Franklin Mint 1967 Corvette L89 Convertible- Independent Retailer- Nbr Ltd Ed of 750 - E151

This is another exclusive Franklin Mint model from Mint Models commissioned by owner, Michelle Peters. A follow up to her FM 1969 Corvette 427 Coupe in Tuxedo Black, this issue, also in a small supply of 750 units, is of the most renown mid year Corvette, the 1967. Done in a gorgeous Sunfire Yellow with matching removable hard top and black stinger hood, the diecast is based on Franklin’s original 1967 convertible issued in 1994 in Tuxedo Black with blue stinger hood. The new model differs somewhat, in that it replicates an L89 427 car, while the original FM model was the L88 427 version. Also different are the Rally wheels on Michelle’s model instead of the finned aluminum wheels. This becomes the fifth iteration of the FM 1967 Vette drop top model. Aside from the original, they have issued an Elkhart Blue and Marina Blue model as limited editions, 3000 and 2000 respectively and the clear cast version in clear and Rally Red. In my opinion, the model represented here, is the nicest looking of them all and easily the most limited in production.

The issue price is $135. Mint Models can be reached via email at michelle@mintmodels.com or phone at (800)341-4699 toll free or direct at (518) 783-1113.   TP 11/03/2005

@perrone1 I missed the Sapphire Blue 66 GT with white stripes but have the red, white and blue with the gold stripes.

@perrone1 Another car with a number in my collection. Well done for a made for a movie model starring the King.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 I missed the Sapphire Blue 66 GT with white stripes but have the red, white and blue with the gold stripes.

It's purty!

Posted by: @bob-jackman

@perrone1 Another car with a number in my collection. Well done for a made for a movie model starring the King.

The only one in FM's lineup to be a 1965. I had to have it to have ALL of the Cobras.

@perrone1 The Yellow 67 commissioned by Michelle is a real winner and I'm glad to have it. The black Stinger hood against the yellow body makes it standout on display and the Rally Wheels are a nice touch. The Black 69 Coupe also commissioned by Michelle is also a standout model.

@bob-jackman Completely agree Bob! Thank you sir!

Franklin Mint 1967 Ford Mustang GTA Convertible – E016

I know these are not the Franklin Mint’s so-called glory days; that time was well acknowledged but recently surpassed during their reformation period by other industry leaders. Stepping production up with a wider and more diverse line of 1:24^th precision diecast, all the while improving on the inherent breed of the product, the collector has been spoiled by that ‘step-up’. This has been a good thing. It has been difficult, with their transformation, for the FM to get back into the game. Pardon the football analogy but FM found itself with a fourth and 20 late in the fourth quarter of their most crucial game. They came clawing and scratching back with some repaints and now we find them tooling up new images. This is one of those. Am I saying that this is a game winner? Well, not exactly, but it is a major touchdown and it helps keep the scoring close.

I find precious few shortcomings on this fresh-looking and very well done replica. The door hinges are of old style and I wish they were painted black to better conceal them. The hood hinges are of older tech as well and the sunvisors are static. But those are about the only small nits I can pick. The choice of subject matter is clean, new and delightfully pleasing to the eye. The color choice is excellent with what appears to be Mustang’s Clearwater Aqua metallic contrasted by saddle tan interior and boot with a beige up-top. Redline tires lend another layer of color to the palette as does the triple white striping at the bottom of the rocker panels. The ride height stance is spot on even with a fully working suspension. Other niceties include photo-etched wipers, doorsills and buckle-ends on fabric seat belts. The tire patterns are deeply etched and get this, chrome foil badgings on the hood lip and trunk edge! Fourth and 20 and they convert to first and goal. The trunk has a nicely made spare and jacking instruction label and great detail on the dual twin-tailpipe ends. The interior has a lot to like. The gauges are fully readable and so is the radio and console mounted auto shift pattern. Good detail is found on the door panels as well.

The engine area is detailed well and FM has put the “Ford” branding on the hoses, caution labels where they need to be on the fan shroud, and instruction stickers on the shock tower. The battery is cabled and the rest of the engine is plumbed and wired. The antenna is delicately scaled and so is the GTA emblem on the front fender sides. Both the up-top and boot fit perfectly.

The season isn’t over yet but FM just got back in the game big time. Now is a great time to be a fan and a diecast collector; because ultimately we, the buyers, are the winners. The issue price is $120.  TP 10/26/2005

Franklin Mint 1968 Shelby GT-500KR Fastback- Signed Nbr Limited Edition of 3500 C586

Have you wondered what the “KR” stands for on this rendition of Shelby’s GT or do you already know? If you don’t, I’ll keep you guessing just a little while longer. Personally, I wonder if FM applied the fixed antenna to the replica before or after Mr. Shelby signed the trunk lid. I’m still searching to see if I can find a drop of his blood on it. I’m sure you would agree that we could use a man like Carroll Shelby in the auto industry for another 80 plus years. If enough people chip in, maybe we could get ‘ol Shelby cloned if I succeed in finding his DNA on that dagger-like appendage.

Franklin Mint did some really good work on this new tooling and unfortunately, some not so good work. The stance of the model is high, especially up front. These GT cars did not sit as low as some of the newer cars do today but I think the model is too high for scale. The fit, on the other hand, is excellent for doors, trunk and hood. The doors line up well with body lines and close fully. Yes, the dog leg hinges are used. They are painted body color and are low so they are not too conspicuous in the dark interior. Speaking of the paint, the Dark Green finish is smooth, glossy and very complimentary to the car’s overall shape and appearance. FM did a fine job of including chrome windshield and rear fastback glass frame trim and they painted the roof’s drip moldings and wheel well arches silver for a nice contrasting look. But doggone if they didn’t leave out the vent window glass like they did in the old days.

The interior must be considered a high point in the fabrication. All detail on the dash and console is appreciated and the roll cage is fashioned like the genuine article. Leather seat belts are harnessed to the top bar and run under the folding seatbacks and on to the front seats. The side scoops and hood scoops are detailed well and the tampo prints of, “Shelby”, fore and aft and the Cobra Jet 428 declarations on the front fenders, add nice touches. The wheels are highly detailed and bear the Shelby American insignia and the tires are lettered appropriately. The model does not come with all the accoutrements that accompanied the signed edition of FM’s 1965 Shelby GT350, but it doesn’t sell for half a grand either. The signature, incidentally, is upside-down compared to the previous signature car. It is in silver. The limited edition plate is affixed to the well detailed chassis. The suspension works on actual springs and may be a reason why the model sits so high. The under-hood and under-trunk details are excellent and worthy of Mr. Shelby’s approval, I’m sure.

The model may fail in a couple of areas but overall it presents a very positive image of a classic piece of automotive history. Oh yeah, the KR stands for King of the Road – really, it does.

The issue price is $195.  TP 01/05/2005

Franklin Mint 1:24 1968 Shelby GT500KR- Nbr Ltd Ed of 9900 – E102

This rendition of the prized GT500KR is based from the previously issued dark green Shelby GT500KR but is a limited edition of 9900 instead of 3500 and does not carry Shelby’s signature. It is also not $195. It is $120. And maybe slightly prettier due to the paint scheme, at least to my eye. The stance is better too. FM obviously corrected the slightly elevated ride height of the front end of the first GT500KR issue. Yes, indeed, they listen to us collectors and modify their product accordingly.

As with the signature release, the paint on this model is spectacular. Deep and rich, it has a glass-like appearance even from across the room. Body lines and paint stripes are straight and true, the doors, trunk and hood all exhibit perfect fit with no gapping. And although the doors and hood have the old standby hinges, they open wide for good views of what they reveal while closed. In the case of the doors, the interior view is magnificent with the wood-grained steering wheel, dash, console and shift handle. The fabric and photo-etched belts, photo-etched door sill plates and folding seat backs all help with the top notch inside appointment level. Under the trunk lid is the spare, non-removable in this application and perched over a great detailed trunk mat. Jacking instructions are found on the inside trunk lid. Hung from actual springs, the suspension is functional. Under the ram air hood is what made the Shelby GT500KR the real King of the Road (The “KR” portion of the moniker). The air cleaner housing is labeled with the ram air designation, readable with a loupe or magnifying glass. But even cooler is the authentic Shelby Automotive, Inc. sticker showcasing the vehicle’s VIN number on the driver’s side inner fender. All the prerequisite plumbing and wiring are in place and the look is spot on. Just behind the hood are nicely and delicately fabricated wipers in photo-etched metal.

Externally, all the correct badging is in place; “Shelby” up front and spelled out across the rear spoiler lid and on either side highlighting the beast within, “Cobra Jet 428” with Shelby’s Cobra emblem. Overall, FM has once again rendered a really sharp looking Shelby icon in diecast and as a limited edition, a nice addition to the collection. TP 10/19/2005

Danbury Mint 1967 Mustang Convertible – 1534

I was a little surprised to learn that this is Danbury’s first 1967 Mustang. Of course it has every bit of the classic car ‘look’ as the 1:1 it replicates. The car itself was a beautiful refinement and major restyle of the original 1964 1/2 “pony car” by year 1967.  Danbury nailed the styling perfectly. They fabricated a 289-engined, automatic-transmissioned, drop top; and just wait until you see the massive amount of detailing on this awesome diecast in person. Every crevice is filled with uncompromising quality. I do not say that lightly, this is a value rich piece of model-crafted artwork, pure and simple. It makes use of a large number of materials, finishes and parts to accomplish the formulation of the original car into a 1:24^th disguise. Let me attempt to chronicle the outstanding miniaturization for you.

You expect excellence in the paint finish and of course, with DM, you get it. Silky and buffed to a gleaming shine, the Candy Apple Red paint is flawless. Forget asking about the ‘fit’; and do you recall when we used to question panel ‘gapping’? Gone are those days for any DM product and good riddance. Let’s start up front. Danbury utilizes their, what should be patented, scissors springs hinges to positively fantastic standards. The hood closes and opens with a precision fit and laser-perfect gap control. The doors, on body-mounted internal hinging, close on a striker plate/spring-mounted spud assembly, faultlessly. Again, no gaps at all, thank you. The trunk, boot and ‘up-top’, all fit as if Ford miniaturized its assembly line to craft this amazing little treasure in Michigan. Every part, every facet, every section of this model is so astounding I do not know where to start.

The chassis is immaculate. Remember using that term to describe a fabulous car? Usually a 1:1, this scale model more than qualifies. DM built the frame and componentry members as if by original blueprints. Were it not for the brand names stamped on the floor boards you would swear this was a real car as you look at it upside down. Take in the front section, it will leave you breathless. The torsion arms move with the wheel’s cradle arms and spring-loaded wheel assembly. The steering linkage and dampening piston move when the steering wheel is turned. Check out the metal lines that simulate the brake lines and fuel lines and do NOT miss the fuel filter tubing in its infinitesimal sizing. Even the oil filter is labeled to authentic-scaled reality. Let your gaze go rearward. The rewards are ample.

Cooling lines, emergency cabling and working rear suspension are potentially the best I have ever seen. The gas tank comes with proper fuel hose connections and even the tire tread patterns are realistic. But you have to make time to appreciate the wire wheels. A true and bonafide option for this year ‘Stang, DM pulled out all the stops. I have had to cut back on the sizing of my photographs due to bandwidth space so I cannot fully capture the absolute craftsmanship of the marvel of model making that DM achieved here. The wheels are worth the cost of this model alone! I kid you not; they are magnificent. Get out the magnifying glass Glenda; you’re NOT going to believe what you see! And if that isn’t enough just check out the interior, engine bay and trunk and you may need a cigarette before putting the car on display.

Under the hood is a veritable plethora of detail. You know the drill; DM miniature hoses, wires, stickers-to-scale, fuel lines, cooling tubes, the WORKS! The interior is just plain fantabulous! It’s Danbury’s best used materialization to a flawless epitome. The dash, steering wheel, ‘aluminized’ console, fabric belts, photo-etched metal door sills and fabric-lined top well are among the very best replications of their kind that I have ever seen, period, end of story. The trunk, too, exhibits the kind of detail that makes you think, if only for a moment, that you really do own the original 100 point ’67 Mustang you may have always wanted. The spare is removable. The tie-down assembly mounts it to the plaid flooring on top of the jack. Stickers in place, thank you DM. These chrome metal-foiled emblems are, again, the very best in the business. A word on those for just a brief minute, please.

Yes, they are delicate. They do, at times, become susceptible to a fat-fingered removal. But they add an incredible amount of 3-D realism that I do not want to see retreat for their vulnerability. Can DM spot-coat them at the cost they now offer their models for?  I do not know. But to me, the results are so good that they are worthy of every bit of care we can muster when appreciating such finery in diecast. This Mustang is truly a marvelous miniature of automotive modeling – a typical 12 out of 10 Danbury effort!  TP 10/25/2007

Danbury Mint 1967 Mustang Fastback  - DM 1563

You may consider this to be the companion piece to the first 1967 model year Mustang that Danbury Mint issued last year, in convertible form. The fastback variant, here in magnificent Lime Gold, might just trump the drop top in the Oooh’s and Ahhh’s department. While no doubt the convertible is the open air lover’s choice and wonderfully flashy in Candyapple Red, the fastback comes in GT form with sculpted Mustang wheels, 289 High Performance mill and this baby is opted out with a stick shift!  Make no mistake; this model has all the bells and whistles.

DM didn’t scrimp in any department. You get the high-tech door hinges, operational scissors springs hood hinges, functional suspension, tilting seatbacks, extending antenna and folding rear seat-into-floor-shelf. All the while we get the same great scale detail touches that come with the rag top. The interior is a mass of model art craftsmanship. Delicate door handles and window cranks, dash, floor and console goodies, seat and buckle details and operational sunvisors. The door locks look great and the doors snap shut and tight thanks to realistic jamb devices and spring-loaded lock mechanisms.

The trunk and chassis are awash in well engineered model masterpieces to simulate the real muscle car. The tartan trunk matting, spare with lock-down and the instructional stickers and gas filler tube all help to cast the miniature illusion. Underbody work includes working springs and shocks, metal lines and rubber tubing to formulate the brake system and a great front suspension with detailed steering assembly pieces. Under the hood is the pièce de résistance of the model. DM pulled no punches in offering the best of the best. Just check out the underside of the hood itself. Good golly Miss Molly, we got a detailed hood latch, light wiring and those awesome scissors springs. The engine is full of wiring and plumbing direct from the model Gods. As with the current series of DM marvels, the chrome metal foiled emblems are sealed and wickedly scaled.

You know what? I’m NOT going to say that this is my favorite DM Mustang to date, even though it is. No; because every time I do, thinking they just can’t top this issue, they do!  

 TP  10/04/2008

Danbury Mint 1967 Mustang GT – DM1610

Danbury’s first release of the Mustang in 1967 vintage came by way of a Candyapple Red convertible issued in 2007. Next to follow it was a Lime Gold fastback version in GT attire.  Hot on its heels came the Shelby GT 350 and finally we have this GT variant in drop top trim clad handsomely in Wimbledon White. It is not really a remake of the convertible first debuting in ’07; it is more like the kissing cousin to the fastback GT. This is as high-tech as you can get in the second decade of the twenty-first century.

Take plenty of time to look this little bon-bon over and come equipped with glass; a magnifying glass that is. You don’t want to miss a single tiny treasure located herein. Where do you want to start? How ‘bout from the inside out? For those without a hands-on example, scroll down and check out the fourth overall photo of the interior.  DM’s build team replicated the GT passenger’s quarters down to the smallest detail. The seat belt anchors and buckles are perfect miniature copies of the real ones and the fabric belts themselves are as realistic as the fabric simulating the top storage compartment behind the rear seatback. Each door handle and window crank is perfectly scaled and the stick shift with “T” handle and readable pattern on the knob is unmistakably Danbury Mint. The gauges just beyond the detailed steering wheel are readable and magnificent.

The dash, console, foot pedals and floor mats are also flawlessly replicated. The sunvisors fold up, the door sills, jambs and lock buttons are meticulously crafted and the internal door hinges are in place. They close tight and have unbelievable gap tolerances when shut. If you can pull yourself away from the incredible rendering of the chrome block letters spelling out, “Mustang” on the trunk lid, open it up to even more detailing inside. See photo six. The hinges are scale, the mat and spare, with tools, are delicately fashioned and the jacking sticker is in place under the lid. We also are treated to more chrome metal-foiled magic up front with, “Ford” in block letters and two, “GT” monikers on each side of the car. The tri-striped red accent line holding the GT emblems is faultlessly applied and the Wimbledon White paint is astonishingly gorgeous.

The engine bay is true to DM standards and photo five can’t do it justice. The big 390 is scale-labeled so well that you can read it perfectly with a magnifier. And wait until you see the perfectly scaled plug wires, distributor cap vacuum advance and plumbing lines that go with them. The battery and oil filter are labeled so that you may read them as well and the wonderful scissors-sprung hood offers a virtual tour to the real car’s unit. DM even wired the hood from below and attached the turn signals to the simulated vents on top.

Check out the chassis detail work. It’s extraordinary, even for DM. I’m not sure I’d classify it as a fully functional suspension; what it seems to be is a hybrid version. It has the right amount of ‘give’ yielding realistic motion as the car sits upright but it grants the perfect ride height. And can you get past the wire craftsmanship of the brake lines and suspension components? See photos seven and eight. The model carries the same wheels as the GT fastback setting it apart from the previous convertible’s wire wheel covers. The fit and finish of the boot, magnetically held in place, and the fabric-covered ‘up’ top is exceptional! The latter has the added detail of a split rear window, like the real car, and a welt line with chrome ends on either side. Underneath is more detail glory in the form of simulated frame rails and trim.

This Mustang, along with the Danbury Boyz who craft it, are at the top of their game. For the Mustang fan, this is getting awfully close to Holy Grail status. Keep ‘em cranking fellows, we’ll keep buying ‘em.

TP 01/29/2010

@perrone1 The FM 67 GTA may not have been a homerun due to old style hinges, etc., but it was certainly was a triple based on eyeball looks alone. Glad to have it in my display cases.

@bob-jackman 

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