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Simply put, and with no specific reference to details, historic significance in the automotive realm, and with no commensurate relation to the outstanding muscle cars of its time or previous model lines of the same genre, I completely love this model! Why? Good question. I have asked myself the same thing as I have looked the model over and pondered its good and potentially, not so good points. I do not currently own the diecast that this particular image was based on, the DM 1970 Olds coupe, either the limited edition or the previous favorite, the red 442 model. So what is it that is so appealing to me? Well, in a word, everything. All right, I’m sorry for being so obtuse here, so let’s explore what it is that actually pushes my buttons on this little gem-like creation.
At the outset, I could not get past the beautiful color and paint; Twilight Blue Poly. A darker blue, like the deepest part of the Mediterranean, it also has a scaled hint of metallic. Don’t let the flashback of the photos mislead, the metallic in normal light is perfect. And the paint itself is faultless. It is applied evenly and smoothly and contains a shine factor that suggests a foot-deep wax job performed by its justly proud owner. Contrasting eggshell white buckets and a white fabric covered up top make up a spectacular package. The twin pinstripes on the side of the car absolutely have to be seen up close, they are magnificent. DM also provides a matching interior-color top boot. While gazing at the interior I was struck by the great level of detail and the multiplicity of textures. The seats are an opalescent masterpiece, deeply defined with black fabric seat belts with photo-etched buckles. The carpet is protected by four black rubber floor mats. The detail of the dash is grand; air vents are formed especially well and the gauges, steering wheel, foot pedals and console shifter follow suit. Even the door panels are rich with elegantly scaled door handles, window cranks and Olds emblems. Little lock buttons adorn the door tops and the driver’s side employees a remote outside mirror switch. The visors work too. The top and boot fit is ideal. The doors do use the older style dog leg hinges; about the only potential point, alluded to earlier, that I can find to nit-pick and then, painted black to blend in, it isn’t distracting.
The trunk features a soft leather-like floor covering with spare, non-removable, and jacking tools. In fine DM fashion, there are three tiny labels on the underside of the trunk lid. The first is an anti-spin differential warning label, the second a jack storage label and the last a jack instructional caution label. Chassis componentry is all in place. The rear suspension operates on coil springs and working shocks with twin short arm suspension beams and the front cradle arms fully move on working springs. The steering uses a three piece fully operational tie rod system. There is great body detail everywhere you look. The emblems are all chrome metal foiled and are crisp and clean and flawlessly scaled. The front grillwork and emblem are of photo-etch materials. The chrome trim of the body sides and wheel well moldings are inset well and so is the hood centerline strip and door top edges. Even the wheels are highly detailed and correctly scaled in. Check out the photo-etched wipers, they’re delicate and realistic. Lifting the hood affords the best bang for the buck detail-wise. Underneath the hood itself, you will see a soft, flocked simulation of hood insulation. And though the newer hood hinges were not a truly viable option on this model the engine details more than make up for them in spades. DM fashions the coolest master cylinder lines, hold-down clamps on the cylinder top, dip stick and scaled plug wiring. All hoses and battery cables are in place and engine labeling is crisp and readable in 1:24th its normal size.
So what exactly is it that floats my boat with this release? Not any one facet of the model but all of it; overall. The execution of the model is flawless, beautiful in its color choice and nostalgic in its 1970 style. Though not a milestone in automotive achievement, it is one tasty dish worthy of a Thrillometer ride to a 9.8 rating.
(09/09/2005)
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