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Believe it or not, Danbury is just now touching a diecast toe into the Mustang’s warm 1965 waters. Before now, their earliest replicated ‘Stang, in precision scale, had been the 1966 model year. They have recently issued a 1964 1/2 convertible in 1:12th scale but for the first ’65, I cannot imagine a better beginning than the history making first sub-ten second drag machine, “Li’l Hoss”, in 1:24th sizing.
DM duplicated the Vintage Burgundy paint scheme with “Li’l Hoss” livery and graphics and outfitted the quarter miler with authentic period drag race equipment. Starting from the back and working forward, as any dragster worth its salt would attest, you’ll encounter DM’s thorough research into formulating a racing battery, trunk-mounted and fully cabled. The car is plumbed for parachute deployment, and the bare-bones prepped race machine is set for multiple 1320 feet launches. Chassis-wise DM went overboard. They fashioned a fabric covered drag-chute with a minute metal clipped enclosure, which emanates from the gas tank area. A drag race safety-approved metal driveshaft strap is seen in place and the shocks and metal cabling are well fashioned. The miniature springs and metal lines lend a magnificent reality to trans linkage and brake lines and the working suspension is awesome.
Further up the line is a detail-rich interior to die for. You’ll see an abundance of realism in the gauges, fabric belts and photo-etch buckles. The dash gauges and tach are readily readable and the floor pedals and shifter just add more of the same great detail to the inside finish work. The outside is alive with finishing touches that lend an aura of accuracy and detailing. The graphics are superior. The reverse air intake bubble scoop is perfect in all aspects. I know, I had one on my ’64 GTO in 1964. This one is spot on! DM screened it to perfection and went the extra mile, four quarters at a time; to give us incredible hood stud accuracy and working tethered hood pins. If you must see the fabulous engine detail you better get a magnifier glass and set of detail-tweezers to remove and replace the pins or just enjoy my photos and review account of the little demons. They aren’t easy to put back on unless you have a modicum of patience and a steady hand. Is the extra detailing worth the added grief that many may encounter in getting the pins back on? Oh yeah babe!
Once under the hood, don’t fret about replacing the clips, the view will numb your anxieties. As was period correct for so many of these A/FX racers, the headlights were removed and retro-fitted with hose ducts directed into a dual ported cold air induction chamber system. The 427 SOHC 650 horse mill has never looked better than shoe-horned into a cramped Mustang bay set up originally as a much smaller pony stable. DM plumbed and wired this bad boy flawlessly. The slicks are sooo realistic and the wheels, all around, are resplendent in their nostalgic look back to the day. The stance is period straight-line racer and the fit and finish of the model is astounding. Whether or not DM releases a street ’65, this one has my full attention and admiration. Way to go DM guys, ya did it to me again!
(04/01/2007)
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