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No one understood glorious excess in the Depression-plagued thirties like the luxury automakers. And no one did it better than Deusenberg. If you could afford the admission price, the Gordon M. Buehrig designed, Derham-bodied 1930 Deusenberg J Tourster was your ticket to luxury and unparalleled performance.
The 1:24 scale die cast model of this car is another of FM's "Big Bruisers." Though a full inch shorter than the '40 Deusey, at 9 ¼ inches it still takes up a lot of space on the display shelf. If this model were produced in 1:18 scale, you'd need a garage for it. Another early release, it doesn't boast a raft of features. The undercarriage seems a bit simplistic and the doors are mounted "dog-leg style." But, on the basis of looks alone, this beauty makes the grade. The finish is meticulously applied, with gobs of beautifully done chrome accents. The seats are done in soft plastic that has an uncanny leather-like feel. Unlike its decal contemporaries, the dashboard has a full complement of gauges. Here's an interesting little feature: door handles that actually turn! Oh, and did I mention the removable convertible top and optional boot?
This is definitely one of FM's "oldies-but-goodies." I know we've come to expect more for the price, but this one's a fine representation of the automobile as art and worth adding to your collection. The issue price is $135.
(01/24/1999)
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