Danbury Mint 1957 Ford

Another stunning model from the design team at The Danbury Mint, a favorite of mine too. The Limited Edition 1957 Ford Thunderbird is a 1:24th scale replica recreated in Dusk Rose that will be produced and available thru Dec. 31, 2007. Therefore, the actual amount produced will not be known. Also, this will be the first model in the 50th Anniversary collection of Thunderbird's, one that you will be proud to display in your collection.

Over the years the Ford Thunderbird has earned its place in U.S. history as an icon of automotive technology. When the Thunderbird was introduced in 1955 it was intended to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette. It was a two-seat car with clean styling, creature comforts, and V8 refinements.

For 1957, a more radical restyle was performed. The front bumper was reshaped, the grille and tailfins were made larger, and larger tail-lights were fitted. The spare wheel moved inside the trunk again, which had been redesigned to allow it to be mounted vertically. The side "Thunderbird" script moved from the fins to the front fenders.

1957 sales of the little bird were 21,380, including three extra months of production because the 1958 models were late. The 1957 Thunderbird would be the last two-seater Ford ever built and sold to the public until the 1982 Ford EXP.

Fit and finish of the '57 Danbury Bird is excellent. The Dusk Rose paint has been applied meticulously it is as smooth as silk. All panels adhere to tight tolerances with no gaudy gaps apparent. The model includes many working features such as front fender vents, working wing windows, working gas filler door and removable skirts on the exterior.

Let me mention both the driver and passenger doors sport a positive close design, which gives the doors a very sturdy feel with no wobble and a positive close. I find this design to be very well executed while allowing the model to look as realistic as possible.

The enhancements don't end with the doors. Included with this "Little Bird" is a very realistic up top that locks into place. I really appreciated this feature; no more tops falling off as I try to place the model in the display case or accidentally bumping the case. How it works is you tilt the front of the top so it slips under the top of the windshield align the two dowels on the rear of the top with the holes on the body and press down. You feel a positive lock once the top is in place, you can hold the model upside-down and the top won't fall off. Sweet!

Let me mention the underside of the up top is fully detailed and a marvel to explore. All trim on the top is scaled to perfection too. Absolutely a stunning model regardless how you choose to display it.

Viewing the interior of this fabulous replica it just gets better. The interior is very well replicated with attention to detail. The seat back folds forward, both doors must be open for this to happen otherwise it will hit the armrest. No this is not a problem the 1:1 worked the same way.

For me the dash of an automobile always grabs my attention. When it comes to these miniature recreations it is one of the first things I explore. To say the amount of detail found on this "Little Bird" had me drooling all over myself would be quite accurate. This model has so much detail to it you wonder how they did it. The '57 "Little Bird" is truly a model that "popped my cork" it contains an extraordinary amount of "bling" to satisfy even the most critical collector.

Finally, the engine compartment is as fully detailed as the original. It includes all the usual amenities such as hoses, wires, regulators and more. Detail, detail, and detail I can't say it enough; this is one of the best-appointed replicas on the market, really it is. No hype, no model dumping just an honest to God review of a spectacular model.

If you have room for only one "Little Bird" in your collection this would be a good one to start with. I would have preferred seeing different hinges used on the hood and trunk but with all the other amenities included I will let these slide; it's not a big deal to me. Especially when the overall presentation is so well executed as it is on the Danbury Mint '57 Thunderbird, kudos' to all involved in the creation of yet another "5 star" replica from the gang at Danbury Mint.

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