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This new tooling from the Danbury Mint came out of the blue; Bermuda Blue, that is. Similar to the waters surrounding the Bermuda Islands, which may have inspired the name, the paint on this Studie has a hint of both Atlantic Ocean blue and West Indies green. But this time, it is about the new car itself. Painted black, puce or any shade of red, it would still be all about Danbury’s offering us this automobile in the first place.
Ford fans want more Blue Oval images; Chebbie fans demand more Corvettes. But most died-in-the-wool diecast collectors who consider themselves car fanatics, crave new and different, not-previously-done models. This replica is just that; different yet wholly exciting, pure and simple. Not so much for what DM has become known for; full functionality, opening ash trays and glove boxes, scissors springs hinges under the hood, but a clean and correct image of something radically new, depicting something old.
The model looks fresh and clean. A pleasant departure from some newer era releases, it reawakens our nostalgic look backward to a less stressful time and age. Yet with the jaunty color choice and DM’s magnificent wax job, the car would stand out in any modern day car show. The hood, as it opened straight up, like an alligator, as DM terms it in their sales brochure, was a big step in forward-looking styling and ease of operation back in the late thirties. DM added the dimension of side panel removal so that a total engine detail view is possible. That view is aided tremendously by the delicate wiring and engine plumbing detail that went into creating an overall accurate look at the Studebaker inline six cylinder “L” head motor. They carried that realistic detail work into the main passenger cabin and crafted exceptional miniaturization in the textured feel of the seats and door panels, realistic gauges and foot pedals and working visors. The seat backs flip forward so that you may lift the rear curtains to reveal the spare on the passenger’s side and storage shelving behind the driver.
Lifting the trunk lid affords a grand view of the generous space that Studebaker built into this coupe. DM fashioned a working and realistic-looking metal, folding prop support rod. There are little detail nuances all over the model that help to sell the illusion of precision scale formulation. The thinly made antenna raises, the external door hinge brackets are extremely well crafted and tiny simulated nuts and bots that fasten the chrome bumpers to their respective frame supports lend excellent believability. So do the vent wing latches, door handles, externally and internally and the wonderful chassis detailing. You will note, too, the painstaking application of a slender green pinstripe that runs the entire perimeter of the car's beltline. The contrast stripe also encircles each wheel as well, just outside of the hubcap and in the center portion of the wheel itself.
What an unexpected treat; a new image, great color choice and fantastic model-work from the replica masters of 1:24th. Keep in mind that this, now 70 year old image, will only be made in 5000 units. Don’t miss out on owning this beauty! Issue price is $140.
(03/04/2007)
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