Unique 1/24

Experimental Thursday! Today we have a prototype from Franklin Mint, a 1939 Maybach Zeppelin Cabriolet Open Top. If you ever wondered what the Zeppelin would look like with the top down, now you know it. This one came with all the mock up packaging too. Enjoy!

@lu wow! what a fabulous piece!

@geoff-jowet Thanks! This is one of my favorites. 

@lu Very nice sample!

Here is one from me ...

This the originally assembled and hand painted sample of the Maybach Zeppelin. This is the model that was photographed for all brochures, the teal color was then digitally altered to gray because FM changed the production color. The top is removable to view/photograph the interior. 

@chav That is beautiful, Chav!

Concept Friday! Here we have a factory-built 1986 Corvette Indy concept car from Scale Dreams. The company made a series of Corvettes from 1980 to early 1990s. This is a resin curbside model. The color is called Road & Track Red, only 25 were believed to be produced. It was also available in the kit form. 

@chav would have been my preference too, thanks Chav

The Maybach looks great with the open top.

@lu I keep seeing this 1/24 Spohn bodied Maybach being billed as 1939 and yet it is a 1934 car.  This is well documented and even a cursory look informs us that it is earlier than 1939.  I have a 1/43 copy by MV-43 #5/15 which bills it as being 1934-1936 and I'll try to photograph it at the earliest opportunity with a 1938 Spohn bodied Maybach that clearly shows the development of 'fuller' and more 'filled-in' wing lines at Spohn, in keeping with the trend toward unified body forms by the late 1930s

coachbuild.com n the subject.......................

"The car pictured here was the 1934 Berlin show car. To underline Maybach's ties to the aeronautical industry, Karl Maybach commissioned a number of aerodynamic cars. This DS8 Zeppelin picks up some aero flourishes, like the speed-lines on the fenders behind the wheels. Unfortunately, at the time - unlike today - these cars failed to impress at the auto shows. The Maybach company kept this car for many years."

@charles-rockett That’s very informative! Thank you for sharing. 

@lu, I like the rear engine concept Corvette, another one I have not seen. Thanks for posting.

Mercedes Saturday! Today we have a factory-built 1998 Mercedes Benz CLK GTR from BBR. This resin curbside model is a magnificent piece. The interior details are still leading the pack. This was also available in the kit form. Highly recommended!

Volkswagen Sunday! Today we have Shanghai Volkswagen Passat B5. All badges are photo-etched, the front doors, hood, and trunk are operable. The front tires are steerable. These were used as company gifts at auto shows and showrooms.

Minivan Monday! Today we have a 2001 Shanghai-GM Buick GL8 to share. The real car was a Chinese market-exclusive model. It was built on GM’s U-body platform used by Chevrolet Uplander and Venture, Pontiac Trans Sport, etc. The model is well made with many operable features. The packaging is very similar to what FM used in its early years. In fact, the overall feel of the model is parallel to FM/DM products from the early 2000s. The Pontiac Trans Sport brothers made an appearance in the last photo. Enjoy!

Audi Tuesday! Here we have a FAW Audi A4 wagon. This little gem is wearing the 24 Hours Roadside Assistance jersey. In case you are wondering, no, this is not the same cast as the Welly version. It is entirely different. The fit is terrific, but the paint quality could use some improvement. This is also a bizarre choice for a promotional item. I guess the message is that you can rest assured that your car will break down, but you can count on roadside assistance?!??