Automodello 1966 Fitch

Introducing the Automodello 1966 Fitch Sprint, finished in Willow Green, and including a custom display case. This gorgeous replica was scaled for the 1:43 market, in resin, and it is limited to 999 pieces worldwide. Included with the Automodello replica besides the custom display case is a certificate of authenticity, all for $94.95 plus shipping and handling.

I believe in the old saying "When you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life." And having been given the opportunity to photograph all these gorgeous replicas throughout the years has been nothing short of amazing, an honor, to say the least. When I open a box for the first time it is as if I am six again, and it is Christmas day; I am filled with anticipation and excitement as to what I will find inside. It is models like this that make me a kid again, gitty with excitement as I explore my 'New toy. Therefore, the hours I put into the shoot and review are nothing more than a day of playing with cars. I guess the saying is true?

The Fitch Sprint was simply a modified Chevrolet Corvair, which was factory fresh, and sent to John Fitch & Co., Inc. located in Falls Village Conn. where for a price your Corvair would be customized to what you see here.

John Fitch has the sort of wispy gentleness more often associated with a high school English teacher than a great racing driver. He's tall and slightly round-shouldered with a shock of thinning hair and the brand of articulate good manners that makes it difficult to accept his credentials as one of the finest road racing drivers ever produced in the United States.

Should you ever be driving through the rolling country of northeastern Connecticut, with it monotonously picturesque white clapboard colonial houses, you might be overtaken by a nasty-sounding Corvair with a flat black deck-lid and a rakish roof line. Don't bother trying to keep up because it may be John Fitch out running in a Corvair.

The last two paragraphs are from Car Driver of many years ago. And they pretty much tell the story of the man behind the name of his company Mr. John Fitch.

For a few hundred bucks you could order the modifications or simply have Chevrolet send the car from the factory to the Fitch Company and have everything installed professionally for you. Either way you had a stunning Corvair which was the envy of everyone that asked the question, "What the hell was that" as they saw your tail lights fade in the distance.

Automodello took John's design and reproduced it in miniature. When I opened the box on this one, I was that kid again at Christmas, smilin' from ear to ear as I admired the beautiful little car that reminded me of my youth. No I never owned a Fitch or even a Corvair for that matter, I don't think I ever rode in one to be honest but I do remember them vividly. That said, I was totally impressed with the Automodello rendition of the Corvair with modifications. Again the paint was superb, scribe lines were deep giving the illusion of working features and the trim was tight to the body. I love the roof line along with the flat black paint, which was part of the Fitch package; it is what makes this model special.

Peering into the interior you will be impressed by the attention to detail found in there too. Readable gauges, wood grained steering wheel, highly detailed seats and trim Automodello didn't cut corners anywhere. And remember this model retails for $94.95, what's not to love?

If you are into 1:43 replicas then the Fitch Sprint will make a nice addition to your American collection for sure. (Five Corks)

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