Home Welcome Reviews Editorials/Press Reference Shopping Mall Links Photo Archive Search Contact
Autocar DC-100T Integral Sleeper - White over Red

Maker:  Fire Replicas
Model No:  068-3
Scale:  1:50
Review Date:  March 2020


Fire Replicas Index
Historic Haulage Index


Cranes Etc Model Rating Individual ratings are not given for resin model Reviews
Packaging    
Detail    
Features    
Quality    
Price    
Overall    

Footnotes


Autocar DC-100T Integral Sleeper - White over Red Video  [Youku Video]
Fire Replicas branded box.
Stainless steel name plate.
Base supports are visible from low angles.
Chrome exhaust and mirrors.
 
Tiny badges at the front.
Profile view.



The Autocar DC-100T Integral Sleeper was built in 1954.  Autocar was founded in 1897 and is reported to be the oldest surviving vehicle brand in the western hemisphere.

It is in a limited edition white over red colour scheme with 50 models made.

This model is substantially made of resin (not diecast) and as such it is a static model with no functionality.

Packaging

The model comes in a plain Fire Replicas cardboard box.  Inside it is contained within foam rubber protective sheets. 

There were no missing parts or defects on the review model.

An instruction sheet is included which addresses the unpacking and care of the model.  It would have been nice if a numbered collector card were provided to reflect the limited edition nature of the model.

Detail

The model is presented in a high quality display case and it is recommended the model is kept inside it, not least to avoid dust getting into awkward to clean places.

The lid has a nice thickness and weight.  The base has a soft covering and a stainless steel etched plate provides details of the real vehicle.  The model is fixed to the baseplate and from some low angles the fixings are visible.  The instruction sheet says the model can be disconnected from the fixings but this was not attempted on the review model.

The Autocar DC-100T has an 4x2 chassis and the wheels are very detailed will unbranded tyres.

At the front the bumper has rivet details and an Autocar name plate.  Very thin step irons are modelled at each end.  The grille has a fine mesh and there is a badge and emblem at the top of the radiator.  There is another name plate on the side of the hood.

The driving cab is detailed inside.  Outside there are very thin wipers and chrome mirrors and air horns.  A particularly fine detail is the door handles and grab handles which are very thin indeed.  On one side there is a nice chrome exhaust with a blackened exhaust hole, and the air cleaner is modelled in detail.  The back of the cab has rivets and cables.

At the rear there is a mesh platform and a detailed box, probably for batteries.   The fifth wheel and leaf springs on the rear axle are modelled.

Features

As a highly detailed resin model it is delicate and designed for static display only.

Quality

This is high quality model which is very well made. 

The paint is excellent.

Price

It is reasonable value for the quality and limited edition nature of the model. 

Overall

It is interesting to see a model of an Autocar truck from the 1950s, and Fire Replicas has produced a highly detailed model.

Footnotes

Versions of the model were made in a variety of colours.
 
High quality display case.
Large tyres.
Detailed wheels and nameplate on the hood.
Rivets behind the cab.
 
Mesh platform and nice tyres.