[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

just counted 'em. This is one of the 6 early 2000s FM Corvettes I have. Great models all. Thanks Tony

Thanks for checking in Geoff. Wish the Mints were still around to make the newer C8's!

Franklin Mint 1:10 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy- Nbr Limited Edition of 9900 E266

Like art, you may not know what it is but you know what you like. The same holds true for me. I am certainly no cycle expert but I like what I see in Franklin’s bikes. From a precision detail standpoint, they are the berries in diecast motorcycles. In fact, I’d go so far as saying that their scale bikes are diecast art.

Take the 2006 Fat Boy for example. Harley-Davidson crafted a Softail cycle with a hardtail look, hiding the rear suspension. FM duplicates it with grace. H-D builds in a whopper of an engine at 88 cubic inch displacement (1450 CC’s) producing 85 foot pounds of earth-moving torque and FM renders it flawlessly in 1:10^th scale. The wiring is magnificent. The front suspension is operational too and the twin forks are full of little niceties. Tiny little screws are realistic, the brake cabling is extraordinary and even the handle bars possess fine miniature characteristics. FM does a beautiful job with their tampo prints. Almost unseen with the naked eye are graphics on the engine: “Sequential Port Injection”, “Fat Boy” and “Twin Cam” and “USA” on the right side engine, warning labels on the chassis down tubes and fantastic Harley-Davidson logo printing on the tank sides. The paint is faultlessly applied and has gorgeous gold pinstriping to highlight the remarkable finish.

The front and rear brake rotors are drilled and slotted photo-etched metal, they look phenomenal; and the working parts are many. The rear rider’s foot pegs fold down, the right side foot brake works on a miniature spring, the left side gear shift operates up and down to simulate the 5-Speed tranny, the kickstand folds up and down and the belt drive rotates as the rear wheel revolves. Everything is well defined from the operational elements to the static pieces in each assembly giving an overall view of highly-precision detail.

Yeah, I may not know art but I know what I like and this is great model art. Nice job FM!  The issue price is $135.

TP 11/18/2006

Firefighter Special Edition - Limited Edition of 2500 - E251

Let me be up front about something right now – I am no expert on anything ‘motorcycle’. I have the resultant scars from three shoulder operations, including two steel rods and chucks of my thigh muscle, tendon and ligaments transplanted up to my shoulder to prove it. Obviously, motorcycles and I do not mix well. But apparently TFM and bikes do. My goodness, just go to our Car List & Reviews and click on, “Franklin Mint” under, “Manufacturer Brands” then click, “1:10” beside the, “Motorcycles” grouping and you’ll pull up three pages of the stuff! A lion’s share of these are Harley-Davidsons. Oh mama, where have y’all been hiding? You’ll find the Harley Road King Classic 2002 Road Rally Edition, the 2004 Firefighter Bike Ultra Classic Electra Glide and a 2006 Road King in white among the many elite bikes that the famous brand has to offer.

Harley-Davidson honors the countries firefighters with the exclusivity of ownership of this bike to active duty and retired fireman. But thankfully, FM makes it possible for us to get in on this great act, if only in 1:10^th scale. So lament not, because most of the features and functionality are right here for you to enjoy. Good grief, who’d expect it? We have functional suspension. Yeah, the front forks are sprung and the rear wheel moves on operational springs. And check it out – the rubbery drive belt glides from the trans to the rear wheel. The front wheel and tire aren’t immune from great detailing either; twin outboard rotors turn within Harley-Davidson disc brakes – I know, because with a magnifier glass FM was kind enough to imprint the almost imperceptible brand name on them the way H-D does on their 1:1’s.

As with the finest car diecasts, detail renderings give us great gauges, logo emblems, paint, brake cabling, reflectors, plug wiring and functional features. Those latter elements include working gear shift foot pedals; one down, five up, with operational linkage, working right foot brake pedal and fully articulated front wheel steering and rear passenger foot pegs that fold up and down.

FM does cycles right. At a limited edition issue price of $145, you have as near motorcycle replica perfection as exists currently on planet Earth. I, for one, say, “Go for it!”

TP 09/17/2006

Franklin Mint Harley-Davidson Softail DeLuxe  - E411

FM has these one tenth scale bikes down cold! I’m continually amazed with each one I see. They are truly scaled masterpieces of Harley-Davidson craftsmanship. My latest review piece is scaled perfection in opalescent pearl and jet black. Drippin’ in tons-o-chrome with wide gangsta white tires, chrome wire wheels and twin shotgun pipes, the look is super bad and big daddy cool at the same time.

Franklin nailed the look of the big Twin Cam88B motor dressed in wrinkle black, chrome and detailed in every way. Plug wiring, fuel lines and realistic linkage all come to the line for immediate duty. The front and rear suspension is operational, the pullback riser and handlebar assembly steers the front wheel, the kickstand works and the gearshift and foot brake pedal are functional. The photo-etched wheel wires and brake rotors are exceptional, as are the brake lines and flexible drive belt. The textures are all authentic, from the rubber tire tread pattern to the feel of the saddle and smooth paint finish.

FM does a remarkable job in replicating these 1:10^th bikes. They pick great examples to replicate and their color choices are impeccable. Keep ‘em coming boys!  TP 02/24/2008

Franklin Mint 1:10 2006 Harley-Davidson Night Train- Ltd Ed of 9189 – E350

This is Franklin Mint’s latest Harley-Davidson Softail rendition. It comes by way of the “Night Train” configuration that, in 2006, set 9189 owner’s hearts to fluttering. H-D built that number of Softails for the ’06 version of the ‘Train’ and TFM copied that edition amount here for us 1:10 collectors. And yes, my heart fluttered too as I opened the packaging of this model.

This is likely the nicest motorcycle I have reviewed to date. I’m not sure what appeals so strongly to my sense of enjoyment here as the working features are every bit as numerous as on all of TFM’s bike models. I guess it has to be Harley’s adherence to the night theme of using black in its many forms and TFM’s perfect replication of the 1:1 itself. The tins; tank halves, front and rear fenders, are beautifully rendered in Black Pearl. The center tank console along with the oil tank, air cleaner and fender supports are flat black. The 88 cubic inch Twin Cam 88B engine on this FXSTB/I model utilizes a black powder-coat and mixes in a wrinkle finish and textured black engine covers. TFM fabricated the look flawlessly.

The Black Slotted Aluminum Disc rear wheel adds another dimension as do the photo-etched wire front 21 inch wheel and gloriously chromed twin exhaust pipes. The Mint did a wonderful job in adding realism to the bike by using scaled electric wiring, fuel plumbing and brake cables. The frame is perfectly marked, P-E metal brake rotor ride within the calipers and working features sell the 1:1 illusion well. The rear Softail suspension is hidden well and articulates like a real unit. The belt drive works and so does the brake pedal and 5-speed shifter assembly. Front and rear foot pegs unfold and, of course, the kickstand unfolds. Even the front shocks are operational. The passenger grab belt is a separately fashioned piece and the seat feels realistic. The tank-mounted speedo looks very detailed and TFM finished off the tank with beautiful chrome metal-foiled H-D emblems on the tank sides.

One of the nicest bikes to come from TFM yet, the issue price is $135.

TP 10/05/2007

Franklin Mint 2007 Corvette Convertible Nbr Ltd Ed of 2500 – E663

By my count, this is Franklin’s ninth C6 model to date. This includes the independent dealer’s issues, and takes the form of coupes, convertibles and Z06 models. First, I must inform that this one is based from original 2005 C6 tooling. So while it does not have the door hinge updates that the newly restyled Z06 C6 diecasts have, it exhibits the same excellence in body shape and styling fidelity that all of TFM’s current Vette releases share.

The color choice on this one makes the car more dark, moody and kind of unique due to the dual color interior. In an exterior of deep and rich Le Mans Blue metallic, it is contrasted well with a Titan Gray up-top and two-tone interior in Ebony and Light Titanium; FM’s first such C6. The chrome five-spoke wheels add the proper ‘bling, bling’ luster. The model does get the benefit of the upgraded chrome metal-foiled badges. The hard tonneau lifts to show off the detail work on the simulated down-top. There is good detail work in the trunk area, chassis, with working suspension and the engine bay continues to afford the right stuff.

The dash and console and even the navigation system replication is excellent and FM’s use of aluminized paint carries off the console finish well. The seat belts are leather with photo-etched buckles and the steering wheel is superb with simulated leather stitching to perfect scale. This is not just one more Corvette to add to the Corvette collector’s stable but a grand and colorful standout choice. Issue price is $130.

10/29/2007

Franklin Mint 2007 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car – E837

Corvettes, Corvettes, Corvettes; I’m sick of so many Corvettes! Ok, for those of you who love the breed and enjoy seeing as many of them released as I do, take heart, that warning was for the non- Corvette-aphiles. After the first few words here, they probably hit the “Back” button. So now that we’re alone, let me state that I ADORE this new FM offering! In Atomic Orange, I’m reminded of the seventies color, Ontario Orange Firemist. I owned a new 1972 C3 in that color. A great choice for pace car duties as it is, Corvette added conservative gold striping ribbons, compared to some previous pace cars, which make the Vette shine.

Speaking of previous pace cars, for 2007, Corvette marked the fourth consecutive year to pace the Indy 500. Corvette also set a record of pacing the race nine times! One further demarcation, Corvette hasn’t offered Pace car replicas in 1:1 fashion to the public since the 1998 Pace Car in purple and yellow. The ’07 Pace Car Edition was available in 500 units only. It was distinguished by the gold ribbons, Indy 500 logo on either door, a small spoiler on the rear deck and split-spoke wheels. Additionally, Indy 500 badges were affixed to the front fenders and embroidered into the leather seats. Safety lights were put in place in the pods behind the seats on the tonneau deck and FM got all of this replicated accurately.

They even modeled the seat belt buckles in photo-etched metal and metal-foiled the crossed flag emblems fore and aft. All the color-coordinated interior pieces are in place and the correct matching color fuel rail covers are evident in the well crafted engine bay. The doors are of the old tech but I cannot deduct any major points for that since only the Z06 models received the internal door hinge tooling modifications to date. The seats fold forward and the top deck opens to display a simulated ‘down top’. The ‘up top’ fits remarkably well while the trunk exposes the limited edition plate.

Of all the Pace Car Corvettes to date, this one stands out as one of the more lovely models.  TP 06/27/2008

Franklin Mint 2007 Ford Mustang GT Convertible-Nbr Ltd Ed of 5000 – E558

FM does a remarkably good job on Mustangs! The new generation of FM ‘Stangs are no exception. Their 2005 and 2007 Mustangs, GT’s and GT500’s are especially well done. In convertible configuration, this Mineral Grey Metallic drop top is fantastic. FM gives us the choice of display by supplying the boot or ‘up top’, both in a wonderfully textured black.

The interior is a muted red that adds a nice flavor to the color combo. FM has the chrome metal foiled scripts and badges ‘dialed in’. They are coated along with the paint in a clearcoat that is shiny and glossy smooth. The car rides on operating suspension. By the way, the chassis is rich with great detailing touches. The metallic coloration of the differential housing, and heat shielding is really admirable. It shows time well spent in fabrication.

The interior exhibits the same modeler’s touch and has good detail all around. The fit of the top and boot is tight. It may take a moment to get the boot to fit just right but the time spent is well worth it. It fits like a glove. It is a more straight forward exercise on the up top but it, too, fits well and looks realistic. The engine has all the detailing bells and whistles and it carries those attributes down to the engine, trans and chassis.

Once again FM makes good color choices and fabricates a really handsome Mustang convertible. TP 03/07/2008

Franklin Mint 1:10 2007 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic- Nbr Ltd Ed of 9900 – E348

If you’ve seen the recent review of Franklin Mint’s huge 1:5 1986 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, the Connoisseur’s Edition, but can’t come up with the half-grand price of admission, this is your bike.

The big version is absolutely awesome. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from such a detail-filled bike of that size. But with a few less whistles and in a much smaller package, is the new 1:10^th Softail Classic in the same color combo, with passenger seat-back, saddle bags and windshield. It has all the normal features we have come to expect and cherish in TFM’s scale 1:10^th bikes and is a positive joy to behold, on display or in hand.

FM builds in a folding kickstand, turning wheels, working steering, operational suspension, front and rear and working drive belt. You may demonstrate the foot-operated working gearshift assembly on the six speed cruise drive, fold down the passenger’s foot pegs, push down on the spring activated foot brake and fold back the rear seatback rest. TFM builds in seats and saddlebags with terrific ‘feel’. The finish is perfect and the tiny pinstripe work is flawless. “Heritage Softail” adorns the front fender sides in chrome metal foil and lends an air of realism that used to be seen on their cars only.

The engine detailing is usual FM-great and the wiring and sticker replication are astonishingly accurate. The wheel wire spokes are crafted faultlessly as are the metal brake rotors and deep-patterned tires. The speedo has exacting detail and the use of plastic for turn signals, brake light with license plate illuminator is excellent. TFM does a masterful job on these motorcycles and their Harley-Davidson line is expanding in every innovative way imaginable. Keep ‘em coming guys! TP 03/07/2008

Franklin Mint 1:10 Harley-Davidson Road King- Police Unity Tour- Nbr Ltd Ed of 2500 - E505

Whether you are a fan of motorcycles or not, you may find this one, as I do, very special and extremely appealing. Franklin Mint honors our ‘men in blue’ by commemorating the, “Police Unity Tour”. You can find information on the website at: http://www.policeunitytour.com or in the back of TFM’s Collector’s Guide that comes with each of these gorgeous 1:10^th precision models. Officer Patrick Montuore, of the Florham Park Police Department, organized the Police Unity Tour in 1997 along with seventeen other riders who spent four days riding their bicycles from their New Jersey station to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. They raised public awareness of their fallen comrades who died in the line of duty and also raised much needed funds for the Memorial.

As Franklin Mint writes in the Care & Handling Guide, “Today, the spectacle of over 1000 peace officers on bicycles accompanied by Harley-Davidson motorcycle police escorts arriving en masse in D.C. brings tears to the eyes of many family and friends of the fallen who gather to witness this event. The mission of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is to permanently record and appropriately commemorate the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers. The Fund also provides information that helps promote law enforcement safety.”  

Aside from all the wonderful detail work FM builds into these scale bikes, we are also treated to exceptionally accurate livery and “Police Unity Tour” branding logos. The addition of the American Flag and National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial flag is a great touch. The PUT label is seen on the windshield and hard saddlebag sides; the rose-covered, blue officer’s shield logo is positioned on the front fender top and both sides of the tank and license plate. The black and white paint scheme is beautifully executed and includes finite pinstripe paint work. FM chrome metal foiled the, “Road King” script on the fenders and an “HD” moniker on the leather-like saddle.

As always, TFM details the big 88 cube motor perfectly and offers working 5-speed foot shifter, front and rear working suspension and operational brake pedal. Foot rests for the passenger fold down, and the belt drive turns the rear wheel. Twin front and single rear brake rotors turn within their calipers. The thin whitewalls and beautifully patterned tires add a formal touch to the bike while the twin chrome exhaust pipes menacingly work their way rearward. The wiring on the bike is awesome and includes a coiled connection to the addition of the red flasher-light positioned on the rear end of the cycle. All linkage, handlebar cabling and speedometer detail are brilliantly fashioned and the overall look that FM brings to these bikes is incredible.

This is a very worthwhile endeavor and I applaud TFM for bringing us this somber and beautifully done scale model. God bless those who serve and protect us on a daily basis! TP 03/07/2008

Franklin Mint 2007 Shelby Mustang- Nbr Ltd Ed 5000 E421

Little by little it’s been creeping back. It was starting to wane in the mid-seventies and it was all but gone by the eighties. But it case you haven’t been paying attention and it snuck up on you when you weren’t looking, baby, it’s back! I’m talking horsepower, ponies, muscle motivation, get-up-and-boogie woogie, woogie. And speaking of ponies, how ‘bout a large dose of 500 wild mustangs please! 

Franklin has replicated the all-new 2007 return to the Shelby Mustang; GT500 style. Carroll Shelby teamed up with Ford’s SVT (Special Vehicle Team) and revamped the current retro-look Mustang; not too dissimilar from when he placed his stamp of approval on the GT350 and the later GT500 models. This time around he mated up a 500 HP dual overhead cam V8, with supercharged induction, to a 6 speed tranny, added some spice in the form of twin hood intakes, special body modifications and SVT-cool wheels. The proper stripes were added, harkening back to the good old Shelby/Ford days, and positioned the special badgings. FM rendered them in chrome metal foil, all the rage these days, and securely fastened them, thank you very much.

The paint is beautiful and blemish-proof. My example has an exemplary top coat finish, waxed to the hilt. Doors are on the new-tech hinges; keep ‘em coming FM, and the details are adding up with almost each new issue these days. On this fresh new and current 1:1 replication, we see those great details everywhere. Check out the interior. You’ll love the scaled door sills in photo-etch metal. “SVT” is polished to stand out proudly. The dash gauges jump out, the floor shifter and console are well defined and the belts, front and rear, are stand-outs. Caution stickers lend great detail realism on the static visors and the driver’s door jamb.

The working suspension is very realistic and the articulation, especially in the rear, is quite authentic. Yet the model’s stance is spot on. Chassis detail is right up there with most of today’s better builds. The wipers are scaled dramatically and look nice in black. There’s a genuine fine detailing convergence where the wipers, slim antenna and “Shelby American Automobile Club” window sticker meet. It may force you to appreciate the detail of the lower edge of the windshield ‘matrix dot’ replication. The engine pushes the detail limit for FM very nicely. Cool little stickers are found on the underside of the hood, radiator top and lending some authenticism to the printed drive belt. The battery is not immune from detail touches either, as it is cabled and printed with safety warnings. The engine bay is stuffed with Pony power! Plumbing and wiring are scaled precisely too and the fine metal mesh-work on the grill halves, above and below the bumper line is magnificent.

How much better than today can you expect to see a model in the same year that the 1:1 is released in? Props to FM; their Shelby line and overall Mustang issues are alive and doing well thank you very much. Issue price is $120.

TP 03/23/2007

FM 2008 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Cars - Convertible F093 - Coupe F094

TFM continues to do these C5 and C6 Corvettes up right. With the help of the Indy 500 Pace Car selection committee, FM had yet another wonderful opportunity to fashion-out their C6 Corvette tooling when, once again, the choice of Pace Car went to the Corvette. For the 2008 running at the Brick Yard, very special history was made.  It marked the tenth time that Corvette led the field as the official Pace Car. In fact, it was an unprecedented fifth time in a row for the marque to pace the race.

As Chevy’s flagship took this incredible honor it also made a bit of history for the event to officially press three Pace Cars into service at the same time. All were Corvettes. One was a modified Z06 model enabled to run on E85 ethanol fuel. The other two, as we chronicle here, were 30^th anniversary commemoratives of the 1978 Corvette that paced the Indy 500 that year. Dressed in black, as the ’78 model was, they took on gorgeous graphics and Franklin Mint did a magnificent job in their recreation.

True to the actual models they represent, they are opted out with the LS3 engine, 6-speed, clutchless paddle-shift transmission with automatic mode. The driver chosen for the pacing duty was legendary Emerson Fittipaldi and you’ll see his simulated signature gracing the rear flanks of each Pace Car. The coupe comes with a rooftop light bar on the removable roof panel and the convertible comes with a removable ‘up top’.

The engine, as always on TFM’s C6, is true to life and makes great use of multiple fabrication materials. The interiors feature excellent attention to detail with logo-embroidered seats and phenomenal seat belts and buckles. The suspension ‘gives’ perfectly without sacrifice to ride height. Those big five-spoke wheels lend terrific opportunity to show off the great FM-built metallic rotors that turn within the brake calibers.

The coupe features opening hatch and the convertible allows the trunk lid to operate and also the hard boot to open revealing a simulated ‘down top’ in the storage well.

Franklin did a great job of this pair and displaying them together is a sure-fire conversation starter in most any collection.

TP 07/22/2009

Franklin Mint 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR – E906

"Trailers for sale or rent. Rooms to let...fifty cents.  No phone, no pool, no pets; I ain't got no cigarettes. Ah, but… two hours of pushin' broom, buys an eight by twelve four-bit room. I'm a man of means by no means, King of the road."

Apologies to Roger Miller, but neither trailer rentals nor broom pushin’ will buy this little number. But driving it will certainly make you feel the way Carroll Shelby intended you to feel; like the king of the road. KR’s were first brought to the public in February of ’68. Chevrolet was planning an ad campaign for the ’68 Corvette in which it would have been referred to as the king of the road. Hearing of this, Shelby quickly realized that no copyright had been placed on either, “KR” or “King of the Road” and decided to use that as his moniker for the 1968 Shelby GT500. Eclipsing the GT350 in engine size and power, this became the ultimate Mustang for the time.

Building on the legend, Shelby and Ford offered a more modern GT500KR based on the retro-styled Mustang of today. Franklin Mint has replicated the blown  5.4 liter V-8 pumping out 540 wild mustangs and hoofing out 510 lb-ft of torque. For 2008, it became the fastest Mustang to date. TFM decided to use Shelby’s knack for marketing and is issuing the gorgeous little pony in two color schemes. This one is a bright silver metallic with twin blue racing stripes and blue accents on lower body panels. The other variant is painted Vista Blue with silver striping and accents.

The Mint did a wonderful job on the chrome wheels and the awesome metal-foiled emblems, scripts and badges. The doors open on internal hinges and all opening parts fit flawlessly together. The engine detail is substantive and carries off a 1:1 realism. The chassis exhibits realistic heat shielding, suspension components and big block detailing. The interior and trunk detail is right up to date and the stance of the car looks completely authentic.

So while you may be a man of means by no means; this car would MAKE you a King of the road. TP 10/20/2009

Franklin Mint 2009 Corvette ZR1 Coupe – F855

The ZR1 nomenclature has been around for a while. And as with the Z06, it has recently been resurrected with great enthusiasm and to a whole new adoring crowd of Corvette fans. The Z06 reference first appeared as an option for the 1963 model year. ZR1 came later in 1970. It was a “special purpose engine package” that added $968.95 to your order. In 1971 the ZR1 option meant that the famed LT1 engine was in the car. Model year 1972 was the last such designation until the run of ZR-1’s surfaced in the era of 1990 to 1995. By ’95 the ZR-1 (notice the addition of the hyphen) boasted 405 horse power. It was then considered to be the fastest Corvette ever built and was affectionately known as the, “King of the Hill”.

When the 2002 Z06 returned, it too had 405 horse power. (The first reintroduced Z06 for 2001 had 385 horse power) The second generation Z’s, 2002 through 2004 (C6’s) were touted as the quickest Corvettes ever built. But during the best, and even faster and quicker, years of the Z06 in C6 form, rumors were all over the internet Corvette world of something even more wicked, this way comes. Each Corvette forum bristled with posts of a secret development and eventually their own forum category was based on these discussions of the code named, “Blue Devil”.  Twin turbo-charged, some said. No, others insisted, it would be supercharged, or mid-engined; everyone had his or her own theory. Then just prior to 2009 the lid was blown and the word spread of the impending new “King of the Hill”.

Now enter The Franklin Mint’s new king of the hill diecast – it is simply sensational. To the delight of the cognoscente, TFM has nailed the proper nuances of the new breed of fast AND quick!  I am a big fan of their C5 and C6 models, especially the higher-techie pieces and pondered how they would eventually render the ZR1. About the only thing they left out was that which Chevrolet themselves left out – the supercilious hyphen!  I wondered, too, how they would handle the carbon fiber roof with its extravagantly expensive fade-resistant clear coat finish. Do you want it now or later? Oh, why wait; it is brilliant, both in fabrication and quite literally. The rest all falls perfectly in place from there. Check out the hood – fiberglass! And two operational pneumatic piston ‘shock rods’ prop it up.

The matching carbon fiber side body kit and front fascia are as flawlessly made as the roof. The ZR1-specific tail spoiler was formulated exactly and the side fender vents, ceramic brake components, ZR1-specific wheels and even the 3ZR interior were built accurately. The doors open on internally sprung hinges, the way we like, and the suspension functions naturally while keeping the stance faithful and true. The chrome metal-foiled insignias are spot on, the exhaust system looks realistic and the trunk, engine and passenger compartments all compliment the flawless build. The Jetstream Blue metallic paint is flawless!

All hail the new King and all hail FM’s valiant effort to bring us this, the first great precision diecast ZR1.  TP 05/11/2010

Franklin Mint 1:12 Farmall Super A Tractor- Nbr Limited Edition of 1500 - E351

There is a good contingent of tractor fans around the world and I have always counted myself in the fold. I’ve only been to one “tractor pull” event but I have taken in a good number of tractor shows whenever the opportunity arises. The amazing level of restoration and collectibility of these old farm horses rivals anything we may be familiar with in the automotive realm.

Franklin Mint has been a regular supplier, through the years, of farm tractors and implements. The Farmall brand has been a good staple for farmers and FM alike. This latest rendering may be considered as a natural offshoot of the Farmall A Tractor issued in 2002 by the FM. FM tells us that the original Farmall A tractor was replaced in 1947 by the Farmall Super A. The difference was a built-in hydraulic system named “Touch Control”. It was International Harvester’s first powered system for raising and lowering implements at the touch of a lever.

FM has replicated this work horse beautifully. From its authentic front tires, allowing cross-crop straddling at the same width as the rear tires, to the 23º self cleaning tread rear tires, FM has added an enormous amount of glorious red detail. The steering is gear-driven precise, no ‘slop’ whatsoever. The fan belt is made from rubber, the headlights are wired and so is the 4-cylinder engine and distributor. You’ll find battery cabling, authentic miniature warning labels on the battery, oil filter, air cleaner canister, gas tank and transmission housing as well as on the power take off (PTO). Speaking of which, the PTO wheel turns. The draw bar hitch, used for pulling implements, swings left to right and there are a number of operating parts for the owner to enjoy. The seat, leaf-spring mounted, tilts backward to allow access to the under seat storage, and the brake pedals and clutch pedal function on spring returns. In addition you may move the throttle and watch the link’s movement all the way to the front of the engine.

The engine cover is removable and gives the owner a better view of the motor. Take the air filtration snorkel off first followed by the exhaust stack and reverse the process after replacing the hood.

If you are into these great FM tractors, you will need this for the collection. If you are just starting out, I can’t recommend any other any more highly than this one. Issue price for this limited edition is $145. TP 09/16/2006