What projects are going commercial

[h0collector]

Maybe I should have written "commercial" in my heading, the brackets indicating that we are in general not talking about industrial mass-production, only limited small-scale production.
(If there should be any low-cost, mass-production plans somewhere, it would be very interesting to know!)

When Joe (superba) initiated his thread "What projects are going on", I belive he was first of all thinking about projects around which were planned or thought to be made in a certain number for sale or trade. Through his thread we have now learned about a lot of interesting projects, but several are probably not intended to be available for others. Maybe I went on the wrong track with my first reply to his thread - don't mistake - I would be very happy if all of my projects could become available for other collectors. But that seems impossible right now, due to different limiting factors. I have not the skills to make molds and casting, but as you know, Joe and I are now coloborating about some interesting projects.

My intention with this thread is to collect only whose of the many intersting 1/87 projects which are already in the market or planned to be produced, at least in a very limited run. Please note that it is always very interesting to learn about other 1/87 projects, but I felt the need to seperate those projects which will be available from those which will not.
From now on I will suggest that all those projects which are not intended to be casted are still very welcome in the other thread, while only the projects intended for the market are going into this thread.

I think all of you have read Lee Nehlson's very interesting Editorial in the front page of this great web site and any further ideas and points of view are very welcome too.

To repeat my common projects with Joe, which will be available in the market: (re the other thread)

1955 Cadillac 4-door
1961 Chevrolet Corvair 4-door
1963 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (2-door)
1968 Chevrolet Impala/Caprice 4-door
1972 Plymouth Fury 4-door

I know Joe have a lot of very interesting models already in sale. I have noticed many of his marvelous vehicles at ebay, and he has also mentioned several top interesting models in his thread. But I will invite Joe to list all of his projects which are already made or planned to be casted. The same with Christian (very nice Ford P6 !) and all others.
(Please don't hesitate to repeat your projects here again, as long as they are/will be available).
And it does not matter whether you are making the molds and casting by yourself, or you let somebody else to do it. The important matter is that your projects are/will be available to the market.

[cfesmire]

I may be letting the cat out of the bag a little early and this does not involve the release of an entire vehicle, let it be known that George Barret of Sheepscot Scale products is working on a set of universal tracks for cranes, bulldozers etc. in 1:87 that look extremely good. These are not cast in resin or metal but a flexible, almost rubber band like material and are very convincing in appearance. A welcome addition to anyone interested in construction vehicles. George has said not to get too excited just yet, but I understand he is in the final stages of his work.

[h0collector]

Great cfesmire - all kinds of 1/87 modelling are very welcome here, including parts also (car bodies, truck cabs, wheels, tracks, grille/front pieces etc.)

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

Clay Avery-I hope that is the right spelling-also had a lot of unusual truck cabs,including a FIAT,and the Dodge Ramcharger is certainly his.I think that he left the business.Lately,he was offering chassis and interiors for his projects.I also got a Divco stepvan from him and I am looking for the FIAT cab-that can be converted to a Brazilian FNM.

I discussed with Jack and we may be commercial next year,the limiting factor is money.We may get a break,tough.To be seen.

[Sylvain]

Good idea, this new thread. May I propose something? With a few more messages some of us will have indicated what projects they have on, projects that could be "commercial". We could all then start to answer and indicate which of us will be interest to buy which of these new models to come. So the manufacturers among us could find out what model as to be cast or not, and so try to find a way to do it, and also at what price.

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

I for one,already had offers for the 1971 Chevy Bel-Air that we intend to cast.............me and my partner may do a limited amount of these next year.Price will be acessible-or so I gather.

[h0collector]

Dear Sylvain; thanks a lot for your ideas to check if there is interest in some of this kind of projects.

After all, it is probably not a good idea to let a project be casted in a certain number just to discover that the model appeals only to the master maker.
Anyway, I will let f.ex. the 68 Chevy and 72 Fury be casted and if no one else would like to have them, I could use all the castings myself - for taxi, police, other versions (72 Fury could also be easily converted to 69, 70, 71 and 73 Fury). I will therefore focus on making 4-door sedans which will be most needed and convenient anyway.

Dear STANHAS87 - if you ever consider let the Chevrolet '71 and Dodge Ramcharger to be casted, you can count on several to me. 1971 is one of the best-looking Chevys ever done.

This brings up a new idea to Sylvain's; our own casted projects may also be used for trading with others casted projects, in a form of direct exchange. Maybe we should have a common 1/87 "car exchange" for such projects ?
I have never thought of making big money on any of my 1/87 projects, due to limiting in market interest and production capacity, the main purpose is only to add some more and unusual 1/87 models in my collection.

[Christian]

I can only speak for myself, but all my casting projects will be "commercially" available. There is no such thing as "no demand". ;D

When I made my Ford P6 I primarily made it as a favor for a friend and didn't think it would sell very well. In fact, there are very few people (even in Germany!) who recognize that car at all. Despite all that the first series of 50 pieces is almost sold out. I conclude that there is demand for almost everything, depending on how you define " demand". 50 pieces worldwide may be laughable but in small series dimensions it is quite a success.

Models I hope to have ready and for sale in March/April:

Citroen N350
a certain Alfa Romeo
Glas 1304
Ford Ranchero 1972

[h0collector]

Dear Christian - I believe also there is a demand for almost everything, as long as some people somewhere knows about it.
I have a couple of your Ford P6's which is a marvelous model, and I can really understand why the first run is almost sold out now. This would probably be a highly wanted model among general (Ford) car enthusiasts too.
And indeed, to sell 50 pieces of this model in a short time is a great success from our point of view - congratulations !
I look forward to the '72 Ranchero pick-up
Also, thanks a lot for your project update here.

[superba]

I am not sure that my models are commerial, as I have said in the past, I only sell a 5-10 models a week.

Just enough to cover mold and plastic costs

Current projects have been listed, hope to finish all within the next two to three weeks. Next projcets to follow:

1961 Buick Special
1962 Chevy II Nova
1961 Oldsmobile 98 Four door
1961 Cadillac Fleetwood

Soon to follow

1958 Edsel
1960 Edsel
1960 Ford Fairlane
1961 Lincoln
1961 T-bird
1960 Mercury

[h0collector]

Dear Joe - you are fantastic !!!
I will never stop to be absolutely amazed about all your great and top interesting 1/87 projects ! ;D
And indeed, I regard all of your projects as commercial in this manner, regardless if they are made in 5, 50 pieces or whatever. The only important matter here is that these projects will be available for somebody to purchase.

[h0collector]

Regarding the '61 Oldsmobile - I think the 98 is very similar to the 88 ?
(The '61 Olds 88 was one of my favourite Dinky Toys models (ca. 1/50 scale)).

[stanhas87]

Dear Bjarte:

I spoke to Jack and we do not plan to cast anything until early 2005.We do not have the time or the money right now.

One of the things that I know is that collectors like variety.If you ever heard of Code 3 manufacturer,their sucess was due to the fact that they offered several fire truck chassis (eleven at my last count) and this is better than a single item with hundreds of liverys.What you proposing,1969 to 1973 Plymouth is a superb ideia;if you do this as a cop car,not only these can be done for several departments,but at times a State or City Police Change collors after a while.Hence,I have no doubt that the collectors will be chasing these.At eBay I saw many obscure items being sold,and if something that no one is molding,is very probable that will be taken,as Christian reminded us with the Ford P6 model.
And Joe,your staff is just beyond fantastic;is making 1/87 scale to have a very rich assortment of vehicles;keep up!

[h0collector]

I have asked Joe to make a complete list of all his 1/87 projects so far, and with his permission I have the pleasure to present this very comprehensive list here, for your convenience.

Hollow Cast

1957 Olds Hardtop
1957 Buick 2 door hardtop
1957 Ford Country Squire
1957 Ford Custom 100 four door sedan
1957 Mercury Monterey
1958 Buick four door Hardtop
1958 Olds four door Hardtop
1958 Ford Custom 100 four door sedan
1958 Ford Country Squire
1958 Mercury Monterey
1959 Olds foor door sedan
1959 Pontiac four door sedan
1959 Buick Four door hardtop flat top
1959 Ford Custom four door sedan
1959 Edsel Ranger four door sedan
1959 Rambler American two door
1959 Studebaker Lark four door wagon
1960 International Metro Van
1956 Checker Model A8 Drivermatic Special

Solid Cast

1957 Studebaker President four door
1957 Studebaker Broadmore Wagon
1960 Ford Galaxie
1960 Studebaker Lark Economiler Taxi long Wheelbase
1961 Ford Galaxie two hardtop formal roof
1961 Chrysler Windsor four door
1961 Plymouth Fury two door hardtop
1962 Studebaker Lark four door sedan
1961 Ford Thunderbird
1961 Buick Electra 2 door hardtop
1961 Pontiac 2 door Hardtop
1962 Chevy Impala two door hardtop

All will be converted to hollow cast within the next year

Soon to be done

1961 Olds F-85 Wagon
1956 DeSoto
1961 Econoline
1960 Rambler


My personal comment : - truly amazing when one knows this is done during the past few months !!!!

Congratulations with a great work so far, Joe !
Best wishes and luck from Bjarte

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

Joe's list is quite amazing.I just hope that all-or part of-these items end up at eBay.

Congratulations Joe.Other thing:at least you think that there should be 4-door models in there,and this is great!

The Ramcharger is done.