Can-Do Caddy

There’s a choice to be made in collectible diecast models. On one side, there’s the delicacy and intimacy of small replicas, that in-your-palm feel that so many collectors adore. On the other is the heft and hand feel of a big, substantial piece; one that offers up its magic in hefty helpings. Danbury Mint’s 1930 Cadillac V16 Roadster is one such model. 

That magic is immediate; rendered in a large - but not overwhelmingly so - 1:12, the car’s poise and polish is exceptional, from the deeply chromed grille to the tiny handle on the rumble seat lid. Removing it from its box and putting it on display is easy; following simple extraction instructions, all that’s left is to add the twist-on radiator ornament and place the snick-on magnetically loaded hub caps onto the six (four road, two spare) wheels. 

Once on the table, the model unfolds - literally. Everything opens, including the doors, the rumble seat, and the bi-fold hood. There’s a working “golf door” on the side, and not one, but two different access hatches built into the car’s skirts; one for the mock Delco battery, and the other for the included bevy of tools and the box they reside in. You can tilt the windshield out, pose the wind wings - even flatten the whole assembly against the cowl. Imagine bombing around in a seven thousand dollar Caddy V16, circa 1930,  with the wind in your face like that.

The metallic paint and delicacy of the pinstriped finish is incredible; so finely ground is the sparkle that it seems scale correct. On my sample there were zero - truly zero - build flaws to be seen. Metal bumpers, gorgeous wheels, correctly treaded rubber tires - it all adds up to a stunning piece on display. 

Accessories are many - and very well done. There’s a full set of golf clubs in a canvas-wrapped bag; the aforementioned tools, including a jack - a static piece that will hold the axle of your choice aloft while you remove the hub cap, twist the single securing nut, and remove any of the four road wheels. Truly adventurous collectors may also remove the side mount spares, but that would involve first dismantling the strapped-on mirrors - a lot of work for no particularly good reason. 

One of the model’s true highlights is the working convertible top; it takes a little finessing, but the canvas material stretches over its bows and allows for easy latching onto the top of the windshield frame. It’s one of the smoothest, best-designed operating features I think I’ve ever seen in a manufactured scale replica; no doubt a lot of collectors share my enthusiasm. They must; this car sold out its first production run. A new wave of product is - supposedly - on its way.

Up front, no detail has been left untouched, starting with the real stainless steel hood louvers - each individually sprung and hinged, and set into the stamped metal hood panels with its own latch assembly. Opening the hood reveals a magnificent model of the beautifully enameled 452-cid narrow-angle V16; the castings are painted, textured, and fitted together so seamlessly that you expect it to run. The devil’s in the details here, with this faux beading on the radiator and cowl, steel cables running to and fro, slick little fuel bowls - actually cast to look like they’re filled with fuel - and every possible added static detail built in or onto the block. Even better, there’s a rotating fan - triggered by the rear wheels and driveshaft. Nice touch - and smoothly done, to boot. 

True to the original, the Caddy’s steering wheel works the front wheels - as well as the set of geared-in driving lights out front. There are neat woven retaining straps keeping the doors in check, as well as realistic, albeit static, shift gear and handbrake assemblies. In front of the sliding bench seat, the cabin is dominated by the metal-intensive dash and a set of readable gauges, as well as switchgear and knobs that look real - because they are real. It’s true - in the midst of all of this scale finery, Danbury Mint has managed to include sophisticated electronics and illumination - no mean feat, because they’ve managed to do so without impacting the scale finesse of the model in the least. 

In addition to the working headlights, Pilot Ray driving lights, and the lighted gauges, the car’s got honest-to-gosh working courtesy lights that add glow to the under dash area and the running boards when the doors are opened. How’s that for slick?

But that’s not the limit - not by a long shot. Tweaking the spark advance lever on the steering wheel kicks in the high beams. And, if you press down on the brake pedal, you’ll notice the brake lights getting brighter in the back.

Pick the car up - by the running boards. From the tiny crankcase vent tubes to the steel brake rods to the working driveshaft, the model’s chassis is a note-for-note replication of the V16’s tremendously strong - and just plain tremendous - frame. The attention lavished under here is a testimonial to this maker’s art - and the final note in a symphony of detail and finesse that draws the viewer in for an ever closer look - and never disappoints.

The first wave of these cars sold out almost immediately, at $495.00 a copy. - CRM

Comments   (1)