stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 10, 2007 18:28:48 GMT 1
Dear All:
Things are a tad different for Johnny Lightning. Under RC2, is a toy brand rather than a premium one,and its releases are on the slower side. Also, the castings are used as much as possible. They have a Duke of Hazzard Line, but the cop car, albeit made in many versions (even from the Sheriff of another County) is still another re-paint of their existent 1974 Dodge Monaco (and is called a 1977). The Dodge Monaco 1978 is the right choice, but no one believes that RC2 will mold this car.
To review the upcoming models, one should became a member (no charges). So, I did it, and saw a pre-production version of the Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon 1973 and saw the new casting (pre-production,again) which will debut in 2008: International Scout II (1977-1979,as they stated). Perhpas their releases slowed down, yet the cars that are being done by then are still on the unique side. Another worthy mention is the Chevrolet Suburban 1950..
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 12, 2007 2:11:32 GMT 1
Dear All:
It was reported here that Norev made the HO version of the new FIAT 500; four models in the same collor, it seems. They did the same as far as 1/64 scale is concerned: a set of 4 cars, all painted silver. Is also interesting to notice that Norev is doing models in true 1/64 size; the Chrysler 300 is one of them and so is the FIAT. Alas, the latter is also a promo; Norev seem to have a knack to be involved in such activities. Their 1/64 are also high degree 3 inch vehicles.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 17, 2007 22:53:49 GMT 1
Dear All:
I had to attend a business meeting in East Los Angeles, and I did not felt like driving, so I took the bus to my destination. As I arrived on El Monte (a bus terminal - close a LACMTA Garage - which handles LACMTA and Foothill Transit buses in two levels; one of the few routes handled by the blue painted METRO Express departs from there) I approached the Transit office that exists in there (sales of passes,tokens and avaliability of free transit literatue), I noticed this bus model being exposed close to the window. I got in, enquired about it, and figured that this place sells a good amount of - and I mean a good amount - of model and toy buses.The one I saw was a NABI 40 foot bus, low floor, with Foothil Transit's markings. I asked how much, and after I pay the $8.00 they charged for it, that was mine. LACMTA do sell the same bus, with Local and Rapid liveries at their online shop, but they ask $12.00 plus shipping for it; this office also jad the METRO and LADOT buses, so this is a better deal. The model is plastic, marked with a decal stating that is 'Made in China', c1/50 scale, and interiorless. Alas, the chassi is not glued - rather,is attached with screws to the body - so people like Chester can make a Masterpiece out of it. When I was at the station, waiting for my ride home, I compared my model to a real NABI, and the details on this piece are just there, period!! So much, that this eBay dealer buys them, paints and do some modifications to them so they look like the real thing, and sell them at $30.00. They also had a model of the Fotthill Transit, 60" Articulated NABI which makes the Silver Streak (Downtown Los Angeles - Pomona,mostly via the 60 Freeway) route, but these are not avaliable yet. Mine next time, along a LADOT Commuter Express bus I do not think I have, and the latter is carboard. Plus some toy-shaped buses.
I also stopped at a K-Mart after the meeting, and finally found Matchbox 1963 Cadillac Hearse. Only one. So I had a blast today,so to speak.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 18, 2007 23:51:04 GMT 1
Dear All:
The resukts of having a (strong) headache.
I ran out od medicine, so I stopped at a CVS pharmacy in Burbank. Checked the toy aisle as I always do not matter what and found no less than three ()just got one,tough) Maisto's Chevrolet Biscayne Station Wagon 1962,
I also won the lot of 4 Welly Police Cars: 2 Vics, a Yukon and a Suburban. From eBay, this time.I been having a blast as of late by finding models which otherwise are difficult to find.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 21, 2007 6:48:07 GMT 1
Dear All:
LACMTA just sent me a mail, stating that the NABI 60-footer, as used in the Orange Line,is avaliable as a Miniature Model. It similar to the Model I saw from Foothill Transit's Silver Streak.Fact was, when I saw tha bus on Tuesday, I knew that would not be by itself. The thing that bothers me is that the front wheels are also covered (on the real item, only the real wheels are so), giving an impression of a bus-sized NASH sedan. No matter. I will get these two in the near future.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 24, 2007 23:47:04 GMT 1
Dear All:
Today I went to the Wal mart close to my house only to gaze to several pegs with anything with them. No HOs of any kind as well, except for a lonely set of Malibu cars and some of the latter's trucks; also located a good ampunt of Norscot 1/87 scaled graders. Even Maisto's Fresh Metals, the Multiple pack version staged a disapearing act. After a couple of Hmmmm........ , I went to the Mall and entred at the next store who sells diecast, La Curacau. I got to the Mattel aisle, look up, and there it was, the Batmobile, just sitting there, ahead of the pack, waiting for me. Grabbed that, noticed its collector number, and looked for another. Nah, not even. Hence,I went to the cashier, paid for it, and that was that. Another one I wanted was finally located; the last two weeks brought a good amount of these 'almost impossible to find' items. Again: Hmmmmmmmm.............
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 29, 2007 15:33:51 GMT 1
Dear All:
I also belong to MCCH (Mtachbox Collectors Comunity Hall) Forum and as I joined, I discoverd,six monts after it happened, that Target brought Welly three inch diecasts on December 2005,and were selling them at their $1.00 section. Ever since I kept an eye in there to see if there would be a follow-up.
This time I received a heads up last week, and yesterday I walked in there and sure enough, I found them - all three which were left; the section was virtually empty, as compared with the tray,besides it, which had diecast helicopters, which was overflowing. Most three inch Wellys I bought in the cyberspace, and they came inside a window box, or inside Walgreens toy brand, Speed Wheels (and I got lucky on that because the vendor described them as Maistos, and no one caught that) or in the loose. The ones I got yesterday came in their own blisterpacks, so I got these mainly because their packaging. Since I want their Crown Vic Sedan (no Police unit) that is the one I will be searching for.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 1, 2007 4:09:17 GMT 1
Dear All:
High Speed also produced a lineup of 1/64 cars and some of the cars molded were the Alfa Romeo Spider, 1972 model. The problem with these was, even if I found at eBay, the dealer will be from Europe; hence, after shipping and insurance one is paying $20.00 for a model which really is at the $2.00 range. As of now, these are avaliable at Wal Mart under the Malibu Brand. These cars were also the Schuco badge as well, but did not sell well, so Schuco are not offering them any longer. And some vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Van, were part of the Grell 1/64 car line up, as a Beer Promo. Myself, I am interested on the Alfa 1972 and on their 5-door Toyota Rav4 )most models of the Rav 4 that I know are of the 3-door version).
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Post by RAOlson on Aug 1, 2007 23:54:24 GMT 1
Stopped at Wal mart last night looking for other models and found 1/64th scale versions of the Malibu models, including the Land Rover/Range Rover, Dodge Viper, Jaguar XKE, Porsche Cayenne. Very nice looking models. Don't recall the prices though.
Ebay has listed a VW Bug and Bus and a 5-pack including the Jag XK, Shelby Cobra and Lambo Gallardo.
Richard O.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 2, 2007 4:07:53 GMT 1
Dear All:
I been to my local Wal Mart one more time, and again the model/toy section was somehow empty, with no 1/87 models of any kind, except for the Norscot and Malibu semi trailers. However, I spotted a couple of the new Lexus GS430 by Matchbox. I got impressed with that; Mattel did the job as it was supposed to be: Matchbox is the one who offers serious models.Anxious for the Bentley,Alfa Romeo and the others which will come in 2007. They should go to 1/87 scale, period. Either them or Realtoy, but the latter been quiet lately.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 4, 2007 0:47:10 GMT 1
Dear All:
Sorry, guys, but I refuse to call these a toy (not only that,I removed them from the packaging): Norev set of Chrysler Crossfires, in Coupe and Convertible Form. Just gorgeous models and superdetailed; expensive as well, a $30.00 tag was given to it, but was worth it. Beautiful, gorgeous items!! Sorry. I want to get their 300 C and PT Cruiser next.
Motormax Fresh Cherries: Ford Mustang II x2,Gremlin,Pacer and a couple of Blue Pintos.
At K Mart, Greemlight (another one I refuse to call a toy): Dodge Coronet 1965, 'Cuda 1971. Still looking for their Impalas, but in between I am grabbing everything else in between. Another Matchbox Cadillac Hearse (finally, two of them), some more Crown Vic Police cars.
At Target, the Wellys they had (again only three of them) were the same I got before; hence I got the Military Jeep from Toy Story which lost its original pack and was thrown at the $1.00 section.
These are 1/87 scale, but aircfaft: New Ray Bell Jet Ranger and Agusta Helicopters. Nice items, really!!
And finally my lot of Wellys came foward: All police cars,a Yukon,Suburban and a couple of Vics.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 7, 2007 6:57:37 GMT 1
Dear All:
El Super is a small chain of supermarkets, where one does the savings, in theory, by bagging its own groceries. I made a quick run to there, and as I was ready to exit, I noticed these toys they had at $ .88 the package. I approached, and saw all types of toy themes (vehicular, action hero and more). The casting was not impressive, the cheap type, which I avoid, because I had the unpleasant experience to see fall apart on my hands if I apply some pressure to the casting. I look at a package which had a couple of Porsches plus a launcher (one puts the cars inside the opening from the launcher, press the lever and there goes the vehicles). They looked familiar, so I turned the package around and read the following: Distributed by Wal Mart,Inc. Unbelievable,was the word I muttered. Then, I look below the toy displays, and saw some of the unopened boxes, and at one of the sides, it was marked 'Imperial' (the toy Company, which I tought it was gone because it was acquired by Buddy L. Alas, Imperial had a line of vehicles which were, in fact, rebadged Yat Ming items, a decent car line of their own which were also sold under Buddy L badging, and a line of cheap diecast, similar to the ones I was facing now) and Wal Mart at its other side. I got the Porsches plus launcher, a set of Fire Trucks (including a copy of Maisto's fwd Buick Regal as a Fire Chief car) and a set with Hummers. No Imperial markings on the pack; I am curious what is imprinted on the cars base, so I will go back tomorrow in order to buy similar items and opens the pack. As I see it, this was a 'pack' purchase, because seeing Wal Mart as a toy distributor flabbergasted me; so I have the pack to prove it. And as far as I know, El Super Markets are not associated to Wal Mart.
I also had a fast affair at Big Lots, and nothing oustanding in there, except this circa 1/100 scale older-type aircraft made by Gearbox (I understand that they closed their doors) and a series of plastic-made, c1/55 scale, transformer cars.At the K Mart close to it, I saw the Transformer them coming from Maisto, under Robot Rides, but the Chevrolet 1957, Cadillac 1963 and Scion Coupe are on 'before assembly' -or re-arrengement - form. So, toymakers are trying to cash over with the movies sucess. I know such miniatures since the 1980's,and as time went buy, their assembled position kept looking better and better; I do not care much about the theme, however, but it is something unusual, nevertheless.
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zeck62
Junior Member
Posts: 150
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Post by zeck62 on Aug 7, 2007 12:16:35 GMT 1
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 7, 2007 16:14:23 GMT 1
Dear Phillipe:
Thanks for the info. This weekend I got the Chrysler Crossfire set from Norev, and these are also absolutely marvelous items.
Nick K
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 10, 2007 18:35:57 GMT 1
Dear All:
Went to Wal Mart and noticed that this gentleman, who had a store's basket, was filling up it with several models (by the time I spoke to him, he had at least a hundred with him). He mentioned that his friend modified the vehicles in question, re-seal them and of course, they are sold after that; these are called code 3 models, an activity that at times is not appreciated by the manufacturers. Of course, the gentleman is paid for its effort; he does not collect. That may me wonder how the final product will look, and if Mattel will do something against this person. Someone else using his modeling talents.
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