Fairfield Mint 1:24 1934 Ford Stake Truck

When Ford designed its Model BB-157 chassis, with a cross-braced, ladder-type frame and double wheels on the rear axle to carry the weight, you got just that—a chassis and a cab. It was up to the buyer to appoint it for flatbed, stake-bed, tow truck, or tanker duties—usually through a body maker. Though some manufacturers today produce light duty trucks complete with box, companies that make truck bodies are still with us. Remember that the next time you’re following a truck with mud flaps behind the rear wheels emblazoned with a manufacturer name that’s clearly NOT the name of the manufacturer of the truck. Chances are, with few exceptions, it’s the name of the truck body manufacturer. By the way, this practice began with automobiles and persisted all the way through the Thirties, until manufacturers realized they could get the entire job done in-house and retain ALL the profits. After all, a car is a vehicle made to carry people, so the variations on a theme are few. A truck, however, often needs to be tailored to the specific job it’s required to do. Though it’s still possible to have a car body custom made—or modified—for private use (i.e. a limo, or specialized recreational vehicle), body-specific manufacturing is predominately commercial.

The Fairfield Mint (FFM) has put out another inexpensive ($39.99) version of this Thirties chassis in 1:24 scale—this time in stake-bed livery. The cab and hood are painted in classic Ford green (close to o. d. in hue), with a black roof and fenders. The bed is simulated to look like wood, with simulated stake-bed framing and hardware. The two doors are emblazoned with “Ford Economy Run” and the signs on the stake sides declare “Ford Truck Full Load.” Smaller print on the stake-bed slats state: “Quick Delivery, Power, Low Cost, Economy, Capacity, Long Life, Smoothness, and Mileage”—it’s obvious this replica is of a Ford dealer’s delivery truck. The license plates front and rear have the date of the truck’s model year (1934) on them.

Since this image uses the same cab (in a different color) as the previously reviewed tanker (see my review also on this site), I’ll borrow from part of its review (indicated by single quotes). ‘Starting from the front, I like what they did to replicate the radiator shell—it actually looks like nickel plating and not just chromed plastic (it’s die cast metal). When you lift either of the hood sides (which have individually molded, Ford V-8 logos on them), you’ll find a flat-head V-8 underneath with a decent amount of detail, right down to the plug wires. Both cab doors open to display a surprising amount of detailing in the interior. The seats are soft plastic and the floor (cast in simulated wood grain) is painted to make it look like real wood floorboards…. The headlights and taillights are separate, translucent plastic lenses. Moving to the undercarriage, again we find a good amount of detailing. The wheels are done nicely to scale, with period correct tread patterns [the spare is mounted in the rear, under the frame]. There are working suspensions for all four wheels as well…. Oh yeah, two additional sideview mirrors are also included, which seems to be a standard practice with this image’s manufacturer.’

Considering it’s all done in plastic, the stake bed is nice. The silver painting for the hardware is precise and doesn’t look at all tacky, or cheap. The molded-in wood grain also looks decent. The tailgate slides up to be removed (CAREFUL—it might stick a bit! Slip a thin-bladed screwdriver under one side, working it up slightly by gently twisting. Repeat the procedure on the other side and go back and forth until you break the tailgate free). A raft of extras include: a Gerry can of gas, two rectangular pieces (one large and one small) that simulate stacks of boxes, a hay bale (though I have NO idea why it hinges open like a chest!), and a wheelbarrow. A collection of tools is also included, consisting of an ax, a pickax-mattock combo, a sledgehammer, a spade, and a shovel. A ramp is also supplied that hooks into a groove in the bed. ‘I’m pleased at all the extras you get considering the relatively bargain price of this image. Kudos to Unique Replicas for [again] going the extra mile with this image—it’ll look great displayed with your 1:24 die cast cars [and trucks] of the period.’ Diorama anyone?

Ford moved vigorously ahead with its truck line—a line that continues today—from pickups to ultra heavy-duty tractors. It’s been said that America's goods move on the wheels of trucks. The truth of that statement is something the various vehicle manufacturers have been cognizant of for nearly a hundred years.

New News  ·  List & Reviews  ·  Legacy Motors  ·  Auctions  ·  Forums  ·  Polls  ·  Features  ·  Register  ·  FAQs  ·  Clubs

Copyright © 2008 Gennera Knab and Diecast Zone