Brookfield Collector's Guild 1:25 1995 Dodge Intrepid ES

Promotional cars were the rage once, and while most were plastic Brookfield Collector's Guild found a way to produce both plastic and metal promotional models.  One of the first metal vehicles was the Chrysler LH sedans that were introduced in 1993 and Brookfield made all of them (except the Eagle Vision sedan).  I wanted to see how good these cars are by selecting the sporty Dodge Intrepid sedan.  I wanted a metallic red version from 1996, but that was out of my price range so I settled for this 1995 black ES model.

Chrysler was achieving success in the 1980's by building dependable and popular models that helped get the company out of bankruptcy all led by Lee Iaccoca.  By the start of the 1990's Chrysler was in turmoil again with falling sales and a big deficit, so Chrysler needed a car to boost sales in the way the Chrysler K-cars did in the 1980's.  The result was the LH cars that started with the Chrysler Portofino concept in 1987 that previewed a cab-forward sedan with power from Lamborghini (once owned by Chrysler.)  Over time the design was reinforced and created unique models across the line, and by 1992 the LH cars were ready for the public.  Dodge went for a sporty route with the Intrepid sedan that shares edgy styling with the Viper and Portofino concept, with Eagle doing the same a few years later.  Chrysler went for the sleeker Concorde design with premium luxury in mind, and since Plymouth never got the model because of its low-cost line Chrysler added another model that was higher-up than the Concorde called the New Yorker and was unique by the upright C-pillar and roof design.  Cab forward means the cabin is pulled far forward, sometimes hovering over the engine, to where the dashboard and front passenger feet meet the front wheels.  This gives the cars credible room in a small package while allowing for sleeker aerodynamics.  The front-wheel drive cars are powered by a 3.5L SOHC V6 that is longitudinally mounted and produces 210 horsepower through a 4-speed automatic transmission.  The cars proved popular and got rave reviews from journalists, spiking up sales and once again saving Chrysler.  After a successful second-generation the LH design was started to grow thin as reliability problems and the demand for a rear-wheel drive sedan mounted, and even with the Intrepid bring back Dodge to NASCAR in 2001 the LH cars were discontinued in 2004 prior to the arrival of the rear-wheel drive LX sedans.

To go all-out Brookfield created the Dodge and two Chrysler models out of die-cast metal with opening hood, trunk, and all four doors.  A pretty impressive start.  This 1995 Intrepid looks sleek in black that better hides the lower dark gray trim color (later a monochromatic option was offered) and chrome on the 5-spoke torqued wheels look better than the early silver ones.  The front has the sleek headlights with a slot grille in between, with the main grille the cross hairs below on the bumper and flanked by large round foglights to give it that Viper RT/10 look.  The sides include a nice, clean sedan profile with right-rear antenna post, rear window defroster lines, and 3.5L badges on the front doors.  The rear has a red taillight bar with center reverse lamp that also houses the Intrepid name, gills below the taillights, and a 1995 license plate.  The hood opens up show off the 3.5 V6 motor and its detailed intake runners, timing belt cover, air box, and battery, though all of it is on a flat plastic pan.  The rear trunk opens up to a spacious cargo area and also this is where the Brookfield tag is attached to the trunk hinge and nicely tucks inside the trunk.

The base underneath shows off the subframe that contours around the engine while the transmission gets a crude hole from the base support screws.  The exhaust system is a separate piece, but I had to add my own detailing to stand out from the all-black base.  All four doors open in a smooth pattern and have no obstructing hinges, though some of the doors tend to not close in well as evident by the left-rear door.  You do get detailed door panels with wood trim handles that at the front doors also feature air vents.  Front seats are supportive buckets, while the rear is a plain bench seat, and the center console houses the automatic shifter that tilts far forward than normal.  The dashboard has a nice smooth look to it that at least uses real wood details (even if it's just a tan color application) and detailed gauges and center stack controls even if they are decals.  The 2-spoke steering wheel looks old-fashion and has the radio controls mounted on them like an afterthought.  What this car does boast is more room and dual airbags even in 1993.

While not 100% perfect, it has a lot of neat features and details all done in metal for a model that no one else has done, not even now or back in 1992, making these Brookfield LH sedans in high demand for collectors.