Thunderbird Diecast Blog

Stay safe and warm with loved ones this weekend.

Updated the Continental page with one of the Model Power new models.

Recently added a new page to my diecasts lists. Though not a Thunderbird, I do have an interest in the Mark II and have sporadically added to my scale models of it. The page is still in its infancy while I come across the old packed models and check out some resources in the old LCOC magazines that discussed scale models of the Mark II.

Mark II Scale models

Several Hard Rock Cafes around the world have issued a classic thunderbird pin at one time or other.  I have seen them from Spain and Sweden.  Have never found one for myself.  However, received an early Christmas present in the mail yesterday, from a friend, who sent me a pin from the Hard Rock Cafe in Biloxi, Mississippi.  It was a 2008 issue.  It’s of a blue 1957 Thunderbird.  Photo is on the collectible list on this site.

Waited well over a year for this 1/64 scale model to be released and it finally showed up on the market at Walmart this week. It’s color is 02 Thunderbird blue and is in a 5-pak.

This model was originally designed back in 1999 but didn’t get approval from Ford at the time.  Maisto went to Ford again in the fall of 2008 and asked for approval again and this time Ford gave them a positive nod.  This is the FIRST diecast of the retrobird that will make it into the hands of children (as long as the collectors leave some behind on the shelves) to actually play with.  There have been others in this size range but not on the mass market here in the states so  those have mostly found their way into the hands of collectors.  We could say that Maisto has scored a coupe over Matchbox and Hot Wheels and JL, though Matchbox did have a collector’s edition of the car but not in this price range of $1.  Matchbox did not pursue coming out with a less expensive version though they did have one designed.

Update January 22, 2010 – Steve Legel reported that the Maisto model is now being found in single packs.  Those haven’t shown up yet in my local search area.

Received an email from Durham Classics today that announced a coming edition of their 1954 preproduction model of the 55 Ford Thunderbird. This one has the Fairlane stripe on it. 3 will be 2-tone colors, and one will be solid. Each color will be limited to 60 models. They’re also coming out with a 1954 Ford Country Sedan (station wagon). You’ll find the link to their site on the diecast homepage.

Worked last night on getting photos of the current Lemax 55 “sports car” on the site. Special thanks to Marty for sending me good clear photos of the model.
Also working on an addition to the Ford station wagon page in the Thunderbird Etc… pages, adding in a list of scale models of the 57 Ford wagon.  Plus a new page in the scale models for Continental Mark II models.  Yes, branching out some to cover some of the other scale models I have on hand.