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Could Automodello top their previous success with their Griffith 200 and Bricklin models? Just wait until you see their Fitch Phoenix! The Fitch was a one-off sports car that was intended for production. John Cooper Fitch, the founder of the company, was a renowned World War II P-51 fighter pilot and went on to become a member of the Cunningham and Mercedes-Benz racing teams in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. He was well known for his work with modified Corvair Sprints which led to his development of the Corvair-based Fitch Phoenix.
The original plans were for production of 500 units selling for $8,760 each. It would be powered by a stock Corvair engine and be built on a shortened Corvair chassis with a 95-inch wheelbase and weigh in at 1,950 pounds. Before production began, the Traffic Safety Act of 1966 was passed. This combined with General Motors decision to cease development and eventually production of the Corvair made it a very iffy proposition to go forward with production and John Fitch ended the project. Fitch still has the prototype which is powered by a 170 bhp version of the Corvair engine that can take the car from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds and attain speeds of up to 130 mph.
Automodello has produced a beautiful replica of this very interesting sports car. The resin body is finished in the dark Tobacco Brown color of the original and the paint is flawless. The most interesting detail of the original car was the two front fender bumps that hides spare tires and they are correctly captured. Photo etched surrounds go from the windshield frame’s edge, over the door sill, and they continue back to the edge of the landau-type roof. The interior includes a wood-colored steering wheel, full instrumentation, and white, perforated seat inserts. The accurate grooved tires, wider on the rear, are on correct, free turning disc wheels. The otherwise bare chassis does include twin chrome exhaust outlets. This is a Founders Edition and a card signed by John Fitch is included.
Only 192 of this model were produced with a MSRP of $195. This review may be somewhat tardy but I understand that a few models are still available from some of your favorite dealers or from the manufacturer’s retail outlet at: www.diecasm.com. If you are a sports car fan or just like interesting cars, you will not want to miss out on adding this fine model of the Fitch Phoenix to your collection.
(11/28/2010)
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