Read reviews of specific models that have been submitted by serious
collectors like you on the preceding pages. Click on the link above,
or select a specific mint below to view all available reviews.
Models Reviewed here are from the following mints:
There are a lot of model cars out there that’ll wow
you for under sixty bucks. There are even a few that can deliver your muscle
fix for half that. But when the subject is serious investment – as
in the region north of a C-note – you’d be hard pressed to
find a maker of American muscle models like GMP. Its latest image is a
1970 Plymouth GTX, released in an ultra-exclusive “Tom’s garage” deco,
and in a general (though limited) version with a side stripe and different
hood.
There is simply no way to describe, in two dimensions, what
this model, in either deco, does in three. For one thing, it’s heavy – seriously
heavy. Barbell heavy. And it’s full of enough high-end gadgetry to
keep the buyer transfixed for hours at a time. The doors, hood, and trunk
open, all on real-aspect and spring and scissor hinges. There’s a
working suspension, a rotating driveshaft, steerable wheels, and a working
fuel filler/license plate frame out back. And that’s before you get
to the windows that roll up by the crank on each door – or the removable
rear quarter glass, for you open-air types. On the TG car, add a poseable “Air
Grabber” scoop, and you’ve got the makings of a package that’ll
pay back your purchase vig on delivery.
The quality on these two pre-production (but finalized)
samples was exceptional. The paint – K-5 Burnt Orange Poly – is
deep, glossy, and came here on both cars with zero blemishes. Shut lines
are dead even, the models seem to be carved from a single chunk of zinc.
Roll them over, slam the doors, and have your way with them – nothing
rattles, not even the sun visors, which are secured on new-style hinges
that hold them right where you put them. The tires are a soft rubber, and
wrap around a set of outstanding wheels. No doubt bashers and tweakers
will be seeking these out as accessories to decorate Mopar model projects
sometime in the future.
The interior is sweet not just for the big things it does – like
the tilting seat backs and the carpeted floor – but the little details
that speak to the GMP ethic. The deco on the seats is amazing; not only
is the two-toned light and dark brown applied with precision, it’s
separated by yet another color of orange that pipes around the cushions.
In addition to the aforementioned visors, the glove box opens, too. The
windows crank up and down with no snags or lurches – a definite improvement
over the effort to include this feature in the past. While I didn’t
get the quarter windows with these samples, given the over-the-top good
engineering evident everywhere else, I’d wager they’ll snick
in and out with no fuss at all.
Under the hood, the 440V8s are packing a trio of two barrel
carbs and an unbelievable level of wiring and plumbing. If you had an ounce
of reservation regarding investing in a model at this level of detail,
look under here and be soothed. Every possible tube, wire, cable, and hose
is present and accounted for (at least, as far as I can see – I’m
learning to be sensitive about this kind of statement), and each has been
wrapped around an impeccable model of the 440 that would have kicked butt
all by itself. The paint, assembly, and dedication to getting it right – right
down to the chromed oil filler cap – rates a ten out of ten. Come
to think of it, I’d pay cash American for this motor on a stand,
all by itself.
The trunk doesn’t open as far as I’d like,
but what can be seen in here is typical fare for a high-ender like this,
including a road-scuffed spare, a fabric-matted floor, and a jack bolted
to the bulkhead. Look up to see applied instructions on the lid, and
down again to dwell on the quality of that orange metallic paint, which
seems just as lustrous and deeply applied in here as on the roof. Go
beneath, and you’ll get a sample of full-on detail. Brake and fuel
lines are here, as castings on the belly proper and as free-standing,
flexible cables where needed. Overall, a great job.
Hey, what can I say? This is the state of the art in muscle models,
hands down, and bar none. Think of it as the ultimate expression of the
genre GMP started back with the ’70-‘72 GTO, and reaffirmed
with their ’66-’67 Ford Fairlane.
Yep – some models may wow you for less bread. But
this one hits like a bar bouncer with a hand full of quarters. Right here,
right now, for my money, this is the muscle model of the year. Incredible
work, GMP. Thanks for the effort.
