Models can take you down Memory Lane.

In 1961, I was a diehard car nut. I had purchased Motor Trend's annual new-car issue, so I knew that General Motors had down-sized all of its cars and had come up with exciting new looks.

My favorite turned out to be the all-new Chevy Impala. My cousin bought a dark blue '61 Impala four-door hardtop, and I thought it was one of the prettiest cars I'd ever seen.

It was nothing like the nondescript green and white 1960 Chevy Biscayne two-door sedan that my dad purchased. (I had begged him to buy the 1960 Impala convertible nearby on the showroom floor).

But the '61 Impala? With its colorful interior, quiet ride, fin-less good looks and smaller size, it seemed like a car of the future.

When I took one look at West Coast Precision Diecast Models' beautiful 1961 Impala hardtop, all those memories came flooding back. It may not have been the four-door hardtop of my dreams, but it sure made up for it.

West Coast Precision Diecast keeps getting better with each of its releases, and this one is no exception. It has doors, hood, trunk and glove box that open, along with all of the chrome trim and soft carpet that I remembered from the Impala that my cousin drove.

Because this model replicates the SS, you'll see a floor-mounted manual gear shift and that huge V-8 engine under the hood with all of its labels, hoses and pipes in place. Underneath the car, you'll see a highly detailed chassis with infinitely detailed brake and fuel lines, a dual exhaust system and other highlights.

West Coast Precision Diecast wisely provides an "owners manual" with the model, telling you how to take care of it and how to handle all of the intricate working features. It also includes a brief history of the Impala.

My suggestion to those who buy this model is to find a display case and put it aside. Don't even think of handling all of the pieces without taking the utmost care. Though they all worked flawlessly, I still think too much handling could prove disastrous.

There's another reason why I counsel caution: West Coast Precision Diecast Model replicas are highly prized, and given their limited production, I expect them to increase dramatically in value as the models are sold out. Why risk damaging their value by accidentally breaking some feature?

I really couldn't find any problems with this model. The proportions are accurate, the fabrics and materials accurately portrayed, and all of the stickers and labels on the engine and mechanical equipment are as they should be based on the research I've done.

If you've got about $150 to spend on a model, this one's well worth considering. For more information, go to the company's Web site at www.wcpdi.com.