Danbury mint 1963 Corvette cleanup

[randyc]

So I was inspired by Gramps to get this model.  So very nice.  Found one on eBay with box, bought for $28 plus 13 shipping.  Not bad considering how much they sometimes go for.  Photos showed it missing the right rear white stripe on the tire.  Figured it would be easy to make with strip.  

Car came yesterday.  Looked it over.  Nasty Dusty.  I also remembered that these usually have a removable spare.  Hmmm, will it have the white stripe? Why yes it does.  Popped it out and into the missing groove.  Turned the tire around on the spare.  Bam! Done.  

Started cleaning.  Interior was pretty Dusty so got a couple brushes, old soft toothbrush and a paint brush I use for this purpose.  Brushed with a little mean green cleaner.  Wiped it down with pointy swab and blue paper towel.  Then swab with water on it to wipe away the residue.  Ran over the engine compartment too to get the dusties out of there.  

On to polishing.  Here is one of my polishing wheels chucked in the Moto tool.  Slow speed and light touch.  Go over car till you're happy.  Sometimes the Polish will dry, leaving a dull spot.  Wow off with moistened cloth or swab.  Keep going over it till you're satisfied. 

I also painted the exhaust.  My paint is getting thick durn it.  

Came out super.  Put it in a case that is nowhere near as sparkly as car, but I don't want to clean this one again.  Thought about selling it, but wife likes it too, so we'll hang on to it for now.  

 

[Gramps46]

Really cleaned up well and a clever solution to the tire problem.

[Sam I Am]

Beautiful!  

[randyc]

1 hour ago, Gramps46 said:

Really cleaned up well and a clever solution to the tire problem.

The diecast.org review says the tires might appear small.  They're ok I think.  How does this car compare overall to that silver FM you have?  Do you still have it, I should ask. 

[Gramps46]

Here is a comparison of the Franklin Mint Silver and the Danbury Mint Black Corvettes.

Over all the FM is larger. 

It is wider and taller and the wheels are bigger than the DM.

They both appear to be the same length however.

The FM has working suspension at all four corners while the DM only on the front.

If I had to choose to have only one I think I would go with the DM though.

[THarrison351]

Well Randy, I found my answer on how you were going to fix the missing WW stripe. Good job! Looks like new!

[randyc]

16 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Here is a comparison of the Franklin Mint Silver and the Danbury Mint Black Corvettes.

Over all the FM is larger. 

It is wider and taller and the wheels are bigger than the DM.

They both appear to be the same length however.

The FM has working suspension at all four corners while the DM only on the front.

If I had to choose to have only one I think I would go with the DM though.

Wow, the difference in tire/wheel size is evident for sure.  THe DM REAR suspension is set up to work - little coil springs buried in there, but it's just too stiff to function much.   Interresting in the overhead shot to see the difference in the shape of hte dashes.  Thanks for the comparison photos.