Stock# 18143
Collector# 637

CB's Die Cast Review: February 6, 1998

1998 First Editions #1 
Escort Rally

All right fellow enthusiasts, the rumors stop here and now.  The Escort Rally is a newly-tooled car, not a Corgi nor Matchbox re-issue.  And, it's a neatly-tooled model at that.  This Malaysian-made item, based on the 1996-version of the Ford Rally racer, is the first release in the '98 First Editions line.

The body is painted in pearl white, with the nose masked in medium blue metallic, and sits on the gray plastic chassis riding on small chrome lace wheels.  The detailed interior and roll bars are molded in red plastic, while the plastic windows and spoiler are a smoke-tinted color.  The body detail and relief are very clean, while the intricate five-color graphics are neatly tampoed on the car front and sides.  The HW logo adorns both back fenders behind the rear wheels.  Of interesting note is that on the driver side, "monte carlo" is printed in silver on the black stripe under the door, while it is missing on the passenger side.  The chassis detail is moderate.

This is a very nice model, with a lot of detail.  It's a good start for the 30th Anniversary-year First Editions.