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1962: World Series - New York Yankees over San Francisco, 4-3. Songs - "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Days of Wine and Roses". Cuban missile crisis occurs. Marilyn Monroe dies. An American V-8 engine melds with a British sports car and a legend is born in the Shelby Cobra. There are 3 unpainted iterations of Exoto's first Shelby superstar. The "First Car" is coded #18120. Add a "Soft-Top" version and code it #18122. Then this replication, #18121 is dubbed, "The First Logo Car", now retired as this is written, 4/02.
As I look at this Exoto pre-production model, I have to wonder how much farther model makers can go with detail and overall quality. The shape, stance and appearance are spot-on as you reference 1:1 photographs, but it's the details that make this diecast model so wondrous. The wire wheels are hand laced and feature machined aluminum rims. There are 4 wheels with an incredible triple layer of wires! The spare carries two layers. They are heavy and magnificent. The one-piece rims are precision drilled and the wires laced through minute holes. This type of replication is never seen on a model of this cost or even thrice the price. Further into the model, you will discover an independent diecast metal chassis and a myriad of outstanding details such as "AC" brake and clutch pedals, intricate seatbelt hardware, air filter center, ignition key and the model's namesake, the Shelby Cobra logo on the nose, all in photoetched metal. Get out the magnifying glass to read the logo, the dash gauges and the engine details. There you will see a scaled oil dipstick, carburetor linkage and every conceivable line, hose and wire that is on the real car. Even the prop rod and "AC Cars" sticker are scaled perfectly. The trunk features wiring and a working trunk support rod. The interior sports floor mats. The gas cap is functional and the Tonneau fastening-nipples are either machined or photoetched!
This is an exceptionally beautiful model of an historically important motorcar.
(04/25/2002)
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