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Moebius New trucks......KW, Peterbilt.....others? New trailer?


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Since it seems that there is interest in new Moebius tractor kits - seems there is lots of interest in KW , Peterbilt or Freightliner.

I think it's a good idea for me to speak up here.

As of today, Moebius only has a license for class 8 trucks with Navistar.

Would we like to do other big rigs? the answer is a qualified yes - the problem is that these are monsterous projects and require very large investments of time and capitol.

We are a very small company and we have 5 major car/truck projects plus the new 53 ft trailer in the works now along with numerous other projects, not related to cars/trucks.

Will we branch out to other Big truck brands? I hope that we can, but we need to get current projects, under development, on store shelves first. Once that's done, we need to determine a subject that we can do profitably, make licensing arrangements and proceed to development..

Please keep in mind that development for one of these big trucks can take18 months to two years, after licensing has been signed and a subject determined.

The 53 ft smooth side trailer is in test shots now and seems to be on schedule for release this fall. I have one sitting next to my work bench now waiting for paint.

Bottom line for new tractors is we'll have to wait and see what can be done - I wouldn't expect anything by way of a Kw, Peterbilt etc. very soon.

New trailers you say!?

That may be easier to do than a new tractor - we've been looking at several possibilities. I'd say another modern trailer could happen much sooner than an entirely different brand of tractor - simply because a trailer is much simpler than a tractor. Once again, we need to get some current projects on store shelves before we get too deep into another new item.

Dave

Edited by Dave Metzner
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Thanks for clarifying the situation Dave. While it is disappointing to hear that a new truck kit is not in the near future, I certainly understand the reasons why are the same- time and money!

Really looking forward to what is already planned, and of course like others I have ideas for other new kits, just hope you guys keep churning them out!

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Is there any interest in vintage big rigs? Like say from the 30s-40s-50s? Would licensing for such kits be any cheaper? Or does it make no difference? Or is there no interest in kits like that?

Just wondering.

I think the resin guys cover a lot of the older stuff Harry. I would imagine it is very time consuming to research and develop a big truck kit, with or without the factory help and finding an accurate, older 1:1 truck might not be as easy. As far as licensing goes, I am sure it is still an issue.

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Cheers Dave for the clarification. Having built 2 Lonestars, one out of the box, one as a base for an Auslowe Kenworth T904 conversion and currently building a Prostar, Moebius needs to keep going down the heavy truck path. I'm certain if you get a modern KW, Peterbilt, Mack or Freightliner out, (I'm a Mack man and I think a KW or Peterbilt would sell the most) it will sell like hotcakes. Drake Trailers Australia is doing the K200 KW and a Drake trailer. Heaps have been pre ordered. I look foreward to the future.

Ben

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Back in the 50s and early 60s they were still flat towing or open trailering race cars, often behind station wagons. The well funded teams had flatbeds or box trucks The dedicated big rig haulers came later. Those 60's and 70's ramp trucks are hot right now, even before the Snake and Mongoose combo came up at Barrett Jackson. Now that'd make an awesome combo. SnakeandMongoose_02_1000-700x525.jpg

Edited by Brett Barrow
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Kiekhaefer was without question by far the best funded team during the era that Moebius has done. They had some pretty cool haulers, but I'd bet these did double duty delivering Mercury Outboards when they weren't at the track.

kiekhaefertransports.jpg

NASCAR race 1964. That's Richard Petty's rig with Plymouth on it.

rp1264.jpg

rp1364.jpg

Photos from racersreunion.com

Edited by Brett Barrow
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Those 60's and 70's ramp trucks are hot right now, even before the Snake and Mongoose combo sold came up at Barrett Jackson. Now that'd make an awesome combo. SnakeandMongoose_02_1000-700x525.jpg

Brett- AMEN!!!! Tim

PS - new issue of Hot Rod DeLuxe has a page on vintage truck haulers this month....saying...*surprise*....they are really hot right now! TB

Edited by tim boyd
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T

Brett- AMEN!!!! Tim

PS - new issue of Hot Rod DeLuxe has a page on vintage truck haulers this month....saying...*surprise*....they are really hot right now! TB

I think a ramp truck of an older vintage than AMT's would do great, we've sold a ton of those. A big 4 door Dodge would be the way to go for all those Chrysler drag teams that there are all ready kits on the market.

I saw that article, I think that might have been what had them at the front of my brain.

2 of our best selling kits have been the Revell Pete Wrecker and the Moebius ProStar. I think a Lone Star or ProStar Wrecker would make a great subject, too.

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I saw that article, I think that might have been what had them at the front of my brain.

Brett...they've also been front and center for me now for about a year now (I have an entire binder of historic pix and research on this subject). I decided to do something along this line to celebrate my retirement (although I built the entire model, except for the last 7 days of the build, before my retirement started.) All of which probably helps to explain my next, upcoming article here in MCM....

There are also a couple of very similar - and extremely well done - builds that have already been featured here in the MCM forum...one which was completed (though I did not know it at the time) before I even started my project.

TB

Edited by tim boyd
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Old trucks could be interesting - they present their own set of problems - Modern trucks can be developend from CAD files - that is not too dificult.

Old trucks will have to be done from photography . Just finding a truck to photograph and measure then getting all the photos needed can be a probelm - then we have to translate 2 dimensional photos into a 3 dimensional model.

A Big truck from photos - that could be a nightmare!

It's tough enough to photograph and measure a car that's about 4 ft tall, a big truck that's 10-12 ft tall really makes it tough to do!

We've discussed some classic older class 8 trucks we'd like to try to do but it still comes down to licensing - then we have the issues of how to get good information to develop a kit from.

We've looked at some of the old COE trucks that are around, many of those are hot rods - those are neat and might be fun subjects. Trying to do one factory stock would be a challenge, just finding an authentic truck to photgraph and measure could be tough..( you have to keep in mind that our entire staff consists of about 4 full time people, so we need to find a subject to photograph that is close to northern Indiana or close to Florida so one of us can drive to the location of the subject)

Edited by Dave Metzner
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Dave, I just wanted to say thank you for even considering making new truck kits. I think we could do with more trailers ,myself. Like a new tool Beal tanker, dry bulk, lowboys,

ect. And thank you for taking the time to respond. Not many kit manufacturers do that.

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I'd like to see a current open car carrier trailer or a current NASCAR style hauler made. Or maybe one of the enclosed style car carriers that the collector car companies use to transport cross country.

I bet a lot of car builders like myself would be inspired to build a truck if it was something we could display with our cars.

Edited by S. Svendsen
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Is there any interest in vintage big rigs? Like say from the 30s-40s-50s? Would licensing for such kits be any cheaper? Or does it make no difference? Or is there no interest in kits like that?

Just wondering.

There is definitley interest, but a lot has been covered by resin, and a lot can be done by kitbashing pickup kits. There werent really "big rigs" then as we know them today, except for Mack, Sterling, & Autocar.Most companies used the same sheet metal as the pickup with wider fender flares on heavier chassis. Ford, dodge, and chevy did this, and other truck companies used their cabs. FWD used dodge cabs, Federal used ford etc. Go check out the recently posted build of the Chevy C60 under glass. The Mack, Autocar, Sterling, Corbit, Dodge, & GMC cabs from that time are available from AITM. Studebaker, Mercury,Ford, Chevy, & Dodge cabs are available from Frontier resins. Everything else can be kitbashed.

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Licensing with Navistar is great, but as far i know for highway tractors, its just international and a joint venture with CAT. If you were to get licensing with Paccar, that opens up Pete and KW. With trailers, licensing with Mac would open you up to flatbeds, end dumps, liquid and dry bulk and all else Mac has going on. Moebius might want to consider doing more wheel and tire sets, for more vehicles, different sizes for big trucks. That really wouldnt require licensing on wheels or tires since brands dont need to be involved. In my area the big rig wheel and tire sets are flying off shelves, if they can be found at the LHS.

The suggestion on a transporter would be great to see. Moebius put out a few versions of the popular NASCAR teams. The aftermarket would cover the decals for the rest, nascar, nhra, on and on and on.

Dave a big THANK YOU for starting and being part of this discussion. It really clears up any confusion and questions on how things work, direct from the source. You have great products and look forward to new products.

Harry P., my apologies for getting out of line on the other thread. This a good place full of good people, theres no excuse for letting someone get under my skin.

Thats a great idea about classic transporters and ramp trucks. Im a chevy guy, id like to see a 50 chevy cabover.

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Although im happy with whatever semi when i stumble to that world of class 8 i am partial to Ford and the F6/750s in pickup and dumptruck form. Theres also the IH cousin of the F series.

0809_8l_02_%2B2006_ford_f650%2Bleft_sideFord-F650-Crew-Cab-Lifted-Red-Truck.jpg

Call me a redneck or whatever but these big trucks were cool theyve influenced a build of mine.1655908_805091706187427_487753664_n.jpg

But hey whatever moebius makes itll be new and lot more accurate than revell and amt.

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Dave Metzner, on 19 Jul 2014 - 12:28 PM, said:

As of today, Moebius only has a license for class 8 trucks with Navistar.

Thanks for the posting Dave Metzner. I don't know how much clearer you can make it.

Class 8 Navistar trucks:

NT2105_B-500x375.jpg

International_WorkStar.JPG

paystar-01.jpg

Dave Metzner, on 19 Jul 2014 - 12:28 PM, said:

New trailers you say!?

That may be easier to do than a new tractor - we've been looking at several possibilities. I'd say another modern trailer could happen much sooner than an entirely different brand of tractor - simply because a trailer is much simpler than a tractor. Once again, we need to get some current projects on store shelves before we get too deep into another new item.

tandem-spread-with-bulkhead-rear-view-1.

Edited by chuckyr
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I personally think the Workstar and Paystar would make for excellent modeling subjects. However, the majority of truck builders seem to prefer lots of chrome because they want bling. Geographic location has a lot to do with ones personal preference and I'm no exception, give me a new vocational truck and I'll build it regardless of the make.

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I personally think the Workstar and Paystar would make for excellent modeling subjects. However, the majority of truck builders seem to prefer lots of chrome because they want bling. Geographic location has a lot to do with ones personal preference and I'm no exception, give me a new vocational truck and I'll build it regardless of the make.

I like the Workstar and Paystar too.

Of course chrome plating can be removed.

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