From pressing a chronograph pusher to watching the smooth sweep of a seconds hand, there’s something to be said about watching a mechanical object put into motion.
A model car evokes a very similar feeling. It beckons you to glide it across a table, to open its doors to get a closer look at its detailed interior and to pop the hood revealing a carbon copy engine. What’s more, there’s an element of playfulness between the two — a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. Whether it’s watches, model cars or anything vintage, it’s the tactile experience that keeps us in the moment, and it’s what we love about all analog things.
In the postwar years, automotive manufactures had a difficult time supplying their dealers with cars in every available color. Dealer promos, which were released annually just like the full-size cars they were based on, were a way for salesmen to make their pitch, even if they didn't have every color on their lot. Having these miniature creations sitting front and center on a mantel served as a constant reminder for that future automotive purchase. Plus, they surely doubled as a fun present for the kids!
This particular dealer promo model car features a mechanical friction drive and is made in likeness of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. It features a brilliant red exterior with the classic first series Thunderbird design cues, including a chrome grille and bumper guards, rear-wheel fender skirts, cream colored wheels and a signed “1957” license plate. The interior features two-tone accents complementing its charming silhouette.
Measuring approximately 7" x 2 3/4" x 1 3/4", it has more than enough presence to be eye-catching, but is equally subtle and will fit seamlessly into any display space. What’s more, this awesome vintage find includes its original packaging from the Ford dealership!
Whether purchasing as a gift or for yourself, this stunning little friction model is sure to find a good home with any classic car enthusiast with a penchant for vintage design, and offers a story - and a quality - unequaled by today's mass-produced plastic automotive ephemera!
