Danbury Mint 1:12 1964 Ford Mustang Convertible

If you could wish for the ability to go back in time to purchase the new ‘64 ½ Mustang, this release would be the closest thing to making that wish come true. Danbury is cranking out some incredibly amazing large-scale diecast replicas. But this is their first foray into the realm of the “Blue Oval” and the Ford boys and girls will deservedly be ecstatic over it. Just wait until they see all that this little Wimbledon White dumpling does! She ain’t just another pretty face that sits there on display and looks back at you; no, she does all sorts of astonishing things. Not only could this be the most realistic model in terms of mechanicals that can easily pass for the real McCoy, but DM built working gizmos into the package that will amaze anyone that you care to show it off to.

Ford debuted the small sporty vehicle, which came to be known as a “pony car”, on 4/17/64. Danbury used that date for the model’s license plates. And it just gets progressively better from there. Some of you know me by now. You may know that in most cases I save the best for last in reviews of our diecast treasures. Generally, though not always, that entails the engine compartment of our precision models. That is certainly the case here too but the Mustang’s chassis may have a word or two to say about that and I can vouch for its claim of superiority. There’s so much to cover I do not know where to start. I’ll let you in on a secret too; I try not to cover everything that is new or remarkable about our diecasts. I like to sit back and read what other buyers additionally discover and so do the boys in Connecticut. Though the looks are all important, let’s start by running through some of the working features.

The mirrors are posable. The outside rearview mirrors and the inside center mirror may be moved up and down and side to side. Of course the radio antenna extends; and boy does it ever gain height. It has three accurately replicated segments. The wipers move and are sprung like real ones. The windows roll up and down fully; all four of them! You may shift the transmission lever in its center console. Speaking of which, the console compartment opens as does the ash tray. The front buckets slide forward and backward. Both visors flip up. The boot reveals a working black fabric soft top. There are four separate rubber floor mats. The spare comes out. The suspension is workable and astonishingly realistic. You may remove the wheel covers and unscrew the four wheels and tires to inspect the brake system. But here comes the amazing stuff.

With three batteries stored under the floor mat in the trunk, you may push in on the ignition switch to activate the electrical system. Open a door and the courtesy lights illuminate. Push in on the light switch to turn on the outside lights. A push on the floor button enables the high beams. Tap the brake for brake lights and flip the turn signal up or down to flash your left or right signals. Pick up the solidly built and very heavy car and the front tires toe in. Set it back down and the lovely lady sits perfectly level; talk about realistic! The rear wheels turn the driveshaft and the driveshaft turns the engine crank while you watch the fan, pulley and belts revolve. Just looking at the marvel that is the engine bay makes you swear you are watching a real motor. The hood latch, scissors spring hinges and scaled plug wiring, fuel lines and linkage all lend an accurate depiction of what was the actual car for 1964. DM went above and beyond to craft the realization that you look at here. You can remove the oil dipstick. An authentic sticker attaches to the radiator.

The air cleaner comes off to reveal carb linkage and smog controls perfectly. The chassis admirably picks up where the engine detail leaves off above. The engine filters, steering mechanism and front cradle suspension componentry are so realistic you will think that Ford built this model from the Mustang assembly line. Emergency brake cabling and transmission linkage is the best I have yet to see in a model. The interior is magnificent, plain and simple. Everything is authentic to the real car and the working windows are so cool. You can unsnap the rear boot easily; it is a pliable rubber that pulls away from the many metal pins. It reveals a black, stowed fabric top. Pull up on it gently and it unfolds on flawlessly formed top rails to position on the front windshield frame just like the real one did decades ago. Roll the windows up for a snug fit.

This Danbury Mint model, in its grand scale, with all its bells and whistles, pulls off the magic that allows us to relive a time 43 years ago as if it were mystically renewed overnight with no lapse in minutes or hours. Whether or not the success of this undertaking permits a follow-up Mustang model I can only say that I am thankful for the bravery of the DM folks for building it. Sure, I’d like to see a vintage Shelby version clear on up to a new Shelby iteration but just as it sits, it makes me smile; big time!!

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