Franklin Mint FM Apollo 13 Reverse Paint, does it really exist?
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Franklin Mint FM Apollo 13 Reverse Paint, does it really exist?
I have a goal to collect 1 of every production Franklin Mint Corvette 1:24 available. For those of you that know me, I hope you understand that I acknowledge Franklin Mint is not the "world's best quality 1/24 scale car", as I understand the concerns about quality and tendencies for FM to repaint for the sake of marketability and sales.
Nevertheless, they were the first quality 1:24 Corvette builders and I've been collecting FM for years. And I finally had the chance to see and purchase the illusive 1969 Reverse Paint Apollo Corvette...ever seen one?
Here's the Original Franklin Mint 1969 Corvette Apollo LE of 427:
Here's the Reverse Paint Franklin Mint 1969 Corvette Apollo LE of 12:
________________________________________ ____________________
I'm so excited to get one of these...
FYI Here is a link to my FM Corvette collection: http://www.jetsvettes.com/collection_FranklinMint.htm
Nevertheless, they were the first quality 1:24 Corvette builders and I've been collecting FM for years. And I finally had the chance to see and purchase the illusive 1969 Reverse Paint Apollo Corvette...ever seen one?
Here's the Original Franklin Mint 1969 Corvette Apollo LE of 427:
Here's the Reverse Paint Franklin Mint 1969 Corvette Apollo LE of 12:
________________________________________ ____________________
I'm so excited to get one of these...
FYI Here is a link to my FM Corvette collection: http://www.jetsvettes.com/collection_FranklinMint.htm
Last edited by jetske; 01-06-2008 at 11:22 PM.
#4
Team Owner
I 1969, I lived three blocks behind Jim Rathmann Chevrolet, where the Apollo Corvettes were origionally delevered. At the time I just thought they were just odd painted Corvettes. The service people, would test drive the cars thru the neighborhood.
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=apollo
Do a search in the archives diecast section. There are a few threads.
Do a search in the archives diecast section. There are a few threads.
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
But to your point about "regret" from the seller, I guess we will see. This guy put the car up with a "buy it now" of $100 more than the opening bid, which was very, very high (the most I've ever paid for a single car smaller than 1:1 scale). It was a 7-day auction and I first saw it, and bought it, with 6 days and 22 hours left on the auction. In other words: I bet he is wondering if any money was left on the table. And I'm cool with that because I was not willing to take the chance on losing the opportunity... I'm still thrilled to get it.
#9
Drifting
That's quite a grab, I really never thought we'd see one on Ebay. While that's more than I could ever afford for a single car, I think as long as you had the funds, it was a wise purchase. My guess is that the seller needed the funds quick, and didn't fully appreciate the rarity of the car. I honestly think that considering what the regular versions sell for, this one would've gone much higher on a straight auction with no BIN. Now you need to locate the other 11 and corner the market!
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
That's quite a grab, I really never thought we'd see one on Ebay. While that's more than I could ever afford for a single car, I think as long as you had the funds, it was a wise purchase. My guess is that the seller needed the funds quick, and didn't fully appreciate the rarity of the car. I honestly think that considering what the regular versions sell for, this one would've gone much higher on a straight auction with no BIN. Now you need to locate the other 11 and corner the market!
#12
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jetske - Nice FM collection. I noticed you didn't show the 84 error car. I have one and the error is the roof halo is black instead of blue. I believe it was corrected on later releases. There are two versions of the 82 Collector Edition as well. The early cars did not have RWL tires. They were plain black wall. I have #791 out of 6759 and it has the black wall tires.
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
jetske - Nice FM collection. I noticed you didn't show the 84 error car. I have one and the error is the roof halo is black instead of blue. I believe it was corrected on later releases. There are two versions of the 82 Collector Edition as well. The early cars did not have RWL tires. They were plain black wall. I have #791 out of 6759 and it has the black wall tires.
Thanks for the comment on the collection. And you're right, I don't have the error cars/deviations listed. I am aware of those cars you mention, and there is also a '57 white-wall tire error version and several test-paint cars.
I went back and forth on this issue. I wanted to have a "complete" collection, but struggled with the issue of trying to define a set of cars that could potentially be...unlimited. Especially when you add in the prototypes and test-paints. So I made a conscience decision not to try to collect those models.
But perhaps for accuracy sake, what I need to do on the web site is add notes about the deviations? Hmmm…that might work in the short term. Then maybe I’ll just have to break down and start buying them. Darn.
#17
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
OMG This is crazy...
Since I put a picture of this car and info on my web site, I've had several people ask about it and a few offers asking to buy it. One guy was pretty adamant and I wanted him to go away so I shot him a stupid price of $4,500. And he called me on it saying "ok". While that was going on, I was corresponding with another (really nice guy) collector in Australia. He also found my website and sent me an email asking about this car, too. He has literally every FM Camaro and Corvette except this one. He offered to match the $4,500.
Can you say...I'm about crapping my pants? I have two legitimate offers on the car and I'm not even trying.
I don't want to sell mine because I want the car for my Collection. And I had to apologize and back out of the first offer. But...if anyone out there has one of these and you want to make some serious cash and sell in this price range, PM me and I will send you the names of the guys who want one. While there are only 12 of these cars in existence, I'm still in shock.
Oh and yes, I told my wife about the interest in this car and she sees an opportunity to get some extra "shoppin' money". Ha...nope.
#18
Drifting
Kinda makes that initial investment not hurt quite so bad now, doesn't it! I'd be willing to guess that there are many people out there with deep pockets who would be willing to go even higher. If I were in you're shoes, I'd take the car and some documentation (initial purchase, subsequent offers, and anything else you can find about the car's rarity) to your insurance guy and see about getting it insured. It may not be covered under your regular homeowners insurance.
#19
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Kinda makes that initial investment not hurt quite so bad now, doesn't it! I'd be willing to guess that there are many people out there with deep pockets who would be willing to go even higher. If I were in you're shoes, I'd take the car and some documentation (initial purchase, subsequent offers, and anything else you can find about the car's rarity) to your insurance guy and see about getting it insured. It may not be covered under your regular homeowners insurance.
Once gain 7Vette, you get the credit for educating me on the existence of the reverse Apollo. Someday if I sell I'll have to send you your percentage.
#20
Drifting