1/64 Scale III

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

After 18 pages,I thought of refreshing this thread.The original 1/64 scale models is for manufacturer/model listings only,and still 'fresh'.

Now,to the topic:

As the releases of Reel Rides came foward,questions about its realism and size were raised (not only the 1/87 scaled ones,but the ones in 1/64 as well). The main target,Plymouth GTX,was labeled as too large for 1/64,while the Porsche 356 has the right 1/64 scale size (instead of being the same size as say,the Pontiac GTO). Since they have an active site now,and a forum,these points were brought out and they complied that the new releases will be 'exactly' 1/64.

Some call 'packaging fit',but in reality,is a question of detailing.Mini Cars,such as the BMW Isetta,in 1/64 scale,will be a very small item,close to HO size and probably no much detailing could be added to it on a metal casting;hence,these vehicles are molded to close of 1/48 scale or so;the same applies to vehicles such as Honda N and other mini cars.Small cars,such as the Kias,Corollas and else approach 1/55 scale;mid size will be the time of the day in 1/64;and full size vehicles will be released in 1/76 scale for,if bigger,it will not fit the 'standard' packaging.

For many decades,since Matchbox made a revolution on the diecast scene,this was the routine.Volkswagens sized as a Plymouth Fury.But,on the late 1980's and 1990's,specialization also hit the 1/64 arena,and modelers such as Minichamps,albeit it did 1/64 scaled cars for a short while,hit that point,for its FIAT 500 is a very small item,and as of now,Auto Art makes their cars at the right size (one can notice that their small cars are actually smaller that the ones from their competition).

At Wal Mart (they been mentioned a lot lately,do not they?) they had their own brand of cars (mostly Japanese models) in 2003,but as Malibu,their site did not worked.The cars were at 1/55 range and are no longer made (or seen at the store). There is another brand,Foose,and the cars are also close to 1/55 scale or larger.Alas,this is a popular size,not only for Siku,but other modelers as well,but based on what was said above.JADA Toys models are also on the big side (but their full sized cars are 1/64 - good news!!) and most of the collectors are vocal about it.If one looks at the Wal Mart pegas,will notice that even the Malibu-sourced cars (not Reel Rides) are on the 1/50 scale range (including a very nice Bel Air 1953 which had good reviews from the diecast collectors) but 1/64 scale markings are on the package,making it,at most an anomaly.Even Motormax follow these rules,for their Hornet is larger than it should be.

Playing Mantis,with the Johnny Lightning range,came close to it,but there were short or longer models as well,their Hornet is right,however.Now,they are a brand from RC2,which since they have problems,do not know what to do with it and the Johnny is plagued with high prices and irregular line up and is not as seen in the stores any longer.

Some started as model copying manufacturers,such as Welly and Realtoy.But their castings,as of now,are top quality and offered as non-premimum prices (if found).The late Realtoys have a declared scale and an astonishing detail for its $ .89 price,but again,preference to large scales are given. This way,Auto Art,Malibu (if it keeps its promises) and some of the Playing Mantis are true 1/64 scale manufacturers (i.e.,the majority of their castings are or close to 1/64).

And I am not forgetting Bill's comments: the lenght may be right,but their widht is not,neither is the height,and so on.In this case,I take in consideration the lenght and downplay a tad the other details.Also,as I buy the castings,I separate them accordingly by the scale they really are and keep hoping that such and such model graduates to 'real' 1/64.In the end,1/50-1/55 scale have also good variety of vehicles,and that is also a fact.

So this is how it works on the diecast arena.There is hope that,since specializaion is also hitting the 1/64 scale models,more manufacturers may do effort,in order to bring more costumers,for there is another fact in there: they are less buyers up there,and the stores are diminishing their diecast alleys.The next year will tell what will happen.I have hopes on Motormax and Malibu;Welly and Realtoy seem to be retracting,and Yat Ming is still bringing a surprise or two.Johnny Lightning may be seeing its last days.And so on.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

There are already enquires about the future of diecasting.In 2007,the following is happening:

1. RC2 retired the Racing Champions brand and is unsure how to handle the Johnny Lightning brand (it will part of a kiddie series). ERTL,at first was also reported as DOA,but nowwill be modeling Tractors only (that was their main range,anyhow.This is good news - that this brand was not put to rest).

2.Majorette was sold to MGA,and the future of the brand is as of now unknown.Alas,is not the first time that either Solido or Majorette ran onto problems. Hopefully,the 200 and 300 series,Majorette's main ones,do not get canceled. Interesting - and unique to three inch - were released as of late,such as the Nissan Murano and Toyota Prius.

3.Biante was also sold,and its future is also unknown.This Australian Manufacturer made its quota of Holdens and Ford AUS Vehicles in three inch and 1/43 scales,and this was a top brand;let's hope that its former activities continues.

4.Welly seems not very active;the new models seem at the Nuremberg Toy Fair were the same which were announced for 2006.Realtoy,after releasing some spetacular models as far the price is concerned,still to have come to a standstill as well.

5.Schuco discontinued its three inch range;reportedly,it was a poor seller.Perhaps,as it was stated,because these same models existed as High Speed and other brands.

6.Zinc prices are up,and so are the costs of licencing,shipping and others.This is the major focus of the problem,and is even suggested that the models may be made out of plastic instead of metal.

It is like the times of 1982,when the major brands either disappeared or got bought by other manufacturers,yet the hobby prevailed.Is to be seen what will happen now,because the costumer base is also smaller.Only time will tell.There were some victims already;to be seen,on an year period,what else will develop.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

On the News:The Station Wagons are Coming!!

Last Year Maisto molded a Chevrolet Wagon 1962 (I did not managed to see it yet,but it exists). This Year,is the turn of the Motormax offering,which been mentioned before in here.And that puppy will be in two sizes: 1/24 and 1/64.

More? Yeah,I know,Atlas Fairmont Wagon,but that is HO.

At first it was a rumour,but now is confirmed: RC2,with its Johhny Lightning division,will release a Chevrolet Wagon from 1973,and as the Chrysler Wagons from that period,these were true beasts.Oh,yes,yes,yes - more,please,more (perhaps a Chrysler Wagon 1974,why not?). For me,is just delight galore,and these news are well received among the diecast collectors. More details as these materialize.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

As it been stated, Maisto's Transit Authority been discontinued in 2005 and some of the items which were molded at that year are difficult/near impossible to find.

The series which which replaced the Transit Authority now is called Fresh Metal.It been the case with several manufacturers,and Maisto's site does not list this new series.Hence,what is new is learned by what is heard. Some of the new castings are:

Dodge Caliber R/T 2006
Jaguar S-Type (X250) 2008
Toyota FJ Cruiser 2006
Volvo XC90 2005
Volvo C70 2006

Interesting models, and I hope that these have an interior. Probably not,for these are Maisto's basement range.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

It took me a while to get it,and yesterday I looked at it with a lens,and can say I am impressed.

One can say that Matchbox really did turned around in its current strategy and they are bringing quite well detailed replicas for the price (perhpas they paid atention to either Motormax or Realtoy). Case in point: Volkswagen Beetle 1962. The new,orange painted version has all the details I remember from the real car,including the small grilles which are behind the front bumper (also has a California licence plate from the 1960's). Mattel,after their fiasco from 2004, are now treating Matchbox as their 'realistic car division,but some trucks and the City Bus are still being made as generic items.

Ron Ward,MAR's editor,also stated that some long-time 1/43 scale collectors are now paying attention to what is mentioned as three inch vehicles (thanks mostly to Norev,because their small-scale cars are also very realistic).

A good amount of new makers appeared. Greenlight are masterpieces,and their Chevrolet Impala 1967 and Coronet 1965 are very well done;they also offer a series of Camaros,GTO's,and Mustangs and now there are several collectors who are grabbing their wares and talking about them.1-Badd Ride also new,but they mold vehicles who been done by anyone else and on c1/55 scale;light trucks are also done.Malibu also does 3 inch vehicles,but these are really close to 1/48 scale,and its Chevrolet 1954 received good feedback from collectors.There also a company which goes by Shelby;models Shelby miniatures and as I learned,this Miniature Manufacturer and the Real Car Maker are the same. In another words,besides doing real,1/1 scale sportscars,Shelby are also doing 1/64 scaled miniatures and these are quite nice themselves.

There are a couple of more,but I can not remember the name of them,and they do bigger models than 1/64.But,as there are problems on the diecast world,one wonders how long these new manufacturers will be around.As a rule of the thumb,I take one or two models of each (unless,as Greenlight,they do fascinating and unique models,then I grab the majority).

Perhaps the fact that the costumer base is shrinking,diecast makers are trying everything they can to attract more people to their products. And some,as Mattel,are learning that the market for imagination models also has a limit.

Rod Ward also commented that collectors are also complained that model makers are offering toy-based vehicles,so for me.all of this efforts (to be realistic) are also an effort to not lose the costumers that they still have.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

One my several rants on this site also includes the subject of the larger Chevrolets ever made: the ones from 1971 to 1976 model years.

I would say that,up to beggining of 2005,only one three inch model existed: a Caprice 4-door sedan 1971,made by Imperial Toys,in the early 1980's and alas,this particular item is not so easy to find. They were packed on themathic series,and the one I have was supposedly the cruiser found in CHiPs. (but we know better,do not we? ). As far as it goes,this is still the solo 4-door sedan ever made from this Model Years.

Anyways. By early 2006,Maisto released a series of 'Monster Cars',which included a Convertible Chevrolet Impala 1971.At the same year,Motormax introduced its 1971 - and what they called a 1977 model year,but in reality was 1976 - Chevrolet Coupes,first at Monster Cars (but the chassi was built in such a way so one could 'lower down' these beasts;maximum use of a casting) and later as 'normal rides',at their 'American Graffiti' series - which has nothing to see with the movie; it indicates that these models,except,due to any reason,their Thunderbird 1978,had wild graphics on them - and were,and still are,good sellers.

RC2/Johnny Lightning also upped the ante,by offering an Impala Convertible 1969 (whose body is nearly alike as the 1970's beasts) which is a normal ride Convertible.top up, and some cry that this baby is smaller than 1/64 (well,all of them are on the 1/76 scale range.really;the Motormaxes may be of right size). Someone else had to offer more,and this was Jada Toys turn: a 1968 and 1973 model years,yes,still coupes or Convertibles,and Monster Type.So,in a year,the number of models for the large Chevrolet raised from a dificult one to find to five and there are rumours (and pictures) that RC2/Johnny Lightning are coming with an Estate - er,Station Wagon version,1974 Model.

On the proper sources, is indicated that the Cops liked the large Chevys,but all that ended with the Caprice and Impala from the 1977 model year,which was substantially smaller than their predecessors. On my rants,I also mentioned that I want to see the 1971-1976 Model Year Chevrolets in 1/87,but I quite aware it will not happen. Soon. In between, another wish: another 4-door sedan;my personal choice would be the 1973 Model Year;I consider these the better looking ones. And do not be shy: make the final Biscaynes (1972) or Bel Airs (1976).

On larger scales,these existed as 1/25 Promo Models,as a Coupes only; I have the 1975 Model Year Myself.

[Cor_DutchArt]

Stan,
Finaly response on this one man show! ;D
Please make a list of the Chevrolets which are available.
It's much easier to follow for us non americans in stead of the whole story!
About appearing of the models on 1:87...
Shrinking is the best option so far.
I am a GMC-fan as you are a Chrysler fan, so I also are waiting for these models for a very very long time.
Special the early '70's. But I also like a Monte Carlo and the big olds stationcar version out this period!

Greetzzzz Cor.

[stanhas87]

Dear Cor:

Regarding the full size Chevrolets of the 1970's (the biggest Chevrolet sedans ever), the following is/was avaliable:

Chevrolet Caprice 4-door sedan Police Cruiser 1971.Imperial Toys,made in the early 1980's (I got mine c1982). Came in Black and white,blue and white and as a Fire Chief.Nearly Impossible to find. A toy,but has an accurate front Grille,for at that Model Year,the Caprice had a special one,and the rear detail is also correct by showing the rear lenses above the bumper (from 1972,the rear lenses were inside the Massive Bumpers).Also,from the 1960's,three rear lenses indicated a Impala/Caprice (Caprices were introduced in 1966,but this practice with the rear lenses began in 1960) and two lenses indicated a Biscayne/Bel Air. The last Biscayne was made in 1972;Bel Air,1976,and these would be the models used by Police Forces. The body detail on this toy is fair.

Chevrolet Caprice Convertible 1971. Maisto East Coast Riders,King of The Street Series. A premium toy.i.e.,costs around $3.00. Introduced 2006,but I did not saw this lately.Monster Truck type wheels (but I think that it can be lowered),good body,front grille and rear end detail;interior is fair.

Chevrolet Impala Coupe 1971. Motormax American Graffiti Series. This is the best bet,because Motormax also did it as a Monster Truck,so in reality this is a casting with a good use ratio due to design of its chassi. The fancy colors can be wiped out,and looks quite decent without the bizzare graphics and alas,this is the best casting of this bunch. Introduced mid-2006 as a Monster Car,but even so,is a runaway seller;I got mine this year and I want a duplicate and I can not find it.

Chevrolet Impala (I can remember if is a Caprice or Impala,so I assume is the latter) Convertible,top up 1973 (my favorite model year from this series).Jada Toys. I do not have it,but the ones I saw look decent. This one is quite easy to find,perhaps due to the fact that is a Monster Car as well.

Chevrolet Caprice Coupe 1976. Motormax describes that as a 1977,but this is an error;the 1977 model was the 'reduced size one' and lasted until the 1990 model year,when the final,1991-1996 Caprices were avaliable.Again,first made as a Monster Car,and then graduated to the American Graffiti series,with the bizzare graphics which can be wiped out.Also,runaway seller,as their 1971 model and a good model of that beast.

The listing of the large Chevrolets of the 1960's is more extensive,and these are the ones I can remember:

Chevrolet Impala 1960. RC2. Not Current;made 1990's.

Chevrolet Impala 1961.Revell diecast,RC2.Both are not current. Revell is not doing diecast cars any longer.

Chevrolet Impala 1962. Mattel.Classic Series (i.e.,costs more than $ .97).Current.

Chevrolet Biscayne 1962.Funline. I got that on 2005,I did not saw another ever since.

Chevrolet Bel Air 1962. Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning.Made around 2003 or 2004. That one is more or less easy to find.

Chevrolet Impala 1963. Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning. Made in the 1990's,but the body does not looks right. Can be found now and then.

Chevrolet Impala 1964. This was widely made.Matchbox did the only 4-door version of it,as a hardtop taxi in the 1960's;Yat Ming,on the early 1980's, and Mattel in 2004.

Chevrolet Impala 1965. Mattel,in the 1990's.

Chevrolet Impala 1967. Greenlight Collectables. I still looking for it,a pain to find. A superb model of it,thumbs up. They also offered a 1968 model year which suffers the same problem - nowhere to be seen (outside eBay,there is).Current issue,introduced around 2005.

Chevrolet Impala Convertible Top Up 1969. RC2/Johnny Lightning.Made in 2005,was difficult to find at first,now is quite well avaliable.

I can remember which,but RC2/Johnny Lightning also did a either 1965 or 1967 Impala;I have to check on that.Current,2006 issue.

Regarding the Monte Carlos,Mattel did a early 1970's one and the final ones with the big glass in the rear.Playing Mantis/RC2/Johnny Lightning also have a good selection of them, and Revell did the first Model Year of it,which,if I am not wrong,is 1970.

The Olds Cutlass Wagon 1970 was briefly made by Funline/Muscle Machines,but that is more of a caricature of it than anything else. Supposedly,Lindberg,with their Mini Lindy series,also did one,but I never could find out if that was true. This series of cars were made in the late 1960's/early 1970's.

This cover all which I can remember.Of course,there are more.

Nick K

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

New from Mattel: Ford Galaxie 500 XL 1964 and Lincoln Continental Hardtop 1964,Chevrolet Silverado 2007,with a motorcycle in the bed,Porsche Cayman,Ford GTX Convertible. I also going to buy duplicates of the Yat Ming pick ups; have two of the 1950 GMC already, and that is a nice model.

From Matchbox, I an waiting for the Alfa Romeo.Austin Van,Bentley. From Majorette, waiting for the Toyota Prius,Nissan Murano (these will be bought from eBay) and finally the Maisto Fresh Metals Toyota FJ. Plus others, such as the Norev GM Futureliner (expensive item) and many,many others.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

I discovered this site which shows the Catalogs from Majorette and discovered that since 2004 they released (or announced) several interesting models. I see the Ford Econoline van (nearly current one; the one they had was from the late 1970's), Toyota Hillux Crew Cab pick up, Nissan Pathfinder,Toyota Corolla in rally version, a crew cab pick up which looks different than a Toyota, but I can not tell (is from the 2007 entry, and the models are not being identified), a host of modern Peugeots and Renaults, some in Rally Form. I already mentioned that they will mold the Prius. The 1980's Impala is still being shown at their roster and a new Volvo truck is also shown. Hm. Hunting time. Also, there is a series of 'Imagination Cars' which were new around 2005 (oh, please they never did that at is not needed now) ,and I believe that with the new ownership from MGA this line will expand. Yet, I liked their new releases. I hope they mold some more American cars in the future.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

It goes like this:

Welly's policies already been discussed here. So, what I will state next has to see with their business practices.

They made, in 1/64, such cars as the Impala 2001 (which really looks good as compared with the base model from Matchbox), Buick GSX, Ford Crown Victoria as a sedan (besides a number of Police Cruisers) and of course,due to their policies, these cars (and mostly of their smalled-sized cars) are really hard to find. The Buick and Impala came to me via eBay last year (and that was a big surprise. Mine now). But the story here involves an item I wanted since at least 2003: their GMC Yukon Denaly. I been looking for it left and right at eBay (and really nowhere else, for George's toy Show is a memory of the past) and even subscribed to their 'want it' section, and for an year an a half nothing came foward, so I cancelled that subscription. In between,around 2005, I had to be partially content with a GMC Yukon made by another Company, who made 1/64 cars (found only at Wal Mart) for a very short whle (the GMC included) and then, nothing was heard of them. The Company is Columbia Tellecomunications, and was fancy, at least for me, for such a company to do diecast cars. Got two of their GMCs plus some other models.

Fast foward to last Sunday. After my visit in here, I went to diecast forum I also belong to, and read a title caled 'Welly 1/60 cars'. Well, this gentleman, hauling from Poland, no less, has a whole amount of three-inch sized Wellys for sale, and,to my luck, I was the first one to respond to his thread.Well, after a short exchange of letters, the deals was consumed yesterday and the vehicle is in its way from me; all the way, from yeah, Poland. The way I figure, the time I spent searching for it equals (probably more) than the $10.00 it cost.

Score!! Is like getting one of your holy grails. This one took me 4 years to get. Next,.....................

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

Is one of the advantages of a forum, I should mention. Here, if I want a particular HO vehicle (and even some in 1/64) someone will contact me and state that has such and such an item, and there is, I got something I been looking as crazy.

To me, it happened again: at the Diecast Forum I belong to, someone just found the Pontiac G6 from Maisto I wanted to get for a while (two choices here: the Maisto Miniature or a body for a large R/C - similar to the AMC Matador. Sedan.

This is another one (among others) which will come to my hands via this way. Happy again.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

On the pack I received today, another Holy Grail was present: Playart DAF coupe, followed by their Rover 2000. The first is impossible to find, and the second, if found, cost on the double digits. Quite mint, with some scratches and dents.

The other three were Lindbergs Monte Carlo,Eldorado and finally, their Riviera. Fortunatelly, they are unassembled; this way,I will have the pleasure to put this togheter.

Still selecting thru what else is there.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

Very happy today. Received the Welly GMC Yukon Denali; I been hunting this pup for four years and now,finally I am holding it (protective box) as of now. At times,one has to wait for some articles.

Up to now, the Lone Star/impy Volkswagen Van took the most to come to the collection: 23 years. But that was before I was a part of the electronic age. Even so,some items are just not to be found this easily, as is this Denaly, the Playart DAF Daffodil,Rover 2000 sedan and Lindberg Buick Riviera. But that day comes when you get lucky and there it is, waiting for you..........

Of course, I still have some more items which are in the nearly impossible/very hard to find, such as the Realtoy Ford Windstar van and Lindberg (allegedly made) Olds Vista Cruiser.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

LACMTA states that these are 1/64, albeit it is not so. Matchbox released the City Bus in 2005, and for 2007, the Metro Local,Rapid and Express liveries are avaliable. The catch: Local and Rapid are sold on separate packages (and the Rapid is a pain to get). While these are priced at $ .99 at the retail stores, LACMTA sell their at $3.00 plus shipping, and they managed to sell out the Rapid Version (despite its price). I got luckier, found the Rapid marked item at K Mart and I do not believe I will find another outside eBay.

The Blue-painted Express comes as a part of a set of 10 vehicles. LACMTA has them, too at $12.00 plus shipping. Well,last Saturday night I was picking my share of single-carded Matchboxes I do not have yet, when my eyes landed at this pack which contained 10 vehicles, and bingo, there was: the pack with the Metro Express bus inside it. I did not think twice, grabbed it, confirmed the price and went to the cashier; left all the single packs but one (Target store, this time). Price of it in there? $10.00, plus tax. Oh, yeah!!

Then, Sunday Morning, after navigating at eBay, I found a set of Welly cars for sale: A Yukon Denaly and Suburban (another one I do not have) Police Cars, and a couple of Vics, with LAPD and CHP (another one I do not have) liveries. I hope I win them.