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It was not only a logical choice to paint a 1972 Corvette in Ontario Orange as a follow up to their previously issued ’72 convertible in War Bonnet Yellow, it was quintessential. This is a beautiful shade of burnt orange. For 1971 and 1972, Corvette offered three, “Firemist” paints: Steel Cities Gray Firemist, War Bonnet Yellow Firemist and Ontario Orange Firemist. The latter was the most popular color sold on a Corvette for ’72 with 4891 being cloaked in this, a more reflective and metallic-based paint. Danbury’s convertible was the first 1972 Vette issued in precision diecast, and had the 350 engine plus a fantastic compliment of options. The coupe comes with the LS5 big block 454, saddle leather interior, four-speed transmission and A/C.
DM pulled out all the stops in creating the ‘shark-bodied’ C3 Corvette image. It is faithful to the shape, contour and stance of the 1:1. My first Corvette was a 1972 roadster in this color. I special ordered it late in 1971 and kept it until 1981. This model, to my eye, is flawless in every detail as I fervently recall the actual car. The illusion of reality is intact here with such details as opening storage hatches behind the seats, fabric belts that run through the bucket-tops, extending-prop rod to hold up the hood and scaled features so intricate that they sell the miniaturization in diecast metal. From bottom to top, DM did not miss a thing. The chassis work is spectacular. Up front the suspension works as it should, independently. The entire componentry moves as one on either side.
The springs are real and allow the shocks and A-frame arms to make a full range of motion up and down carrying the wheel. The steering connector pivots on twin points. In back, the suspension functions on working leaf springs with operational shocks and anti-sway bars. The colorization is faultless on the exhaust, engine bottom and chassis. The spare tire carrier opens and the spare is removable. The topside is even more lovely. From the rear we see impeccable taillight detail, chrome-foiled lettering and the correct little chrome button in the middle of the tail. That button was a key lock that activated the standard-for-1972 alarm system. The fuel filler door opens and the roof panels come off. I love how DM does these; they have two small pins to hold them on and in perfect alignment.
The headlight pods can be raised by pushing up on a button hidden within the driver’s side air intake just under the grillwork. The engine bay exhibits some of the very best detailing ever in this scale. Just feast your eyes on the delicately miniaturized wiring, smog hoses, lettered water hoses, metalwork on the master brake cylinder and the photo-etched metal wire looms. The interior’s dash, console and internally hinged door panels all show off their excellence in craftsmanship. Above all on this little marvel is the paint itself. It is simply slick! Flawless application, smooth and rich, it shines like a new penny. Lots of fond memories for me on this issue but a treasure of detail and opulence for any collector, even non-Corvette-a-philes. This is a standard issue.
(09/21/2007)
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