| |
By the
1950s,
Rolls-Royce,
Ltd.
saw
the
Bentley
as a
way
for the
more
diffident (that's "self-conscious" in America-speak) client to enjoy
Rolls-Royce quality in a less blatant manner, while enjoying a $300
saving (the B Grille cost less to make). And so, Franklin Mint has
utilized this same thinking with a mildly disguised version of the R-R
Silver Cloud.
On the plus side, the color choice is exquisite, the Dark Cherry
Maroon over Silversand was a beautiful, elegant, and extremely
popular R-R color choice. It suits this model well. The tan/beige
interior is also beautiful and well done. The doors fit better than the
old RR and the paint separation is quite good and sharp. The usual
FM attention to engine detail, etc. is all present and accounted for.
However, something's missing...and that something makes this
re-issue miss the mark!!! The package just doesn't seem to come
together as well as the beautiful prototype Bentley would
predict....the assembly is OK…the fit is just OK…the model,
overall, is "just OK".
What really galls me is the price for this thing...at $135.00, my
impression is that it should be on a par, at least, with the Franay
Bentley (recently introduced). This model seems to be FM looking
into its past and trying out the same old bag of tricks....kind of like
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde... I sure hope Dr. J wins this tussle 'cuz
this fight is really making me tired.
(06/25/1998)
|
|
