1965 GT350 dining room table road test

[randyc]

I'll break this into parts probably. Here we have 3 different GT350s.  Two are diecast, the main focus, and one is the Monogram GT350R.  The diecasts are the M2 and the Franklin Mint.  I bought both on eBay.  About $20 delivered for the M2 and $33 for the FM.  Neither came with their boxes or any paperwork. 

Right up front, you can see that each had a different dashboard shape, but are mostly similar in overall shape.  Can you see $100 difference in original price yet?

[randyc]

Let's start looking at details.  You can see the hood scoop shape on all 3.  Slightly different.  All in all, the plastic kit has the most detail on the body.  It is sharper in all respects.  But on the diecasts, the FM hood scoop has a tiny opening that needs to be opened up.  The M2 is better.  But the FM is booked as "fiberglass".  Plastic or not, the FM his opens the farthest and has less obtrusive hinges than the M2.  Neither sits perfectly on my examples. 

Check out the doors.  The M2 has an internal hinge; the FM has old style dog legs. M2 has the optional door mirror.  No mirror on the FM, which is correct as built by Shelby. Panels are similar in pattern, but FM has more chrome trim detailed.  FM also has interior C pillar detail where the M2 has none. 

FM has seat belts and trim on the buckets. M2 provides the parts, but not much detail painting.  You could disassemble and add these details. FM has photoetched sill plates where the M2 has none. 

 

[randyc]

Next up is The under parts.  See the engines and engine bays.  The M2 has white paint on the underside of the hood where the FM is black.  You can decide on which engine compartment is acceptable.  Both diecasts have plug wires, but the FM goes the extra mile with fuel lines, battery cables, nicely detailed oil filter.  Generally sharper details.  And you can see the box stock monogram engine bay as well. 

Trunks are also vastly different.  The M2 does include a battery in the black plastic trunk.  FM has the mat, battery with cables, and the jack.  

 

[randyc]

Chassis details are quite different.  The M2 has a diecast baseplate so the weights are similar between the two.  The FM had metal base and details are separate parts.  The FM and has working suspension. I also included a shot of my plastic 350R for comparison. 

The wheels are similar but the FM has more paint detailing.  Both have nice details.   The monogram has Torque Thrusts and big and little tires.  The FM has Goodyear's with sidewall details, where the M2 makes do with no names. 

Let's look at the details of ride height and rear quarter shapes.  The M2 sells to droop just a bit, compared to the others.  And ride height is more aggressive on the FM and Monogram. The rears stands a bit taller.  You can see the taillights are a bit different on each.  

The grilles are also different.  FM used a photoetched grill with detail behind.  M2 is a solid engraved piece, as is the Monogram. However, the headlight win goes to M2 for better lenses.  FM has separate parking lights. 

Colors:. The whites seem very similar, but the blue stripes are different.  The FM has a darker color than the M2.  I would suspect that the FM might be slightly more accurate from photos of real cars. 

I really like all 3 cars. If you want to build and detail, the Monogram is your choice.  If you want a cheaper version and can do your own detailing, M2 makes a fine piece.  The FM has its own merits.  Can't really go wrong with either one, especially on the shelf when you aren't holding it or looking at it up really close.  But even then the M2 has some details that the FM doesn't.  Pick the one you find at the price you like and enjoy the heck out of it.  

[Snake45]

Very interesting and informative. And fun, too! I'd be proud to have any of these on my shelf. Thanks for taking the time to post this! 

[Gramps46]

Excellent comparison, photos, and write up.  I am using the side mirror (M2), or lack there of (FM), to tell them apart, right?  Thank you for sharing them.

Edited January 18, 2020 by Gramps46

[Geno]

All 3 look great, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, Myself, I couldn't see paying a hundred bucks more for the FM version compared to the M2. I think it looks just as good on the shelf. JMHO though lol.?

[randyc]

1 hour ago, Gramps46 said:

Excellent comparison, photos, and write up.  I am using the side mirror (M2), or lack there of (FM), to tell them apart, right?  Thank you for sharing them.

Pretty much.  The wheels, the hood scoop, the grill.  Other than that, they are very similar if not touching. 

[randyc]

1 hour ago, Geno said:

All 3 look great, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, Myself, I couldn't see paying a hundred bucks more for the FM version compared to the M2. I think it looks just as good on the shelf. JMHO though lol.?

I agree with you completely.  And if you have modeling skills to add a little Snake Fu, then the gap really narrows.  You can really make the M2 shine with a little effort.

It all comes down to price.  I feel like I got lucky on this FM.  It is missing the radio antenna, but the M2 doesn't have one at all.  But it was cheap enough and now I have done a direct comparison. 

To me, a tightwad cheapskate, the M2 has been a fine car to have in my collection.  And as we have seen on that other site we (Geno and I) visit, M2 really does make a nicer 69 Camaro.  (I'm not sure I can mention their name here)  And there are way better 69 Chevelle's than the mint offers. 

2 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Please disregard this... I'm (Randy) a dummy sometimes and can't see how to delete while posting from my phone.   Lol

I have Johnny lightning mustangs beside my mint mustangs and I'm the only one that we been knows the difference in my house and circles. 

[randyc]

2 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Very interesting and informative. And fun, too! I'd be proud to have any of these on my shelf. Thanks for taking the time to post this! 

I like reading the things we all post on here, especially when can help each other and those that come later looking for answers.  Thank you for the articles you do as well. 

[Geno]

12 minutes ago, randyc said:

I agree with you completely.  And if you have modeling skills to add a little Snake Fu, then the gap really narrows.  You can really make the M2 shine with a little effort.

It all comes down to price.  I feel like I got lucky on this FM.  It is missing the radio antenna, but the M2 doesn't have one at all.  But it was cheap enough and now I have done a direct comparison. 

To me, a tightwad cheapskate, the M2 has been a fine car to have in my collection.  And as we have seen on that other site we (Geno and I) visit, M2 really does make a nicer 69 Camaro.  (I'm not sure I can mention their name here)  And there are way better 69 Chevelle's than the mint offers. 

I have Johnny lightning mustangs beside my mint mustangs and I'm the only one that we been knows the difference in my house and circles. 

You nailed it buddy. I'm with ya 100 %.

[Snake45]

I can tell the Johnny Lightning Mustang from an M2 blindfolded. Literally. 

Just pick them both up. 

[THarrison351]

I really like almost all the M2 cars in 1/24 scale. They look pretty good, have some variety and fit my cheapskate persona. Great review Randy!

[Geno]

6 hours ago, THarrison351 said:

I really like almost all the M2 cars in 1/24 scale. They look pretty good, have some variety and fit my cheapskate persona. Great review Randy!

Same here Tim, I'm extremely pleased with all my M2 models.