Attention, all you Brougham-era fans: Now there’s a company making some of your very favorite cars. Witness this 1980 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham coupe. I’m sure it’s no secret that the 1977-81 B-body Pontiacs are my favorites, so you can understand my excitement when I ran across this new release from American Excellence.
Actually, the first one I saw was the brown version shown above. But when I found out there was also a Dark Red Metallic color combination, I realized that I had to get one.
American Excellence is a subdivision of NEO model cars, which is known for producing high-quality resin models of classic European cars in 1/43 scale. I particularly like their orange ’74 Volvo 145–complete with a dog sleeping in the back–but my Brougham heart beat faster at the sight of this Bonnie.
As you can see, these are exceptionally detailed models. As you might expect, they are a bit up there price-wise, but remember that they are truly limited editions of about 500 per color. And you would not believe the variety of little-seen ’70s U.S. iron…
Don’t fancy a Bonneville? How about an Imperial four-door hardtop?
For those more into FoMoCo products there is a ’77 Town Car. A Mark V, Mark VI, and ’85 Town Car are also available.
They’re not all luxury land yachts either. In addition to this baby-blue Dart Swinger, there’s a Pacer and a Mustang II Ghia! The bottom line is that if you can think of an oddball ’70s American car (meaning not a Camaro, Mustang or Firebird), chances are these guys make it. I don’t typically spend $100 on a model car, but Christmas is coming–and hopefully, there will be a dark red Bonnie Brougham under the tree come December 25.
ED: all images are from the American Excellence website.
I just can’t get behind the 1980 and up B body with the droop-snout. I understand the need to eke out a few more mpgs for CAFE, but with the possible exception of Cadillac, every one of the post-1979 B bodies was just not that great looking.
What an interesting choice of models. The 1969-71 Imperial has to be one of the least appreciated of the whole run. Of the fuseys, I always preferred the 72-73 (like the Cap’n’s). It is also interesting that they would go with a 73 Dart instead of one of the earlier pre-federal bumper versions. And did they really have to paint the Town Car that color? Boy, do I sound crabby this morning, or what? 🙂
Interesting to me how they seemingly slapped the 78-80 GP headlights on the 80 Bonny and called it good.
take a close look at the town car bumper – they have Mark V emblem on the trunk
I was about to buy one and I sent them an email about the mistake but go not reply
they do make cool cars though
I think that buttercup TC is perfect! Same with the rustish brown Bonnie, complete with Florida plate. To be really authentic a turn signal should flash nonstop. 🙂
I do like the maroon ’71, though a twisted part of me wishes it was the color of the Dart with a dark blue roof.
I was hoping for the maroon-over-paisley vinyl roof on the Imperial 🙂
The Imperial is gorgeous!!
…….then you’ll love this!
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/3375612356.html
I found it the other day when the Imperial CC appeared. I do that a lot……..search national Craigslists whenever there’s an interesting feature.
Yes Tom there really is a Santa Claus! Thanks for sharing…
Here is the link-great site-
http://www.american-excellence.com/
Areo bumpered Bonneville FTW!
I’d love the Bonne, Imperial, and Lincoln sitting on a shelf next too each other. To bad I don’t have the shelf space.
Or disposable income for glorified plastic models for that matter :/
are they made out of plastic?
Dan!
I found the perfect car for you!
You better get Paul on the phone and ask him to pick you up at the airport, as this is very close to him!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oldsmobile-Ninety-Eight-Regency-91-Olds-98-Regency-Elite-Cream-Puff-57k-Low-miles-Leather-Loaded-/160917272024?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item25776ab5d8
Lovely as the model is, that orange ’74 Volvo 145 was the worst damn car I ever owned. Certainly a let-down after an 1800S and an 1800ES. (Had to look carefully at the recent post to make sure it wasn’t mine…)
Well, there goes $900…
Nice model, my dad din’t got the 1980 2-door Canadian Parisienne but the 4-door sedan we had was a good looking car.
And still no 1966 Chryslers…. Somebody needs to introduce a new 66 Chrysler model. The old Johan ones are scarce and expensive.
Nice for 1/43! They even have a 75 Mustang II (says 74). A 73 LTD??? 71 Cougar! Some odd choices to say the least, but love ’em all!
rats! none of my 76/77 Chevelle. Oh well I’ll still keep my Rodney Dangerfield of the Chevelle line.
I have one a Neo 1972 Gran Torino Sport. It’s very good quality and detail for a 1/43, other than a the chrome grille surround being a little off. I’d reccommend these models to any collector and plan on getting a few others.
Thanks Tom!
I’ve been trying really hard to NOT think about these models.
As a card carrying member of Sajeev Mehta’s Brown Car Appreciation Society on Facebook (well, if they offered actual cards I would carry one, but I AM a member), I have to say that this too makes my heart beat a bit faster.
These were featured there a few months ago. I checked out the site, and due to sticker shock, I didn’t drain my bank account.
But man that Bonneville sure is appealing to me 🙂
Anyone remember the Chicago Bear #72 William “The Refrigerator” Perry’s 1985ish commercial for the Pontiac Parisienne (renamed Bonneville)? Looked for it on YouTube but couldn’t find it. “Plenty of room for a snack.”
Oof. They would look good with Lionel Trains, but not for those prices. How about a ’59 300 for six whole dollars?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003T13I38/ref%3Dasc_df_B003T13I382108495/%3Ftag%3Daskcom05el-20%26creative%3D394997%26creativeASIN%3DB003T13I38%26linkCode%3Dasn
You can also get an Ertl ’80 Bonneville police car if you have a Thiesen’s nearby. I got mine a month ago. Just $2.99!
Thiesens?
I’d really like to know about the Heartland Express Freightliner in the background too.
It’s like Farm & Fleet. I got mine at the one in Coralville. The closest one to the QC is in Maquoketa, about twenty miles north of Davenport, on Highway 61.
I got the Heartland truck from my cousin’s husband, who actually works for the company.
Thanks!
Might be time for a Truck Stop Classic site. After the Holidays and with permission.
Here’s a better shot of the truck.
Nope, never heard of Thiesens Back East. Are those 1/43 cars, Tom?
Nope, they’re 1/64. Theisen’s is an Iowa-only store chain.
Ah. Good for American Flyer, too small for Lionel.
Now that my namesake is high and dry for the winter, I’m itching to dig out the choo-choos. The snow here in Mass. today only adds to the mood!
Love love LOVE the ’73 Kingswood 🙂 Do you have any aerial views of your collection?
That (and the Citation) is a recent release by Johnny Lightning. I also have a Kingswood in yellow, you can kind of see it in the second picture below. And this is just a fraction of my model car collection. I might have to do a Tabletop Classic on these sometime.
Here’s a side view. I’m seriously considering getting a second one and turning it into a stock Bonneville Brougham. I think I can make the slot for the light bar look like a moonroof. I’m picturing it in maroon or navy blue.
i just noticed the Citation. Love to see more of that guy.
I’m afraid that I have already beaten you to that idea!
Many years ago I took not one, but Two of these Bonnevilles and “converted” them into regular models. One I did into a two-tone brown and gold, and the other one I changed to a solid grey color. The brown one I removed the light bar and filled it in and painted it over, so it looks like a solid sunroof.
I’ll have to dig them out and send you some pics of them.
BTW, I too have the Citation and the blue Kingswood 🙂
My conversion was decontenting a Smokey & The Bandit T/A into a Skybird. Not a real good job but it made me smile when I looked at it. I should have bought another one & made a Redbird….
That’s it..I’m going home & pulling it all out again.
Interesting. I love the vehicle selection but 1/43 is so dinky, especially for the crazy prices!
Before I was able to drive I built car models mainly the 1/24 & 1/25 scale ones. I’d get excited when an oddball make came out as the exotica was so boring.
Too bad I ruined some of these…but I still have a “Citation Turbo X”, “Mustange Cafe Racer” (1979-ish?), 1991 Grand Prix sedan (?!), 1970 Impala, ’65 Riviera, etc. boxed away in the basement. I started getting pretty good at it but quit when access to the real deal became available.
Years later I discovered “promos” on E-bay & bought all the real cheap GM stuff (like < $10 cheap) I could find. Wound up with some very nice Chevettes & a green '79 Monte Carlo!
A few years ago in Wal-Mart of all places, I saw some very nicely done 1/24 Gremlins and Ford Pintos that were actually metal — they were like $7 or $8 & the label said "Fresh Cherries". These were very well detailed & came in several colors. I have the orangish, olive greenish, & brown Pintos (with white tops!). I may even have a few Gremlins but can't remember.
The yellow Lincoln is my favorite one pictured above.
I have the Fresh Cherries Pinto in red “luxury decor group” trim with white top and red interior. They also made a ’78 LeBaron Town & Country wagon, believe it or not. I have one in medium metallic blue with tan interior.
About 3.5 years late here…but wow do I love some of the unusual models that NEO/American Excellence put out. Very expensive at $50+ for a 1/43, but there was one that I just had to get–they produce the exact twin of my Volvo 780. Correct color, interior, wheels–everything. (Of course it’s still in a box since moving…) The problem is that now I want more of them!