This model of the 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible was the second release by Lane in it's range of Oldsmobile 1970-72 Cutlasses and 442's. (The first was an Indy 500 Pace Car version in white). Only 750 of this particular colour combination (Aegean Aqua with a white hood, white stripes and white interior) were made, and it was only available through Legacy Motors (the retail arm of the "Diecast Car Collectors Zone" or DCCZ). As such it was the first DCCZ limited edition in 1:18th and has since been followed up by an all black 1970 Pontiac GTO Convertible by GMP and a first generation Pontiac Firebird by Lane. For 2004 the 4th "Zone" car will be a special Shelby Mustang.
The 442s popularity peaked in 1969 (along with the Musclecar craze in general) but sales slowed down considerably in 1970 due mainly to big increases in insurance costs which prevented most young men (the target audience for most Musclecar makers) from owning them. The 1970 442s were nonetheless the best performing of the lot.
Coupes outsold convertibles by a large margin, which is a shame as the convertible 442s are possibly the most desirable to own today. Their relative rarity makes them more expensive and harder to find than an equivalent coupe 442.
Lane have done a nice job on this new line of Oldsmobiles, putting the likes of ERTL to shame generally. The convertible top can be easily removed to display the model top up or top down. The white interior looks great and both the trunk and the engine are accurately replicated. One of the few dislikes I have of this model are the tailpipes which look very plasticky, and the side stripes which are a bit flaky on my model. Also there is almost no brake detail on any of the Lane Olds models I have which is disappointing on a model of this price.
