I give Franklin Mint some well earned credit on the reissue of their ’55 Vette. Besides being a limited edition and carrying a gorgeous paint scheme, only 15 Corvettes were painted in Copper for 1955, they also updated their engine compartment, the first V-8 for Corvette. Admittedly, not in the same league as a current Danbury Corvette, the image is still quite pleasant to own.

Franklin added vacuum lines, plug wiring, though not as delicately scaled as they could be these days, and ran fluid lines to enhance the engine compartment dramatically. The interior is a different color, a more yellow cast to it than the beige seating and dash of the previous model. The only color offered for this car in Copper was dark beige so I’m not certain which is the more correct. In this model, however, the color looks better than the lighter beige would have. This is the only one of the first three Corvettes that FM added a top too and it is offered with this model as well. It is the same light beige as the former replica.

Although old tech-based, the color choice and upgraded engine make this a pretty little collectible. Issue price is $115.

-Tony Perrone