New 1/24 Franklin Mint 2006 Corvette Indy Festival Car

Most folks are familiar with the Indy 500 and the race cars that compete there every Memorial Day weekend. But many may not be as cognizant of the number and array of support vehicles that also perform at the event each year. This is one of three recently commissioned Franklin Mint Corvettes by Tony Cerra of Diecast Reproductions, Inc. It is the 2006 Corvette C6 dressed out in Indy 500 Festival livery. We know about the pace cars, some may know about the safety cars. But there are many parade cars and festival cars that are pressed into varied duties. Almost as rare as pace cars, some are as beautiful and some even more so in their own right. This, to me, is such a case.

In LeMans Blue, conservatively painted with minimal graphics, yet making a bold statement, this model is striking. There’s a bold splash of red paint that sweeps the side of the car from front to rear in an elegant arch intercepting a white bullet surrounded by another broad red stripe that fades as it flows rearward. “Chevrolet” appears in that red stripe and as a banner, in white, across the windshield header. Small Chevy ‘bowties’ are seen in the white panel on the rear fender and a big white bowtie is emblazoned on the C6’s hood. Each door carries the Indy 500 logo crest, reading, “Indianapolis 500”, “90th Running” and “May 28, 2006”. TFM did a beautiful job on that tampo. Each front fender and the rear valance have additional, “Indianapolis Motor Speedway” logos adorning them.

Tony made sure that accuracy was adhered to. Don’t think of this as a repaint of the FM 2005 Indy 500 Pace Car, it’s not. It utilizes the correct three-spoke steering wheel for 2006 and full-paneled headrest ‘hoops’, unlike the Pace Car’s which houses the safety lights in each pod. The seat belts are extremely attractive as they cross each other waiting for the occupants to take a fast lap. The prerequisite extinguisher is carried over, in front of the passenger’s seat, and the inside of the convertible top has the same delightful detailing and notches that help locate the top in proper alignment when displayed on the model. Tony even thought to have the Indiana plate, reading, “2006” with Indy logo, placed on the car.

Every body fit is functionally flawless and the paint is exquisitely applied, especially considering the graphic package that goes with it. The suspension works well while keeping a proper stance when the model is sitting. Every Corvette and pace car collector needs this handsome Festival Car in his or her collection but anyone who just likes down-to-earth good looks will benefit from this low numbered limited edition diecast." - written by Tony Perrone

Pictures From D4C