BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on Jan 31, 2011 8:16:18 GMT 1
Other than some models that I hope will be released by River Point Station this year, prospects for replicas of modern American light vehicles are not good.
The reason is that, compared to models of older vehicles, the new ones just don't sell in the volumes that would make them attractive investments. Visit the Walthers website and see how many Chrysler 300s, Dodge Chargers, Dodge Calibers, and Ford Mustangs are still available. I don't even know if Ricko still has any of those licenses; I do know it's been a long time since Ricko produced any of those models.
Furthermore, there aren't any current or new real cars, with the possible exception of the Camaro, which is too small to get licensed by GM, that are "blockbusters" capable of attracting the attention of collectors in both the U.S. and Europe. I don't know about you, but I don't see the Volt being a big hit in the 1/87 scale world.
As for models of American sedans like the Ford Fusion, Chrysler 200 and Chevrolet Impala/Malibu, I consider the success of the Rietze Opel Vectra, a very nice model, but from all reports, a real shelf-warmer.
Yes, there is money to be made with American pickups, but one can make even more money with old American pickups. SUVs in 1/87 scale never have sold as well as pickups.
If there was enough of a market for modern models at Spark prices, a business case could be made for producing them at quality levels comparable to Spark. In fact, I wish Spark would have produced their Dodge Magnum in 1/87 scale. That would have been a perfect market test for an ultra-premium 1/87 scale replica of an ordinary car. If it was successful, I would feel a lot better about the chances for more models of modern American cars.
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Post by mstar on Jan 31, 2011 10:51:58 GMT 1
The Camaro would be great, maybe someone should speak with GM again as the license regulations are from old GM. Maybe they have changed their mind...it's always nice to have dreams  The upcoming Ford Focus ST could be sweet, it's not really American, but you soon have our Fords The Dodge Magnum would have been great...that's true. Although for Europe the Chrysler 300C Touring would have been the better choice. |
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on Feb 1, 2011 1:39:19 GMT 1
Sorry, GM, despite its near-death experience, is still the same bunch of horse's patoots that it was before.
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jim68cuda
Junior Member
It takes a Mopar to Catch a Mopar
Posts: 224
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Post by jim68cuda on Feb 1, 2011 3:55:38 GMT 1
I guess I fit the profile for the 1/87 scale collector of American cars. I'll buy multiple versions of any nicely detailed 30's through early 70's American car in 1/87 scale (with a main focus on 60's American cars). I watch all the Ricko and RPS modern vehicle releases and pass them all by. But Ricko releases the 71 Hemi Cuda convertible and I end up with more than ten of them (which says alot considering the pricing).
Its sad that GM doesn't want to play, but there are some great Ford and Mopar vehicles that I would love to see in 1/87 scale. But nothing newer than about 1971 please.
As for Fords and Mopars, might I suggest a 68 Charger, 68 Barracuda fastback, 68 Cougar, 65 Thunderbird, 63 Mercury Colony Park wagon, 63 Galaxie XL and 66 Plymouth Sport Fury, and Ill shamelessly add a 67 Dodge Coronet 500 to my request since I have two parked in the driveway.
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Post by charlieb53 on Feb 1, 2011 23:34:33 GMT 1
All great choices.I would only add my first real car,a 66 Ford Custom
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jim68cuda
Junior Member
It takes a Mopar to Catch a Mopar
Posts: 224
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Post by jim68cuda on Feb 2, 2011 2:31:59 GMT 1
The 66 Ford Custom 4 door sedan would be a good prospect as well. A little additional trim and it could be a Galaxie 500 or an LTD, or a police car or taxi. Also, the 66 Ford Galaxie 4 door sedan was built in Brazil for several years with no change, and then with some changes to the front and rear styling, the basic body stayed in production in Brazil till the early 80's. So the 66 Ford would be a great choice for South American collectors. Meanwhile, since the 64-66 style Mustang is already made by Busch, and Walthers had a 66 Ford pickup, the addition of a 66 Ford sedan would make it easy to stock the lot of a new car dealer diorama or to fill up an auto loader rail car with new Fords. If they did a 66 Ford sedan, it would be cool if they made a 66 Ford wagon as well, like a Country Squire.
Another one that would be great for both north and south American collectors is the 68-69 Dodge Dart GTS. In Brazil the same basic body with trim changes was used on Darts and Chargers till about 78.
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Post by hemicuda on Feb 2, 2011 6:05:16 GMT 1
I would still like to see a 1985/86 Mustang GT/Special Service and 1987-1993 Mustang GT/Special Service vehicles.
Welly has the 1985/86 GT and SVO in larger scales so it wouldn't be too far of a stretch, but I am not sure who has a SSP Mustang?
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Post by charlieb53 on Feb 2, 2011 13:19:45 GMT 1
I love that Dodge A-100 that Brekina will be offering.
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Post by b18c5 on Feb 6, 2011 8:25:03 GMT 1
I have almost no interest in American vehicles after model year 1985 or thereabouts, On the other hand, I have a HUGE interest in American and Japanese vehicles from 1970-85 inclusive. It's a shame no one has gotten around to producing much of any Japanese vehicles that fit this time period (nor am I holding much hope here), but fortunately, the American makes are faring a bit better thanks to the efforts of Atlas, Brekina and a few of the other manufacturers.
Bring on the Brekina A-100 Dodge Van.. That's a huge hole that is now being addressed. Thank you Brekina!
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Post by mstar on Feb 6, 2011 13:04:26 GMT 1
Actually Neo has some Japanese models of that area in the pipeline that will (or possibly will) also arrive in 1/87th scale like the 81 Honda Prelude, Datsun 260Z, 81 Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo, 82 Mitsubishi Sapporo Coupé, 79 Toyota Celica and 1986 Toyota Land Cruiser 70. The Prelude is already announced and the others will probably follow into this scale, as Neo seems to be ambitious to bring all their models also to 1/87th sooner or later...
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Post by alcarter on Feb 6, 2011 17:28:35 GMT 1
Well, there is the 1975 Honda Civic; I just picked one up yesterday at a train show. No markings on it other than "Made in China" on the bottom; it came in a clear display case with black bottom. I'd seen these before on e-Bay, but never close up. Looks pretty good, and fits my era of mid-70's well. They had a 1982 Honda Accord, too.
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Post by hemicuda on Feb 6, 2011 18:18:15 GMT 1
Well, there is the 1975 Honda Civic; I just picked one up yesterday at a train show. No markings on it other than "Made in China" on the bottom; it came in a clear display case with black bottom. I'd seen these before on e-Bay, but never close up. Looks pretty good, and fits my era of mid-70's well. They had a 1982 Honda Accord, too. These are from Motormax; their Fresh Cherries line-up. I see them still advertised on Ebay and through online companies--maybe they are still being manufactured in China? |
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Post by hovehicle on Feb 11, 2011 1:30:03 GMT 1
As far as modern American cars go, there is still the possibility of the Lincoln Town Car from RPS. It's still on their website, and I'd love to buy about 10 of those cars!
Vito L.
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Post by charlieb53 on Feb 11, 2011 3:06:20 GMT 1
I would like to see some early Datsuns and Toyotas also.Coronas,610s,710s among others
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Post by Christian on Feb 18, 2011 19:51:26 GMT 1
I don't know about you, but I don't see the Volt being a big hit in the 1/87 scale world. It's not a 1950 Ford Fordor, I'll give you that. What kills the possibility of a Volt model is however not its prototype's perceived dullness. It's the general unattractiveness of modern scale models. That would be my explanation anyway, because in the end I would give it the same (or a better) chance of success as, say, a model of a Dodge Journey ... I think the lack of modern American scale models can also be attributed to the fact that the 1/87 scale model industry in the US isn't very strong. There are Atlas and River Point Station, whose vehicle lines are quite small. Athearn and CMW don't do modern. What US collectors need is another, or better yet two or three new - dedicated - manufacturers who will cater to their needs instead of depending on Ricko or Brekina and hoping that they will en passant release something that they can use. I am maintaining that the market is strong enough for that as soon as there is attractive product available. If there was enough of a market for modern models at Spark prices, a business case could be made for producing them at quality levels comparable to Spark. In fact, I wish Spark would have produced their Dodge Magnum in 1/87 scale. That would have been a perfect market test for an ultra-premium 1/87 scale replica of an ordinary car. If it was successful, I would feel a lot better about the chances for more models of modern American cars. I agree that this would be a very good opportunity but I would stress the fact that it shouldn't be taken as an indicator for the whole market. There may be 500 or 1000 collectors who want the Magnum enough to pay a Spark level price, which doesn't say much about the rest of the market. |
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