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Post by Sylvain on Mar 30, 2005 19:50:26 GMT 1
I found your question from some time ago, and as you do not have a 1960 Pontiac on your photo site I will assume that you are uncertain whether it is worth the hunt and expense on eBay… Well, Dave, thanks for all these informations about the 1960 Pontiac. In fact, I already have one (rather expensive to get, you're right there). And I'm toying with the idea of using a 1959 Busch/Praliné Cadillac for quite some time now. But, as you have understood, I was not so sure of the result, as it seems to me that the Pontiac was too big. But what you've done inspire me, and I'm going to do it. The problem now is to find another 1959 Cadillac Coupe. By the way, I've also used the same roof to convert an Alloy Forms 1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible in a Coupe. It fits rather well too.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Mar 31, 2005 3:29:09 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
Up to now,I did not understood much what kind of measurements were used in order to determine that the Pontiac is up to size. I usually would measure its lenght,width and heigth and compare with the data given for the real car. I did this with the #46 C Mercedes-Benz 300 SE and figured that this car is 1/64 scale;even the wheelbase measurements were correct.
I do have the 1956 Ford Wagon and that is close to 1/76 scale. I do not know about their 1959 version.
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Post by DavidJohnson on Mar 31, 2005 3:30:00 GMT 1
....But, as you have understood, I was not so sure of the result, as it seems to me that the Pontiac was too big.... By the way, I've also used the same roof to convert an Alloy Forms 1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible in a Coupe. It fits rather well too. Sylvain, I'm glad you found your way over to this thread. The Pontiac is a little large, and I trust you read the other posts with dimensions and scale calculation. It will look a lot better without the toy like wheels and SUV like ground clearance. In my test fitting of the roof the windshield and side glass mated perfectly, so it will be an easy conversion once you locate a Cadillac coupe. Has the Busch Cadillac coupe been out of production? Walthers (a US distributor) has in the past week began listing a "1959 pink El Dorado 2 door" as in stock. Hopefully they mean the coupe and not a convertible. Your 1959 Impala looks very nice. Naturally I thought you had used the same process as I had to modify the convertible to the coupe. My Impala coupe was created by filing away most of the convertible top. It is still waiting to receive glass, which would not be a problem had I used the Praline roof Very nice work on the 1950 Chevrolet trucks. Are they new additions to your photo page? best regards, Dave
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Apr 3, 2005 20:06:16 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
Matchbox commemorated its 50th anniversary in 2002. All the cars had a little 50th.... marking at the blisters/boxes. And in all of these years,goes without saying,may models were offered. It went by itself,owned by Universal of Hong Kong,Tyco and Mattel of the US.
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Post by jmrkos on May 11, 2005 20:46:27 GMT 1
Hello. I am looking for several models in order to find the exact scale, but I can noy find the items in any page. The 23 Trailer caravan is not in the 1/87 models, but in other list ( .NE) appears as 1/87, is the yellow one with the separate roof in white plastic and interior blue skay. The bedford truck BP ref 25 appears in the 1/87 list, but 28 jaguar MK10, 70 Thames state car, 34 Volkswagen caravette ( this one without doors, what a pity), and 45 ford corsair with boat ( lost roof support), dont appears in any list, however, the ref 32 Jaguar E type, appears in .NE as 1/70 scale, really, is very big for play with the EKO 1/88 models. I wote a post in the 1/87 scale info, but... really it was not the correct site. B. Rgds. from Jose Antonio.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 11, 2005 22:06:49 GMT 1
Dear Jose Antonio:
The thing with Matchbox is the fact that few publications bothered to scale their vehicles. Truth be told, during the Lesney era,these were scaled toys.
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 18, 2005 17:22:32 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
It seems that Mattel is doing the right thing for Matchbox lately. Last year,the Supeerfast series were introduced and all of these were not the blob concept that were part of the 1-75 range; mostly are real and very detailed vehicles.To be frank,I like this series a tad more than the 1-75 series despite the price difference and word has it that the Matchbox collectors who were grunting about Matchbox offerings are happy as well.
Now the Superking series is back.These models are the 1/43 cars from the collectable series with perhaps less detailing in order to keep a lower price. Would be interesting to re-release the Yesteyear series - these were considered the best of Matchbox,only complaint being the scale variations.
Perhaps Mattel understood that Hot Wheels sucess is mostly limited to the US,while Matchbox is appreciated worldwide and from 2001 the cars from the latter were just unrealistic blobs with very ugly wheels (even that - the rims,really - is changing).
It is to be seen what will happen next.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 7, 2006 6:58:41 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
As been happening since 2005,the Matchbox 1-75 series are now releasing,as a majority,realistic vehicles,as opposed to 2004,when the majority were 'blobs' of questionable taste.Even better selection on the Superfast series.
Matchbox 1-75 series for 2006:
01.....Volkswagen Golf Mk V GTI 02.....Mercedes Benz CLS 500 03.....Jaguar XK 04.....Jaguar E-Type coupe 1961 05.....Audi RS6 Avant 26.....Ford Crown Victoria 2006 CHP 27.....Fire Truck 28.....Ford Transit van 2006 29.....International CXT 30.....Tractor Plow 50.....Range Rover Sport 51.....Dune Buggy 2006 52.....Cement Mixer 2006 53.....Gas Tanker 54.....Off-Road 55.....Land Rover Defender 110 1997 56.....Double Decker Bus AEC Routemaster 57.....Cadilllac Hearse
A nice list,indeed,be it the Routemaster or International CXT.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jul 15, 2006 7:47:54 GMT 1
Dear All: Well,Matchbox has done it.They released an item known as 'City Bus' (too bad is not prototypical) and this year it has the colors of the LACMTA,Los Angeles Transit Operator. Since the beggining of this Century,there are Local and Rapid Liveries in the buses and the denominations are self-explanatory.A new livery was given to the fleet for the Local Buses:Orange body,grey in the lower portion between the whellwells.Also,there is Metro Local markings on the roof,close to the front and in larger letters at its sides;a Local denomination is also present,at the grey portion and close to the front wheelwell. There is this Matchbox site which deals with this manufacturer as found in the UK and their listing start in 1969. They have photos of the 2006 collection,and their bus picture shows Metro Local inprinted at the Roof and sides,as it should be.The ones I got,however,only have Metro written at these portions of the vehicle;the lower Local logo was not forgotten.As of now,since the item is new,I can not tell if there is an error on my models or the right logos were deleted at last moment.Something silly,tough:'The driver only carry Matchbox Models'.Probably that was the reason why the lettering is not right;plus is an -imaginary' bus;the fleet number is not right.also (three digits instead of four). Oh,well.At least it exists. Photo from the above mentioned site below: www.matchbox1-75.com/images/2006/2006_33.jpg
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Aug 21, 2007 5:44:51 GMT 1
Dear All:
I would not know which are the real numbers here, but sales of Matchbox are up dramatically as opposed to last year (some say 34, some say 75%). Either way, that is due to the fact the some of Mattel's experiments with the brand went awry and now it is treated as it was - more or less - like the Lesney Era (Universal also treated this brand well; the problems started with Tyco but really went South in 2004). Be as it may, some of the models, such as the Bentley Continental and Alfa Romeo, and the Original Ford Bronco are being awaited with anxiety by the collectors of the brand; and slowly but virtualy all reminders of the 'Hero City' times are being supressed, my only criticism being that they are still issuing generic Commercial Vehicles. Also, as far as my purchases go, I also did added several more Matchbox Models than last year.
Their sales volume are also being reflected by the fact that Wal Mart, who had only two or three spaces for it on the last years, gave a section only for the Matchbox brand (which I find frequently almost sold out). Some are not happy, however, that the line will expand to 100 models for 2008 (as it happened in 1999 and 2000) while others state that this way their sales could be higher. I am a bit not sold on that, because,since Matchbox returned - so to speak - to its roots, I also a firm believer of the 1-75 lineup. But one never knows. I want to see what it will be repoted an year for now. Is also stated that distribuiton is better, and another charming model is the Austin Mini Van (just got it) and the all Black Crown Vic. The latter is almost perfect up to its wheels!!
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 18, 2008 1:08:15 GMT 1
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perez
Junior Member
Posts: 113
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Post by perez on Mar 4, 2008 19:48:20 GMT 1
hey stanhas, thanks ofr the pics! I really got ot look out for those!! the look great so far especially the cadillac and the citroen
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