Introduction: This car ranks as one of my favorite models, both because of the subject matter and because it's executed wonderfully. However, if you are in the market for one be very careful with your inspection before purchase. Either have the seller look the car over carefully, or make sure the seller offers a return/exchange policy. I ordered 2 of these cars from Legacy Motors, and both came with tiny paint blisters, at least 8-10 per car. One even had some grey crust on the passenger door. After posting to various message boards, and contacting Lane, it appears that I was not alone in encountering quality control problems. The most frequently cited issues are paint blisters (looks like dust under the paint, very tiny), chipped paint on rear lid, missing center emblems on wheels, and wobbly tires. I know this doesn't sound so wonderful, but if you don't mind doing a little pre-purchase homework, the car itself is outstanding and worth coming up with a nice one. Legacy Motors replaced mine without problems, even doing a personal inspection for me. So I ended up with a perfect car, which is a proud part of my collection.
Highs: As you probably know from reading other reviews of mine, paint quality is important to me. I want my cars to look authentic, not like toys. Lane introduced a new level of paint quality with the Maize Firebird...the best way to describe it is to call it the "wet-look", meaning it looks so glossy and smooth that it almost looks like fresh, wet paint. Another way to describe it is to say it looks like nail polish...thick, glossy, lustrous. No other model in my collection has paint like this, so it sets the standard in my collection. I also happen to like the Maize color, though that's simply personal preference. Other highlights are the fit and finish...tight panel gaps, solid feel, and excellent build quality. Engine is gorgeous, and the interior looks like you could climb in and drive the car away. Authentic-look steering wheel, seat belts, gauges, door detail, it's all there. Trunk opens to reveal authentic spare tire with jack, and operating instructions decal on lid. Pontiac emblems also fantastic, they're realistic 3D emblems, not stickers. Great chrome work, something you can't take for granted (Highway 61, are you listening?).
Lows: Once you get past the fear of quality control problems, or the effort to acquire a good one, you'll be happy. Some have said that the car doesn't sit exactly right, and may be a little high in the rear, but I can't confirm that from personal experience. The doors do fit tight, and open and close nicely, but the hinges, while a new Lane design, still aren't as nice as those found on Autoart's Nissan 350Z or the latest cars from Minichamps. The doors don't click into place the way they do on Ertl's P100 models, either, so there's still room for improvement.
Summary: Don't let my quality control problems scare you...the model is excellent, easily Lane's best to-date. They put a great deal of time, effort, and research into this piece, and it shows all around. I'm happy with mine, and can easily recommend it to others if you're interested in old Pontiacs.
It's still interesting to note, however, that this model cost me $100, and will likely cost the average person at least $70 to acquire off ebay. And as excellent as it is, and as happy with it as I am, the Precision 100 models are still nicer overall and for less money. Check my reviews for looks at the P100 Thunderbolt, 1937 Mercury Zephyr, and 1957 Chrysler 300C.
