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Topic starter
30/11/2017 3:09 am
Rudely awakened this morning by sounds of great excitement from next door.
Much whooping and hollering and hand-clapping, then my neighbour knocks at the door and tells me his GFCC Pontiac, promised for delivery by the end of January, has arrived from China amazingly quickly, and would I like to see it?
Well, you have to humour people, so I got my camera and went and had a look.
From some angles at least, it really looks pretty good, quite crisp and clean with a very smooth paint job. The windscreen/windshield frame (on this example at least) has no chrome, it's just clear plastic, and would benefit greatly from some BMF. The silver highlighting on the edges of the fins is a little weak in places and could also be improved with foil. It needs front vent windows, which could be made easily enough from fine wire. But the overall impression isn't bad at all.
If the Neo versions didn't exist - and I don't know if anyone else has done a '59 Pontiac in 1:43 - it would certainly fill a gap in any collection of GM '59s quite adequately. I don't know why they've chosen to do this particular car in isolation, you'd have imagined they might have produced a small series of cars from this period, but there you are.
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
From the side, it sits a little high, and has very narrow tyres, so you almost expect to find a clockwork motor or friction drive underneath. The clip-on top supplied with the model is very, VERY plastic-looking, so the car probably looks better open, even though it lacks a tonneau cover behind the rear seats.
photo no longer available
Obviously it doesn't match the Neo for overall quality or detailing (although at least it doesn't have that awful black front screen surround), but it isn't disgraced either. It matches the Neo for scale, length is identical and I almost suspected they might have pirated the Neo body, although there are small differences here and there.
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
The "distressed" box it comes in, with fake stains and scratchy lettering, is an odd sort of gimmick. Expect to see some cretins on eBay selling these models as "rare vintage barn finds" at silly prices.
Anyway, the dear old chap is delighted with it, and he says his pet budgerigar likes it as well. (Really rings its bell, apparently). And as model sellers everywhere are wont to remark in private, "If it makes some daft collector happy, I'm happy".
Now let's see if I can upload the photos direct from my Box Brownie ...
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
30/11/2017 6:42 am
Thank you for the excellent photos, Graeme! Madison Models has also produced 1959 Pontiacs in 1/43-scale in multiple body styles (2-door hardtop, convertible, 4-door Vista, and Safari wagon) and colors. These are white metal models.
30/11/2017 8:40 am
Your review prompted me to click the Buy It Now button
I think the lack of a top boot could be corrected with a properly shaped piece of sheet lead. Very flexible and can be textured. The too shiny convertible top, could be painted with some flat black spray and if sprayed from a distance will provide a bit of texture. And finally a bit of BMF on the windscreen frame will improve it. Thanks for your photos and review, Graeme.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
30/11/2017 1:43 pm
Yes, but why buy a model knowing you have to rebuild it? The grille, the wheel covers, the windshield, the interior colors---all these have to be redone to make this model look authentic. One would be much better off buying one of the correct and detailed Madisons. The adage always holds true: "You get what you pay for."
30/11/2017 3:23 pm
Ah, Richard you're missing the thrill of creation.
These are in fact model cars, no? And not to be resold by the widow at our demise. To me it will enhance the realism and with this car it is soo easy to improve it. At 75 years of age here I am repainting the Dinky Skylarks in their correct paint colors and it thrills me. Mostly because my hands are still steady.
01/12/2017 4:56 am
True enough, Don, and I can appreciate your approach. I have fooled around with inexpensive models to improve them, but the '59 Pontiacs are among my favorite cars of all time so when Madison began producing them, I was thrilled. I have three now, all but the Safari station wagon released by Route 66, and love them. The Vista four-door hardtop is particularly nice, but all are lovely.
As I said, I can appreciate the concept of taking an inexpensive model and improving it, but some models are just so desirable that it pays to go for the best ones. As for the widow part, I won't have one of those when I cross over into the great beyond, so I guess it'll be up to my son to deal with all these little cars. He already knows who to call for help!