Wiking Discontinued Models

[BillC]

I just got my 2004 Wiking general catalog and there were 96 changes from 2003. Most of these were color changes, but some models are being retired.

Here is a list of models going away:

165 03 21 Porsche Carrera 4 Cabrio
264 04 21 Volvo 850 Kombi
286 03 27 Iveco Daily Van
380 01 29 Fendt Xylon
380 02 29 Fendt Xylon with pickup bed
380 40 31 Fendt Xylon Front-Loader
647 03 27 Unimog 1850 w/Loading Crane
657 02 22 Hako Sweeper
673 05 23 MAN Dump Truck
675 03 26 MAN Flatbed with Loading Crane
695 02 25 Unimog S404 - Bundeswehr
696 14 22 1959 Opel Kapitan - Bundeswehr
801 03 14 Jaguar XK120
808 02 22 BMW Isetta (3-wheel)
809 05 20 Citroen 2CV, open top
814 05 22 Porsche 356 Coupe
817 04 24 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
819 03 24 Chevrolet Corvette (Wiking's last American car model)
825 03 14 Horch 850 limousine
828 02 14 BMW 328
829 04 23 BMW 507
833 03 25 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe
841 06 20 Goli Dreirad
842 03 24 Mercedes-Benz L2500 Truck

Some of these have nice features like opening hoods/bonnets (Jag E-Type, BMW 507). The M-B 300SL Gull-Wing has opening doors and hood.

If you are interested in any of these models, you might want to touch base with your favorite Wiking retailer.

[cfesmire]

Every so often, we see a reissuue of a model from folks like Wiking, of something that has been out of production for some time. What happens to all of the tooling used to make these models? Is it archived, and if so what kind of effort does it take to bring a model back into production?
Prices for particular out of production models have skyrocketed. The Wiking 1956 Chevy flatbed is a perfect example, fetching up to $50.00 recently. And prices on their, now out of production, Peterbilt are climbing.
Could we ever see any of these out of production pieces again?

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

Add these to the list:

10 Willys Jeep
31 American Limousine (1951 Ford Four door)
40 Mercedes-Benz diesel stake truck
70 1956 Opel Caravan
80 1953 Opel Rekord
110 1954 Opel Kapitain
180 Borgward Hansa
290 Volkswagen Pick-up (Pritsche)
300 Volkswagen Kasten panel van
330 Tempo Dreirad pick-up
340 Tempo Matador pick-up (I want this one!)
350 Opel Olympia Kombi
352 Opel Blitz stake truck
354 Opel Blitz van
360 Dkw pick-up
370 The first Unimog
420 Dodge (?) Stake truck
430 Fiat Stake truck
520 Tractor trailer white
525 Semi tractor,Henschel
720 Bussing Trambus

..........and many others.

[BillC]

Actually, the list of all discontinued Wiking models is quite long. It was only my intention to mention those models being dropped for 2004.

Perhaps some will be back someday. Many of the models Wiking has dropped in recent years were not up to the standard of their latest offerings.

As to Wiking's older models, many were not 1:87 scale. Most were not the level of quality we expect today. It has taken the competition of companies like Busch and Herpa to persuade Wiking to move ahead (something they have done with a vengeance; a panel of judges selected Wiking's VW Touareg as the "Best of the Best" in a comparison last year).

What I would like to see is Wiking use some of their classic models as the basis for new tooling. I remember a number of models from the mid-1960s that I would like to see reissued at 21st Century quality standards. How about the M-B 600 Pullman or the 1964 Chevy Malibu finished to the same level as the new T5?

[skunk]

Did Wiking ever make a 600 Pullman? Because I got a 600 Limousine (the shorter wheelbase version) and planned to make it into a pullman. It's gonna be "supered" too, but if Wiking already made one...

[Hans]

Dear Skunk,
Wiking never made a 600 Pullman, only the "normal"600. But, I think, there was a resin model of the Pullman by Stettnisch. Sometimes these kits could be found on toy-markets, but it will be difficult. Perhaps on Ebay?
But indeed this car would be worth to be re-released by Wiking!

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

Another discontinued model from Wiking-721 Bussing Senator.I also would like to see that re-released along with the Tempo pick-up.

[skunk]

I did see one of the Stettnisch kits on eBay, but it seemed like a better idea to convert a Wiking into the Pullman version.

[jeanmarc]

600 Pullman...of course never made by Wiking. Interesting idea though the Pullman is less nice car than the normal 600 up to me.

About Wiking, ...i'd like to pay tribute to this old company...If I collect Ho scale today, it is thanks to Wiking mostly ...Wiking models was the best HO manufacturer during the 60's and 70's, and after beeing challanged by HERPA, BREKINA, BUSCH, ...they came back at the best and can be nowadays considered still at the top of HO modelling ... Only regreat!...not enough "non german cars and trucks" in their range...
anyway I m still "Wiking fan"

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

It was Wiking that made me collect 1/87 vehicle.Eko was also interesting to me because they offered variety of subjects.

I also find that the discontinued Chevrolet truck was a masterpiece;the White truck was an on-between piece,but I would like to see these remade.The Mercedes limo is at the top of the scale;superb piece.

[BillC]

Last fall, the 1/87 Vehicle Club asked each of the major German modelmakers to nominate their best model for a comparison. Since the results won't appear until the publication of Issue 18 of the Club Newsletter, I won't go into detail, but I will say the Wiking was judged "Best of the Best."

I would also like to see more non-German models. American models would be nice, but there are also a number of European cars I would enjoy, especially at Wiking's modern quality levels.

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

Some more Wiking discontinued models:

Mercedes-Benz 450 SE
Volkswagen K70
Mercedes-Benz O303 Post bus

In all,I consider this company great,but I also vote for Busch as well.The latter does offer wanted models.Even on the 1960's and 1970's Wikings were superbly done.

[cfesmire]

I have to echo the sentiments of several others about Wiking. I too began collecting those little German gems around 40 years ago. To imagine that anyone in the business has surpassed them and taken the 'crown' as king of 1:87, all one would have to do is look at a vehicle like the Volvo PV 544 they did not that long ago. A fantastic job and, although clearly a European automobile, many were seen on the roads of the U.S.

[cfesmire]

Speaking of discontinued Wikings: What makes this group as valuable as the bids so far?
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3586065205&category=4943&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBBI%3AIT&rd=1

BTW, I have quite a few of what is pictured.

[Christian]

cfesmire said:

What makes this group as valuable as the bids so far?

Mostly the two older Mercedes coupes, Opel Rekord P1, Ford 17m, newer Opel Rekord sedan & station wagon. No idea if they are actually worth that much. There are a few pieces in there which normally go for ~5 Euros each.