Franklin Mint 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible - Nbr LE of 1500

This is what makes reissues (read that repaints if you must) so exciting to me. TFM first released their 1948 Chrysler T&C in 1993. Many folks thought the car was black as viewed online. In reality it is a deep Noel Green. The follow up came in 2004 in a Military Blue. Some thought it was a nicer image in the soft new color. It was a limited edition as well; only 2500 pieces were made. But this go-round, TFM chose the deep, almost maroon paint in Chrysler’s Sumac red. There is just enough red in this shade to ‘oooh’ while having the right amount of ‘ahhh’ mixed in. The car was screaming to be reissued in this color.

FM also found it in their heart to revamp the, “Town and Country” script on either side of the hood and the “Chrysler” logo in chrome metal foil. And dare I say, this is the best wood veneer appliqué I have yet to see on a 1:24th diecast model. It is perfectly oriented to the horizontal, rich, smooth and blemish-free. The trunk still has the nice little external metal hinges with the spare tucked deep inside. And the twin prop rods swivel down to hold the trunk lid aloft as you inspect the carpet-lined cavern.

The interior is still more than acceptable in this day and time and the engine still has all the detail accoutrement of the previous issues. I liked both the original offering and the limited edition but this is the one I fully favor. Thank goodness for reissues; the color makes all the difference.

-Tony F Perrone