O Scale Motor Vehicle Chronicle Sept 26

Rextoy did its series of earlier (pre-War) cars, and Eligor did the few trucks (somebody..not sure Eligor) did these with one that had a body probably only seen

in France, and not on American prototypes, however others are very useful, unless,

you, like me, are tired of nothing but Fords.  Did any of the other brands, which I have

none of, perhaps for this reason, do any pre-WWII models?  I also do not see these

other brands offered for sale, but may not be looking in the right places.  Of course,

it appears that Ford had been lenient with allowing its copyrighted designs to be

modeled gratis, while I have heard that the other two surviving U.S. auto companies

have been snotty about it.  True?  (this, of course, has happened with railroads

demanding control of their logos, etc.)

So cool.  I particularly look forward to the review of premium models, as I know little about those brands - I don't buy that many but when I do they are particularly important to me.

I have so many that you spoke about today, 

 I have the Mini-champs Continental.  Its a fairly decent model of a very handsome car that just screams "wealth." Worth the price, but nothing that makes you go "wow."

Same with this nice Rextoys Packard.  It is well done although I keep promising myself I will detail paint the door handles, etc.  Most noteworthy thing on this model is that it makes clear how big these Packards were.  Large car!

I have a number of Vitesse GTs, etc, including this DB9.  It is a good model although if you look inside carefully, the vinyl stick on wooden dash, etc., looks a bit cheesy the wya it was inserted, but for the price you can't expect much more . . .

I generally avoid Franklin Mint cars unless I can pose them, as here, with a door open, as the seams for the doors look way too big.  But this one works here.

This lovely Spark AH sprite is a jewel.  The wire wheels are gorgeous with tiny wire spokes, and it has a well render interior (important on a convertible) even with the buckles on the seat belts.

Finally, this Matrix Ghia Crysler is quite nicely rendered.  It also has incredible wire wheels, too.

On another note, I got two of the MTH motorcycle set #2, which they released a few weeks after set #1, last month.  My favorite bike is this model with the saddlebags and windshield.  I noticed it has a wheelbase almost 1/8 inch shorter than many of the other sport bikes.  

In each set, one the bikes - and the same one, the blue one - was broken.  The rear wheel had fallen out.  No doubt I could have reparied them but I decided to take the oportunity.  Here they are after some bashing.  I have one bike with a side-car but not a real three wheeler, so I found a good picture on line and copied it.  The other bikwe I shortened in wheelbase and modified like those two I like. 

So the Harley dealer in town has a big, big selection on display in front of the store.  A lot of guys just can't decide which one to buy.

Richard, are you sure that Edsel wagon is not a Minichamps (part of the "Ford 100 Year"line)? That entire line of Ford cars is great, and I have all of them up to the Edsel, including some of the color variations (at least 4 for the '56 Continental). BTW, the proportions and detail on the Continental make the Brooklin version look like a toy.

As others have said, if you are selective about the Franklin Mint, there are fine models to be had. This is the result of at least 2 different suppliers making these models. My favorite (and most sought after) is the '59 Ford retractable HT.

This model screams the fifties, my favorite period for the great automobiles.

My Bugatti in for an oil change.

Minichamps previously offered that model, probably the same tooling.

For those interested, the Matrix Buick retails for$89.00 and the Spark Edsel ( not Minichamps ) retails for $74.00. At Sears the Edsel sells for $170.00 on line.

A caution on Neo/AE cars...look out for tire melt. I bought the 1930's Cadillac, Packard and Duesey and they have ruined tires.

I have some Eligor on the Forums Buy/Sell.

Bob

$170.00 for a 1/43 Edsal from Sears? That seems a little high. Are you sure its not the same 1/25 model offered by Danbury Mint a few years ago?

Richard I just looked again. Spark 1:43 Edsel...$170.00.

Bob

That is too much.  I'd rather get one of these, but I think I'll pass on Edsels.

Interesting that it is any of four Edsels offered; sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, at $74.

http://www.diecastdirect.com/a...atalogmfg.asp?Mfg=SP

and of course they have the Yat Ming Edsel Convertibles at $8

I bought that '58 Buick in turquoise. Definitely the 50's look! I also bought a '58 T-Bird by Franklin. Your reviews are always so helpful, keep it up please.

Looking at the Edsels on the catalog page Lee posted brings up something I have often wondered about: Where on earth do the die-cast makers come up with some of the colors and color combinations they put on their models? The mint green on that Edsel convertible is hideous, and I remember Edsels well but I sure don't remember seeing one in that color. I've passed on quite a few die-cast cars I might have bought because of ugly and improbable paint jobs. Another issue is the use of metallic colors on prototypes that didn't have them. I don't recall seeing metallics, other than silver, before the mid-50's. 

Custom body cars, such as the Duesenburg model X had them in the 1920s. In the '30s, it could be found on upscale models. It became more common in the late '40s.