1911 Marmon Wasp 100th Anniversary Ed.

Franklin Mint Diecast Model 1/43

Franklin Mint made this model as 100th Anniversary Edition Winner of Inaugural Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

The inaugural Indianapolis 500 was in 1911 on the 2 ½-mile brick-covered oval and all the cars, save one, featured a riding mechanic. The lone wolf was Ray Harroun, a successful racer for Marmon, a car company located in Indianapolis, a thriving car building area in the early 1900s. Harroun won a preliminary race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a year earlier and retired after becoming national driving champ.

He came out of retirement for the 1911 race and drove the Marmon Wasp, a racer not far removed from the production Marmons. Harroun figured that a lighter car with one passenger, averaging 75 mph, would be easier on tires and more efficient, and more likely to win. History proved him correct — he only had to change 4 tires in the race (tire-changing then took a LOT of time) and led 88 of the 200 laps after starting 28thamong 40 starters.

Prior to the race, other drivers complained that Harroun needed a riding mechanic to watch for upcoming cars, so he created a rearview mirror. Legend has it this was the first rearview mirror on a car, but that has been disputed. Still, it’s a unique feature of the Wasp.

Cars were simple in 1911, but still this model delivers highly detailed features.

Its shape, right down to its stinger-like pointed tail with tall number placard standing upright like a shark fin, is perfect. That tail is really rather conical, and Franklin Mint has finished its indentation in black to give the Wasp a well finished appearance from the rear.

Working forward, the rear leaf springs are enormous and well cast. Just above that is the gas tank, attached with two black straps as on the original, and two winged gas filler caps in black plastic, but in a matte finish. Under the car is the big differential, with detailed bolts and drain plug.

The cockpit includes a well molded black seat . The steering wheel is large, as they all were in the day, with four spokes and a molded bolt cap at the hub’s center. Brake and shift levers sit just outside the cockpit and feature appropriate handles.

Directly in front of the driver is the famous rearview mirror on four struts and featuring a mirrored surface for added realism.

The hood features exhaust holes on the left side. A black strap with buckle holds it in place, and there is detailed red pinstriping and black trim here and all across the racer’s body, replicating the car as it appears today at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum in Indy.

You also can see the steering box and how it connects via an external steering arm that goes to the front wheels. There are black leaf springs up front, and I love the black grille with Marmon logo and No. 32 emblazoned on the grille’s face.

The Wasp’s giant yellow wheel hubs also appear to be plastic, with molded-in bolts and the thin black rubber tires that passed for race tires in the day.

The model in a bright school bus yellow paint job (again as the car now appears in the museum), creates a stunning display. The fine paint job, along with the red and black trim lines, makes it all the more spectacular under close inspection.

Limited edition 2 500 pcs.