| |
Red. We do NOT need any more red models. No more red diecast cars please. There are far too many of them. Oh sure, red sells; to those that are non-core collectors maybe, who want that flashy splash, that exuberant pizzazz, that, “Hey look at me” quality that calls our attention to the hottest new car on the block or, in this case, the display case. The mints have heard our pleadings. They have heeded it, for the most part, and have issued far fewer new red diecast automotive treasures in that particular color. Forget that there are as many shades of red as there are full color palettes of other primary colors. We don’t need no stinking red cars! Well excuse me, I do. And this is the one I want; right now. Venetian Red. A politically correct, middle of the road red, not gaudy, not in-your-face but not lily-livered either; a red for all seasons. A rich, unencumbered and non-apologetic red that in 1956 made the statement, “Drive me, if you are man or woman enough to be seen with me.” Had I bought a Corvette in 1956, this would have been my color choice. Sure, white was clean looking and black was wonderfully sinister, but Venetian Red was cool. I mean, hello, I’m in a Corvette for Pete’s sake; I do NOT want to blend! DM stepped up, didn’t wimp out, and fashioned the preeminent Corvette for ’56 in its proper attire. And the choice of red interior with the red auxiliary hard top and white coves is roundly applauded by this reviewer. All right, enough of the color issue. How’s the model look otherwise?
Well, for starters, hot. Only the second year of the C1 generation for a V8 engine, this model carries Corvette’s dual quad small block. (Remind me to tell you about the throttle linkage.) The door hinges are new-tech, the suspension system functions and the fuel filler door and hard boot open. Under that tonneau cover is a simulated ‘down top’. This was part of the tooling found in the previously issued Chip Miller’s 1957 Corvette. The rest of the interior is finely detailed as well. The shift pattern is readable on the floor-mounted shifter plate, it’s an automatic folks; the gauges are all perfectly formed and the seats have the correct waffle patterning. Oh, and they match the headliner of the auxiliary hard top. The trunk features a removable rubber floor mat and spare cover, complete with jacking instruction and limited slip differential caution labels. The spare comes out also and has a miniature jack on the reverse side. I love the deeply etched tire pattern. When you close the flawlessly fitting trunk you will note the beautifully fashioned Corvette emblem imbedded into the body work. Its twin is located up front below the front edge of the hood. And as with previous issues there is a separately formed lock button in chrome below the emblem, not merely a painted-on indication. The doors each have one as well.
The engine bay remains the center of attention for some of these earlier Corvettes and Danbury captured every exquisite nuance on this fifty-six. Danbury’s standard attention to detail remains excellent here with every wire, hose, line and telescoping hood prop rod. And now may be a good time to discuss that throttle linkage I alluded to earlier. Chevy’s twin carburetion system called for a progressive linkage that was not so easy to calibrate. The mechanicals were so simple that they were ingenious. DM nailed every bit of the fabrication of it. Get out the magnifiers; you have to see this for yourself. I know the guy at DM that was responsible for this and although I am not permitted to name names – ya done good, I’m proud of you.
DM may be trying to spoil us. They sprang for some nice options on this model. Some of the more prevalent goodies are the aforementioned auxiliary hard top, RPO code 419, a $215.20 option, the Powerglide auto-tranny option, RPO 313 for $188.30 and a RPO 109 windshield washer option for $11.85. Ever thoughtful, as they are, they not only placed the “Chevrolet Windshield Washer” blue fluid receptacle on the inside driver’s front fender but they plumbed it as well! And those little, tiny chrome thingies in front of the photo-etched wipers are the washer outlet nozzles. Not content to sit still and offer easy transformations from one existing model year to another, a lot of thought goes into affording us different variables between models. For that and the fine job these folks do, I offer may thanks. Thrillometer readings of 9.99 are pushing the envelope – again. The issue price is $135.
(01/15/2006)
|
|
