[Closed] Did I see someone mentioning a 1950s Cadillac?

Yes, I think so - The 870's. The Strato Chief would be the 860's.

PIX: Motor City USA's '55 Cadillac Fleetwood & Derivatives

This is a scan from "Greenburg's Guide to Cadillac Models and Toys" by Jeffery Gurski. Thanks to Dr. G-Toyz for the image.

Former Motor City pattern-maker, Lloyd Asbury, recently confirmed that the company's '55 Fleetwood Series 60 Special and '49 Desoto were indeed pantographed copies of the old Banthrico banks. As most of you already know, Motor City went on to produce several derivatives of both these models.

Note: Gurski makes the common mistake of referring to the MC and Alloy Forms Cadillacs as "die-cast". Both models were in fact cold-cast white metal.

- John

John, as usual a highly informative posting ........

Just goes to show that the Banthrico banks were full of detail. I bet 'Matchbox' used pantography to up scale their 1-75's to 'King Size'. One example is the Mercury Cougar. The 'King Size' version of this model I believe was used by Del Prado as a base for their Mercury Cougar. Neither was 1:43rd scale but 'Matchbox' never stated it was unlike Del Prado. The 'Matchbox' model was an excellent 'toy' and the Del Prado, IMO, a not so good collectors model.

Pantography was a well used technique by toy figure companies to produce a range of figures in a variety of scales.

Cheers Chris

Thanks Chris. Yes, The Banthrico...

...was very detailed (for its era), however, it was way too wide and unfortunately this glaring error was transferred to the version by Motor City USA.

The width problem, coupled with other issues, rendered their Fleetwood, Series 62 Coupe De Ville and Convertible models unsuitable for most collections. Pity.

- John