Jim Shea

I got a pleasant surprise yesterday in the mail. I got a mailing from The Danbury Mint advertising a 1/24 model of a 1975, L82, Bright Green Metalic, Vert. You would have thought that they came to my house and copied my car! Only three small details were different: My car came with Goodyear Steelguard Radial tires, the model has the notorious campaigned Firestone 500s; the model has a passenger side outside mirror (dealer option), and shoulder belts, my car does not have those options.

But the L82, 4-speed, seven-up green paint, dealer installed luggage rack, medium saddle custom leather interior, black convertible top, are all there. (Not sure about air conditioning.)

I might even sacrifice one of the earlier Danbury Mint models to install the correct Harrision A6 AC compressor and Goodyear tires. I'm not so sure about removing the passenger side mirror and trying to touch up any blemishes where it was attached. Removing the shoulder belts should not be too big a deal.

I should be receiving it in about four weeks.

Jim

chstitans42

Bright Green Mettallic is such a great color isn't it? guess im biased though

crazywelder

Thanks for the heads-up Jim! Of all the colors that year, who would have thought they would make a model in that color. I only have 3 options on my car, so the model is "over optioned" for me but I bought one anyway. I was going to dismantle my Yellow Franklin Mint '75 one day and reshoot it, now I don't need to. Web site says they ship May 20th.

Trae1976

Very nice! Guess I'll be adding anther to the collection.

GD70

It's pretty good proportionally as well. The Yellow Franklin mint version is slightly off and the hood is bowed too high in the center. Wish they had more detail pics on the site. Great color choice as well.

1975greenconvertible

ttt, I got mine in the mail recently, and I think they did a great job on it. Only thing is I wish they had given it a white top, I like the contrast much better. But man...I love Bright Green Metallic!

Earthquake Driver

Paul Borowski

...looks nice, but couple things I don't like is it's got '68 AG wheels, dealer installed passenger side rearview mirror, a replacement rear bumper(letters not indented), and the paint's to heavy with the flake in the metallic. 2nd Flight at best unless it's a Chapter Meet. I have the Yellow '75 L-82 and it's Top Flight.

Jim Shea

I have my Danbury Mint 1975 Vert and also a Franklin Mint 1975 Vert for a direct comparison. I think that the DM model is top flight with the FM model not even close. The detailing on the DM version is incredible for a 1/24 model.

Here are details on the DM model that are not included on the FM model:
The hood on the DM has actual vent slots. The FM has indentations.
The DM fuel filler lid opens.
Windshield has blackout and micro size dots around the edges.
Dash pad has speaker grills and defroster vents.
Visors move.
Actual grab handles on doors.
Dash and gages very realistic.
Actual clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals.
DM deck lid has chrome receptacles for the convertible top. FM has paint dabs representing the receptacles and just holes to mount the convertible top in the lid inboard of the paint dabs.
The DM convertible top has detailed framing and unlatch levers molded into the underside.
All three rear compartment doors open. Battery inside driver side box. Jack inside passenger box.
Seat backs fold and shoulder belts come through upper outside edges.
Strg column has tilt as well as turn signal lever.
Hood has a hood prop that opens with hood.
Emissions sticker on plenum behind brake booster.
Actual bales on the master cylinder cover.
Much more accurate underhood detailing (heater hoses, fluid bottles, hood latches, emission hoses, etc).
Looking at the underside, when you turn the front wheels the DM model has a power assist cylinder that follows the linkage and a rod that attaches to the frame.
Power steering hoses from cylinder to valve.
Separate shocks in front suspension.
Emergency brake cables.
Blue oil filter.
Firestone Steel Radial 500 tires. FM has incorrect Goodyear Polysteel Radials.
Headlamps flip up.
Key alarm switch on driver fender.
Corvette in individual letters on rear. FM is a decal.
Radio antenna
Backup light
Spare tire tub that comes down with tire. (Spare tire rim has accurate slots.)
DM faults:
Hood liner on DM model is tan.
You are correct the slots in the road wheel rims are too large.
The photograph seems to accentuate the metal flake in the paint. But when I look closely at my DM model it may be a bit pronounced.

Overall the DM model wins - no comparison.
Jim