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This one’s been on our Limited Edition Club Car back burner for a while. Guess we could call it a LECCBB; nah, let’s not go there. Truth is, we had it on the LECC “assembly line” of model choices just ahead of the FM ’51 Hudson in two-tone blue. But constraints on FM’s production of the model, due to our diligent ongoing research and Raffi’s development of additional parts for the project, precluded a timely issue of it for last year. So the Hudson took center stage prior to our completion of this little jewel. Once again, the honor of formulating a nomination process for the club car fell on the capable shoulders of Jay Olins, George Dill, Raffi Minasian, Vincenzo Moccia and me.
It’s increasingly difficult to pick a model that has not been done more than once, and also to recognize which candidate may lend itself to additions or some form of change or update. I realized, early in the nomination process, that FM’s ’39 Ford was not previously re-issued or repainted. I also pitched the model to the committee as being very ‘today’s tech’, considering the fully operational suspension, great external door hinges and lest we forget, actual roll-up windows. Yes, place the tip of your finger on the window crank and have at it. This is the first actual Mint production diecast in 1:24th scale to feature wind-up windows. My thoughts harkened back to September of 2000 when Jay Olins and I first experienced the never before seen prototype of this model at FM’s hospitality center in Monterrey, California. It was the night before our visit to the 50th Anniversary of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The model was being readied for debut a month or so from that date. We were duly impressed. We were actually privileged, earlier, to witness a demonstration in FM’s home center in Media, Pennsylvania before this moment, by FM’s head Design Manager, George Bojaciuk, of the model that made this feature possible. We held a couple color sample prototypes of the ’73 Mercedes. One was a 450 SL and the other a 350 SL. Yes, a 350 SL that never made production. Wind up windows eventually gave way to the pull up variety on these Mercedes diecasts due to potential problems that were eventually ironed out for the debut of the ’39 World’s Fair replica. Recall, too, that FM issued the Packard Darrin with pull up windows prior to this feature’s full development and it’s unveiling on the ’39 Ford. One nomination discussion led to another and, before we knew it, we were talking as if this were the model to replicate as the next LECC. Research led us to find things we could add and when we hit upon an auxiliary trailer to complete the package, everyone got onboard, in a hurry.
Next, Raffi stepped in to work out the build plans and sketch out the trailer design, based on period correct models of the day. We opted to have the little utility trailer match the paint of the car. Color choices were discussed and without any dissent, Garnet Maroon was picked. As a fleet order, as this would have been in 1939, any and all Ford colors were open to the fleet order customer. It becomes an excellent choice since it made quite a statement for the day, epitomizing the sultry lines of the car and creating just the right mood for such an elegant styling exercise as what the thirty-nine Ford Deluxe came to envision. While Raffi worked on the schematics, Vincenzo worked his magic on trailer choice and ultimately colorizing the images for all to view.
The model itself is more than just fashionable eye candy. It calls upon the period of American automotive history when automobile styling was evolving rapidly. More rounded shapes and aerodynamic influences were calling to new customers. Coming out of the depression, cars were once again selling. This sexy lady was originally unveiled at the 1939 World’s Fair in the Ford Expo in New York. It became an immediate heart throb. Aside from the prior-mentioned suspension, wind-up windows and miniature door hinges, the model exhibits a plethora of detailing excellence. Carried over from the original blue beauty are the close-fitting panel tolerances. The trunk/rumble seat lid, doors, hood and both up-top and boot have faultless alignment with a total disdain for gapping. The doors close shut with a righteous snap. The seats fold forward and allow the occupants to raise the spare tire cover shelf yielding the removable spare. Take a moment to examine the fifth wheel. This is what it looks like, completely realistic, with the center hub cap removed. The five-lug bolt pattern is perfectly replicated. The behind-the-seat fittings are all very precise and well thought out. Both the rumble seat, driver and passenger seats feature great ‘feel’. Replicated in vinyl, they look period perfect. I like the look of the car with the rumble seat lid down, but that’s just me. The fender skirts appear to be removable and the fuel filler cap looks workable; they aren’t. Terrific detail just makes them appear that way. I’m not complaining, mind you, the skirts, are needed. And although I am not a fan of fender dressings, the car would look goofy without them. It’s all part of the aero-look for the late thirties Ford package. The antenna, right between the eyes, or windshield halves as the case may be, and the separately fabricated wipers, are fashioned in scaled perfection and detail. The inside look of the up top is well detailed and defined for weather protection duty. Up front, the engine bay is, again, today’s tech. The wiring and fuel lines are expertly manufactured and even the leather fan belt is, well, leather. We will have a special graphics package applied to the model. Design and printing details have been submitted.
I do not wish for our nomination committee to come across as self-serving, but were we to design a ’39 Ford Deluxe Convertible Coupe for TFM, this little charmer, in its grandiose color choice, with matching trailer, would be the resultant LECC to top all so far issued. As it turns out, I am very proud to have served along with the others in bringing this model to the conscientious collector of 1:24th diecast excellence.
(04/27/2006)
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