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Ah, diversity. DM is wowing us today with releases of a wide variety of automotive subject matter. This is not unlike FM’s model-making multiplicity during their zenith of product development but the execution and advancement of each DM model is so much more sophisticated in today’s age. Similar to this offering, DM’s 1949 Ford Custom convertible has long been one of my very favorite display models. Based on that image and looking at the initial Crestline photos in our pending section, I was not certain I would like this model. This may have been, in part, due to my obvious bias towards the gorgeous Miami Cream drop top, with its clean and simple lines, and also because the Crestliner was not as much a part of my personal nostalgic reverie. Made so near to the end of World War II, the Crestliner was more of an upscale and lesser-seen version of the car than what I had recalled seeing in the early ’50’s. The standard two door coupe stands out in my mind’s eye as the most predominant image of Ford’s line-up back then. Seeing the car in hand, however, lends an all new approving look at this model.
Much more than the ’49 Custom with an add-on hard top, the Crestliner has a plethora of new tech and detail. I will try to pay due diligence in pointing out all of the upgrade differences. Like a pleasant Easter egg hunt the challenge is rewarding. I was first struck by the conservative paint combination. It elegantly understates the car’s status. The Coronation Red is a dark and deep maroon with the slightest hint of red. It is more like a chocolate than anything you would associate in the red family. The glossy black accent panel, pretty wild and rakish in its day, wonderfully contrasts the body color along with the black, stippled and twin-seam lined top. A more stately motor fills the engine bay, fully plumbed and wired. The firewall and air cleaner receive miniaturized labels. Be sure to check out the scale prop rod to hold the hood up. It’s located in front of the radiator and has a catch that holds it in place when not in use. Clever. The Crestliner’s hood is treated to a deluxe metal badging and the lead ornament is replete with clear plastic and chrome. The fixed mast antenna is now an extending two-piece unit. The photo-etched wipers are carried over, thankfully, and they are flawless. There are dual outside rearview mirrors and door handle surrounds in chrome. From a painted simulation, the door locks are now separately fashioned in chrome. Gone are the dogleg hinges from the door and in their place are those wondrous hidden and truly realistic spring metal hinges. The door edge receives a spring-loaded pin that matches up with a striker plate on the rear doorjamb to give us a perfect fit on closure of the door. But before you close it take a minute to explore the wonders of the interior detail. Black carpet adorns the floor and the pedals are now joined by a foot-activated dimmer switch. The door panels have the same fine detail as the ’49 Ford but the same fabric as the seats accent the upper portion above the arm rest. Speaking of the seats, the fabric is so realistic you won’t believe your eyes. A center button punch marks each of the front and rear seatbacks. The front seatbacks fold forward. The sills are photo-etched metal and the sunvisors now fold down. You’ll have to have a sharp eye to catch it but there are even little leather straps on the inside roof pillar. Great, unexpected touch DM!
The front vent windows now employ a chrome air deflector on the upper edge of the vent window frame and a gas filler door hides the open gas cap of the ’49 Ford. And, yes, it opens. Remember the simulated external trunk hinges? Bye, bye simulation, they’re now real. The trunk lid opens, as it should in real life, wide and handsome. The lid prop rod, an extending metal affair, folds neatly back into the trunk when the lid is closed. The spare is removable and a metal Ford emblem is affixed to the trunk to match the one on the hood.
With the amount of detail that DM is building into its little cars and the operational features that accompany them, it’s hard to pass up any of their new releases these days. And with all the surprises in store for the owner of this Crestliner, I can easily recommend it as a ‘don’t pass it up’ addition to your auto stable. A well-earned 5 out of 5 on the drool meter index!
The issue price is $115.
(07/01/2004)
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