[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

Posted by: @carsman1958

Tony, keep those reviews coming.  I have been saving each one and filing along with all the photos I have collected as well.  Always looked forward to seeing your reviews on the old site.  It is a shame they have not done any more with this one.  Especially the auction part, at least they would have been making money to keep the site updated.

Thanks so much John! I really wish I had saved the older ones to memory stick like these. More to come! 

Danbury Mint 1959 Corvette “Purple People Eater”- ’59-’60 SCCA B production Champion- Jeffords -1370

Jim Jeffords, no stranger to fast racing cars, piloted some impressive machinery in the early fifties. The legendary Maserati Birdcage, a C-Production Jaguar and SR-2 Scarab were among them. But it was with this 1959 Nickey Chevrolet-prepared Corvette, that he won the Sports Car Club of America championship in B Production class for 1959 and 1960. The number one pop song for 6 weeks in 1958 was Sheb Wooley’s, ‘one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' Purple People Eater’. It became the favored moniker for the Jeffords racer. Jeffords went on to be inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in 2002. Most recently, the car was exhibited at Corvettes of Carlisle in Pennsylvania. I know of one DM design manager who was mighty proud to be on hand to see it there.

There has been a wonderful diversity of automotive subject matter flowing from DM these days. And not only have they been responsive to the desires of the Corvette fanatics among us, but they have interspersed that marque with racing versions of their growing line-up of street Vettes. They have given us the 1963 Corvette Pro Mod in plain and Coca Cola® form, and the 1961 Corvette Gasser. Possibly the most famous or notorious Corvette among them to date, is this Purple People Eater MK III racer, in 1:24^th scale, in astonishing authentication and detail.

As you hold the model in your hands, you cannot help but admire all the detailing and workmanship that went into its build. DM went about modifying this model in much the same way that Nickey and Jeffords did in the fifties. The wipers have been removed and the windshield replaced with a small windscreen held in place by four infinitesimally small photo-etched brackets with smaller simulated rivets. The pilot’s roll bar is fashioned behind the seat and the racing shoulder harness and lap belts added. They are photo-etch metal and fabric and the latch mechanism on the lap belt section is the best I have seen to date, especially in 1:24^th. The balance of the interior detail is nothing to sneeze at either; the ‘Chevrolet’ and ‘Corvette’ script is delicately scaled and the dash gauges clearly readable. The doors and fuel filler door are hung on metal internal hinges while the hood has a prop rod to hold it up. Chromed wheels and racing rubber are suspended on working springs; the exhaust is reworked to exit the passenger’s side of the car through the lower body sill with form fashioned dual tips and inset remarkably well. Door top-edge covers were replicated. The appropriate racing emblems are applied and the moniker and numbers painted. Black plastic headlight shrouds add stone damage protection. A fabulous little photo-etched latching hinge was added to the hood and a rear license plate bracket, almost invisible due to its scale size, was crafted to replicate the way the car was initially delivered at Nickey Chevrolet. Indentions in the body, where the bumpers were removed for racing purposes, are visible. The engine, in true DM design, is outstanding. All the proper stickers are in place, the plug wires feature multiple photo-etched wire looms, fuel lines are metal and the fan belt is rubber. The paint and fit of each part is impeccable.

Once more DM has done a brilliant job of presenting yet again a wonderful Corvette model easily earning a Thrillometer reading of 9.975.

The issue price is $115.  TP 09/10/2004

@perrone1 An awesome review of an awesome model, easily one of my favorites! Thanks Tony.

Posted by: @kevins

@perrone1 An awesome review of an awesome model, easily one of my favorites! Thanks Tony.

Thank you sir!! 

@perrone1 I normally don't collect race cars but this one rang my bell. Thanks for the history.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 I normally don't collect race cars but this one rang my bell. Thanks for the history.

Danbury Mint 1959 Ford Thunderbird Coupe Nbr Ltd Ed – 1437

This is the second “Square Bird” (1958-1960) from Danbury; this iteration, a numbered limited edition. In Tahitian Bronze Metallic with a Beige roof, the model is simply striking. Setting it off further is a tan and beige interior with white steering wheel rim. This is a great color choice combo for the ’59 T-Bird; it accents the style, shape and design of the body with its square-backed roofline, spectacularly. DM nailed the stance and overall shape of the car and did due justice to the integral unitized body treatment that Ford bestowed on the square birds by faithfully capturing all the intricacies of the car, from bottom to top.

This is so much more than a warmed over repaint of the ’58 with an added hard top. There were some subtle nuances that differentiated the two model years and DM paid proper attention to all of them. There was a small front end change and the option of a bigger 430 CI V-8 this year, and the model shows both these upgrades. The ’59’s face has a vertical tube-like grill so reminiscent of the customs of the day. The ’58 had a mesh type grill appearance. The bigger engine on the ’59 also features lots of chrome; the air cleaner and valve covers are shined up like sterling silver. DM got the associated changes to this different motor correct, as well with its different wiring and power braking system. Along the sides of the car there is a noticeable change from one year to the next. The tip of the side ‘spear’ of the ’59 has been accented in chrome and the “Thunderbird” script, in chrome metal foil, has been relocated from the front fender to the side spear just inside the former-mentioned chrome tip. There was a soft change to the wheel covers and DM got that right too. The outside rearview mirror was moved rearward from the front fender to the front edge of the door. DM moved it on the model accordingly.

Of course the trunk is completely changed since it does not need to store the convertible top of the ’58. So a standard rear-opening trunk lid is provided. Wait until you see the realism that DM built into the trunk lid hinges. Genuine springs set the mood. The plaid mat is in place and the tire iron and jacking gear are stored on the floor and the spare tire is removable. The license plate still folds down, as it does on the ’58, to reveal the gas filler cap. The interior is resplendent, detail-wise. Once past the internally hinged doors there are tan and beige seats that await you in finely crafted fashion. The seat bolsters are deeply etched. The seat backs fold forward and the dash, gauge and radio replication is awesome. The visors flip down and the hard top receives a unique feature debuted in the convertible. The rear window, when rolled down, appears in the body pocket. The engine bay is specially treated to incredible detailing as well. DM has fabricated all of the right plug wiring, battery cables, brake fluid lines, heater hoses, fuel filter lines, and carried on below to transmission cooler lines and brake cabling fabricated with small scale metal wires. The suspension is operational.

As a limited edition, this is an especially nice automotive model to own, and the color and option choices only enhance it. The Thrillometer did its thing and reported back a 9.95 reading. TP 08/26/2005

Danbury Mint 1959 Impala Convertible – DM1586

Awaiting the arrival of their first 1959 Chevrolet Impala in coupe form, Danbury shocked us all by announcing the corresponding rag top. Both are 50^th anniversary editions. This convertible, in essence, is a revision of their initial Impala of ’59 vintage. But this Grecian Gray beauty is the antithesis of the former version cloaked in Crown Sapphire. In storm cloud gray with in-your-face red interior and sinister black top, this iteration becomes more of a bad boy’s toy.

Reprising the sapphire model in all its exquisite detail, the car still looks wholly different. The car’s color combo pulls off a Houdini; elegantly aided by the evil twin’s black top, compared to the lily white good boy’s ride. We can still marvel at the absolutely awesome chassis detail with almost as many separately fashioned pieces as the real thing and oh my, the engine bay detail. The incredible scissors hinges nearly take back seat status to the engine wiring, throttle linkage and fuel line craftsmanship. The interior is every bit as stylish and perfectly executed as the original release and the trunk does its thing with equal enthusiasm.

Operational features still include functioning suspension, opening fuel filler behind the rear license plate, removable spare and folding sun visors. Great appointments from floor mats and rubber trunk matting to fabric-covered up top and simulated ‘top storage well’ still amaze. But make no mistake, to me, at least, the story is the model’s limited nature and exceedingly gorgeous paint choice.  TP 05/15/2009

Danbury Mint 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible - DM1641

You know what? This is Danbury’s first foray into Cadillacs of the sixties. They’ve had a good run of ‘59’s but this is an all new tooling for model year 1960. The first thing you notice, looking at the model in person, is its length. The car is inherently long but with the styling change to the fins, from ’59 to ’60, the car takes on the appearance of a stretch limo. The ‘59’s fins were massive; long and tall, and split with taillight treatments. These are more stiletto-like. Cadillac’s ’59 Biarritz sported lots of chrome. It was thick and rich and outlined the car’s aft two-thirds, as seen from the side. Caddy stylists for sixty, made that styling cue a slender twin-outline affair. That may have been DM’s hardest challenge on this model since these chrome trim pieces are actually separately fashioned and inlaid in the diecast!

The front wheel wells carry additional pieces and so do the fender tops, fore and aft. Not to be outdone, check out the chrome grillwork and rear valance nestled between the trunk lid and bumper. A million points of light, er, chrome tips, are surrounded by a chrome crate grillwork. Danbury’s use of chrome metal-foil is amazing in the ‘Eldorado’ scripts on either side of the front fenders and across the trunk lid. Chrome stretches across the air vent on the cowl and leads up through the windshield wipers. The tiny door lock knobs and visor mirror extend a welcome and realistic invitation to the interior. The wheel, dash and seats are extraordinarily detailed. The front center arm rest folds down and both the door detailing and carpet treatments are authentic. The doors have the latest DM internal hinge technology.

The visors are static but I don’t mind that since they are so well defined. The trunk displays a covered spare with jack underneath. It also offers ample room to store the hard boot cover, a three-piece take-down assembly that mimics the 1:1 car. It fits nicely in place until you want to replace it with the up top. There, the white fabric feels real and boasts nice detail, from bottom to, uh, well……top!. Engine detailing is strictly a DM treat and although the hood hinges are not the scissors-type, they are authentic looking to the real car. The antenna extends and the chassis has well crafted details on suspension components, exhaust and steering assemblies. The car looks terrific displayed near any other car. The long body style, gorgeous Heather color and sporting those turbine-like wheels makes a great presentation.  TP 12/17/2010

@perrone1 The Bronze 59 Thunderbird coupe is a real standout owing in no small part to the color. An interesting Thunderbird fact is that Ford did not build the baby bird bodies or the square bird unibodies as this job was given to the Budd Company of Butler Pa. The 1961 Thunderbirds were the first to have unibodies built in house by Ford.

@perrone1 Call me unobservant but when this model arrived, I thought to myself, oh no not another 59 Cadillac. To my delight I found it to be a 60 which is my favorite of the two years, Don't get me wrong, I like the 59 but how many does one really need? To me the sixty Cadillacs represent the 59 with some restraint and good taste as a part of the equation.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 The Bronze 59 Thunderbird coupe is a real standout owing in no small part to the color. An interesting Thunderbird fact is that Ford did not build the baby bird bodies or the square bird unibodies as this job was given to the Budd Company of Butler Pa. The 1961 Thunderbirds were the first to have unibodies built in house by Ford.

GREAT piece of auto knowledge there Bob - THANKS! I was very familiar with the Budd Co., from Philadelphia days. They built passenger train cars, semi-trailer, air frames and other automotive pieces. I was unaware of their connection with the T-Bird. Cool stuff!

@bob-jackman 

We think alike again!!   

Danbury Mint 1960 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe – Nbr Ltd Ed 5000 – 1430

Danbury created somewhat of a sensation in 2000 with the release of their 1960 Impala convertible. In Ermine White with red and white interior, it was initially hailed as just one more 1:24^th 1960 Impala in the ‘Mint’ stable. That was until the diecast actually hit the market and the buying public and the Bulletin Board forum started discussing its ample attributes. Many milestones were set on this replica where tech innovations were advanced and the future of mint model art was promised. It has taken a while but the Danbury design and engineering crew have created a whole new way to enjoy the ’60 Impala; as a Sport Coupe. It would have saved a lot of time and research to just slap on a hard top and repaint the existing convertible in another shade but we all know DM is up for a challenge. Every inch of the rag top was examined and tasty changes were made so that the coupe takes on a wholly different presentation.  

Now drenched in a beautifully wet-look Suntan Copper metallic with a nicely contrasting Fawn Beige top, the Sport Coupe’s overall design shows a marked delineation from the convertible’s shape and silhouette. If you seek out other differences by lining the two DM vehicle’s up together you will find a myriad of changes. The previous model was at the leading edge of bar-raising technology so don’t expect improvements in already great detailing, save for the upgrade to chrome foil lettering on the hood. Where tampo prints proclaimed, “Chevrolet” on the white model, the metal foiled letters look far better on the copper replica ostensibly due to its darker shade. And perhaps a correction, more so than an improvement, is the now accurate ride height. DM lowered the car’s stance, especially up front. A change of spring rate apparently achieved the result but did not compromise the awesome suspension detail that includes modulating cradle arms and a functioning shock dampened steering system. Another change, while we view the car’s chassis, is the switch to a four speed tranny. New linkage is in place and you will note that the driveshaft and differential housing are now a metal-grey color. The exhaust tips now exit closer to the sides of the body instead of directly beneath the car’s trunk floor. I still appreciate the flip down rear license plate that shows off the fuel filler neck and cap and I continue to enjoy the removable jack stand base and spare tire. Spare removal reveals the tire iron and jacking tools. Two instructional labels are now seen affixed to the under side of the trunk lid. I would have preferred the crossed flag Chevy emblem on the trunk be treated to chrome foil but it is so well done it may not have been much of an improvement.

The doors open wide on their originally innovative internal hinges to showcase a gorgeous interior in copper. The accelerator pedal even has a heel mat. The four speed shifter is so cool in this car and is printed with the shift gate pattern on the ‘pool ball’ knob. The gauges continue to impress and the sunvisors fold down from the ceiling, complete with passenger’s mirror. This is a non-A/C car where the white car sported the dealer installed cooling unit on the transmission tunnel hump. The extended antenna is now located on the top right fender. Windshield wipers are still formed from delicate photo-etch metal but the ‘gunsights’ on the front fender edges are cleaned from the body on the coupe iteration. Before exploring under the hood, take a little time to examine the hood itself. One of those early milestones, it set an outstanding precedent for DM’s models. The scissor springs hinges and metal insulation holders added a new dimension to realism. The engine, again a 348 cubic incher, now uses a four barrel carb to feed it rather than trips. You will see the appropriate change to the air cleaner. This car was not optioned with the windshield washer system that the open-air car has so the washer bottle and its feeding system on the firewall has been removed. The radiator now has an overflow hose, the master cylinder has the prerequisite brake line and heater hoses have been properly rerouted. All cabling, wiring and plumbing are still done to perfection. Oh, and no more air conditioner compressor. I dislike fender skirts on most cars and really hate door edge guards even more. The DM Impalas do not have the former but do I fault them for not removing the latter? Not at all. In fact, they are such an era-nostalgic symbol, that they provide an interesting and conversation starting appeal to the piece.

Take an already wonderful model, give it a uniquely different look, shoot it with a killer color and you have a fantastic new image of the 1960 Impala. DM earns a good deal of respect for model follow up on previous models to reach more auto fans and potentially new diecast converts and this issue highlights that aspect of the hobby. The model gleans a well deserved 9.75 rating on the Thrillometer.

The issue price is $135.  TP 07/02/2005

Danbury Mint 1960 Corvette – DM1613

Only Danbury’s second 1960 diecast iteration of the Corvette roadster, this one comes to us in the form of their Annual Limited Edition. Now, for 2010, it’s hard to believe that the car depicted is actually a half century old. Fifty years have gone by and the car still looks fresh and fast. Danbury decided to throw caution to the wind and forget, for just this once, that many collectors used to decry that there were too many red paint jobs. Due to that perception, the mint makers ran from issuing some really nice red car models. Well DM grew a bigger set and released the 50^th anniversary Vette in a deep and thoroughly flashy red – Roman Red to be exact. In your face, naysayer! But even better, this is a red-on-red machine. How sweet; red exterior, red interior and the fashionable white cove to compliment the package.

Both black and white soft tops were available to Roman Red buyers and I wondered why DM didn’t choose a white top until I tried one on it. I used the one form their 1957 Vette and guess what? It looked namby-pamby. The black roof gives an almost tri-color look to the image. Thankfully the DM Boyz are on the job and have the wherewithal to pick the right colors. What was that I said about a bigger set? It just proved my point. I know most of you diehard diecaster’s will display it without the lid anyway; convertibles should be sans roof, right?

The previous ’60 issue was a Cascade Green beauty with matching auxiliary hard top. This iteration has the aforementioned soft top to differentiate it from its display mates. It also differs in some better tech additions. The engine has updated fuel lines and a working hood prop that telescopes as it opens. The seat belt buckles are more nicely thin-scaled photo-etched metal. The fuel filler door still opens, the antenna extends and the visors flip up and down. And I still love the P-E metal wipers too; they lend a great air of realism to the model. Like the first ’60 Vette, DM allows the collector to open the trunk, lift out the mat, remove the center flooring and take the spare out for examination. There’s a jacking instruction sheet on the flooring and a jack within the spare’s wheel. Tools are located in a floor recess in the trunk.

The model is rich and sporty all at once and displayed with playmates; outstanding. Another great Vette from DM.

TP 06/07/2010