Danbury Mint 1971 Chevrolet

One of the questions I am always asked is ""Why do I collect all these models?"" Some people believe I never grew up, some believe it is a total waste of money, others just think I'm nuts. To that I say, you are all correct, but it does not change the fact that I truly love all automobiles.

My collection allows me to continue my love affair albeit in a minute way. The Danbury Mint 1971 Corvette in Mulsanne Blue reinforces my not so secret love affair of cars and epitomizes why I collect; I relive a part of my life every time I gaze at its beautiful lines and color. I don't ever want to forget that time of my life, and the '71 Vette by Danbury Mint assures me I won't.

Most people who know me know I am a storyteller; the majority of my collection has a story to tell. I am in my glory spinning yarn about my collection to anyone that will listen. My children who heard my tales a thousand times still love-spending time with me listening to them over and over again as we cruise through my collection from time to time.

The '71 Corvette is just another story that got added to my spool of yarn and it could be titled "How I met your mother again". You see I was driving the '71 Corvette in Mulsanne Blue when Rose and I started dating again the rest is history. So now you know why I am very partial to this model and why it is one of my all time favorite replicas; it brought me the love of my life, my best friend and two wonderful children.

So maybe I am nuts, maybe I never grew up or maybe I just love to spend money? Whatever it is I will continue my love affair as long as I can then pass it on to my children who already started staking claim to dads' little cars. Who will lay claim to the '71 Corvette? Already both our children are arguing over it, rightly so; this is the model that represents what started it all for us as a family and one of my favorite models, I wonder why. Now onto the model and "How I met your mother again".

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It's hard to believe how fast time speeds by; it seems like just yesterday that I was behind the wheel of a 1971 Mulsanne Blue Corvette like the one reviewed here, alas in reality it was 35 years ago. I am not going to pretend I am an expert on this car because I drove one for two years; I'm not. The only thing I remember vividly about this car were the sound, color and the view looking through the valley of those big front fenders while tooling down the highway that held my destiny with Rose.

I can attest to the fact that Danbury Mint captured every aspect of this model to near perfection as best as I can recall. First the color is outstandingly accurate and applied flawlessly. The glass like finish contains just the right amount of metallic hue that until you hold it in your hands will you appreciate the stunning color that I am referring to. It is perfection at its finest, a measuring stick by which all proceeding models should be judged; it doesn't get any better than this.

Viewing the panels, such as the doors, hood and top's they are very well fitted with tight tolerances, no gaudy gaps. There is no ill-fitting chrome on this replica; it is straight and clean (no jagged edges). All scripts were tight to the body and scaled correctly giving it nice eye appeal.

The doors lack the positive click mechanism that we have come to expect on the latest releases. Even though the positive click is missing the doors close firmly and stay closed. The removable t-top sections fit snuggly in place and are held there by two pilot holes in the frame that match up to pegs on the tops. I suggest when removing these tops that you open the door grasp the top firmly with your thumb and forefinger and lift it straight up.

If you are like me and love "bling" this model is a bling dream. The gas filler door opens the spare tire carrier located on the undercarriage also opens revealing the spare tire all little touches that are appreciated by this collector.

Pop the hood, sit back and enjoy a very detailed engine compartment. This replica sports the LT1 350ci, 330hp engine, which is very well replicated with hoses, belts, decals, master-cylinder and more. You could say it is "bling personified".

Wheels and tires help make a model what it is or what it once was and the Danbury nailed this model on that front too. The Nylon F70x15 White Letter Tires are matched up with Deluxe Wheel Covers thus making this model an eye candy bonanza.

This ride isn't over yet; pop the tops off and take in the authentic Black Leather interior with some of the best gauge clusters in the industry. The storage area behind the seats is accessible with operating compartments too.

The bottom line is this is a first class model anyway you view it. I am on the record as stating this model will be an all-time classic that will surely skyrocket in price over the years.

From time to time one model stands above all others and this is one of them. Why you ask, what makes it special? First, it is a Corvette like it or not in a much sought after color. Second, it is available only to those collectors that signed up for the 50th Anniversary Corvette Collection. Finally, it is limited to the current model year and production will cease forever. Therefore, I conclude that this replica will rank up there with some of the most prized Corvette's of all times, you know the ones I am talking about, this one will stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

Bottom line this is a five-star model. If you qualify for it because you are a member of the 50th Anniversary collection and pass, we need to talk.

More Screen Shots.