stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 7, 2005 4:51:19 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
At the Norev rebirth topic I just went thru a discussion about the scale of certain Norev vehicles. The giveaway for that are the wheels: on the three inchers, these will be similar on a group of cars and not that realistic. Incidentally, the Peugeot 206 and its sporty version are avaliable at the three inch range; Maisto,Welly and Majorette also do offer this vehicle.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 8, 2005 5:24:44 GMT 1
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 22, 2005 6:33:15 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
The Maisto Playerz series come out at target stores and these vehicles - except for the wheels - are a large improvement as compared with Miasto's regular 1/64 scale series.Plenty of details,putting them at the delicate territory and interiors. The Mercedes-Benz sedan looks particulary good and these are selling well,because one can only find empty pegs at the stores that displays them. I will keep an eye on these because I want the Chrysler 300 and I do not pay a lot for these at places like eBay. Change the wheels,and these models will be super.
Mattel realeased a series of circa 1/45 scale vehicles that includes the Chrysler 300C, Maybach,Scion Xb and an Infiniti ( I do not remember the model). I am pretty sure that these will graduate to three inches,too. Alas, the wheels from the Mattel version looks almost the same as the smaller Maisto versions; and in both cases, the vehicles are low-riders.
Matchbox seem to be hearing the complains of its followers because now it is offering a series of more realistic vehicles.Anxious for their Dodge Magnum Cop car; 2005 versions are already avaliable
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 22, 2005 17:37:26 GMT 1
Dear Sirs: I already commented about that on the other 1/64 thread and there it comes: Jeep Rescue. It is a showcar that appeared at the 2005 auto show.DaimlerChrysler have no intetion to produce the real thing, yet Maisto made a model of it that is being sold for $20.00 at one store that I know; Matchbox will release it in the 1-75 series for 2005. Alas,I went thru the 2005 1-75 series listings and Matchbox have now a very high amount of real vehicles in it as opposed to the ones it have in either 2004 and 2003. It seems that the collectors were complaining about that. Below,an article about the real Jeep Rescue: jeepin.com/news/rescue/index.asp
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 25, 2005 0:27:59 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
Got it and I truly liked this model: Chrysler 300 by Maisto - Playerz - 1/64 scale series. Lots of detail and the steering wheel is not just a knobby thread; it is a separate piece; identified as a 2005 Chrysler 300 C. Now I am searching for the Dodge Magnum cop car from Matchbox.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 29, 2005 22:06:50 GMT 1
Dear Sirs: This German eBay seller has the following mini-jets Norevs which are claimed as 2005 releases: Volkswagen Golf GTI V Volkswager Touarg Dakar Rally Racer Renault Mode Renault Laguna Renault Espace van Duracell Peugeot 807 van Peugeot 206 CC convertible One of his auctions can be seen below. Notice how different the box of the vehicle is. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2505&item=6944846634&rd=1
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Post by h0collector on Jan 30, 2005 10:34:20 GMT 1
I notice that (some of) these models are in 1/58 scale - a really odd scale. I think that is a problem with a lot of so-called 1/64 models, which can be anything from, say 1/55 - 1/75. Maybe Nick has more to say about this ? Bjarte
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 30, 2005 16:29:10 GMT 1
Dear Bjarte:
One of the issues with these vehicles is the fact that since most are considered toys,scale is not a relevant issue. Also,cars from 1/48 to roughly 1/76 scale keep at the same three inch level; hence.it is up to the manufacturer in which size they would reproduce the car. As a rule of the thumb, micro-cars and sporty vehicles are on the 1/55 territory in order to dispaly a good amount of details about these; full size sedans will be at the 1/76 scale of the spectrum.Besides,most of the manufacturers of these cars have a box or blistercard fits all policy; hence the variations. I also heard that some cars had a same chassi for a say Rolls Royce or a Volkswagen; hence as one measures these, there may be discrepancies at say the wheelbase of the car. The Matchboxes of the 1960's were -as Marc S would say - scale toys; things went awry by the 1970's only to get a tad normal by the 1980's.
Siku has the 1/55 policy and granted,all of their cars are at or nearby this scale. And the current products of Norev, ERTL/Racing Champions Muscle Machines,Hongweel with all its variations,Minichamps,Herpa and Schuco were scaled mod....er,toys. ERTL, with their early 1/64 issues that appeared at the very early 1980's were exactly that scale and the same is true of the late 1990's/early this century Muscle Machine series;the few ones from Minichamps were also to scale; the Herpa and Schuco ranges were claimed 1/66,but I believe that these were 1/72 in reality. And I already mentioned Siku. All others - Playing Mantis,Mattel Hot Wheels, Majorette,Matchbox,Guisval,Buby,Funrise et al have a range of scales that goes from 1/48 to 1/76 for the cars and 1/80 to 1/160 to their trucks,buses and construction equipment. The main factor here is the packaging and this is an uniform item and it will not change to acomodate a say,larger vehicle.
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skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
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Post by skunk on Jan 31, 2005 12:53:39 GMT 1
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Jan 31, 2005 18:04:44 GMT 1
Dear Skunk:
Thank you. Very beautiful item indeed and no,I do not believe I heard of it. There are now other toy manufacturers who are doing fierce competition to Tomica and this is one of them.
Thank you one more time,
Nick K
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 1, 2005 7:50:21 GMT 1
Dear Skunk: One more time,thank you very much. I also follow what is new on the 1/64 world via a site that is dedicated to this scale. They also give info on 1/18 scale and if a model is made in 1/87,they report it,such the Kaden-made Citroen (pictures of it at their site). Their publications are monthly since 1998. This month,they revealed about DyDo. More about that later. In terms of 1/64 models,Tomica was the Japanese version of Matchbox simce 1971 and these were very well detailed models. Since this was the case,they failed on the US marketplace because these cost more than Matchbox or Hot Wheels, hence the mothers - and/or the consumers - would get the items that cost less. Tomica is a household name as a Matchbox now and the collecting community agrees that these are high-detailed,quality items. However,for better or for worst, the new items from them are made in China and their hard-core collectors hunt by the japanese-made samples. In all,one can say that Tomica was by itself until the end of the last century; by now,there is competition and these new entrants are doing superb pieces themselves; three new entries to be exact. Minichamps set the example by producing 1/64 models at the mid-1990's: the McLaren Supercar and a Fiat 600 are the ones I have and if I am not mistaken there were formula cars as well. Excellent quality as it can be expected from this company,but as their 1/87 scale venture,that was short-lived. Auto Art followed around 1999 or so and they still producing their three-inchers and these are considered the Minichamps of 1/64 scale - they are great items,period (or,if I follow Marc thinking,great looking and accurate toys.Fine.) One of the japanese new entries is made by an already known company for their product quality: Kyosho. At first, they started with two classic formula racers and now their line expanded to a full range of Lamborghinis including the Jota and more than twenty versions of Ferrarris (since Mattel does not have the exclusive rights over this make,someone else is doing their models). DyDo stands for a cafe place in Japan, and the models are exclusive items for this place and,as it is shown at the auction that Skunk found above,these are in kit form. As is the case with Norev, these are difficult or virtualy impossible to find outside Japan hence expect to find high prices at places like eBay. Tomica's place as the only Japanese manufacturer of 1/64 is a thing of the past now and not only that, the competition are bringing even more accurate items to the marketplace. The other two entrants will be mentioned at the next thread. One more time,thank you Skunk. Below,the site that I spoke above. They also report on 1/87 cars now and then. www.breithaupts.com/toycar.html
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 2, 2005 6:24:00 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
Tomica's other competitor is called Konami and it is enough to say that these are high quality items. As I heard, a 1960's Mazda Cosmo was molded and besides offering correct wheels, the tires are of correct width and the steering wheel is as the one from the real car. I do not know much about this line, and I will try to find more about it. In all,it fits the bill - in terms of detail - like the creations of ERTL Muscle Cars that were the ultimate in detailing for a 1/64 scale car.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 5, 2005 4:15:40 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
What can I say other than Mattel is a huge affair?
By the mid-1990's I would check the Hot Wheel packages from vehicles that were not marketed in the US and these had global adresses in their blisterpack, including India whose MAN Double Decker bus was a local model.
Is known that Matchbox is under Mattel's umbrella since 1997 and this company is a mega-toy company now; after all, Matchbox was quite well known about its distribuition systems; however,word has that Mattel was worried about the raise of Maisto and a threat from its past by the name of Johnny Lightning (this time made not by Topper, as in the 1960's,but Playing Mantis).
At this century - around 2003 or so - I noticed the Japanese Hot Wheels and the fact that,as it happened at the early 1990's for the 'foreign models', these miniatures are different than the ones offered in the US; the 'Back to the Future' De Lorean is one the offerings besides a very well detailed Citroen 2CV and other very detailed vehicles. Also known as Charawheels, these are the third competitor of Tomica,albeit not at that order due to its Mattel connections. Buying these implies - where I found them - a good amount of Cash. Also, if I understood well, these models may have a Diapet connection as well. Need I say more?
So there is. News about these producers will be given as I gather them. Hm. Well, more manufacturers than ever,and if the ones from the past are added,that means a lot of little 1/64 cars around.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 5, 2005 17:51:00 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
High-end makes made well in 1/64,be it Cadillac,Lincoln,Mercedes-Benz,BMW,Lexus or Infiniti.
Lincoln is represented by the circa 1964 Continental by Matchbox;Mark III by Lindberg,Mark IV by Tomica and Yat Ming;Mark V by Matchbox and 1988 Town Car by Matchbox.The circa 1958 Premiere was Molded by Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning,and there is a 1940's Lincoln as well,but I am not sure who manufactured it.
Cadillac is well represented,starting with a circa 1935 model by Hot Wheels;a circa 1953 model was molded by the same company,but as a McDonald's give-away ( the Kid's Meal give-aways are done by Mattel for McDonalds'these are not,at most cases,part of the Hot Wheels line). Mattel also provided a circa 1957 and the extravagant 1959 convertible (so did Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning about the latter). The final Eldorado Convertibes and hardtops from the 1970's were offered by Playart and Lindberg;Playing mantis.Johnny Lightning brought a Pace Car model.Of late,there is a circa 1977 four door De Ville by Tomica and Yat ming;circa 1996 Seville by Tootsetoys and a circa 1999 De Ville by Maisto. Alas,Hot Wheels 1958 Cadillac was considered a high notch model;excellent representation of the real car; Matchbox also offered one as one of the first 1-75 models. Finally,the Allante was offered by Matchbox ,Majorette and Playing Mantis.Protos such as the Cadillac V16 where molded by Mattel but models such as the new STS are not avaliable yet. Due to the cost of licencing fees,Maisto also offered the final generation of the Seville,but its front end was modified in order not to resemble the real car and these were police and taxi packages. CTS sedan by Jada Toys but again,due to the fact that this is a low-rider,it comes drastically modified and the detail at times is not that great.
Chrysler make is the top of the line from Chrysler Corporation.Yet,no many miniatures were made of it in 1/64.The Imperial,which at times was a separate make,was offered,as circa 1964 model,by Lone Star. If these can count,the circa 1984 Town & County convertible was offered by Road Champs and there are miriads of PT cruisers-Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning,Matchbox,Motormax,Maisto,Chinese brand and perhaps more.The prototypes-a two door version was molded by Hot Wheels and Maisto; a roadster was offered by Maisto when these were refered as Plymouths. The new 300 C is out,courtesy of Maisto (Playerz series; very nice model except for the wheels) and Hot Wheels; yet the miniature of the latter is in caricature form.
I will not even try to go after the Mercedes-Benz offerings,just mention that Siku,Corgi Jr,Hot Wheels,Matchbox,Playing Mantis.Johnny Lightning,Maisto,Welly,Motormax,Playart,Yatming,Guisval,Buby-to mention a few-offered a ton of models from this manufacturer.Siku will offer the oldest ones; from the 1960's on, Matchbox will be a good source; the remaining are for 1970's - current models.My pick will be: the 450 SE from Matchbox and the 240 D from Corgi Jr.Alas,Welly has a good amount of the modern ones,be it the C or E series;I got several of them from this manufacturer.Majorette had decent representations from the circa 1984 190 E;Hot Wheels also did offered the SLR series. And many more,of course,and I am not bothering with the SUV's.The convertibles and the Gullwing version was decently reproduced by Corgi Jr. A Korean diecast manufacturer offered a Mercedes Benz 350SL in Fire Chief form; of course,that may not be realistic yet indicates the appeal of this make around miniature manufacturers.
I do not know of any BMW 501 models in 1/64;Siku may have done some of these.A decent amount of the 3 and 7 series exist.Majorette,Corgi Jr,Matchbox,Hot Wheels,Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning,Motormax,Welly have a good selection of models,especially of the 1990's roadsters.No models of the current 745i yet;I hope Welly does it (it offers this car in other scales).Again,most of the BMW;s are current (1960's on) models.
The Lexus is represented quite well. All series-I,G,LS are repoduced.The LS is offered either as a Lexis or Toyota Celsior (Zee Toys for Lexus;Tomica for Toyota and it offers a couple of Generations of it). The I series is offered by Maisto or Jada Toys;the G series is offered by Jada Toys.The roadster is also represented by Jada Toys.
Infinity has a model amd it is Nissan Counterpart,by Tomica.
Acura is offered as the sporty NSX by a variety of manufacturers. Tomica offers other models as well,albeit in Japanese version.
Rolls Royces were always avaliable from Matchbox;this ended by the Tyco period.ERTL also had one,and so did Tomica and Yat ming.Hot Wheels also molded one of these,but as a custom.Playart and Zee Toys had a two-door version At the moment,I do not see any renditions of the new one,which I consider quite ugly.
From the makes from the past,Packards also have very few renditions,the current one being the Caribbean Convertible from RCE.They did a good job at that;nice additiion at any scale.
Duesenberg also got reprduced.One of these was a 1931,4-door model by Hot Wheels.The molds from this model was recently destroyed (last run series).A SJ type convertible was offered by RCE and this is a nice three-incher;very well captured and impressive as the real model was.
Playing Mantis released - as a James Bond car,which appeared in Moonraker (1979) - an Hispano Suiza convertible from the 1930's. A very nice,if not surprising,offering.
The new Maybach did graduated to die-cast,courtesy of Mattel. As of now,is a circa 1/45 scale vehicle but I am sure it will appear as a Hot Wheels item as well.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Feb 8, 2005 5:30:41 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
One, fruits of my continuing inventory.
Two,good thing I keep packagings.
This way, I can tell with certainity even twenty years from now that the first Maisto's were packaged on Zylmex blisterpacks and no models were shared.
Now is the turn of Jada Toys origins.
At first,I thought that they came to be with 1/32 scale semi tarctor/trailers and 1/24 scale vehicles. That is true.
On the 1/64 front,I discovered that one their first offerings were Motormax with keychains.The one I have is Motormax first new offering - #6016 - Chrysler PT Cruiser. Thing is, when I got this little car in early 2001,I saw the number but there were only Made in China markings on its base;it took me a while until I figured that Motormax were on the verge to release a new line of 1/64 models and give a rest to the nearly ten-year old Zylmex miniatures. This Jada Toys item has the PT Cruiser painted black with the Silver keychan; #6016 at its base,PT Cruiser plus Made In China. The packaging marks Jada Toys and a slogan denoting how fun their company is. I am not aware if more Motormax models were used by Jada; thing is,towards the end of 2001 the 1/64 cars of the latter which had nothing to see with Motormax were debuting.Today,as Maisto, it is an established manufacturer; is interesting to notice that had 'shared models' at its debut.
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