Hans
Junior Member
Posts: 118
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Post by Hans on May 26, 2004 17:53:37 GMT 1
I think this subject becomes more and more a principal problem for 1/87-collectors. My reason for this thread is the demand to Rietze for the date of release of the announced Seat Altea, Citroen C5 and Opel Vectra Caravan. The answer: The Citroen is cancelled (they said there´s no demand), the Seat could appear at Christmas and the Opel: they don´t know. Bad news! I´m not sure, whether the Seat is an order from Seat, if not, I think, we won´t see it, too. We have a problem of two sides: Less orders from the industry (often discussed on this message board) and apparently less demand for modern passenger cars, even it´s a difference, whether Rietze will offer it or one of the other "big" firms. ( I heard many dealers complaining about the bad marketing of Rietze. ) But it´s all the same, at the moment I don´t see any improvements on this situation, the only consolation is that we will probably get more nice "youngtimers".
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on May 26, 2004 21:09:43 GMT 1
Interesting word. I have heard of oldtimers but not youngtimers. By youngtimers do you mean youth or beginners?
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Hans
Junior Member
Posts: 118
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Post by Hans on May 26, 2004 22:22:22 GMT 1
Interesting word. I have heard of oldtimers but not youngtimers. By youngtimers do you mean youth or beginners? Hello Lee, Probably it´s a german-english creation. It´s here a quite common expression for older cars, which you can still see on the road (cars approximately from the 60ies to the 80ies). The Brekina-program for example is typical for this kind of passenger cars.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 27, 2004 0:41:49 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
Today's cars look like appliances and I am not onto their jelli-bean design.One the reasons why reto-based vehicles are so popular. Apart from the Crown Vic,I would not consider any other real car as a new one.
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Post by Marc S. on May 27, 2004 9:54:53 GMT 1
I´m not sure, whether the Seat is an order from Seat, if not, I think, we won´t see it, too. Hans, At Toy Fair, Lothar Rietze told me the Altea was ordered by Seat for the prototype's introduction at the Geneva car show, but delayed for various reasons. I had the impression it was scheduled for summer rather than late winter, so your information is rather bad news. Even worse is to hear about both C5 and Vectra wagon, as Rietze's head of sales appeared to be interested in both models back in February, althougfh the large Citroen had very low priority. Marc
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Post by Marc S. on May 27, 2004 10:04:42 GMT 1
Apart from the Crown Vic,I would not consider any other real car as a new one. Funny thing to read -- as this is the vehicle I absolutely desire least Its only competition would be a Chevrolet Caprice if it was still in production. Perhaps this attitude has something to do with my preference towards carving through curves. Smart Roadster, anyone? Marc
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skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
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Post by skunk on May 27, 2004 14:15:14 GMT 1
Funny thing to read -- as this is the vehicle I absolutely desire least Its only competition would be a Chevrolet Caprice if it was still in production. Perhaps this attitude has something to do with my preference towards carving through curves. Smart Roadster, anyone? Marc I must agree. Gimme something small and RWD any day. The Smart V6 Biturbo would be nice, I wonder if Busch will ever consider making one. I must say that I am not too interested in modern cars myself, besides a New Mini I don't have anything made after 2000. Hearing that the C5 wont be appearing marks the end of collecting new cars for me, I no longer see the point.
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Post by Alan on May 27, 2004 23:16:12 GMT 1
Smart Roadster, anyone? Marc Ugh! No thanks! I moved one of those across the yard in my job and the last time I was driving with my backside that close to the ground, I was Karting at Silverstone!
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 28, 2004 0:38:43 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
If the Caprice would been in production,I would take it first; further I had one and they are very nice cars. Incidentally, the Caprice was also the Best Police Car of All Time - and these are not my words.
Nick K
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on May 28, 2004 5:03:36 GMT 1
As the former owner of an MG Midget, I'm with Marc on the Smart Roadster. If they would bring them to the U.S., I know of at least one they would sell quickly.
Frankly, while I probably wouldn't have seen them, I am sorry the C5 was dropped and the others were delayed. Rietze's Opel Vectra is a very nice model, especially considering its reasonable price.
Every one of us should care about models of modern cars and trucks. As these are often the ones subsidized by large orders from manufacturers, they either provide the fuel for development of other models or allow other resources to be stretched farther. Frankly, short of the miraculous appearance of a multimillionaire patron with a passion for 1:87 scale vehicle models, it's about the only way those of us who would like more high-quality plastic models of American cars, new or old, will ever see them.
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on May 28, 2004 22:24:31 GMT 1
Ah, there is still the small resin casting outfits, but only for those who built kits. ;D
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Post by Christian on Jun 2, 2004 0:05:56 GMT 1
Alan: hearing "Lotus Elise" must cause you nightmares! I just don't know what's going on here ... it should be interesting to investigate the "how" and "why" of the changing market. Has it, have the collectors changed so much in five or ten years? I still vividly remember the time when Herpa was releasing new car models every two months, among them such extraordinary vehicles like the Fiat Cinquecento or Jeep Grand Cherokee. Do we have to experience this decline because of the auto manufacturers ordering fewer promotional models? Can this ultimately be traced back to the rising oil prices?
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skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
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Post by skunk on Jun 2, 2004 0:24:13 GMT 1
I just don't know what's going on here ... it should be interesting to investigate the "how" and "why" of the changing market. Has it, have the collectors changed so much in five or ten years? I still vividly remember the time when Herpa was releasing new car models every two months, among them such extraordinary vehicles like the Fiat Cinquecento or Jeep Grand Cherokee. Do we have to experience this decline because of the auto manufacturers ordering fewer promotional models? Can this ultimately be traced back to the rising oil prices? I think that car executives come upon the idea of supporting promotional models. Then the bean counters look at the numbers (especially in times of economic downturns) and decide that it is not worth it. Luckily things go in cycles, people don't remain in the same jobs forever, and in a few years' time some GM or Fiat executive decide that promotional models are a must. Then we are back in the mid-90's again. Funny that you mention the Cinquecento, that is one of my favorite Herpas. I am buying many of them since I plan to turn them into various Japanese K-cars... someday.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jun 2, 2004 3:43:26 GMT 1
Dear Skunk:
What is a japanese K-Car?
Nick K
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on Jun 2, 2004 5:30:14 GMT 1
The term is actually "kei" and refers to a very small car that is either exempt from some of Japan's more punishing car ownership regulations or subject to less strenuous restrictions. Engine size is limited to 0.66 liters and exterior size is limited as well.
To give you an idea of just how small a k-car is, a DaimlerChrysler Smart City Coupe (Fortwo) qualifies. I believe it's the only new Western car that does.
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