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So, what has FM done to an already nice image of the ’55 Cameo Carrier to make it a Christmas 2003 release? Well, they’ve already had a go at a Christmas edition of this truck in 1998 and I must say they’ve done it up right this time.
As with any Christmas edition image, the treat is in the extra goodies. First and foremost, they stuck a plow on the front, a nice touch even though it doesn’t articulate and lift (DM would probably have made it work). Don’t mind the little rollers on the plow frame—most pickups use them because the frame can’t handle the weight of the whole plow assembly. Then, they put a full set of chains on the wheels (no, the truck isn’t 4WD—they’re for added grip when the front wheels turn). Throw in a model snowman, a box of Christmas decorations, a string of lights, a “Merry Christmas” sign, a coil of rope, a toolbox (and a lunch box—hanging decorations makes a guy hungry!), and a ladder—and you have just about everything necessary to spruce up part of a small town for the biggest holiday on the calendar.
I suppose, in this time of uncertainty regarding FM’s future, it’s appropriate to mention the slew of repaints and reissues they’ve done of late. This one’s a good example, since it’s the second time out for the ‘55. Why not have done a Christmas version of the 1996 Ford F-100? I’ve heard rumors that FM is going to cut back to primarily die cast models in 2004. If so, I hope they’ll start creating a few more new images (with newer technology) and lighten up on the repaints and LE reissues. I mean, how many different colors of the same image does a collector need? Even the ever-optimistic Tony Perrone is lowering his ratings (see the review on the white ‘63 ‘Vette)! I, for one, hope FM hangs in there and returns to its former glory. Two (or more, for that matter) high-end mints are good for the collectors—and the collector market.
The issue price is $120.
(01/03/2004)
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