[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

@perrone1 A true story...in 1970 my wife and I had been saving our money for a down payment on a house. We had saved $8,000 and were looking for houses in the $32,000 range. One summer evening we decided to take a ride and get some ice cream. After the ice cream we passed a collector car dealership which we often did just to look at the cars. On this evening the dealer had just gotten a beautiful blue 47 Town and Country convertible with a beige Hartz top and plaid Highlander interior. The price? $8.000! What happened next just about floored me...my wife said we need to buy that car. Totally out of character for me, I said we need a house more than we need that car. Even before this incident happened I knew I had married the right gal but this certainly sealed the deal. After 59 years of many collector cars and restorations we have never had a T&c but we still recall this story with a smile. Oh and by the way, I have all of the FM and DM models displayed together which she loves even if they're not 1/1 scale.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 A true story...in 1970 my wife and I had been saving our money for a down payment on a house. We had saved $8,000 and were looking for houses in the $32,000 range. One summer evening we decided to take a ride and get some ice cream. After the ice cream we passed a collector car dealership which we often did just to look at the cars. On this evening the dealer had just gotten a beautiful blue 47 Town and Country convertible with a beige Hartz top and plaid Highlander interior. The price? $8.000! What happened next just about floored me...my wife said we need to buy that car. Totally out of character for me, I said we need a house more than we need that car. Even before this incident happened I knew I had married the right gal but this certainly sealed the deal. After 59 years of many collector cars and restorations we have never had a T&c but we still recall this story with a smile. Oh and by the way, I have all of the FM and DM models displayed together which she loves even if they're not 1/1 scale.

 

I so love your stories my friend! I said it before, I'll say it again: You married a peach! And she did pretty darn well too! 

@perrone1 I agree Tony....Bob's missus is a perfect 10.  Good for you Bob!

Posted by: @jack-dodds

@perrone1 I agree Tony....Bob's missus is a perfect 10.  Good for you Bob!

👍

Danbury Mint 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible – 1417

For just once, allow me to put the cart before the horse. I fully understand that this is a personally subjective call but the Thrillometer, a figment of my sometimes fertile imagination, has just rated this little buggy as a perfect ten! For me, a first! I’m glad it came to fruition with this model, because to my eye, it certainly deserves it. Ok, I realize that there may be an issue concerning whether or not there should be a window crank or power window button up front. I’m not a Buick historian but I know enough to know that if the model is in need of an accuracy adjustment DM will make it. That aside, let me tell you how very pleased I am with this Regency Blue follow up to the ’48 Buick Roadmaster Coupe.

Depending on whether you value the long flowing lines of the fastback coupe or the elegance and open air ambiance of the convertible, both versions of this model are hot! The convertible configuration here really pushes my buttons. It seems to appeal to my notion of what a classic concours image looks like, just a bit more than the Sedanette does. Granted, either would be equally at home on a finely manicured concours putting green but to me the drop top would slightly edge out the Nickel Gray/Cumulus Gray model for its flash status and star power. You also have the display option of top down with beige boot in place or with the fabulous fabric covered top up. Danbury is using the most realistic top fabrics these days. And the rear welt line is fabricated with tiny chrome end tips and enormously detailed roof interior. This particular top showcases a lot of chrome on the top’s supports, as was the case for the day. The cross-bows are painted black to add the proper contrasting look. The latch mechanism is chromed and there is even a tiny light adorning the rear-most cross-bow.

Beneath it is a classically exquisite interior. It is fashioned in an oxblood leather replication. Photo-etched door sills, “Buick” emblazoned on them, welcome the driver or passenger. Although the front seat is a single bench affair, the seat backs fold forward separately. Behind each are rear passenger pull straps. The floors are done in a matching plush carpet with black floor mats up front. The internal door latches look more realistic all the time and the visors flip up on little silver mounting points. “Buick” may be seen with the naked eye on the radio and, “Roadmaster” with Buick’s crest may be seen on the steering wheel hub, but with slight magnification. As with the Sedanette, the wipers function and the antenna either swivels up or may be fixed between the wipers on its windshield post holder. Three locating studs on the windshield frame hold the up top in place faultlessly. In fact, the fit of all the parts, doors and trunk lid are especially excellent on this model.

And once again, like the 1:1 that the Coupe and now this version mimic, the hood opens from either side and yet the closed fit is spectacular. Go slowly when opening up the hood; allow the fender mounting brackets to fully extend. If the hood comes free from either one simply close the hood and start over. The hood will stay open all the way up, on either side. That affords a grand view of the massive inline eight cylinder, “Fireball Dyna Flash Eight” engine. If you have the availability of a loupe or small magnifying glass check out the oil filter canister. DM has gotten remarkably good at scaling back their printing to 1:24^th miniature. You can readily see that the Buick uses a “Type 5-6 AC Oil Filter”. Unless you are Superman, this cannot be seen by the naked eye. It also has the yellow and black “AC” logo on the side of the canister. The passenger’s side firewall has the VIN plate with minute numeric printing. Every conceivable line, hose and wire are in perfect placement and you just have to see the incredible throttle linkage and fuel lines with fuel filter beneath the air cleaner housing assembly, up close and in person. What a miniature marvel.

The gas filler door opens on the model and the trunk lid, as was the case on the Coupe, opens with the help of a telescoping metal prop support. Take out the fabric spare cover and the tire itself and you have access to the jack and stand and an excellent view of the jacking instruction sheet. The spare cover is coated in the same fabric material as the trunk floor. The trunk is much bigger than the one on the Coupe model. Oh, and I especially like the way DM is coloring their license plates. This, in the period era, black and yellow-orange. Another facet of the model that really strikes a genuine note is the suspension. It feels ‘scale’, if that makes any sense. It is soft and pliable and has the right amount of ‘give’ to it without sacrificing proper ride height. The entire underbelly of the large car is detailed beautifully; transmission lines and spring suspension pieces help make an authentic presentation as it did on the Sedanette. Yes, we have yet another breathtaking classic image with this drop top. And since I have now given the perfect ten score to the replica, I may have to develop a Thrillometer on steroids; with a 100 scale! I better put the research into it quickly because DM may just bring out the car that will earn it and faster than I might think possible.  TP 07/06/2005

With the black top & boot from the '47 Convertible:

The Black and Red Convertible is to die for.  I do not remember this one coming out.  

Posted by: @carsman1958

The Black and Red Convertible is to die for.  I do not remember this one coming out.  

It's actually a dark, Regency Blue John. It was released 6/17/2005. Really nice model! 

@perrone1 Thanks Tony and Jack. She's a keeper as our soon to be 59 years attest to.

@perrone1 The Thrillometer wasn't wrong when it came to these Buicks from DM.

Posted by: @perrone1

just rated this little buggy as a perfect ten! For me, a first!

I remember this line! Somehow within a few weeks of the model going on sale someone put one up on the old D4C auction and I was all over it. I rate it an equal 10 with a limited few others. These posts are great recollections Tony, in this case from 19 years ago for heavens sake!

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 The Thrillometer wasn't wrong when it came to these Buicks from DM.

It was rare when the Thrillometer didn't give accurate readings. Only once do I recall it being off by a hundreth. I added a drop of Bombay Sapphire martini and it worked perfectly from then on. LOL!

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

Posted by: @perrone1

just rated this little buggy as a perfect ten! For me, a first!

I remember this line! Somehow within a few weeks of the model going on sale someone put one up on the old D4C auction and I was all over it. I rate it an equal 10 with a limited few others. These posts are great recollections Tony, in this case from 19 years ago for heavens sake!

Such good times. Where did the years go Geoff? 

Danbury Mint 1949 Ford Custom Tudor Sedan - 1494

If enough foresight is applied to picking a popular marque that may yield several forms of “year models” and “body styles”, a diecast maker can have a field day. Enter Danbury Mint at what they do best. This era, of the so-called “shoe box” Ford, has granted DM the opportunity to issue 1949, 1950 and 1951 model years in various configurations. We have custom cars, convertibles, Crestliners, a Victoria Coupe and now this ’49 Custom Tudor Sedan. This image is of the work-a-day standard sedan of yesteryear. Beautiful in its simplicity, it is what my mind’s eye returns to when I conjure up thoughts of the shoe box.

DM has rendered a classically nostalgic piece of US auto history in an everyman’s two-door sedan. Even the color, Seamist Green, is reminiscent of the time. They have kept the car true to form with usage of hub caps instead of wheel covers, ‘three-on-the-tree’ manual transmission and kept the interior color choice broadly appealing in grey. While we’re on the subject of interiors, let’s examine that domain first. DM has done a remarkable job of crafting the door handles, window crank and arm rest. They went a step farther in giving us little scaled door lock buttons and the wind wing latch locks. The dash gauges are extraordinarily fashioned and the shift linkage and turn signal lever on the steering column is spot on. Made from metal they are truly miniaturized. The floor pedals and seat materials help grant us terrific scale detailing. The seat tops and sides are leather and the feel of the seat bottoms are excellent. We have working visors and DM fashioned assist straps on the door posts made from fabric material. The doors, by the way, are on high-tech internal hinges.

More realism is offered in the way of photo-etched metal wipers, extending antenna and photo-etched chrome letters on the front edge of the hood spelling out, “Ford”. I can’t help but marvel at the way they present script so perfectly scaled. The hub caps read, “Ford” the front fender side molding reads, “Ford Custom” in lettering so small that you will need a magnifying glass to see. Ditto for the red “Ford” lettering on the trunk latch. Beneath the trunk lid we find a removable spare tire. The jack can be seen on its perch behind the rear seat. The engine bay is full of the DM modeler’s artwork. Miniature wires live here in concert with small hoses and fittings and all labels are perfectly scaled. The chassis looks period correct and carries a working suspension.

With DM exercising full utilization of the ’49 through ’51 shoe box, we collectors get the benefit of multiple images. I, for one, am grateful for this Tudor. TP 12/29/2006

Danbury Mint 1949 Mercury Club Coupe - Nbr Ltd Ed  1365

Available only to buyers of Danbury’s 1949 Mercury convertible limited edition of 5000 in Royal Bronze Maroon, this is an open-ended numbered limited edition.

With its beautiful two-tone paint treatment, Danbury takes the original black Club Coupe, issued in 1992, to its ultimate fruition. Many of the updates reported on the maroon drop top are fabricated into this release. The working suspension is present, the retractable antenna and the detailing of the engine bay have all been carried forward on this model. The trunk features a removable spare. The hood’s “Mercury” script, in metal is wonderfully applied as well and the interior is another breath of fresh air. The seats have a nice ‘feel’ and pattern to them and the front units fold forward. The visors flip down from their hiding spot against the inside roof. The front of the doors pivot inward as you open them and they are on the hidden hinges we love so well.

The story here is the two-tone paint scheme. From what I can find, there were two such schemes offered that year for the Mercury and two for Lincoln. On the Merc, one was Lima Tan over Haiti Beige and this Banff Green over Berwick Green. Danbury chose correctly in my opinion. The Banff Green, the darker of the two colors, starts at the windshield base and goes over the roof and down the window surrounds where they are trimmed with chrome.

A chrome spear separates the top from the car’s body and runs from the front of the vent window to the end of the roof. The darker paint flows beyond that and onto the trunk lid. The lighter Berwick Green is an olive tone that works perfectly well with the contrasting colors of the roof and interior trim and rugs. The scheme, especially for 1949, was dramatic and it still is pleasingly handsome. The paint application is typically Danbury at its best, smooth, rich, even and highly glossy.

Danbury has done a wonderful job on the ’49 Merc series cars. I simply love this iteration!

The issue price is $135. TP 09/24/2004

Danbury Mint 1950 Chevrolet Dream Truck – DM1593

Over the years Danbury Mint has treated us to rods, customs and fantasy vehicles. They’ve mixed categories to present the buyer with a combination. The Corvette Canyon Racer is but one example; a customized sports car with plenty of, “what if?” fantasy thrown in.  But they’ve also given us a good many historical rods and customs. Ala Kart, Kookie’s Kar, The California Kid, The Little Deuce Coupe, all come to mind. Their latest creation of an historical custom was the original vision of Rod & Custom© magazine.  Under the watchful eye of the publication’s founding editor, Spencer Murray, the project of customizing a 1950 Chevrolet truck went to some of the West Coast’s best and brightest custom builders. It was a collaborative effort that readers viewed each month as every component came to life on its own and found its rightful way unto the most beautiful truck of its time.

Stepping off the magazine’s pages, Danbury once more collaborated with the Dream Truck’s original owner, Spencer Murray, as he oversaw the build once again; this time in 1:24th scale. DM faithfully captured the pearlescent paint with purple/lavender scallops, the engine and interior design and individual components that made the original vehicle so unique. They accurately recreated the intriguing exhaust system as it splits and exits the rear fenders in exacting duplication. The shape of the most customized parts of the pick-up are seen in the front and the rear lower valance. These were not easy to form in 1:1 but DM did their usual magic in their diecast presentation. The rear marker lights, sculpted into the rear fender sides, and the taillights, as part of the overall rear treatment, are exquisitely done. The matching grille, plastic marker lights and the frenched-in quad headlights lend an authenticity that is almost eerie.

The headlights are surrounded by metal mesh that also appears in the hood scoop and upper windshield air vent system. But in examining the model, one just cannot overlook the paint scheme. It keeps breaking your train of thought. The deep purple is joined by lavender and minute pinstriping plays into the game. DM recreated it wonderfully. There’s a great example of it on the roof, but they outdid themselves in scaling the striping on the rear bed face. It has to be seen close up to be fully appreciated. The scalloped purple trident on the bed lid is plush and velvety. Underneath is a fuel tank. But the interior and engine bay is the usual DM masterpiece that draws the standard, “Oohs and Ahhs from their customers. Open the totally authentically-hinged doors and the seats, covered in purple plush, can be seen as perfectly sculpted as the outside metalwork.

The centralized gauge pod, photo-etched gas pedal and period-cool shifter have been replicated exactly. The inner door spears actually open to reveal tools! The spotlights are functional. So is the rear suspension but the static front end gives the model the flawless stance of Spencer’s Dream Truck. DM’s magic resumes when you open the hood. There we see a scale rendering of trips, a fuel rail, miniature wiring system, brake cylinder and electrical lines all fashioned in perfect harmony to one another. Even the metal radiator overflow line has been duplicated correctly.

The fifty Chevy pick-up was Spencer’s daily transportation until it took a well chronicled turn into history. It became a relevant custom back so many years ago and, thankfully for us collectors, Danbury Mint once again turns it into a relevant miniature scale reality.  TP 06/07/2010