Lionel 1:24 Scale 1976 Ford Torino #96 CARDINAL TRACTOR CO., Chrome w/Blue Steel

Description: Posted 27th July 2011 by Lionel NASCAR Collectables Labels: Dale Earnhardt die-cast cars NASCAR Classics NASCAR Diecast Will Cronkrite This week, the crew at LNC is excited to introduce a historic diecast that has never before been made. We're now taking pre-orders for the No. 96 Cardinal Tractors 1976 Ford Torino one of the first cars Dale Earnhardt ever raced in NASCAR and the premier issue in our new NASCAR Classics line. Each NASCAR Classics die-cast captures the roots of the sport we all love with the same painstaking detail and amazing realism that make LNC die-cast the best on the market. In the coming months, we're planning to offer a diverse array of historic cars that will give fans the chance to collect the legendary rides which were wheeled by the superstars of yesteryear. The story behind the first car in the series - the No. 96 Cardinal Tractor Ford (pictured above) - is the stuff of NASCAR legend. While we were producing the car, we caught up with the car's owner, Will Cronkrite, who still lives in the Charlotte area. Lucky for us, Cronkrite had lots of memories to share of the time he spent with Earnhardt back when the sport was relatively young. When the original driver of the No. 96 Cardinal Tractor Ford had to be scratched after a dustup with Charlotte law enforcement, Cronkrite said he found himself without a driver for one of the biggest races of the year - the 1978 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “The television news was announcing that we didn’t have a driver,” said Cronkrite. “The news gentleman didn’t get those words out of his mouth before Dale called me on the telephone and said, ‘Can I drive that car?’” Cronkrite, who at the time wore the hats of both car owner and crew chief, told Earnhardt he'd give him a shot. So later that evening, Earnhardt met him at the track for a practice run. "I'm from the old school where you do what the driver says," Cronkrite said. "A happy driver is a good driver." Which is why when Earnhardt asked Cronkrite to make major adjustments to the seat position so he could see the field better, Cronkrite didn't balk. "What has always impressed me is that he was new - but he was confident enough in his ability to ask for what he needed. Even if that meant asking me to cut up my new car." Earnhardt drove the car to a 17th place finish that first race with Cronkrite. He then drove it three more times, notching his first top 10 in NASCAR’s premier series. We hope you enjoy the first diecast car in the NASCAR Classics line, and we'll let you know about upcoming historic diecast in the next few weeks. F.Y.I. When my car arrived, the box indicated "1978 Torino". Ford discontinued the Torino name in 1976 due to the introduction of the LTD II. Since the 1976 Torino had better aerodynamics, many NASCAR teams ran them for 2 more years as allowed by the rules at that time. This car is a 1976 Torino, not a 1978. Look it up, no Torino’s were made in 1977 or 1978. This is an excellent diecast and RARE and I was proud to add it to my collection. Time to move on.Great looking and RARE, Chrome/Blue Steel Center Stripe Finish Beautifully finished with accurate markings and detailed to a very high standard. Features opening hood and trunk to show off the detail inside, as well as full engine, chassis, and interior detail Lionel produced this accurate replica of one of Dale's early rides and his first Top 10 Finish car. Take advantage of this chance to get this rare car at a great price. There are no more of these cars on the assembly line. When the present supply is gone that’s it.The body code stamped on the underside of the car reads: CU1195-21C40ECLXX-00652

Price: 285 USD

Location: Georgetown, Texas

End Time: 2024-09-22T22:36:39.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD