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The existence of two distinct versions of this model was first reported by Roy Rauch in his, “What’s Hot, What’s Not” column, Volume 1, Issue #17. He related that the diecast was issued incorrectly and that National Corvette Restorers Society and Corvette Club members pointed it out to the Franklin Mint. Soon there after, and as Raffi Minasian told me he recalls, the car was soon changed. The model was released only days after Raffi’s arrival at the Mint. I know he would have caught the error but fortunately, or unfortunately for us collectors, not many were apparently made in their incorrect configuration when the mistakes were brought to light. Specifically, three main issues are involved. The ’84 Corvette, as Chevrolet built it, has a body-colored roof bar. Raffi refers to this as a ‘basket handle’; Roy calls it a ‘top strap’. But every 1984 Corvette has the same paint as the body, on that roof bar just in front of the rear window. Secondly, that large rear window should be clear with only a hint of a tint. Thirdly, the wheels feature a black painted center section. The incorrectly issued FM model had a black roof bar, a darkly tinted, nearly black, rear window and completely painted silver wheels, with no black center. It can be somewhat confusing as Chevrolet issued many variations of their Corvette models over the years. The 1988 Corvette Coupes, for example, also had body-color matching roof bars except for their 35th Anniversary Editions where they used gloss black. FM has that issue nailed in its release of the Anniversary White model with correct tinted rear window. Also, in ’86 the wheels similar in design to the ‘84’s did not have the black center. Again, FM’s yellow car has it right.
These two cars are identical in every other way, including the same deep tint in the removable roof panels. The photo of the car on the certificate of authenticity that comes with both models depicts the car with correct body color roof bars. In my view neither model should be more valuable than the other but that is strictly a matter of opinion. Perhaps fewer than 1500 of these so-called error versions were released so that may make the difference in perceived value. So, how necessary is it to collect this variety of the ’84? I guess it depends on the collector and his or her collecting habits. Personally, I do not collect all Corvettes. But I do have every Corvette made by either mint in 1:24th scale. This includes every diecast metal, clear-cast plastic, fiberglass and pewter Corvette. Is it enough to have just one ’82 or is the Collectors Edition needed? Is the Mid America ’86 Pace Car necessary if you have the standard issue yellow ’86? After all FM didn’t really do the Pace Car. I have both because I’m an avid collector but should I have the ’82 Collectors Edition in both tire varieties? Good grief, I hope not. But this does point up the fact that chasing these variations of the more standard models sure makes the hobby awfully interesting. Don’t you think?
(02/28/2003)
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