As we go through life, there are certain memories that stick with us so vividly, it seems like they happened just yesterday. For Ronald Gulliford of Findlay, Ohio, it''s the time he spent cruising the Jersey shore in his ''57 Chrysler 300 Convertible."I was in the service then stationed at Fort Dix, and have many fond memories of my time spent in that car," he says. In addition to the sentimental value the car has for the retired architectural draftsman, there''s another reason why it''s so special. "Quite simply, I think it''s the most beautiful American car of any era."
Now that he''s retired, Gulliford would like nothing more than to get behind the wheel of one again, but the $100,000 price tag it carries today is too steep.
"A lot of American men, baby boomers in particular, are finding themselves in the same boat. But instead of letting go of their dreams altogether, they''re investing in die-cast models of their favorite vehicles and putting them on display," says Gwynne Gorr, Vice President of Marketing for The Franklin Mint, one of the nation''s leading manufacturers of die-cast classic cars.
Gulliford''s miniature ''57 Chrysler 300 and models of about a dozen other classic muscle cars he treasures are on display across his fireplace mantle. Each car is an exact replica of the original, right down to the placement of the engine and exact paint colors used by the manufacturer.
"I consider The Franklin Mint''s level of craftsmanship and the attention to detail amazing. They really do go out of their way to ensure that everything is accurate," says Gulliford.
"There is no denying that at Franklin Mint Precision Models we are determined to keep automotive history alive," says Gorr.
The Franklin Mint offers hundreds of unique die-cast models. Log on to www.franklintmint.com to view an online catalog.
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