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Following in the footsteps, or should I say tire tracks, of their 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351, Danbury Mint extends that year’s body style change by offering this Mach 1 version. It comes with the big, bad 429 Cobra Jet motor and Ram Air forced air induction. Rare by most standards, the 1:1 was only produced for four months. The model itself will be a limited run of only 5000 pieces and may become rare in its own right.
I gave the ’71 Boss 351 model, in Pewter, a 10 rating and did not anticipate an off-shoot iteration that might equal it. But in its Bright Blue Metallic, accented with an argent hood, side stripe, front air dam and rear spoiler, the Mach 1 429 CJ is every bit as handsome and impressive as its slightly less muscular brother. Make no mistake; this car was all about the power that it brought to the dance. Ford intentionally under-rated its oomph by claiming that 370 mustangs lived under the silver, twin-scooped bonnet. But there were a lot more spirited and uncounted ponytails hiding out down there. There were some other subtle differences between the 351 car and this 429 ‘Stang too. DM did not merely spray a different color coat on the body and stuff a bigger mill into the engine slot; they researched the nuances and built them in accordingly. The Mach 1 rode on Goodyear tires where the Boss came shod with Firestones. The hood accent color is shaped differently as well and DM followed the prescribed outline correctly. Don’t miss the infinitely tiny, “429 Ram Air” stenciled so diminutively alongside the scoop.
Danbury carried over the grand detail touches that adorned the Boss. The door and trunk lock buttons are separately cast in chrome, the inside door latches and window cranks are delicately fashioned and the “T” handle shifter grip is in place. Wood grain enhances the door panels and steering wheel and the console door opens. The working sunvisors feature a caution sleeve and you will find nicely crafted floor mats in rubber. In the trunk we still see a temporary spare with jack stand and under it is the inflator bottle.
Except for the brass plate affixed to the underbelly of the gas tank reading, “Limited Edition ---- of 5,000”, the chassis is the same exquisite rendering that DM gave us in the Boss 351. Unbelievable care went into fabricating this much detail into a 1:24th diecast. The metal lines running fore and aft while connecting to delicate springs lend amazing realism and the transmission linkage is beyond this scale’s expectations. I still marvel at the level of detail in replicating the fuel lines flowing from the fuel pump and the exacting specs for the oil filter, air cleaner and radiator warning labels. Once again we’re treated to realistic hinges. The doors use them and the hood is supported flawlessly by them. The suspension is operable and the stance, shape and form of the model overall is outstanding.
At only 5000 copies I would expect every Ford, Mustang or muscle car fan to snap this little beauty up in record time.
(12/31/2006)
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