Re: [Chrysler300] New Issue-Model of C-300

["Johnl" <john@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your support on this issue and also to those many others that have replied to me.  I doubt anything will change, but I can't just sit here and let this happen without a voice.  I care to much about these cars and their heritage to be passive.  When I made contact with the model builder I was told I'd hear something soon.  Time will tell if that is to be.

Yesterday afternoon I sent an e-mail to Fairfield Mint expressing my concerns regarding this product.  If I was involved with a company that published photos with such blatant poor build quality and inaccuracy I'd be ashamed.  Once again don't know if I'll hear anything or not.  The only thing we can do if nothing changes is simply not buy the product to voice our disapproval.  Unfortunately there will be many out there who don't see it that way and will bite the hook just like a fish looking for a meal.

I knew going into this that it would not be a Danbury or Franklin quality product based on the selling price alone.  For the money I thought the Maisto offering was reasonable and they were willing and did make some changes, but not all requested by myself and my contact there.  Remember, these people are "Bean Counters" looking at the bottom line.

How could they care about the American automotive history and preserving it when they struggle simply to survive.  Unfortunately this seems to be the way the world is going now.  They all want to come to this country and reap its benefits, but along with that they want us to adapt their ways and let ours go.  If this product had been built in America it would cost tons more, but there would be something to be proud of.  

I'll get off of my soap box now,

John Lazenby
Southern California, just minutes from Disneyland
1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Town & Country
1955 Imperial Newport
1955 Chrysler C300
1956 Chrysler 300B
1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe
1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe
1963  Volkswagen Beetle


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rob kern" <robkern@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Chrysler 300 Club e-mail" <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Johnl" <john@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] New Issue-Model of C-300


> JOHN,
>     Thank you my friend for expressing my sentiments exactly regarding this 
> 1/18th reproduction.  I collect 1/25 & 1/24 scale promotional models as a 
> hobby (now have 696...all mint boxed) and in my hobby work room have a 
> collection of only very special 1/18th (gifts or models of significance that 
> I could not get in 1/25 or 1/24).  I don't have a C-300....I will wait very 
> patiently for a better model than the toy pictured from the Fairfield 
> Mint....it reminds me of the tin crap I used to stick my nose up at when a 
> kid buying toy promos by JoHan and AMT at the local department store. Those 
> distorted replica toys all said made in Japan.  How times have changed! The 
> latest from Danbury Mint....the 300B is what a model is all about....it 
> makes you salivate over having the real thing.  ROB KERN----- Original 
> Message ----- 
> From: "Johnl" <john@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Chrysler 300 Club e-mail" <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 1:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] New Issue-Model of C-300
> 
> 
> > Rich and all,
> >
> > I've been working with a model builder for sometime using our C300.  It is 
> > suppose to be out anytime and I've been asking on a regular basis.  After 
> > receiving your e-mail today I placed a call to my contact, but haven't 
> > heard anything yet.
> >
> > My hope is that the example using our C300 will be far better than what 
> > Fairfield has shown.  That is simply awful.  Not only the poor alignment 
> > of the door and side trim, but the interior makes me want to throw up!!  I 
> > noted in the photo that the grills are not portioned properly and the tail 
> > lights appear to be to large.
> >
> > Last, I think I've told you before, but the Maisto 300B is our car.  Look 
> > at the California Historical License.  They ask my permission to use it. 
> > My dream was to have someone like Danbury or Franklin do one or more of 
> > our cars, but we'll take what comes along.
> >
> > UPDATE:
> >
> > As I was writing this e-mail I received a phone call from the builder.  He 
> > thinks this is a pre production example of their model.  In no uncertain 
> > terms I expressed my very strong disapproval of what I'm seeing.  Frankly 
> > if this is what is to be I want no occasion with it.  He stated that the 
> > samples had gone back to Chrysler for approval and my comment was it was 
> > probably some person under 40 looking at it and had no idea of what was 
> > correct and incorrect.
> >
> > Also I can tell you that when Danbury did the 1958 300D of Jack Wiltse's 
> > samples sent to Jack and George Riehl (President of the Chrysler 300 Club 
> > International, Inc.) for their review.  Even when Maisto did the B from my 
> > car there were numerous meetings to get things right or at least make some 
> > improvements.  There has been virtually no comminunication with this 
> > company and me since the original meetings.  I've not named the model 
> > builder as at this point as want to give them no recognition for such a 
> > poor offering.  If the product was decent I gladly name names.
> >
> > I loaned the builder my color samples for exterior colors.  It looks like 
> > Platinum will not be released at first.  Once again a bad move in my 
> > opinion as the race cars were Platinum and it was the best seller with 
> > Black second and followed by Tango Red.
> >
> > At this time with what I've seen I can only say if this is the final 
> > product don't waste your hard earned money on it.  The general public may 
> > buy it, but hopefully 300 people have more sense than to add a sub 
> > standard example to their model collection.
> >
> > After being interested an around these cars for 50 years now and being 
> > actively involved with them for 20 years this makes me sick.
> >
> > John Lazenby
> > Southern California, just minutes from Disneyland
> > 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Town & Country
> > 1955 Imperial Newport
> > 1955 Chrysler C300
> > 1956 Chrysler 300B
> > 1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe
> > 1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe
> > 1963  Volkswagen Beetle
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>
> > To: "Chrysler 300 Club International Yahoo Server" 
> > <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 9:51 PM
> > Subject: [Chrysler300] New Issue-Model of C-300
> >
> >
> >> I have been able to collect several so-so models of my white (not
> >> Platinum, unfortunately) 1955 C-300-in various scales, but have been
> >> unable to find a 1:18 scale model.  I just received a Fairfield Mint
> >> catalog that has a 1:18 scale model of a black C-300 diecast.  They also
> >> have red and white B's, and a white over black '55 Imperial.  300's are
> >> $29.99, Imperial is $39.98--perhaps due to a little more detail
> >> work--just like the original.  Lots and lots of old and new cars,
> >> trucks, planes, tractors, crawlers, guns and figurines in the catalog.
> >>
> >> I found their website easily enough and the '55 can be viewed at:
> >>
> >> http://www.fairfieldmint.com/inventory/55_chrysler300_jn/#more
> >>
> >> Their pitch:  "The first production car with a 300 hp engine. Driven by
> >> Lee Petty, Chrysler's 1955 C300 dominated NASCAR. And created a sales
> >> sensation. Fifty years later, Chrysler's HEMI powered letter cars
> >> continue to roll off showroom floors. Now, you can own Chrysler's first
> >> letter series. Recreated with all the original's outstanding
> >> appointments. This die cast model is sure to stand out in your
> >> collection. Order today!"
> >>
> >> The pictures show the side trim lining up about as bad as on mine and
> >> the model detail doesn't look all that neat, but I'll get one anyway for
> >> our coffee table.  It does have wire wheels, wide whitewalls, no outside
> >> mirrors and no air conditioning scoops.  Now if I could just get them to
> >> offer it in real Platinum matching the club's paint samples.  I do have
> >> a Signature brand '55 Imperial and a Maisto brand 300B in 1:18 scale and
> >> they are quite nice, I think.  I recall I bought one of them at Costco
> >> for $20.  There was probably a container load of these models sent over
> >> from China and you will probably soon see them cluttering up eBay.
> >>
> >> I understand that some of our members' cars have been used as the
> >> reference for these models.  If your 300 has been used as a model, let
> >> us know.  I'd especially be interested in hearing from anyone whose 1955
> >> C-300 was the model for the Fairfield Mint model.
> >>
> >> I showed my C-300 in a local show today and was beat out by a beautiful
> >> 1949 Buick Roadmaster woodie.  A nice day in the sun sharing my car with
> >> many admirers that REMEMBER.  The Roadmaster had a small scale model of
> >> it on the dash--in a closely-matching maroon.
> >>
> >> C-300'ly,
> >> Rich Barber
> >> Brentwood, CA
> >> 1955 C-300 (love it in 1:1 scale!)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> To send a message to this group, send an email to:
> >> Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>
> >> For list server instructions, go to 
> >> http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm
> >> Yahoo! Groups Links
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To send a message to this group, send an email to:
> > Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> > For list server instructions, go to 
> > http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> To send a message to this group, send an email to:
> Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/8LmulB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/