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Topic starter
24/06/2026 10:50 am
I got an email from Hobby DB with the subject of Danbury Mint. Here's a quote from it: "Danbury Mint has been putting the “mint” into vintage 1/24 scale model cars since 1969." I didn't think DM did anything until perhaps the very late 1980s and even then, their models were fairly crude compared to FM.
What say anyone?
24/06/2026 12:17 pm
DM had a line of pewter cars (as did the FM) that, I believe, pre-dated diecast. But I don't think it was as early as '69!
This post was modified 2 days ago by Tony Perrone
John Napoli and Geno reacted
24/06/2026 12:52 pm
I didn't think DM did anything until perhaps the very late 1980s and even then, their models were fairly crude compared to FM.
What say anyone?
I don't know when DM started in the 1/24 diecast business, but I don't think you'll find much agreement here that their models were crude compared to FM. In fact, I think the opposite is true!
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
24/06/2026 1:50 pm
From what I could find out DM started in 1969 but never started with diecast until the late 80's.
John Napoli and Tony Perrone reacted
24/06/2026 2:33 pm
I remember the '35 Mercedes 500 K Special Roadster from 1983. There may be another around the same date.
|
1935 |
Mercedes-Benz |
Red |
EY72 |
9/1/1983 |
One of the earliest I recall for the DM is this one but there may be another older:
|
1933 |
Pierce-Arrow |
Silver |
812 |
10/1/1987 |
24/06/2026 5:25 pm
@perrone1 Wasn't the Pierce Arrow opening trunk the Holy Grail of diecast cars in the past? What's its status today?
Tony Perrone and Geno reacted
Topic starter
24/06/2026 9:11 pm
Then you weren't around in the beginning when DM would find out what FM was working on and release a poor quality double. One example that comes to mind is FM's '28 Stutz Blackhawk. DM immediately released their '27 Blackhawk (for $10 less) which was horrible in comparison, low in content and with a bad black orange peel finish. They did the same thing with the early Jaguar XK120. I would also steer you to DM's Pierce Silver Arrow with the first run done by a Korean vendor (the opening trunk one), Then then switched to a Chinese vendor and to save money had a new mold made from the original tooling with the trunk sealed.I didn't think DM did anything until perhaps the very late 1980s and even then, their models were fairly crude compared to FM.
What say anyone?
I don't know when DM started in the 1/24 diecast business, but I don't think you'll find much agreement here that their models were crude compared to FM. In fact, I think the opposite is true!
Now, in no way am I saying that DM didn't ultimately overtake FM in fit finish and content. I was only talking about their very early years.
This post was modified 1 day ago 2 times by Rich Sufficool
25/06/2026 2:38 am
@pete-rovero I remember the 'excitement' around the open truck Pierce-Arrow from my earliest days finding these forums. I think one sold on our auction for a low four figure amount? Also of interest to me is Tony's record of the first FM 500K Mercedes selling in Jan 1983, a full 3-4 years before FM beginning to sell here in Australia from their own distribution center. Unfortunately DM never sold here directly but I was to find later their great customer service, and reasonably priced overseas shipping service.
Pete Rovero and Tony Perrone reacted
25/06/2026 5:54 am
Yep. I never saw one in the 'flesh' but know a couple fellows, here, who own one. The last time I saw one sell on eBay, it went for big bucks so it still is a Grail model. Low tech; I have the closed trunk version and like it despite the low tech and non-operational trunk.@perrone1 Wasn't the Pierce Arrow opening trunk the Holy Grail of diecast cars in the past? What's its status today?
Pete Rovero reacted