There was another company that did a '65 Imperial comvertible in 1/43 scale,
called SABRA, from Israel (Sabra means "born in Israel" in Hebrew). It was a
simple model, but it captured the lines well and the scale was accurate,
whereas the Corgi model was too small (about 1/50 scale). Sabra models were
marketed in some countries under the name Cragstan. I have several 1/43
scale Imperials in my collection starting with a 1949 Crown Imperial
limousine by Western Models. Next is a '51 convertible by Brooklin, a
beautiful '55 Newport coupe by USA (a division of Motor City), and an
absolutely fantastic '56 Crown limousine by Legendary Motorcars. This highly
detailed jewel even has real wire wheels! Conquest of Holland did a trio of
'57 Imperials -- two and four door Southamptons and a convertible. Finally,
there is the outstanding '61 Custom two door Southhampton by Brooklin, soon
to be followed by a '61 convertible. Imperials from 1958 through 1968 were
modelled in 1/25 scale, either as dealer promotional models or as kits.
Ross Klein
'56 Imperial sedan, two-tone green
'78 NYB 4 dr. Golden Fawn
'Life's too short to drive 'ordinary' cars"
----- Original Message -----
From: "Melnik, Daniel T (Dan)" <dmelnik@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Melnik, Daniel T (Dan)"
<dmelnik@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 11:22 AM
Subject: RE: IML: Please Welcome San Lemkuil
> Hi Rodger & Gabby!
> Funny you should ask that question!!....I have been wondering if I
> should/should not mention to our IML members that I had an active (small,
> mail-order type) business selling model cars (mostly diecast and 90% 1/43
> scale. I say "had" as due to work/time/etc constraints I am currently now
> mostly "Inactive" as far as the business goes.....but since there are very
> few Imperial diecasts made I hesitated to mention it at all even though I
am
> sure our members, being basically 'car nuts' like I am, might be
interested
> in other types of car 'models'.......anyway, to answer your question
> regarding a '66 LeBaron model, there are a few out there (very few!)and
only
> one close to what you want that I know of. I will have to check some of my
> old catalogs to be sure but the GORGI company made a '65 convertible 1/43
> scale diecast that even came with a miniature set of golf clubs/bag. The
> color was a medium red with a white conv. top (top was down). I actually
got
> one myself some years ago for about $50.00 and it was NOT in the best of
> shape and didn't include the golf stuff. The last one I saw for sale (ebay
> is a good place to check, and I must admit I have not checkd in a year or
> two) was in VERY good condition w/golf bag, and was just over $100.00.
> Again, this was some time ago and I don't know if the diecast world has
had
> its $$$$ go down or through the roof lately. (If you do find one and you
> don't want it yourself, please let me know! ) I will do the same for you!
> There is another company that made a '58 Southampton, I believe, which was
> about $180-200.00 new (or Mint-In-Box) but I didn't spend the $$$ to get
any
> of those for resale and so have zero in my stock. Thats the ONLY ones i
know
> about. I had looked for a few years for ANY company that had a 1966
Imperial
> (any model) in diecast but had no luck. The closest I found was the Corgi
> 1965 I mentioned.
> At one time when I was into the reselling of these miniature cars, I had a
> company make a special model for us which we sold at a toy show in
LasVegas
> (at the then Bally's Hotel)....There is a minimum number of cars that a
> company will make for anyone which means you have to guarantee a minimum
> amount of $$ up front since the company obviously wants to sell them all
> immediately, and not have to wait years to sell off a 100 or 200 models.
> It's a lot more work than you might think and some 'legal' stuff is
involved
> depending on the model being made PLUS the cost of having someone make up
> the MASTER and all the pieces associated with it, in order to 'cast' the
> model pieces and then paint/assemble them all. It's actually
> fasinating-aggrivating-satisfying-stressful-rewarding, all in one.
>
> I was going to ask the old contacts at these companies if they would make
a
> model for me ( our business name was, appropriately enough, Basket Case
> Collectibles) and eventually look into having a series of JUST Imperials
> made. However, I wonder how many of these coould actually be sold to
members
> since I know that many people would rather spend their $$$ on their
> full-size cars instead of a small model.
>
> Anyway, it's something I guess I'll have to ask the entire IML and see if
> the interest is there for miniature Imperial models, and then try and
figure
> which ones to initially get made. (This may never pan out since there is a
> up-front cost of about $10-15,000.00 plus a 'master' involved in something
> like this).
>
> Since I have a few hundred diecast still in my stock I was going to
> inventory everything and hope that someone who is starting a similiar
> busines...or just a collector.....would have the $$$ to buy the whole
thing!
> Then, when I joined the IML I figured I would list all the Imperials (or
at
> least the CHRYSLERS) asap and see if any members were interested in them.
> Boy!! did I get long-winded and off the track or what????!
> Sprry!....I will keep my eyes (all 4 of them) open for a '65 Corgi
> for you!
> Regards,
> Dan Melnik /dmelnik@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > From: FltSgt@xxxxxxx[SMTP:FltSgt@xxxxxxx]
> > Reply To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 10:41 AM
> > To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: IML: Please Welcome San Lemkuil
> >
> > Stan
> >
> > I would like to have a 1/43 rd dicast 66 Le Baron. Got any leads ?
> >
> > Rodger & Gabby
> >
> >
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