BillC
87thScale addict
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Post by BillC on Feb 21, 2007 23:15:18 GMT 1
As promised in another thread, here is the story behind Masterpiece.
While I can't discuss all the circumstances, Masterpiece was founded last September by the man who created most of Ricko's best models, working in partnership with the company that did the tooling for the Ricko models like the 1931 Lincoln Model K, Mercedes 770V and Dodge Charger Police. In other words, most of Ricko's skill is now at Masterpiece.
Basically, Masterpiece went from zero to showing production-ready models in five months. The first production models, the initial Austro Daimler releases, should ship in April.
According to the current schedule, the first American models should ship in late May. These will be the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (the one with the 32-inch tires) and the 1936 Chrysler C-10 Airflow Imperial Eight sedan. Currently a dozen models are in various states of development.
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skunk
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Post by skunk on Feb 22, 2007 1:19:55 GMT 1
Those sound like good choice of models. A Wrangler and an Airflow are both of great interest to me.
What does this mean for Ricko? I guess that there is enough modelling talent in China to fill any company's needs.
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stanhas87
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1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 22, 2007 4:28:36 GMT 1
Dear All:
New entries,interesting models so the collectors pay attention to them.I liked the choices of prototypes myself.
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Post by Albert on Feb 22, 2007 11:50:58 GMT 1
And is it known the line of product that Masterpiece is going to offer?
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Post by swampdaddy on Feb 24, 2007 22:22:03 GMT 1
Well, I hope this event doesn't send Ricko quality into the tank or stop them from issuing many more new models.
BillC, when you can, keep us posted on new Masterpiece Models as well as Ricko.
Swamp Daddy
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Post by swampdaddy on Feb 24, 2007 22:25:03 GMT 1
And (cough, choke, blush) would this possibly mean Masterpiece Models might be more amenable to a bus or truck model than Ricko?? You know I am a dreamer at times.
Swamp Daddy
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BillC
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Post by BillC on Feb 24, 2007 23:05:09 GMT 1
And (cough, choke, blush) would this possibly mean Masterpiece Models might be more amenable to a bus or truck model than Ricko?? You know I am a dreamer at times. Swamp Daddy At times? The bus topic will be brought up in various places, but Masterpiece isn't ready for a project like that yet. Maybe 2008 or 2009.
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Post by PCS2911 on Feb 25, 2007 13:41:31 GMT 1
As Ricko and Masterpiece are so closely related, whether they would just offer models of similar nature, i.e. models mainly from US Ford and Chrysler and German/Italian car makers. Would Masterpiece seriously consider introducing classic British and Japanese cars?
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BillC
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Post by BillC on Feb 25, 2007 23:56:39 GMT 1
Right now, Masterpiece is working on projects with three different nationalities. British cars are definitely of interest, but there is a lot of work to be done first. We just completed the research that shows us who owns what brands (at the moment).
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skunk
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Post by skunk on Feb 26, 2007 7:21:07 GMT 1
Most of the good brands (Alvis, Riley) belong to BMW, right?
I want an Armstrong-Siddeley!
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BillC
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Post by BillC on Feb 26, 2007 15:14:02 GMT 1
Austin, American Austin, MG, Morris, Vanden Plas (except U.S. and Canada rights which are owned by Ford), Wolseley are owned by MG Rover/Nanjing Automobile Group.
Mini, Riley, Rolls-Royce, Standard, Triumph are owned by BMW
Aston Martin, Daimler, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lanchester, Rover, Vanden Plas (U.S. and Canada rights only) are owned by Ford. Aston Martin is being sold. but that isn't final yet.
Hillman and Humber are owned by Peugeot.
Alvis is owned by Alvis PLC. The company is still in business as a defense manufacturer. Alvis was absorbed by British Leyland, but was spun off years before the sale to BMW.
An Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire would make a nice model but I am not sure who owns the marque. It may be that BMW has the strongest claim, since at least part of Armstrong Siddeley merged with Rolls-Royce.
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skunk
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Post by skunk on Feb 26, 2007 21:23:35 GMT 1
Wow. And I thought that the ownership chains of existing companies were complex. At least now JMK knows who he is offending with his British models. Is the Lanchester brand in a lot of demand? Ford could sell it to me for $20.
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stanhas87
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 27, 2007 0:06:18 GMT 1
Dear All:
Since this been brought to discussion,I also would like a Lanchester and an Armstrong Siddeley to come out.Specially the Lanchester.
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Post by PCS2911 on Feb 27, 2007 14:20:43 GMT 1
Are the Morris Minor 1000 and Morris 1100 potential candidates of British classics? What are the three nationalities involved?
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BillC
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Post by BillC on Feb 28, 2007 4:36:32 GMT 1
Morris would require a license from MG Rover/Nanjing.
Armstrong Siddeley and Lanchester might be nice, but both are long shots. It's all well and good to dream about models of obscure brands (sorry, but in today's mainstream market, they are obscure), another to try to make money selling them.
Austro Daimler is not exactly a household name, but it was a significant brand with worldwide sales in the early years of the Twentieth Century and, in addition, it was the place where Ferdinand Porsche developed his skills as an automotive manufacturer and some of the basic concepts that led to later projects like the Volkswagen.
Austin and Morris makes more sense. Brands known everywhere; many cars, built over many years; these factors make them a better bet for a profitable product.
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