[Sticky] Lost Reviews - Franklin Mint & Danbury Mint

Danbury Mint 1969 Pontiac Firebird 400   1380

If you desire your 1969 Firebird a little more sedate than the, ‘in-your-face’ all out Trans Am, yet don’t want your ride to bore you to death or put you to sleep at the stoplight, then oh boy has Danbury got your number with this little ditty.

Cosmetically changed very little from its inception in 1967, the ’69 got a front end facelift while the rear and interior were slightly restyled. Although sales numbers actually fell in 1969 and 1970, the overall design was cleaner than the pony car Firebirds of 1967 and 1968 vintage. DM’s presentation of the 400 is equally clean. In Champagne Metallic, the car is bright and appears to have a clearcoat finish, it is that glossy. The addition of redline tires really sets the model off well. They also hint to the fact that this wasn’t daddy’s car. The tread patterns are authentic as well. The execution of part fit is impeccable. You might term this a perfectly hinged diecast. The doors are hung on realistic hidden hinges. The hood has those magnificent scissors hinges, a work of art in their own right. And the trunk has slim semi-circular hinges that are scaled just right and look so much more realistic than the clunky ones we’ve been accustomed to from the old days. This little number has that trick tach on the hood. You can squint and actually read the RPM dial. The twin scoops on the hood were a great styling exercise but non-functional for the 400 model. But underneath was a strong 400 cubic inch mill pumping out 330 horsepower at 4800 RPM’s. DM did a great job of detailing the engine and surrounding area. In fact it appears as thoroughly wired and plumbed as any 1:1. The plug wires are held by photo-etch metal looms. Heater hoses, batter cables and emissions tubing were all placed in their proper places. The hood closes on a tiny spring simulating the front latching point.

The Firebird emblems and ‘400’ and badgings are metal three dimensional units and look wonderful on the diecast. The antenna, in the rear on this model Firebird, is functional. The rear license plate flips down to reveal the gas cap. Inside the trunk you will find the correct patterned floor mat, spare and jacking tools. In the dark green interior, you are met with yet more detail. The sun visors fold down from their nearly hidden position against the roof. The seats fold forward. The belts are fabric with chromed buckles. The dash and foot pedals are fashioned well and the center console opens. The suspension is genuine and features fully functioning cradle arms, shocks and coil-overs. The rear suspension uses working shocks and leaf springs.

This is more like the ‘everyman’s car’ that you may have been likely to see at the end of the sixties. It is a great companion to the Trans Am. Its color, options and perky attitude are refreshing and real. Terrific effort by DM, I have to give this a 9.7 on the Thrillometer.  TP 11/01/2004

Tony, always loved your reviews.   They were spot on.  Keep them coming if you can.

Tony, these reviews and photos are killers!  Great stuff to wake up to early in the morning with reminders of these great times past.  Many thanks again for sharing them with us and please keep 'em coming!

Thanks guys! I still have quite a few more. Trying to pair them up, on a separate memory stick, with photos.

Posted by: @perrone1

Thanks guys! I still have quite a few more. Trying to pair them up, on a separate memory stick, with photos.

a handful x10.............bless your heart chief

it really is great seeing these again Tony. I have the Copper Poly, but the Orange Super Bee is to die for!! Also reminds me of the period when DM were churning them out, and I just couldn't afford to add all that I wanted. Of course theres no hope now of getting one for $120.

Have it, love it even more after your refresher course on how wonderful the model is. Also have the red one. Thanks Tony.

Thanks guys!!

Franklin Mint 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II “WCF"- Nbr Ltd Ed of 1500 – E658

William Clay Ford, Sr. was not only the grandson of Henry Ford, but an invaluable asset to the automotive world in his own right. He personally supervised design and development over what we now consider to be classic cars including the Mark II that debuted for sale in 1956. Ford formed the Policy and Strategy Committee in 1957 and William Clay was appointed Chairman of that committee. He was the Vice President of Product Design by 1973 and was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee in 1978 and appointed at the same time, as a member of the Office of the Chief Executive. He subsequently was elected to be Vice Chairman of the Board in 1980 and Chairman of the Finance Committee in 1987. He retired in 2005 after almost 57 years of service.

The Franklin Mint commemorates that service in a gorgeous replication of William Clay Ford’s personal car. On their website, they say, “Created to the personal specifications of William Clay Ford, grandson of Henry, the customized ’56 Continental was fitted with many advances through the years, including the addition of a 460 cid engine and a blue-and-silver interior — colors of Mr. Ford’s Detroit Lions football team. These are among the authentic features re-created in this spectacular scale model. We’ve even replicated the one-of-a-kind emblem created for the horn ring, bearing Mr. Ford’s initials “WCF.””

The popularity of this car and models of it today is alive, well and flourishing. TFM has modeled five versions of the Mark II including this one. The original, as you know, was issued in 2001 in black. It was an instant hit. In 2002 the car was modeled in white and in a limited edition of 500 to commemorate the original white 1961 Lincoln of Pebble Beach fame that was held to the same number edition. By 2004 it was time for us to modify the car into a convertible LECC and in 2005 an FM independent dealer had it cloaked in a deep red edition of 1000 pieces. Call me crazy but for some reason, I find this iteration to be the most lovely. Perhaps it is the color that so well lends the classic lines as both distinguished and fittingly exquisite.

TFM crafted a whole new motor to simulate the 1:1 that its famous owner had installed. The detail is terrific. The horn ring FM mentioned is there and so is the great detail on the hood ornament, block lettering and interior fabrication. The paint is glossy, smooth and metallic-scaled extremely well. This is a model that looks beautiful all these years later, sitting next to any model you might have. It especially looks grand next to the other versions of the same car. This is the sort of repaint/revision I truly love.  TP 10/22/2007

Franklin Mint 1956 Corvette Ltd Ed/5000 – E419

The Franklin Mint really has this Corvette fiberglass thing down to a science. They have made several models from the actual materials that the replicated cars were manufactured in. Aluminum was used for their BMW Z8, Shelby’s Cobra 427 S/C, and copper for the ’21 Rolls Silver Ghost. But back in 1998 the 1963 Sebring Silver split window Corvette Coupe took center stage made from the Corvette’s medium, fiberglass. We saw a follow up in limited edition form with the blue ’63 and then the ’57, a ’56 from Mint Models, a ’70 and ’71 came hot on their heels and in more than one color variation. Currently reincarnated as a 1956 model, this black beauty offers plenty to like.

For me, the highlight of this jaunty little roadster is its engine. When FM initially tooled up their C1 as a fiberglass ’57 model, they chose the highly prized first-year fuel injection engine for the power plant. But when they were commissioned by Mint Models to do a ’56 version, based from the fuelie model, they installed the dual quad motor. They did themselves proud by adding great little detail touches in the way of fuel lines and throttle linkage. Their engine bay is resplendent in authenticism. The paint is grand; rich, smooth and glossy. Contrast that with red interior, black ‘up top’ in the form of a hard top and the additional soft top display option, also in black, and you’re good to go. Of the 3,467 Corvettes made in 1956, 2,797 of them had the “two-tone paint combination” option (contrasting side cove color). Chevrolet’s making only 670 solid color cars from 810 cars painted in black allowed FM to create an unusually rare Corvette with this specific issue.

The ‘feel’ of the model, in fiberglass, is nice. TFM opted to reproduce this replica from an existing tool which made it more cost effective than tooling up internal hinges for the doors. It also avoided any misalignment problems, for which I rejoice. This is a good choice in color, build material and product quality. Issue price is $120. TP 03/05/2007

Danbury Mint 1954 Cadillac Eldorado - DM1583

Hold onto your hats boys and girls, Danbury’s done it again. If ever there was a “must have”, this is one more great example in the way of a new tooling. Filling in the gap for mid-fifties, missing-in-action Caddies, DM picked a cherry. Ok, it isn’t red but the fifty-four convertible is a magnificent choice. And I think the color, Apollo Gold, is a brilliant pick especially with black and yellow interior and its black up top. This elegant Eldorado model comes with the usual fascinating features and functionality. But now they have also come up with polarized sun visors and a working fuel filler door, ah, taillight! Yeah, the driver’s side taillight lifts up to allow fill-ups, just like the real car.

Chronicling the bells and whistles may take some time but first I have to tell you how great this diecast looks in person. The Mint’s attention to detail always pays off with the dividend of yielding a highly realistic miniature. Such attention comes in the form of usually mundane details that other companies do not address. This would include such things as simulated weather stripping in the trunk opening lip, fabric use for the up top, top storage well and trunk liner. To DM these things are obviously important. And while finely crafted plastic would suffice for the wire wheels, DM uses photo-etched metal. I’m betting there will be a debate on whether or not these are the best formed wheels in the 1:24^th kingdom. They have my vote. And even the spare has incredible hub design seen on the reverse side and the tire has perfectly accurate tread pattern.

The trunk also features a detailed jacking instruction sticker and jacking tools. Yes, the spare is removable. So is the three-piece top boot, and once again, just like the real car. The fit is astounding. But then, so is the black fabric top fit. Don’t forget to pay attention to its inside detail – DM didn’t. The framework shows along with the chrome latch up front and outside features a chrome-tipped welt line and chrome trim around the back edge. THAT’S what I mean by attention to detail. The antenna extends and the visors are not just period cool, they fold up and down. The spring hinges are present and accounted for in the doors and hood. And the spring loaded door jamb pin keeps the doors shut tight and in perfect alignment.

Before I get to the interior, I have to give kudos to the boys for the generous amount of gold photo-etched scripting and badges. Yes, they are sealed and yes, they are spectacular. “Eldorado” is spelled out on the trunk in scaled opulence. “Cadillac” is done equally well on both front fender sides. There are dimensional badges on door tops, rear fenders and hood nose. They lend plenty of realistic credibility to the big car. But so does the miniature buttons, gauges, foot pedals, brake handle, column levers and door and seat pieces. The seats flip forward and pivot inward slightly as with the 1:1 car. Chassis detail is typical for DM, masterful. Front suspension pieces and brake cable assemblies lend an air of realism. There is just the right amount of ‘give’ as the model is set on a hard surface.

The lack of over-travel that we see in some diecast suspension systems is most welcome since the correct ride height and stance will always be there. The engine is most often the celebrated heart of detail in these precision automobiles and I have to declare that it is even more so in this gold and gorgeous girl. Gently open her hood and just take in the beauty. Talk about bells and whistles – every wire, hose, line and sticker, each tampo printed letter is period correct and scaled to perfection. The grille is wonderfully crafted and representative of the real car and the license plate frames are scaled so nicely to give another dose of realism.

Danbury continues to amaze with great car choices, color picks and equipment selection. Wonder what else may come from this fantastic new tool? This is the next Preview Society issue scheduled tentatively for July '09.  TP 05/22/2009

I've just got to say, this model is quite possibly in DM's Top Ten 1:24's.  If the word "Perfection" were to be searching for a definition, show anyone this model and you've got your definition!  And Tony, your review just confirms it!

I'm drooling all over my computer keyboard.  I've only got the BLACK version of this incredible model.  Tony, since reading your reviews om these Lincoln's, I'm just asking myself over and over, why/how did I miss the train that came in with these models on it?  I was obviously asleep a long time!  

@perrone1 ..................Danbury Mint 1954 Cadillac Eldorado - DM1583.......a fine story for people with hats,and for those without

                                            ........the photos are flawless....................Thank you Tony  

@perrone1 I have this blue one along with the black, but I had forgotten about all the revised details. Really seeing the value of you reposting these great reviews, thanks again Tony.