Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Mar 8, 2004 4:20:06 GMT 1
We found a set of VW pickups at the Pomona show that are 1/72 scale per the box. The box says Cararama. Down in the corner it says Hong Well, made in China. Also on the box is 2001BC Los Angeles, which may be a name of a company. In running a search on "our" site I hit Diecastfast.com which is showing a picture of them but lists them as 1/43 scale. No way are they 1/43. 1/72 is probably correct. The interesting part is they list a large selection of vechicles including some from Japan. One vendor was selling them for $10.00 a set. Anyone know an more about this company and what they are making? After posting this I see that Stanhas87 is talking about Hongwell in the 1/72 thread. More research turns up www.Hongwell.com which shows Cararama as part of their line. No listing of the VW's but a couple of nice 1/72 autos. Note the number of auto manufactures that Hongwell holds licensing agreements with.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Mar 8, 2004 5:33:46 GMT 1
Dear Lee:
One thing that has to be understood is this: these companies start with the colaboration-and associations-of anothers.In another words,the first Maistos were packaged with Zee Toys cartons at the mid-1980's.Later on,these became MC Toys and eventually Maisto. The first Cararamas were Maisto 1/64 vehicles at the early 1990's.Later,they went towards the way of associations and the result was Hongwell- the ones who furnish the 1/72 scale Yatmings (Jaguar 'S' series,Alfa Romeo Sedan and Station Wagon,Audi,the new Nissan Z and outrageous 1950 Chevy 3100 pick-ups).Likewise,they are the one who manufactures Schuco's mini line-european,such Saabs and German Vehicles such Volkswagen and the like.Alas,the Volkswagen van-and perhaps the pick-up-can be found as a Schuco;I do not think that the latter was offered as a Yatming. The connection does not stop here. Boley is a manufacturer and distribuitor of Welly toys.They started with normal toys.Then,their HO line were introduced and these were Busch (Plymouth Fury Police,Chevrolet 3100 pick-up),Wiking ( Mitsubishi Pajero) smart toys (Volkswagen),Kinsmart ( Caprice Classic Police cars) copies.The trucks-International,GMC,Ford LTL are,in theory theirs;but now Schuco claims that they developed these and by now is known that Hongwell were the ones modeling for the latter.Boley has a Willys Jeep in 1/87 (outrageos,too-all the shifters are there) that was molded by Hongwell. Hongwell does have a 1/43 scale range and their Dodge Intrepid made me fall literally off my seat when I received it.Their range of 1/43 of models is unknown to me,but I know that is varied and some of these may be sold as Schucos-and perhaps as Yatmings as well.As a rule of the thumb,what was modeled as an 1/72 model,if is a popular item,may have its 1/43 counterpart.All in all,I can say that Hongwell is a very busy body lately.One of the 1/64 cararamas was the Suzuki SJ (Samurai) jeep,a Maisto that is not so often seen.
Finally.2001BC is their item number (at times identify which range-i.e..1/72 or 1/43 scale) of the article;Los Angeles referes where the city or warehouse is located (Maisto is made in Thailand or China;yet,its american HQ is located in Fontana,California).
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Post by Eric on Mar 9, 2004 0:14:17 GMT 1
[administrator] Guys, I just had to move this thread here..... believe me, 1/72 really is off topic ! [/administrator]
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Post by Christian on Mar 9, 2004 0:30:54 GMT 1
I have some of their 1/72 models and find them quite nice. One (especially some sellers on Ebay) might think that they fit 1/87 layouts, but that is just wrong ... 3-packs retail at about 2.99 here.
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Post by Eric on Mar 10, 2004 23:55:10 GMT 1
I have some of their 1/72 models and find them quite nice. These are certainly nice models, I agree, and they have some models that would be welcome in 1/87 too. See, that is about the only thing wrong about them... they released them in the wrong scale..
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Mar 11, 2004 1:00:01 GMT 1
They have a beautiful model complete with a sunroof on their website. ;D
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