For those of us more familiar with this scale, Automodello appeared on this site initially as a 1:43rd maker. I recall helping our Forum 43 moderator, Dick Browne, load the first images into the newly prepared “Automodello” category. Dick was enthusiastic about the model and for us to be certain to load the correct logo with its accompanying mantra, “Dreams Engaged”.
I remember thinking that I wouldn’t mind seeing these little cars grow up to 1:24th scale at some point. Little did I imagine that owner, James Cowen, would go from a diminutive Griffith or Bricklin to a Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, much less start to actually produce 1:24th cars. But here it is, a new year and, a new maker of our 1:24th scale models. Jim’s first is this Phantom Corsair. In collaboration with our friend and former Franklin Mint Design Manager, Raffi Minasian, the Corsair is presented as a static masterpiece of automotive artwork. Made in resin, there are no opening doors or hood, save for the removable roof panel. Displayed on a plank, plinth, as it’s formerly called, what we see is a mirror image of the 1:1 in faithfully reproduced splendor.
Built by Rust Heinz in 1938, it was a realization of his dream concept car. Obviously his dreams were as truly engaged as Jim or Raffi’s. The car was featured as the "Flying Wombat" in the movie, "The Young in Heart" in 1938. The model comes in a beautiful presentation box with the history of the car itself and a certificate of authenticity attesting to its rarity, only 299 will be made.
•Each model has a hand-numbered certificate
•Hand painted in gloss black automotive quality paint for enduring finish
•Paint and trim hand-polished for exquisite show-winning finish
•Interior materials textured to accurate scale
•Interior gauges highly detailed
•Carpeting is flocked to scale
•Excellent fit on all door, hood, and trunk seams
•Raised chrome foil on all emblems and lettering
•Tail light lenses replicated with tinted red lenses
•Chrome-plated bumpers and trim
•Rolling wheels
•Closed resin model (hood & doors do not open)
Following, in this scale, will be a ’35 Duesenberg SJ Speedster Mormon Meteor and a ’37 Hispano-Suiza H6C Dubonnet Xenia. Get your deposits in now friends because once the word gets out on how gorgeous these models are their limited quantities won’t last. And that would be a nightmare.
-Tony F Perrone
