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Following hot on the heels of FM’s newest Corvette tooling, the 1970 Corvette convertible, this model is fiberglass as well! Though this time our slick little number is in coupe form, (read that T-Top) and in War Bonnet Yellow; gold metallic, to those of you from non-Corvette origins. This model presents itself as a great little stable mate to the ’70 roadster in Monza Red with a 454 cu in/390 hp motor. There were three “Firemist” colors for 1971. Highly metallic and reflective in nature, they were Ontario Orange, Steel Cities Gray and the over-the-top color FM chose for this 24 karat number, War Bonnet Yellow. All three Firemist shades carried over to 1972 and then disappeared from whence they came.
As you know, DM is releasing a Corvette in this same color, but it is in the form of a 1972 convertible model and will be wholly different in option, interior trim and engine choice so, like me, you’re going to need both in the old Corvette Collector Corral. FM’s choice, here, was to go with the saddle interior and big block power plant. The hot option that year was the RPO LS6, a 454 cubic inch mill pumping out 425 tire-shredding ponies on steroids. Can we say Clydesdales? There weren’t many units equipped with the LS6 motor; only 188 of them with a $1,221 bonus tab. And only the RPO ZR2 option, the “Special Purpose LS6 Engine Package” was rarer with only 12 such units sold at an additional premium of $1,747. Aside from the LS6 motor there were other components that ‘specialized’ the car for racing. FM chose a dandy, more streetably-optioned car, color and configuration package. And did I say, it’s fiberglass?
FM has made great strides recently in forging ahead with new toolings. This Vette’s adaptation is an ideal representation of that when viewed alongside their previous Corvette models. The headlights are operational, the suspension articulates and even the steering dampening piston functions. All emblems and insignias are chrome metal foiled and more dimensional than past tampo usage. And, oh yeah, remember the dog leg hinges we all loved to hate? Fugetaboutit. They’re history, toast; at least here. These babies are realistic. Opening up to the interior, the saddle seating offers a conservative color contrast to the exterior. It’s rich. Black accents abound on the dash, console and steering wheel. The seats exhibit fabric belts with photo-etch belt ends and the seats fold forward to reveal the storage area well. The chassis looks great with fabricated brake lines in metal and the exhaust is authentically replicated.
The engine bay was the topic of most conversation on these cars and so it is on this issue. The graphics on the chrome air cleaner are sharp, well defined and scaled. The wiring was done well and the accurate color shading of components such as vacuum canister and master cylinder is spot on. Don’t look for wipers, they were covered by a vacuum-operated panel when not in use. The overall fit and finish of FM’s latest receives high marks. The T-Top roof panels are metal but the finish matches perfectly. The issue price is $105 and I call that a good bargain.
(09/15/2006)
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