Corvette styling took a dramatic turn in 1968 when it gave up the glory that was 1963 through 1967. Those five short years garnered more love and devotion to the Sting Ray body style than anyone could then imagine. But the sixty eight departure, based, in part, on the concept Mako Shark, received new followers and old converts alike, in short order. The so-called shark-year’s took over the glory from the mid-year Corvettes. DM captured the ’68 styling and burst onto the Corvette diecast ranks like a bull in a china shop. Prior 1:24th precision ’68 Vette models were lacking in the sophistication of detailing that their British Green replica sprouted for the world to behold. With black genuine leather interior and a tan top, the rendering was awesome; still is!
So if, for the car’s 40th anniversary in 2008, you would pick a replacement color combo, what would it be? With 4779 full scale units made for sixty eight, British Green was the most popular car color for the Corvette. It barely beat out Lemans Blue at 4722 units. So what was the color least made? At only 708, Tuxedo Black accounted for the rarest of all colors that year. Seven interior colors were available for the black exterior car. How many were red, no one knows, records were not kept for that. But with a black top and matching Redline tires, oh Bubba, gimme dat car!!
To me, this is a perfect choice for a repaint, reissue, whatever you want to call it. I treasure the original model but LOVE the re-color choice. Keep in mind; this is a first-line tech model. Inner-hinge doors, working suspension, operating headlamp pods, opening tonneau deck and removable spare tire diecast. Additionally, DM built into the model a working fuel filler door and working hood prop rod. And, oh my, the detail on that magnanimous engine – all four hundred twenty seven cubic inches worth of it. DM snaked plug wires, emission hoses and lines all through this beastie!
The overall look of this model is spectacular. The paint finish on my example, hand delivered to me by one of the DM boys hisself, is to cry over. I could shave in it but why would I? I’d much rather take the time to look at it, love it and write about it. Corvette at it’s finest; DM at their best – can it get any better than this? Stay tuned and see…………….
-Tony F Perrone
