Franklin Mint 1957 Plymouth

The Franklin Mint '57 Fury is sure to put a smile on the your face especially if you are a Mopar collector. If you are looking to fill a void in your 1:24th Mopar collection this may be the model to do it. Franklin Mint included some new features with the release of the '57 Fury such as photo-etched scripts, new door hinges and glazed wing glass. The model was recreated in Sand Dune White, the most striking color, in my opinion for this model.

Taking a closer glimpse at the door hinge will allow you to truly appreciate this upgrade. Not only are those ugly doglegs gone but the door functions very smoothly. I found myself captivated by it; I continuously opened and closed the door in absolute amazement. Removing the dogleg added to the appeal of this replica for me. I would display it with the door open if space permits, showing off a stunning interior. As an added bonus, no more sagging or wiggling doors when opening or closing them. I was very impressed with the door design and look forward to seeing it on future releases. Nice guys, very nice!

It doesn’t end with the door hinges either. The interior is stunning and very well recreated as well. Seatbacks fold forward, as they should; seat design and color is very good and period correct. As I view the remainder of the interior I wish the parking brake was not as pronounced, it could have been slightly thinner in design.

For those young collectors that are unaware of the mechanics of this automobile, its transmission was controlled by push buttons. If you were in the market for a push-button transmission, Plymouth was the way to go! The Chrysler Corporation was virtually the only company that had moderate success with the push-button transmission system since it was the only one of its kind at the time that was mechanically controlled. Buyer's had a choice of a PowerFlite or Torque-Flite push-button transmission.

The pushbutton selector is located on the left hand side of the dash. If you are not familiar with this automobile you might think the gold rectangle on the FM model was a vent or logo of some type, it is not, that was the selector to put the car in gear. FM could have added a little more detail to this control but lets not split hairs. Lastly, the rearview mirror on my replica is lying on the dash rather than standing up, as it should have been. I did attempt to adjust the mirror but it was not adjustable as I suspected.

Peering under the hood you will be impressed with the amount of detail that went into the engine compartment. The 318 V8 engine is very well replicated and abounds with detail. I love the subtle touches such as labels on the air cleaner, battery and a few other components. The engine is fully wired and plumbed, truly a sight to behold.

Lifting the trunk lid you will find a spare tire and trunk mat. Take a close look at the design of the trunk hinges. They too are very well replicated adding to the functionality of a well-constructed replica.

Viewing the exterior of my model I noticed serious cosmetic problems. The etched scripts were damaged or missing and the passenger wing glass was nowhere to be found. Searching the replicas interior and shipping cartons did not turn up the missing glass. The scripts were missing letters and un-repairable without replacements.

Photo etched scripts are very sensitive and should not be wiped with a cloth or any other material for that matter. A good habit to get into is to press them down with your thumb when receiving a model that utilizes them. Another tip is to brush a clear sealer over them so they won't fall off as the adhesive dries from aging (view Diecast Tips for more information). Therefore, as a collector I was troubled with these quality control issues, especially for a model that retails for $120.

The paint was flawless, near glass like on my model. The gold anodized aluminum side trim and grille are what made this automobile special; it appears to be correct on the FM model, which adds to the allure of this replica for me. Believe me the side trim and grille seem to scream at you. It is saying "look at me, I’m special" and it truly is.

The tires and hubcaps are pure fifties as they should be. I do wish the gas filler door opened rather than being molded into the body, it makes for a more realistic replica. Viewing the undercarriage I have to admit it lacked detail, nothing to get excited about under there.

Two items of design troubled me; they are the roofline and its stance. The roof could have been raised slightly in the rear, taking the excess slope out of it, which I believe would have added to its eye appeal and authenticity. The over all stance of the replica seems high at the front, which I believe was the result of very taut springs supplied during the build process. The ride height could be adjusted if you are inclined to fiddle with your model. The more I fondle this replica the more I am inclined to fiddle with it.

The FM ’57 Fury seemed to grow on me the more I handled it. Maybe it was mere memories of my youth being evoked by its appearance. You know the simpler times of our lives, when our main priority was not being late for supper. Who knows what stirs the emotions that seem to call us to these stunning automobiles of yesteryear? All I can say is, if you are a Mopar collector this one may be for you.

In conclusion I rank the FM '57 Fury a three and a half star model due to quality control and design issues. If the glass was not missing nor the scripts damaged and it had a slightly better roofline I would rank this a four star model, without a doubt. However, based on what I have sitting in front of me I can't justify a higher ranking.