Monday, January 27, 2014

1953 Kaiser Manhattan by Brooklin Models

Originally formed as the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation in 1945, the firm was reorganized in 1953 under the name Kaiser Motors Corporation.
The trend-setting 1951 Kaiser got a newly named top-line series the following year: the 1952-1953 Kaiser Manhattan 4 door sedan with exeptional styling.  Kaiser claimed that the 1953 Manhattan was America’s first “safety-first car,” based on the pop-out windshield and heavily padded dash and seat back. A wide chrome band wrapped around the cars' lower bodies included a heavier bumper/grille combination, smooth teardrop taillights, small chrome tailfins rested atop the rear fenders, and the front fenders were decorated with script nameplates.  The engine was the "Supersonic Six," the long-running L-head straight-six cylinder that displaced 226.2 cubic inches 118 horsepower. This was unfortunate because the competition was offering high-output eight-cylinder variants that were more powerful and offered more performance.
Kaiser suffered the ultimate fate of all independent American auto manufacturers in the postwar period. While sales were initially strong because of a car-starved public, the company did not have the resources to survive long-term competition with GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
It is interesting that the car was assembled at various locations around the world, such as in the Netherlands under the name Rotterdam, by Nekaf (Nederlandse Kaiser-Frazer Fabrieken),  in Argentina under the name Carabela by Industrias Kaiser Argentina S.A.,  or in Haifa, Israel.

Brooklin produces several color variants of this interesting model. This model is a limited (500 pcs) edition finished in black and was issued for Modelcars in Rotterdam. The model faithfully reproduces the characteristic design including  very unique heart shaped windshield, a wide chrome band  around the car and beautiful chrome tailfins. Interier is in Light Blue.  Model is a tough, well-treated, as is Brooklin.







Brooklin  1953 Kaiser Manhattan Rotterdam Deluxe




 Manufacturer: Brooklin Models
 Scale: 1/43
 Year of Production: 1995
 Part Number: BRK 29X
 Material: White Metal
 Rating: 7/10

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air by Franklin Mint

The 57 Bel Air is one of those classics that everyone seems to love.
This i a second generation Bel Air - full-size automobile that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in model years 1955-57.
The 1957 Bel Air is among the most recognizable American cars of all time; iconic body style, well-maintained examples, especially Sport Coupes and Convertibles are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. They are roomy, with tastefully restrained, period use tail fins and chrome. Graceful front and rear wheel openings completed the "speedline" restyling. Single housings incorporated the taillight, stoplight, and backup light, and the left one held the gas filler - an idea popularized on Cadillacs.

The Bel Air become one of America’s most popular production car, the car of the rock-and-roll generation, representing independent, style and flair.

These two obsolete Franklins stunning Bel Air 1957 with superb attention to detail, accurate wheels, detailed red/black or silver interior with correctly contoured seats, dashboard, door cards, realistic lights, all badges, grilles and vents, looks as awesome as the real thing!
Convertible is finished in Matador Red, Hardtop Coupe in Onyx Black with Pale White top.

1957 Chevy Bel Air Coupe and Convertible





1957 America Most Popular Car

 Manufacturer: Franklin Mint
 Scale: 1/43
 Year of Production: 1990 Convertible 1998 Coupe
 Part Number: UK09 Convertible WM05 Coupe
 Material: DieCast
 Rating: 9/10 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

1950 Nash Ambassador Police LAPD by Premium X

This year's Christmas gift to my collection  is a nice 1950 Nash Ambassador  in black and white Los Angeles Police Department livery.

Nash Motors Company was an American automobile manufacturer from 1916 to 1954. Production continued from 1954 to 1957 after the creation of American Motors Corporation.

The aerodynamic 1949 Nash "Airflyte" was the first car of an advanced design introduced by the company after the war. Its aerodynamic body shape was developed in a wind tunnel. There has always been a touch of controversy about the Nash Airflyte. Critics have decried their near cartoon-like styling, while supporters have praised them for their comfort, room, and quiet.
Nash put it this way: "Now you've seen EVERYTHING in postwar styling! No more ugly fender openings! Now a complete sweep of racing curves from massive front to perfect tear-drop back . . . from road to roof . . . and inside and out! Every line sings with action! There's nothing like it on the road."
The 1950 Nash was offered in two series, the Statesman and the Ambassador. The less expensive Statesman had a shorter 112 inch wheelbase and a smaller 6 cylinder engine, while the Ambassador was on a 121 inch wheelbase and had a more powerful engine (still a 6).

 This model Premium X is very, very well done, including the interior detailing. The 2-tone paint is also authentic, as I found a picture of a 1:1 1950 Nash Ambassadors in the Los Angeles Police Department's service.
Very good quality paint job featuring high gloss paint, chrome trim looks like shiny chrome not a silver paint as on Minichamps models. Every piece of trim is done, to scale, with either plated or photo-etched pieces. A favorite exterior detail is the colorful, 3D hood emblem!  The interior trim is done to the same level, with a unique “Uniscope” instrument pod (with detailed gauges) perched on the steering column. There are  relief-cast, silver-painted interior handles, as well as small cranks for the vent window. Model is packed in a large display case, which is approximately 1/3 larger compare to a standard Ixo,  Minichamps display case. The models competes well with models from Minichamps and NEO while retails at significantly lower price. Models from the Premium X line not the champion, but it is undoubtedly the winner in the price to quality competition.







Comparison of large Nash Ambassador (Premium X) and compact Nash Rambler (Franklin Mint), both cars model, 1950. More than 20 years old Franklin Mint model is much more valuable and better than the current Premium X.


 Manufacturer: Premium X
 Scale: 1/43
 Year of Production: 2013
 Part Number: PRD220
 Material: DieCast
 Rating: 7/10