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From the mid-sixties, to the early seventies, Chevy maintained the styling of their full-size pickups with few modifications. Not that they needed much tweaking—Chevy stylists had come up with a lean, clean design that remained contemporary for years. These trucks were solid, roomy, and dependable—pretty much what any man would want in a working rig.
Companies like Highway 61 are really changing the public’s perception of 1:18 scale images. I’m quite impressed by the array of goodies they provide for the relatively low price point. First, let’s look at their image of the 1969 Chevrolet C10 Shortbox itself. The paint job is as flawless as any—in this case, green metallic/white (it also comes in yellow and red). The door, tailgate, and hood gaps are tight. There’s a full suspension system. The tailgate folds down utilizing nice, cabinet-style hinges (probably like the real truck). The doors work with car-style, spring-loaded hinges. Under the hood, the engine detailing (with all wiring and hoses) is as good as many precision 1:24 scale images I’ve seen. The hood hinges are scissors-and-spring type. The same goes for the undercarriage details, with vinyl mud flaps, and a rotating driveshaft. The interior keeps up the same level of detailing, with 3-D gauges, soft seats (with molded seams and welts), and a carpeted floor with rubber mats. Even the glove box opens. Other features include: a beautiful set of wheels (with valve stems) on which are mounted raised, white-lettered tires; separate, molded, chrome wipers; chromed door sills; and door lock buttons. Aside from the features on the image, there are other extras beyond the image that include: a base (with a plastic, mirrored insert) on which the image comes mounted; a curved cover frame with clear plastic inserts for dust-free display; a separate tonneau cover, with wire mounting ribs; a pair-and-a-spare of side view mirrors (one pair to mount, and an extra, replacement pair); a miniature toolbox; a polishing cloth; and a tool, similar to the FM item, for opening doors, lids, hatches, etc.
1:18 scale images have come a long way since their $4.98 toy store days. If you collect 1:18 scale images, Highway 61 should certainly be on your list of manufacturers. Not only do you get a well-made image, you also get a slew of features not found on some precision mint offerings.
(06/15/2004)
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