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Danbury Mint 1:24 1972 Corvette Convertible

Reviewed by: Tony Perrone

The Corvette body style has evolved over six generations now. The first set of years, called the first Corvette generation, or simply, C1, consisted of cars from the original manufacture of 1953 through 1955 and stretched out with minor stylistic changes from 1956 through 1962. These were termed, in their entirety, as the solid axle cars. The C2 embodied a style change that a large number of enthusiasts revere as the best years of all. They were called mid-year cars. These were the original Sting Ray models that ran from 1963 through 1967. C3’s were known as the shark years due to their resemblance of the concept car that proceeded it named Mako Shark. These cars were offered from 1968 through 1982. Until recently we lacked good examples of the early year Coke® bottle-shaped Vettes with highly arched fenders and their sharply sculpted long flowing looks.

Danbury has been giving us the most accurate and correctly opted cars possible and this is yet one more wonderful example of that. My first new Corvette was very close to this model, a ’72 convertible, and I can relive the detailing very vividly, thanks to DM. Their research is thorough and they build into each model as much accuracy, operational aspect and parts content as is humanly possible; we get more than our money’s worth in my estimation.

Current tech lends the internally hinged doors that we like, an opening tonneau deck, simulated ‘down’ top underneath. The visors flip up and the leather seats are genuine. They depict the leather optional units of the 1:1. The audible alarm system was standard this year for the Vette and DM fashioned the correct little chrome key switch on the rear of the car, just above the chrome metal foil “Corvette” lettering and they did so with a separate, counter-sunk piece. Even the ends of the luggage rack, fitted with black tips on the 1:1, have been finished correctly. It would have been much easier, probably cheaper too, to just complete the build with a fast dip in chrome. But we’ve come to expect the best from DM and, once again, they deliver.

Danbury is never boring or predictable in option choices and model outfitting. There were three “Firemist” (High metallic paint content) colors for ’72. Steel Cities Gray, Ontario Orange and this one, War Bonnet Yellow) Here we are given an eclectic blend of options and equipment that made a very desirable Corvette for 1972. The little roadster comes with some nice goodies including an auxiliary hard top, small block 350, optional air conditioning, power steering and brakes, Turbo Hydra-Matic trans, leather interior with custom shoulder belts (they slip through the seats as you fold them forward – thanks, DM) white letter Good-Years® and a dealer-installed luggage rack. DM crafted this golden nugget with operational suspension, that works just like the real car, removable spare from the tire carrier beneath the gas tank, removable top, opening gas filler door, flip-up headlight pods and a telescoping hood prop rod. Under the hood they got it right. The ignition shielding is in place, the wires true to scale. The A/C compressor has the right labeling and so does the rest of the bay including hoses and informational stickers.

The aforementioned interior is genuine leather for the seating surfaces and the belts are fabric. The visors flip up and down and the dash, steering wheel and center console are perfectly fashioned accurately. Lift up the tonneau deck cover and push the seats forward to see the three opening bin lids. The one behind the passenger’s seat opens to the simulated tire jack, scissors usage here, complete with tie-down detail. The center is a storage bin and the compartment behind the driver opens to the car’s battery. The crossed flag emblems and nameplate scripts are done in chrome metal foil and DM took the extra time to get the chrome tips of the rear exhaust right by replicating the exhaust exit where it is supposed to be in the rectangular tip. The antenna is thinly scaled out of metal. The body seems to have been cut with a laser and it takes on the proper appearance of the genuine article in form, fit and stance. The paint’s glossy treatment is astonishing.

This is not only a must have for any Corvette collector; it is a definite must have for any diecast car collector. It is, as DM has announced, the first precision 1:24th diecast of the 1972 Corvette and it is a charming little beauty in every aspect.

(09/29/2006)