When it comes to models, tried and true just might be best.

Franklin Mint's been at the top of its game for years when it comes to 1:24 collectible model cars, giving detail after detail long before some of the newer companies were even on collectors' radar screens.

And what's even better, much of its collection consists of cars available almost nowhere else in the 1:24 scale and in some cases, not available anywhere else in any scale.

One of the two I had a chance to review was a 1970 plum-colored 'Cuda hardtop, priced at $105. This car replicates an option rarely seen on the real one -- a silver finished "shaker" air cleaner protruding through the hood.

The other was a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner Coupe equipped with a 440-cubic-inch "Six Pack" V-8. I'm unaware of any other company with a die-cast version in 1:24 scale. Franklin also has a yellow '71 Road Runner model equipped with a 426-cubic-inch Hemi engine. Both are limited editions, but the 440 version is rarer, with only 5,000 replicas available. They are priced at $120.

Both the 'Cuda and the Road Runner had full-engine detailing, including wiring and plumbing, carefully detailed interiors with readable gauges, opening doors and trunks, and highly detailed undercarriages.

On the Road Runner, you can't help but notice the chrome exhaust tips with yellow orange markings on the sides, similar to the real car. The car also is equipped with skinny tires -- just like those that came from the factory. Thick, large tires seen on restored cars these days don't duplicate the original look.

There were only two features that were in error: The undercarriage of Mopar cars always had overspray on them from the body paint -- they were not painted flat black as is shown on the Road Runner and the 'Cuda models; second, the wood detail inside the Road Runner is too yellow in tone.

As for the 'Cuda, it was equally enticing, with the popular Plum Crazy color that is awfully hard to duplicate accurately, judging from the wealth of models painted that shade -- and wrongly so. But Franklin Mint nails it perfectly, and that alone is worth the price of admission.

The neat thing about this car is that Franklin depicted some rare options on this replica, including the aforementioned hood scoop. These include the hockey stick-shaped pin stripes, a white vinyl roof and fog lamps among other features.

Somehow, the roof's proportions seemed just a bit off from the real car, and the rear fenders sit a bit too high up, exposing a bit more of the tires than you'd seen under the wheel wells in the real car. But it's still a beautiful rendition, worthy of a place in your collection.

Both of these are exemplary models, and demonstrate amply why Franklin Mint still is at the top of its model car game.

For more information, go to www.franklinmint.com.