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Topic starter
06/05/2023 10:26 pm
The Imperial by Chrysler is an amazing car, and from 1955 to 1975, Chrysler devoted their resources to this high-end luxury car in an effort to compete with Cadillac & Lincoln in the luxury market. To this devoted fan, these are some of the finest styled cars of the era. There is not one year in the original 21-year span that I don't like, although some years more than others.
For the 1:43 model collector, a very decent selection of these Imperial years, are now available. When I started collecting this scale, I was disappointed by the few that were offered. Coming from the 1:24 scale market, where nothing was offered, I was hoping for more models of this fine car for my collection.
After adding those I found by Brooklin, NEO and a couple of other model makers, I longed for models from my favorite years of 1960-1962. The 1st glimmer of possibilities came in 2015 from GLM, a 1958 Crown Ghia Limousine. It was amazing. In 2018, Tom Dirnberger in cooperation with GLM, issued a 1956 Southampton Hardtop Coupe in three colors. Oh WOW! The fun was about to begin.
Now I won't go into the details of the models that became available from 2018 until today, that will come with each post. I will say however, that this collector is thrilled to have some wonderful models from GLM on their own and in cooperation with Tom Dirnberger Exclusives that cover 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 & 1964. Seriously though, as a collector who is never completely satisfied when something else is possible, I would still love more. There are so many other options available from 1957-1975. Keep them coming.
The 1st entry will be a very nice Imperial from 1956. Issued in 2018 as a Tom Dirnberger Exclusive. It was a Limited Edition, #58 of 80 in Desert Rose & West Point Gray.
1956 Imperial Southampton Hardtop Coupe
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Topic starter
06/05/2023 11:28 pm
The 2nd entry for this series is an amazing model and for me, one of the most fascinating of the Imperial body styles available. The 4-door hardtop sedan. 1st introduced in 1957, this body style was available until the final year of production, 1975.
Issued in 2022 as a Limited Edition, #022 of 199 and is in Formal Black.
1961 Imperial LeBaron Southampton Hardtop Sedan
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
06/05/2023 11:40 pm
Beauties both, John!
I have the '56 in that color, and the '61 4-dr. HT in Executive Grey, which complements the roof color of the '56.
This post was modified 1 year ago by Moe Parr
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
100Ford2003 and John Merritt reacted
07/05/2023 2:38 am
Those are beautiful models John. I love Imperials too. They're 'top notch' in my book.
Their styling is so different, IMO, from other cars in their class.
Steve
John Merritt reacted
07/05/2023 3:19 am
Here is the Silver by TD........
I really like these. Any white metal models to match this about accuracy and details?
07/05/2023 6:03 am
That is gorgeous, but I do miss holding all that "white-metal-weight!" If we could only have "heavy resins!" 😏 😏 😏
100Ford2003 reacted
07/05/2023 9:25 am
@nickies Here's Brooklin's '61 Imperial convertible (to which they added lots of detail trim vs. the 2-dr. HT), which I think compares favorably with the GLM resins:
This post was modified 1 year ago by Moe Parr
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
100Ford2003 and John Merritt reacted
07/05/2023 11:03 am
John, I too am a fan of the Imperials and own a 1/1 1955 Newport Hardtop. I have the 56 Hardtop from GLM in blue/gray two tone and the 61 in Executive gray. The 55 Imperial is in my collection by MOC in three color combinations...Gold over White, dark gray metallic and black over red.
07/05/2023 11:43 pm
@moe-parr Unfortunately, I don't see any comparison possible with resin models because the details are not crisp and some are always missing. I believe most preference for metal models is just based on the weight and for me this is irrelevant about the quality of a model.
I have no interest in metal models and this is the reason I have only three in my collection. Also, I observed that metal models don't display well with resin ones because they are less realistic.
Christopher Moroni reacted
08/05/2023 6:18 am
@nickies I tend to agree with that. Nothing compares to that "quality-weight" of 1/43 metal replicas but for scale accuracy, very few 1/43 metal models can compare to today's resins.
08/05/2023 9:08 am
@nickies It's not just the weight for me, it's also the sense I get that the white metal models are "built to last". They seem to be much less delicate when new, and as they age will be less prone to parts and trim pieces falling off.
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
Christopher Moroni reacted
08/05/2023 11:48 am
Nickies, Chris, Moe Parr; the three of you all have valid points regarding resin vs white metal.
This post was modified 1 year ago by Ed Davis
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Christopher Moroni and Moe Parr reacted
08/05/2023 1:24 pm
I observed that metal models don't display well with resin ones because they are less realistic.
The latest white metal models from Route 66 (since Buz bought the molds) display just as well as the latest resins....in fact, I don't mix my
white metal and resin models because it is my opinion that the white metal models are far superior to the resins,
and my white metal models get a better display area.
Christopher Moroni and John Merritt reacted
Topic starter
08/05/2023 2:31 pm
I understand many of the comments and I respect each for their opinions. For me, I have been collecting all model types, diecast, white metal & resin since I discovered this scale in earnest in 2011. In all honesty, I prefer the warmth and character of white metal models, but the crispness of resin models can't be ignored. With that, I balance my collection with all types and have from the beginning. I also display them together and other than a few exceptions, they blend well. I can't imagine my collection without one of these model types, I would be missing out on what is offered of any type if I took a more-narrow vision of my purchases.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
08/05/2023 7:09 pm
@jcarnutz Well said John. You have expressed my thoughts as well.
John Merritt reacted