Danbury Mint Pro Street Chevelle
Above and beyond
What do you look for in diecast model cars? I think we all search for about the same in our relentless pursuit. We look for cars we have a personal interest in first. I myself collect only muscle and race related cars, not nascar or tuners, but bigblock ground pounders, yeh, I am one of those guys. Second we search for what's available (and in our price range). Who cares about the price? I will repeat myself again, I would rather buy one "MINT" car than 4 non mint cars. It will take a little longer to get a decent size collection, but it will be a quality collection.
Just like the real thing
You hear it all the time..."If I had the money, I would own these scale cars in 1:1 form". I not only hear it, I say it. Well, we all don't have the money (yet) to fill our driveways with the real thing, but we can collect the next best thing. If you start collecting these "MINT" cars (or if you are already a collector you know) that its not a hobby, its an obsession.
Underneath
This is where most diecasters fall, and again Danbury Mint takes the lead: under the car. I understand the "cut the details out, cuts the cost down" theory but I don't have to like it. I collect diecast because I am a diecast fan, and to me that means I would rather buy one Danbury versus buying three Ertls or Highway 61's. I am not putting these diecasters down in any way, I respect all diecast cars, but I like details and these Danburies got 'em. This Pro Street is no exception, with big steam roller tires in back, wheelie bars, shortened rearend, chrome driveshaft with safety loop and loads of suspension details. I give the "underneath" 5 out of 5.
The Interior
The interior of this pro street Chevy will amaze, starting with the fantastic "bucket" racing seats garnished with photo etched racing harnis belts and latches. The dash is extraordinary, with a stock look with factory life-like gauges. Safety and performance are represented in this interior in forms of a fire extinguisher and a big nitrous bottle respectively. The automatic shifter looks great with a "Q" ball handle. We have to recognize the 8 point padded rollcage and if you look real close you will see the chute release handle strapped to the roolcage on the drivers side. The door panels are perfect with photo-etched door handles and window cranks The steering wheel is delivered to us bolted to a stainless steel column. I rate the interior 5 out of 5.
Overall fit and finish
Overall fit and finish is remarkable, a standard for Danbury Mint. No excessive gaps between body and door panels, paint is great, the purple color is fantastic, it's no Maaco job. The chrome foil is perfect in scale and placement. The chrome is abundent but not overdone. Everytime I pull this one out of my display case I am still in awe of the excellence of this Rat Runner. I love these pro street cars. Fit and finish rated 5 out of 5.
The Motor
The 396 big block has it all, with blower and belt and all linkages engaged, blower tie down straps (red), realistic spark plug wires and the brake master cylinder looks so lifelike. Theres even a chrome oil dipstick, and get this... they threw away the wheel wells and replaced them with a set of chrome tubular rollcage extensions that run on both sides from the firewall down to the front of the lower frame. The ignition booster is present, bolted to the firewall, big headers snake down to collectors. All in all, the motor is a scaled down wonder, I give it 5 out of 5 stars.