This is the ninth special FM car, now termed as the "2004 Annual Automotive Festival" Limited Edition Model, formerly known as the Pebble Beach collection. One of the earliest examples of the now famous marque, Porsche, you either hated or loved the inverted bathtub 356. The Speedster version of the 356 was the berries for 1955. With its 1500cc engine and short rakish windscreen, it was at once racy and exotic. But with that body shape it was either love or hate at first sight.

FM’s little speed demon has been somewhat under-appreciated. Almost never discussed in modeling circles it had seemed to be the outcast diecast. Now out of production, the Signal Red Speedster had been around since January of 1996. Not one to create much fanfare, it wasn’t as strongly heralded for its then high tech features as some of the other, more popular, models of the period. Thank goodness there has been a reprieve in the form of this limited edition. Based entirely on the red replica, this is strictly a repaint to glossy black with a change from black interior, with red piping on either side of each seat, to the creamy tan interior with beige up-top and separate boot. And yes, today’s tech is found on yesterday’s image, right where FM left it initially in ’96.

Ahead of its time, this petite Porsche featured working suspension on genuine springs, front and rear, and operational shocks under the rear transaxle housing. Brake lines are easily visible and metal exhaust tips were used for an added dose of detail, unexpected in the mid ‘90s. The use of photo-etched parts was a mild breakthrough back then. So the wipers, headlamp stone guards and rear hood grill-panel air intake made good exhibition of them. Up front, under the bonnet, you will see the spare tire held in place with genuine leather to simulate a tie-down strap along with a photo-etch buckle. Not until June of 1999, when FM released their little doll baby 1924 Bugatti Type 35, did such items make the mainstream of diecast fabrication. And although the twin carbs, due to the model kit-look of the plastic air filters, appear less than ideal, it doesn’t distract too badly from the engine bay and its detail. Plug wiring is in position and metal fuel lines were used; way before their time in diecast making.

This is a very pleasing little European runabout that should be high on any sports car fan’s list. The issue price is $155.

-Tony Perrone