Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro

       
 
 
Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro
Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro Packaging Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro rear corner detail Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro interior Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro engine Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro chassis Lionel Natalie Decker #23 Red Street Records 2021 Chevrolet Camaro rear

 
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Background

Natalie Decker is making her move to the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021 with new partner Red Street Records. Decker will be making her series debut for RSS Racing, managed by Reaume Brothers Racing, at the Daytona Road Course this February. Red Street Records artist Jason Crabb will adorn the hood of the No. 23 Chevrolet.

 

Packaging

The box and inner trays are the same as the 2019 box, though the colors have been changed to silver and gray. The graphics have also been updated to team Decker, with a photo of the car next to the long window, Camping World/Xfinity logos are on top and solid end of the box, and Reaume Bros Racing logos are on the top, ends, and back. The Lionel-specific graphics are all where they were before. As the primary sponsor for Decker's car isn't age restricted anywhere, the car is held in place with a pair of standard Phillips head screws.

 

Casting/Paint

As usual for a Lionel NASCAR replica, the body is die-cast metal. Only the hood is separate on this particular car, with the roof flaps and trunk lid cast as part of the main body. The casting is smooth and blemish-free, without and sign of parting seams despite the myriad curves, and the hood gaps are just about perfect. They're even all the way around, and tight enough to look like the lines around the fixed panels on the roof and trunk. The windshield, side windows, rear window, and window/trunk rail are all clear plastic, and the hood hinges are separate unpainted metal pieces. Paint is gloss white with a gloss black skirt and spoiler, and like the casting it's just about flawless. There are relatively few contingency sponsors, but every one of them is sharply printed and correctly placed.

The upper engine is a basic block with the radiator hose, valve covers, intake manifold, and belt assembly cast as one piece. The air cleaner is separate, and connects to both the engine and the widshield. The lower engine is cast as part of the one-piece chassis, with only the exhaust pipes cast as separate pieces. Paint is passable, thought neither upper or lower halves were meant to be examined closely - they're really only there to fill the space. The only paint on the chassis is the front suspension, and like the engine it's OK but nothing really spectacular. Wheels are the standard 8-hole design in black plastic with vinyl tires sporting yellow "Goodyear/Eagle" lettering.

Inside is a complete light gray roll cage with a separate shifter, seat, window net, air ducts, and fire suppression system. The dashboard has a separate steering wheel, tachometer, and rear view mirror. Like with the engine, the paint is decent but basic. For example, the gauge faces are all painted with a contrasting gloss finish but are otherwise blank.

 

Features/Accessories

The hood opens, with nice tight hinges that hold any position with no problem.

 

Accuracy

As expected, all the details appear to be correct and scaling is a good 1/24.

 

Overall

This lacks many of the fine details of the 2019 Camry, such as the opening flaps and trunk, detailed rear suspension, and fabric window net. But it's also $17 cheaper, has an excellent fit and finish, and just generally makes for a great addition to the racing collection.

 

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