1932 Chevrolet Deluxe Sport Roadster Confederate

[THarrison351]

My first encounter with a 1932 Chevrolet was oddly enough a diecast and it was a roadster. My dad purchased for some reason, a bunch of Hubley diecasts back in the '70s. One of them was the 1932 Chevrolet Roadster. Now my dad only built one of the diecasts he purchased and that was a Model A Phaeton, all the rest disappeared somewhere. I still have the Phaeton packed away in a box, but I digress. Anyway's the 1932 Chevrolet was powered by the famous "Stovebolt Six" 194 cu in six-cylinder engine, able to produce 60 hp and fitted with a three-speed synchro-mesh transmission. Braking power was mechanical and at all four wheels.  General Motors’ central styling area the Art and Colour Department, provided the Confederate’s attractive styling. Many design details and styling cues of much more expensive cars were a part of the cars due to having so many former coach builders working there. Items such as tight fitting side-curtains and large side pockets in the doors were once specific items called out for custom bodies from coach builders. The little details on other more expensive GM marques such as the little chrome doors in the hood instead of louvers and and a radiator grille shaped similarly to Buick and Cadillac were incorporated. The roadster was the least expensive of all the 1932 Chevrolets, but it was also the lowest production. So, this is a Franklin Mint offering and I have to say It's one of the best detailed FM diecasts I have. The wire wheels are photo-etched and look remarkable. The engine is well detailed and complete and the chrome hood door vents open. The opening trunk is detachable and you can fold the rack. The interior is remarkably detailed and includes a small key in the ignition. There is an up top with detailed framework and the when it was new the side curtains could be attached. The vinyl has shrunk with age and they don't fit anymore. The wind wings are hinged and the cowl vent opens as well. Three accessories are included, a drivers cap, a picnic basket that opens with stuff inside, and a blanket for the people in the rumble seat. I had been looking for one of these for some time, and this one was complete, box and all and no one was bidding on it, so I got lucky. Enjoy the pictures,

[David G.]

That is well done! 

Thanks for posting the pics.

David G.

Edited February 8, 2020 by David G.

[Gramps46]

Thank you  for your up close and personal  look.  Are those side curtains with the top.  I don't think I have seen a model with them before.

[randyc]

Beautiful!  I have the blue version.  The blue ones do no have the blanket or picnic basket oddly.  Are you referring to the trunk when you say picnic basket?  Blue ones do have the trunk and I can't remember what is in it. 

But I did get a set of golf clubs to go in the rumble seat.  

That yellow is a striking image.  These are excellent models and process seem to be reasonable now.  

[Gramps46]

2 hours ago, randyc said:

 Are you referring to the trunk when you say picnic basket?  

Looks like a wicker picnic basket next to the blanket in the rumble seat in the first picture.  Pretty amazing what was included in these Mint models.

 

[THarrison351]

14 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Thank you  for your up close and personal  look.  Are those side curtains with the top.  I don't think I have seen a model with them before.

Yes, but the vinyl has shrunk and stiffened with age and the no longer fit. The tops of the doors have holes in them for the metal rods and the windshield has tiny magnets for the "snaps" on the leading edge. I'm not sure I've ever seen another diecast in this scale with removable side curtains either. I just realized if you look at the second picture, the floor mat has tiny Chevy logos in it. More incredible detail!

9 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Looks like a wicker picnic basket next to the blanket in the rumble seat in the first picture.

Yes, that's a wicker picnic basket, it opens and it has food, wine, utensils, plates and napkins in it. The trunk has towels, a rope and I'm not sure what the green item is. Maybe a wool army blanket

Edited February 9, 2020 by THarrison351

[Gramps46]

Thanks for the follow-up.  Incredible added detail.

[randyc]

15 hours ago, THarrison351 said:

Yes, but the vinyl has shrunk and stiffened with age and the no longer fit. The tops of the doors have holes in them for the metal rods and the windshield has tiny magnets for the "snaps" on the leading edge. I'm not sure I've ever seen another diecast in this scale with removable side curtains either. I just realized if you look at the second picture, the floor mat has tiny Chevy logos in it. More incredible detail!

Yes, that's a wicker picnic basket, it opens and it has food, wine, utensils, plates and napkins in it. The trunk has towels, a rope and I'm not sure what the green item is. Maybe a wool army blanket

Ok, you are correct.  I thought I had seen that.  Still not sure, but don't think the blue one had that. Thanks