Hi all. I know I've said in the past that I'm trying to ease up my buying of the bigger diecast cars, mainly due to lack of room. But one car I ran across recently just screamed out to me. And I have to admit, it's the best 1/18th car I've ever purchased. What am I talking about, you? Well, it's this car:

The American Muscle 1960 Ford Starliner Hot Rod, from the Grease Series. This car is so detailed, that one or two pictures just cannot describe it. So read on, and enjoy the pictures. I hope I caught enough detail to help you see how truly beautiful this thing is.

In this side shot, you can see that all the chrome is correct, right down to the three decorative stars on the rear pillars. It even has a radio antenna, and the little "gun sights" on the front fenders that were so popular in the 60's.

Here's a couple of more shots of the entire car, both the front and the rear. The front end has all the correct chrome, the old style Ford emblem on the hood, turn signals in the bumper sides, and to keep inline with the incredible details, it even has the bumper attaching bolt heads molded in.

The back end detailing wasn't missed at all either. The clear plastic taillights and reverse lights look very realistic. The gas filer door is cut out for realism, but it doesn't open. One other oddity in the back is the trunk lid. It is made out of a separate piece of metal to show the lines of it, and really looks like it should open. But it doesn't. Trust me, it fooled me good. I tried for a little while to open this thing.

The engine compartment includes such niceties as plug wires, fan warning decals, and battery caps. Although you can't see it in this shot, the firewall is correct also. The brake fluid reservoir and other components are all molded in. The gold painted valve covers are marked with FORD in large silver letters, and each side has a circular decal that says 352, the displacement of the motor that powered this baby.

The interior also got a lot of attention. In these pictures you can see the black and chrome dash. The instrument panel, although not too clear here is marked with MPH numbers, and there is a chrome radio faceplate, as well as various knobs and controls. There's even a dome light on the roof!

The door panels and rear seat side panels have chrome inserts, window handles and door handles. The only thing they could have done to make this even more realistic was to make them operable. Here's another cool feature, folding seats!!

Finally, the chassis. This section also has a lot of neat features. Little things like an oil filter, straps on the gas tank, exhaust hanger clamps, with bolts, and even a radiator overflow hose next to the transmission. Can't make it out in the picture since it's molded in black.

As I said before, I hope this little pictorial helps you to see just how nice this American Muscle car is. The folks at ERTL have done a wonderful job on this one. It does cost a little more than other 1/18th's, this one was $22.99. But the extra details make it worth the cost. I may have to rethink my position on not buying any more 1/18th's. If this car is indicative of all the American Muscle cars, then I'll have to add one or two more to the stable. I did see a particularly nice 58 Impala, from the American Graffiti Series. It's the car that Ron Howard drove in the movie. Maybe next payday.............

Joe