[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

Danbury Mint 1933 Ford Cabriolet Ltd Ed – 1542

What's not to like about a '30s Ford Cabrio...great review!

Posted by: @sizedoesmatter

Danbury Mint 1933 Ford Cabriolet Ltd Ed – 1542

What's not to like about a '30s Ford Cabrio...great review!

Thank YOU John!! 

@perrone1 I can’t get enough of these old reviews Tony, they show that you have a real insight into everything automotive. I wanted to ask you about the “Ace” ‘35, which is one of my favorites. It’s filled with so many Easter eggs making it fun to just pick it up soak them in.  I heard somewhere that a Danbury employee thought up the idea for pickup, drew some pictures, and proposed it to higher-ups, who loved the concept. I wonder if you have ever heard that? Thanks

Posted by: @kevins

@perrone1 I can’t get enough of these old reviews Tony, they show that you have a real insight into everything automotive. I wanted to ask you about the “Ace” ‘35, which is one of my favorites. It’s filled with so many Easter eggs making it fun to just pick it up soak them in.  I heard somewhere that a Danbury employee thought up the idea for pickup, drew some pictures, and proposed it to higher-ups, who loved the concept. I wonder if you have ever heard that? Thanks

Thanks Kevin!! I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Seems I did hear that story. I don't recall who may have been the original inspiration on that one but the "Danbury Boyz", as I used to call them in some of the reviews, were all extremely imaginative; mostly Rick Hanmore, Art McKenna and James Wolff among them.

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.

Great review of a great review Bob! They're both sitting at eye level in my customs and rods wall display case for the reasons you describe!

Posted by: @perrone1

Danbury Mint 1935 Ford Pickup- Vintage Hot Rod – DM1601

would love to get hold of one of these, even more so after rereading your review Tony, hard to find and expensive.

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

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.

Great review of a great review Bob! They're both sitting at eye level in my customs and rods wall display case for the reasons you describe!

HA! Well said Geoff!

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

Posted by: @perrone1

Danbury Mint 1935 Ford Pickup- Vintage Hot Rod – DM1601

would love to get hold of one of these, even more so after rereading your review Tony, hard to find and expensive.

And like a dunce, I let mine go too. Arrgghhh!

Franklin Mint 1934 Packard Convertible Sedan Ltd Ed of 1500 E662

This is a timeless classic with all the elegance and rich automotive tradition younger folks might not have ever experienced. Franklin Mint has done more than justice to the image of the thirty-four Packard it once again brings to us. This time, however, in a bold and beautiful color choice I like much better than the other two previous editions. The Sand Dune body, a creamy pastel yellow, is fitting such an elegant car. The Alpine Astor Maroon fender-work is rich and semi-metallic. The top is a wonderfully soft fabric in a warm peanut butter shade that contrasts exceptionally well overall.

Like the Convertible Sedan before it, we find the opulent silver radiator mascot, folding luggage rack and excellent detail in the engine bay. I still marvel at how well the doors open and snap shut. The front doors are ‘suicide fashioned’ while the rear doors are standard rear-opening. When all four are cautiously opened, they afford a luxurious view of the wealthy interior. You will like the wood grain door tops and the scaled craftsmanship on the door hardware, dash and instrument panel.

From the standpoint of color combination and relatively low edition numbers, this is a must have in my book and one very well done and welcomed revision. TP 10/22/2007

Franklin Mint 1936 Hudson Eight Convertible - F081

Franklin tooled up a brand new model last year. It drew raves and rants. It pushed the technological curve, at least in 1:24^th scale circles by adding a working convertible roof and offering their roll-up window mechanism operated via 1:24^th scaled cranks. Of course it was TFM that released the first such scaled feature on the ’39 World’s Fair Ford.  But functioning tops were previously thought of in terms of larger scaled models. The new tech came with a higher price tag and it was received with mixed blessings. For those who braved the extra cost, rewards were well earned.

The model included the working roof and windows but also came with the rotating driveshaft, genuine leather seats and rumble seat and was finely detailed all around. The car was classically opulent in silver but now it’s offered in the arrest-me-red that would have been the absolute rage in thirty six. FM opted to change the interior to a tan featuring a beige fabric top and it looks great. The fit of each body panel is tight and gapless. The working suspension does not over-articulate. The engine, interior and chassis detail are breathtaking. I’m glad I waited for the remix!

TFM’s use of photo-etched metal for the wipers is very well done. Their use of red plastic and P-E for the radiator mascot is even better. The straight eight’s metal linkage and fuel system fabrication lends an air of authenticism while the simulated leather hood surround insulation carries off the perfect 1:1 allusion. Wait till you see the cabling and brake line assemblies under the car. The shocks and springs are highly realistic as well. The interior sports real leather and so does the rumble seat. The steering wheel is faux wood and the banjo-style wheel hub is scaled beautifully in P-E. The paint was applied silky smooth and is highlighted by a thin pinstripe that circumnavigates the large auto. And once again, it was scaled flawlessly.

I’m not going to say that the fabric top, when displayed in the up position, is a perfect match to the 1:1, it isn’t; I’ve seen photos of the real car. But what you do have is a relatively faithful reproduction in as close to scale as ever has been offered. No doubt with time a more true to life version can be made. But when I have shown this feature to others, it elicits astonishment and envy of ownership. I’d say that’s as far from rants as the Mint could get for now. Well done FM!  TP 06/03/2009

Tony, I'm a little late in reading these last four reviews of the 37 Studebaker, 39 Ford, 40 Ford and 47 Buick. Every review is a masterpiece of prose attested to by a vivid image of each model even when the pictures are not available. Before reading each review I went to the display cases and pulled each model and placed them on my desk so I could inspect each detail as you covered them. You sir, didn't miss a single detail. I am so glad that I own a majority of the mint models and have them available today for a reawakened study of just how wonderful these little gems really are.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

Tony, I'm a little late in reading these last four reviews of the 37 Studebaker, 39 Ford, 40 Ford and 47 Buick. Every review is a masterpiece of prose attested to by a vivid image of each model even when the pictures are not available. Before reading each review I went to the display cases and pulled each model and placed them on my desk so I could inspect each detail as you covered them. You sir, didn't miss a single detail. I am so glad that I own a majority of the mint models and have them available today for a reawakened study of just how wonderful these little gems really are.

That is SO cool to hear Bob - thank you sir, that made my weekend!

@perrone1 Tony, as always your review of the Hudson is right on. When the model came out in silver, I bought it immediately and had fun playing with the top. When the red one came out, I passed on it which was unusual for me...the main reason for passing was the color. Growing up in the forties and fifties, I can honestly say that I never saw a car painted red from the thirties unless it was specially built for a business or fire department. I display my silver version with the top down and without the boot on it...to me that looks most realistic.

@bob-jackman Absolutely Bob - red cars in the mid-thirties were rare.

Posted by: @perrone1

Franklin Mint 1934 Packard Convertible Sedan Ltd Ed of 1500 E662

love the colors on this, great pics, thanks Tony