. There's also a removable spare and spare shelf and the best operational suspension in the business.

The engine detail is beyond belief. DM’s use of varied materials, to carry off the deception of reality, continues to amaze me. We see incredible carb linkage, metal fuel lines, plug wires, scaled hoses and lines and perfect little stickers and lettering. The aforementioned suspension works just like the real McCoy. DM also added lines and braking cables that set the mood as if you were looking at the genuine article. Danbury has once again brought forward a gorgeously build classic with all the opulence of yesterday, today.  TP 10/12/2007