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Model Review - Franklin Mint "'Old Reliable" '40 Ford Rustbucket Pick-up
by Dirk Johnson

Franklin Mint Does It Again!

I had the good fortune of doing the first review of a Franklin Mint model car for Scale Auto Enthusiast, way back in 1987. The model was the Mercedes 500K Roadster, and the cost was about $120. For those of us with failing memories, it's good to recall that, at that time, the mid-range price market for 1/24 scale "mint" model cars did not exist. We had Bburago 1/18 and 1/24 scale models at the lower end,  as well as Brooklin and BBR-type 1/43 scale collectibles, plus Solido, Rio, etc., 1/43 scale die-cast. Beyond that, you had to go to custom-built models, which, at the high-end of several hundred dollars and up, left a huge gap between high and low prices in the marketplace.

And then along came the FRANKLIN MINT??? The doll and plate company??? With $120 model cars that were never intended to be toys, but were well-made, accurate collectibles with opening doors & hoods, engines, chassis, and even realistic interiors. And these were to be marketed to the general consumer market through wide-reach advertising. At that time, a betting man with hobby industry experience would have never bet the kind of money that it takes to make these models. After all, we model car fans were used to being called "lunatic fringe" by the model company executives. Maybe it was good that Franklin did this without industry consultation. They'd have gotten too many no's from too many people.

Of course, the rest is history. Almost overnight, model cars became the leading sales category at Franklin, and Danbury Mint was quick to follow suit. They made fools of the established model car industry by proving that the market for model car products was much, much larger than the kit aisle in the toy department at Wal-Mart. And the mints surely ushered in the explosion in die-cast that we see today. While yet another new crew of revolving-door MBA's at the kit companies have inherited the tradition of calling us adult model car fans the "lunatic fringe", and think that model cars are primarily toys for boys, the brand new die-casting companies continue to pound out ever more detailed miniature replicas of the cars that we want.

But with so much product on the market, how does the Franklin Mint distinguish itself today? By leading the way once again. Recent new products from Franklin have gone to the next step, by adding accessories and features to the basic model that enhance the collectors ability to emotionally connect with the model. Their recent Chevy Suburban includes fifties-era camping gear, with a wooden canoe. And they've made the model featured here, the "Old Reliable" work truck that we've all seen for years in our hometowns, working hard delivering parts, hauling trash, and presenting everyone with a loveable neighborhood eyesore. I call this trend "models in-context", in that the features or accessories help place the viewer into the time and place that relates to a personal experience.

So what's ground-breaking about this model? In a phrase, it's not shiny. Every other collectible die-cast model looks like it's right off the showroom floor. It's an expected part of the purchase price. You want that new car "smell", right? So, to produce a $100 model that's a primered pooch goes against the grain of the market. Is the consumer ready for this level of artistic expression, in lieu of another shiny paint job?

Let's look closely at what you get here. And that's really what's fun about this model. You have to look closely to see the tricks and details that set this model apart from it's pretty-faced cousins. First, it's obvious that the designers at Franklin Mint have been around the IPMS and other modelbuilder shows at time or two. They've borrowed some of the best weathering tricks of the top modelers, and adapted them to mass-production, which is no small feat.

Franklin started with their basic '40 Ford Pick-up, but didn't just paint it red primer and call it a beater. First, it's painted with a multi-hued base primer, which gives the model a basic "used" appearance. Also, the body casting includes subtle rough-surface "rust" along the bottom of the doors and fenders. This is overcoated with splashes of "mud", and the "Clements Auto Salvage" decal authentically represents a well-worn hand-painted sign. The model also includes additional weathering chalks that the owner can use to further add some dust and grime.

Up front, the bumper is bent, overpainted with primer, and shows chrome through scratched paint. Behind that is a busted-up grille, again, with exposed chrome under the black paint. The left headlight is missing, and the headlight wire is exposed through the body hole. Other body tricks include a missing passenger wiper, a cracked windshield and rear window, a hole where the rear view mirror is missing, a very realistic gas can, and a non-existent tailgate and rear bumper. And you only get one hubcap.

The truck bed includes a weathered engine block and manual transmission, a ball-peen hammer, a cinder block, tool box, and spare tire. All of this rests on an actual wooden bed, with oil, grime, and even a handprint!

The hood does open, and can be propped up with a scale 2 x 4 that's included with the model. The flattie engine is also weathered in a variety of paint colors, and the engine bay includes an ID plate on the firewall, an air cleaner decal, and a wired battery, with clamps.

Inside the cockpit is where this model really comes alive. All the instruments are gone, with holes in their place, and the panel wiring exposed through the speedometer hole. The orange leather seat is surface worn, and includes a big ol' duct tape repair on the passenger side, and exposed stuffing on the drivers side. You'll also find photo-reduced "magazines" that represent brand new street rod type mags. Hey, even if we drive a heap, we can still dream can't we? On the floor lies a full "six-pack" and three crushed cans, as well as an old leather and fleece earflap hat that many self-respecting Pennsylvania hunters still wear!

All in all -  this is the kind of model that many of us have seen at model shows, with all the weathering and evidence of use that make us come back for another look. Much more than just another pretty boy, Old Reliable bridges the gap between art and modeling, and brings that concept to the masses. If the first wave of mint models created a better understanding of our hobby with the general public, and made professional replica modeling more viable, then Old Reliable should help to raise the stock of the many fine diorama builders that exist in our hobby.

Congratulations once again to the Franklin Mint for leading the pack. The word we hear is that  Old Reliable is doing well. I hope so, 'cause we'd like to see where all of this might lead!

The Old reliable can be ordered directly from the Franklin Mint, below:

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