 |
| 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. |
|
