Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo

       
 
 
Made By:
Motorsports Authentics
Scale:
1/24
MSRP:
$60
Overview:
Packaging (Design):9/10
Packaging (Durability):10/10
Casting (Body):9/10
Casting (Interior):8/10
Casting (Chassis):9/10
Casting (Engine):8/10
Paint (Exterior):10/10
Paint (Interior):8/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):8/10
Overall Panel Fit:9/10
Total Score:8.8/10

 
Buy this car at eBay
Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo
Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo Packaging Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo Hood Underside Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo Seat Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo Engine Bottom Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo Roof Motorsports Authentics Jean Girard #55 Perrier Monte Carlo Brake Detail

 
Buy this car at eBay

NOTE: This is a repaint of an existing model, and this review will focus on the changes made between the cars. You can see the original review for more details.

Background

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was the second film in Will Ferrell's Mediocre American Man Trilogy (after Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy). The film's antagonist was Jean Girard, who drove this Perrier-sponsored #55 Monte Carlo.

 

Packaging

Action Collectibles uses shoebox packaging with a lift-off shell and a two part foam tray. The box is very dramatic, with the Action logo, "Jean Girard," "Movie Paint Scheme," car number, and movie title on the front, back, and top panels. The front and back panels also include the "Officially Licensed NASCAR" logo and Action Collectibles tagline. The box top has a retouched photo of the model, "Jean Girard" signature, and "1:24-Scale Stock Car Limited Edition Adult Collectible." The graphics are color-keyed to match the car inside, which is a very nice touch. One end panel has the two-digit year the replica was issued (06), Action "A" logo and website, barcode, and a silver sticker that includes the driver name, car number, sponsor, car type, edition size (1500), and part number. The other end panel is much simpler, with only the Action and Action "A" logos and copyright information. The bottom of the box has a standard boilerplate that covers all of the cars offered by Motorsports Authentics/Action.

 

Casting/Paint

As with the Wonder Bread racer, the Perrier car used the contemporary Monte Carlo. The only difference between the cars is the exterior paint job. The Perrier car isn't quite as clean as the other cars in the series, with more obvious layering between the colors and several small chips around the roof flaps. It doesn't look bad from a distance, but comapred to the other Talladega Nights racers it's definitely a step down.

 

Features/Accessories

The hood, trunk, and roof flaps all open. The hood hinges are stiff enough to hold any angle, while the trunk hinges have a tab to hold the open position once you raise the lid far enough. The roof flaps are on loose hinges, but open far enough that they will stay open. The front suspension is sprung, with well-hidden hinges that do not detract from the look of the chassis. Finally, the front wheels are posable and tied to the steering wheel via a thin metal rod.

 

Accuracy

All the details appear to be correct, right down to the roof flaps (which use a two-tab hinge design like the 1:1 car). Scaling is a good 1/24.

 

Overall

It's unfortunate that the paint is lacking, though the fact that this was the only bad one in the series makes me thing that I may have just gotten a bad example. Whether or not you buy this will likely depend on if you have the other cars in the series...it likely won't be the only one you buy, but if you have the others then you might as well finish the set. Mildly recommended.

 

Have a question, comment, or criticism about this review?
Send me an e-mail with your thoughts!