Maisto 1:24 1995 Ford Explorer

One of the U.S. most successful SUV’s in the 1990’s was the Ford Explorer. The Explorer started life as a Bronco II, a two-door SUV based on the Ranger platform intended as a smaller version of the larger Bronco. In 1991 the Explorer debut with four doors and improved styling to look more urban and less rugged; in 1995 the Explorer got a full redesign to separate itself more from the Ranger pickup with rounder curves, improved dashboard with dual airbags, and more engines including a SOHC V6 and the first V8 for the Explorer. Sales continued to increase despite an unexpected rollover recall on the Firestone tires at the turn of the century; today the Explorer continues now as a front-wheel drive unibody shared with the Taurus, but by 2020 returns to rear-wheel drive.

Maisto was a leader when they introduced the Ford Explorer in 1993 after a deal with Eddie Bauer launched a new line of 1:24 scale SUV’s and pickups (the F-150) in the new Maisto 1:24 scale line. I remember seeing this Explorer even displayed at a Sharper Image of all places alongside the pricier diecast models! In 1995 I was surprised to see the Explorer again, but this time with the all-new 1995 bodystyle and had both the 1995 Eddie Bauer in brown and the 1993 in dark green. I have sold both of them off, including a two-door Sport from Motormax (still being released as of today), but rekindled with this 1995 in a rare format: Unlike the Eddie Bauer trim models this one has the Sport trim in blue with black front and rear bumpers for a more rugged look, and this variation is not as common as the Eddie Bauer models. Since we are on rareness that gave me the opportunity to create another rare variant on the real Explorer: a 5-speed manual transmission, a transmission common on the two-doors and offered on the four-door’s for a brief while though not as common. The front has a large open grille with bars and Ford logo, large round headlights with signal lights surrounding the lamps (using a silver sharpie to color the headlight lens covers up the visible tab and mounting holes), a lower bumper with round center scoop blocked by the Explorer license plate, and foglights just below. On the sides the SUV profile has rounded windows compared to the 1993, flared fenders, gold stripe, and 3-spoke oval wheels on the first use of rubber tires (before then Maisto made the tires all-plastic), while at the rear is the rounded tri-taillights, large center high mounted stop light, Explorer badges, and T-handle for the window/hatch opening.

On the roof the roof rack is more precise with detailed twist knobs to lock the horizontal bars in place and a new sunroof, while the base shows a detailed chassis with ladder frame, engine and transmission, driveshaft, exhaust system, spare tire with detailed rim, and front suspension that still shows the twin I-beam setup (it was changed to independent control arm front in 1995). The front wheels do steer, though the steering wheel is the same one as the 1993 model instead of the new 1995 4-spoke with airbag, and as you can see adding some trim and lighting detail to the exterior really enhances the look of this truck, which I think looks more better and rugged than the chrome bumper, two-tone Eddie Bauer models. Inside the dashboard is upgraded with new gauge cluster, center stack for radio and HVAC controls, a twist knob to shift the transfer case, and a passenger-side airbag. Door panels are still based on the 1993 model, as are the front seats with a center console that now stretches to the dashboard with an information center; that was covered up in order to place the shifter for the 5-speed manual. The rear bench lacks the headrests of the 1995 model, yet here’s the fun part: that rear bench seat can fold down and increase the cargo area. With the rear windows open, just flip the bottom cushion up and then fold the back part down to increase the already spacious cargo area. How spacious? You can fit one, even two 1:64 diecast cars in there! It’s the stuff like this that made Maisto popular: unique models with cool working features, and while Maisto has tried this again with the Explorer-based Sport Trac in 2001 and its working bed extender it has ended after that. With a more rugged look and 5-speed manual this Ford Explorer is a rare unicorn among the many others.

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