- Here we are. Those dreary winter months after the
holidays where
- it seems the diecast aisles are either barren because
the store is
- reconfiguring their toy department or they just put
out 23 cases of cars on the
- pegs and none of it is special because it all came
from the same
- crappy case code. Though I always try to look at
everything
- in the aisle no matter what time of year, it's the
lean times that
- strengthen the senses (like a starving animal looking
for sustenance)
- and cause me to hone in on anything new. Or even
anything old that
- I just didn't look closely enough before. Enter The
Route 66 Collection.
- Much like Target's Editor's Choice and Walmart's new
Milestones Series,
- this series is a Kmart exclusive. Unlike those
other stores, Kmart has
- chosen a company other than Mattel to produce their
collection.
- Ertl has stepped up to package this limited edition
for the Big K.
- I was pretty certain that they were Ertl casting when
I looked at them
- under that department store florescent lighting. No
where on the
- package did it name the the maker. I had to open it to
find out for sure.
- No problem there! After freeing it from the factory
shipping device,
- I noticed two things about the display case. First,
there is a "mirror"
- on the base set at a slight angle towards the front so
you can view the
- detailed chassis. The second is that, instead of
screws or twistie ties,
- the car is suspended by a simple set of plastic
"bookends" that also
- hold the hood and trunk lid up. This impresses me
because it really
- shows off the piece as any display case should. Not
just another
- car stuck to a base and covered by a plastic cube.
-
-
- The detail is incredible. Produced for the Ertl
American Muscle line,
- this 1969 Mach I is one of my favorites. From the
well-fitting opening hood
- to the equally well-fitting and opening trunk lid,
this car has everything.
- The tires and rims are the correct scale. Stripes are
well placed.
- Headlights and taillights are painted.
-
-
- The license plates read "PONYXPRS". There is
even a little pony inside the
- emblems on the sides and the word
"M-U-S-T-A-N-G" printed across the back in
- the tiniest readable print I've ever seen. The chassis
is not all one cast.
- The engine cradle, exhaust, transmission, drive shaft,
rear axle and leaf
- springs are separate creating better detail.
- Almost as good as a 1/25 scale plastic model kit.
-
-
- This is a great piece! And at a great price! Only
$4.99! At least $3 less than a
- 100% Hot Wheels and a few more than a Johnny
Lightning. Well worth it.
- Keep an eye out. There is a webpage which lists all of
the available cars from
- in 1/18, 1/24, 1/64 (as above) 1/64 with a license
plate ($2.99 each)
- and even a little 1/144 scale car on a key chain.
- ----Keldog
-
