Could you make a business case for upcoming new kit subjects?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Also need too add the 1966 - 1977 Ford Bronco. Why has this one been overlooked?

Scott Aho

Yes please. Love those things, and there's bunches of versions possible too.

Late 1960s Dodge D-700 car hauler truck. Multiple versions?

Or at the very least, a pickup version of that body style in the beginning, leading into a stretch cab and frame based on the first gen tooling maybe?

I'd just really like to have the option of building the pickup with correct, detailed guts under it.

[BubbaBrown]

I'd just love to see Revell give the option of stick or auto trans and different intake combos on there tri-five's. Stick or auto trans on the nova ss. And they sold way more 396's than 350's in real life. Maybe they wanted us to buy two kits to make one. Also bench or bucket seats. Console optional on cars when appropiate. Round 2 has made a living off of ant/mpc molds. Its time to step up and do the 1968 Dodge R/T. They got the Plymouth's, Roadrunner, Gtx etc. i think the Dodge would help complete the line.

[S. Svendsen]

I've been lobbying for an accurate mid '70's NASCAR chassis with '77 Monte Carlo and cutlass bodies. You could get about 20 separate kits out of those if you add all the decal variations.

[Jim Whalen]

Hi Guys,

I liked the suggestion for a '34 Chevy - it'd be nice to have something other than Fords to build!!

Having said that a good 1/25th Model A Ford would sell well and there are lots of varients and routes a manufacturer could go follow with them. It'd also be nice to see Revell bring out good '33 and '34 Fords as, once again, there are loads of things you can do with them. They could even save some money and use some of the parts from their series of '32s. I know someone said the interest in '30s hot rods is dropping but it seems to me they are still very popular. I was recently asked about building a replica of someone's '34 sedan and I had to tell him how much work it would take to get a quality model done of it.

Maybe model manufacturers could take a leaf out of the 1:1 world and think about how they can use platforms, engines, etc. (with good planning this approach could be done with accuracy) across different models so each time they bring out a new model there is less new tooling to be done.

[Agent G]

After 4 pages I come to the conclusion we are way too fragmented in our preferences. Hot Rods, muscle cars, stock, emergency vehicles, you name it we all have our preferences. Producing a viable kit in that market is kinda like pinning jello to a wall. There is a divide demographic as well. Any model company representative reading this thread would be suffering nervous tics right about now.

As a group, the active modellers with money for the hobby are us older guys. How long can we remain active in the hobby and should the manufacturers target us? In the short term we seem like a good bet, long term not so much.

Food for thought.

G

[Ace-Garageguy]

As a group, the active modellers with money for the hobby are us older guys. How long can we remain active in the hobby and should the manufacturers target us? In the short term we seem like a good bet, long term not so much.

Food for thought.

G

I'm probably going to be an active modeler for at least another 10 years, and I'll have thousands of discretionary dollars to spend. Maybe a good business strategy would be to focus on shortening product development cycles in order to most efficiently cash in on my particular demographic ASAP.

I know for a fact that lead times can be cut dramatically in any manufacturing industry. It comes down to quick and effective decision making, accurate and timely communication, and hiring people who can get the job done right the first time.

Moebius seems to have figured this out; at least that's what it looks like from my own perspective...admittedly NOT a model industry insider.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[thatz4u]

Pintos & Vegas

Studebaker pick ups

[Greg Myers]

I'm probably going to be an active modeler for at least another 10 years, and I'll have thousands of discretionary dollars to spend. Maybe a good business strategy would be to focus on shortening product development cycles in order to most efficiently cash in on my particular demographic ASAP.

I know for a fact that lead times can be cut dramatically in any manufacturing industry. It comes down to quick and effective decision making, accurate and timely communication, and hiring people who can get the job done right the first time.

Moebius seems to have figured this out; at least that's what it looks like from my own perspective...admittedly NOT a model industry insider.

Let's read this again. I did, and it really makes sense.

[Greg Myers]

and just as Robert feared , here we are again : " but I've hesitated because of what I fear it could degenerate into, I'm hoping for everyone to resist the urge to throw out the fantasy wish list: I'd love to be able to build the family cars from my childhood, but let's be honest: nobody in a million years is going to tool up a 68 Impala 4-door sedan with a straight 6 or an 84 LTD station wagon."

[Motor City]

I've never understood the lack of '73 through '77 GM A and G body cars as models. These cars were big hits in the day. Several I'd love see: 1. '73 Chevelle SS (2-door of course, but the wagon would be cool too). 2. '73 Monte Carlo. 3. '73 Buick Century GS or Regal. 4. Just about any '73 - '77 Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass Salon, or 4-4-2 (Supreme was one of the best selling cars of the 1970's). 5. '73 Pontiac Grand Prix or GTO. These were the last of the mid size GM cars with the 454 and 455 big blocks in them. I'd like them stock. But, many of these cars were raced. Especially in NASCAR.

The other one that needs to be done are the 1977 through 1991 full size Chevrolets. Make mine a '77 Impala coupe. But, here's a car that I think would sell big in just about any body style. Coupe, sedan, or wagon. I don't remember many being raced. But think of all the cop cars, taxis, etc. Plus the "Family Truckster" type station wagons! I would love a Caprice Estate (3-seat version) with the fake wood.

Someone else mentioned the '51 Ford. Again I don't understand why AMT never did this one years ago. Especially the '51 Victoria 2-door hardtop. The Victoria was only offered on the "shoebox" for '51. I like the front end of the '49 and '50s better. But, love that Victoria body style. Being that I mainly like building stock, I need a '51.

My two cents on the Tucker? I think it might sell OK. Looking at all the die casts done over the last twenty years or so, there maybe a market for it. If it's ever done, I know I'll buy one.

Scott Aho

I owned my folks' '76 Regal coupe, and my brother also had one. They were more expensive than the Cutlass, but looked better without the wrapover grille of the Cutlass and Grand Prix. It was very formal looking and there wasn't a bad line on the car. The Century had a slanted grille and looked sporty, and was also the Indy 500 Pace Car that year. With an emblem and grille change, you could get three kit variations. Out of the '73-'77 "A" bodies, I would think the '73 SS, El Camino, GTO, Grand Am, 442, and Cutlass Supreme would sell well. Variations on all of these could be made for '74 and '75 models. A '77 Can Am should also sell well. I think the Big Three were too busy at that time trying to meet emission and bumper crash standards to bother with model cars, but it is time to see some of these done.

[Ajay]

Just to chip in with a left field suggestion from across the pond : Mk1 Ford Escort - yup the boring family saloon !.

There's quite a big scene in the UK with the real cars commanding fairly serious money for the "sporty" versions such as the Mexico, Lotus TC & RS2000 - so enough building variations to go at &Tamiya has kitted some British cars like the Mini, Morgan & Mk II Jag so I'd love them to do one (or any other manufacturer for that matter).

The only kit that I know to in 1/24 / 25th is the Esci/Revell Mark II rally version which is pretty basic by todays standards (and not a Mk1) but still seems to command high prices on ebay so at least there seems to be a market at least over here.

I've no idea if it would be popular elsewhere but with them being fetured in video games & the MK1 RS 2000 in F&F may be they have a wider appeal.

Maybe the aftermarket could step in with different engines, decals, bubble arches, minilite wheels etc

Just floating an idea and would be interested in other people's opinions.

Cheers

Andy

[cartpix]

How about a decent E-Type Jag? Roadster, coupe, & racing versions of both. A 289 Cobra, with stock, FIA, & of course Daytona!!!

[unclescott58]

Andy Jones, is the Mk1 Escort the one with what I would call having the "dog bone" front end? Narrow grille that expands to go around the headlights? Kind of like the first generation Ford (Mercury in US) Capri? Big into Ralleying in the 70's? We never got that car in the United States. But, I know I would consider buying one if a kit was made. I don't know if the real car was any good or not, unlike our Ford Pinto. But, I've always liked the looks of it, from the pictures I saw.

Bring up Capri. Why is the first generation (none Consul) Capri not offered as a model kit? This car was popular around the world. A hit in every market it was sold in. And popular as a race car. Think of all the different variations one could get from the kit. Stock, racing, 4-cylinder, V6, V8 for the modified and hot rod group, left hand and right hand versions. US and European spec. English and German variations. Were is this kit?

Another car I'd like to see from this same time period, is a first generation Toyota Celica that can be built as a US spec model. There are a few Japanese kits of this generation car out there. But, none that can be built as how the car was sold in the US. Love the '71 and '72 Celicas with small bumpers. I love the clean look of the version sold here in the States. Though again, if planned right, one should be able to offer many different variations from the same basic tooling. Again why not?

And for our Australian friends. I'd love to see some late 60's, early 70's Holden Monaros, Ford Falcons, and Chrysler Chargers. Plus utes of any year or type. Despite these cars not being seen in most other parts of the world, especially the United States, I feel they would sell well once people became more aware of them. Especially with the early Muscle Car fans here in the US.

Scott Aho

Edited May 9, 2014 by unclescott58

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Well, not sure what will happen with it, but someone at the Milwaukee NNL 20 had a 48 Chevy by Galaxie Limited, and it seems that there was a write up about it in that other magazine, but they are not going to produce it!? If they have the tooling but cannot afford to produce the cars themselves, why not license it to one of the other companies to at least produce it!?

Edited May 9, 2014 by Modelbuilder Mark

[Ace-Garageguy]

Well, not sure what will happen with it, but someone at the Milwaukee NNL 20 had a 48 Chevy by Galaxie Limited... but they are not going to produce it!?

A serious assbite if it's not produced. I've been holding my breath for that one. The Galaxie kits were among the best out there, and I REALLY wanted several of these things to go with the others. Such plans. Period chopped with fade-aways, a gasser, big-wheel ground-scraping street-rod, maybe even a stocker grampa car. Bugger.

[tim boyd]

Well, not sure what will happen with it, but someone at the Milwaukee NNL 20 had a 48 Chevy by Galaxie Limited, and it seems that there was a write up about it in that other magazine, but they are not going to produce it!? If they have the tooling but cannot afford to produce the cars themselves, why not license it to one of the other companies to at least produce it!?

Mark,...it's been in scheduled for production overseas since late February....should be here in July/August (latest info as of several months ago from Gary Schmidt). Don't worry...it is coming. TIM

p

Edited May 9, 2014 by tim boyd

[Jim Whalen]

HI Andy,

I was thinking of the rear wheel drive Escorts myself - a real classic car with lots of varients that should help manufacturers get the most out of their investment.

If they were featured in a video game it should help with their market. Kit manufacturers need to look for things that have gotten into the general public's awareness somehow so models of cars etc. that have been featured in tv shows, movies, video games etc. may get the more casual builder involved. If they are nice kits and got together well it might help people do more model building.

[keyser]

Yes please. Lotus Cortina and the AMG Rot Sau too.

[Tom Geiger]

and just as Robert feared , here we are again : " but I've hesitated because of what I fear it could degenerate into, I'm hoping for everyone to resist the urge to throw out the fantasy wish list:

Yea, I don't see many business cases here! Guys, we are looking for viable projects. Kits of cars that A. Are timeless cars that will sell today and in the future. B. tools that would allow modification for multiple releases, use under different variations and cars to spread the cost across 4-10 versions.

No we don't care that you once had a Volare station wagon... that's good for two units sold!

[keyser]

Gee, I wonder if there's some massively successful video game kids play that has huge lists of cars in it? Maybe a company could look at that and see what huge numbers of people are "buying and driving" in those games. If only there was such a thing.... Maybe even on several different game platforms? Or even turned into a movie? Hmmmmmm.

Escort Mk 1 was in F&F recently, and between rally cars, commuters, and hot versions, 4-5 versions easy, and It'd sell here because of the movie recognition. Mk 2 similarly, but only in Forza. BMW E9 CSL/CS. Outstanding street car, and better race car. Extant kits poor save for rare Marui 3.5

Maybe a Tarantino film car series with Mangusta, etc. Could include Eelco/Moon/Cal Custom barefoot pedal in each kit (semi-inside joke).

Owners of many ugly Valiants and Styleline Rancheros shouldn't diss Volares...wait, no go ahead, they're ugly too. Sorry Tom, couldn't resist. But I'd ask for a Monteverdi Sierra wagon, thanks. After googlage, 3 sold

Edited May 10, 2014 by keyser

[Luc Janssens]

Don't realy have the time anymore to do a detailed business case, but here's an idea for those who do have that luxury and knowledge to further work it out....

1972-'93 Dodge D100/powerwagon and the 1973-1987 Chevy/GMC C/K series, enough variations to keep it in the catalog for decades...including Blazers and Ramcharger's/Traildusters

Both trucks were also used by the US armed forces, so 1/35 scale versions can be co-designed from day one, reducing development costs even further,

I know in 1/25th scale Mpc had the some versions in their catalog, but they were designed in an era when kits were considered toys and since they were updated annually prior versions are lost.,

But he big 250+K question however is, is the market ready for these trucks, cuz as a European I don't realy have a clue ;^)

http://ideas.revell.de/ideas/item/2734/

http://ideas.revell.de/ideas/item/2732/

Edited May 10, 2014 by Luc Janssens

[Jeff Johnston]

Yea, I don't see many business cases here! Guys, we are looking for viable projects. Kits of cars that A. Are timeless cars that will sell today and in the future. B. tools that would allow modification for multiple releases, use under different variations and cars to spread the cost across 4-10 versions.

No we don't care that you once had a Volare station wagon... that's good for two units sold!

I still think that an early 30s chopped and lowered kit would sell and they could do multiple releases, like they did with the 32 High boy. It offers multiple possibilities for body style, wheels and tires, engines, etc. They'd have the ability to sell a coupe, sedan, convertible, hood, no hood, flathead V8, straight 6 and the list goes on almost endlessly.

Oh and I still want a 67 Galaxie HAHA.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Business case questions, as if this were an actual product development meeting. No criticism intended...only realistic answers and thought sought.

I still think that an early 30s chopped and lowered kit would sell and they could do multiple releases, like they did with the 32 High boy. It offers multiple possibilities for body style, wheels and tires, engines, etc. They'd have the ability to sell a coupe, sedan, convertible, hood, no hood, flathead V8, straight 6 and the list goes on almost endlessly.

1) Why bother with a chopped and lowered '30s hot-rod kit when a competent modeler can already build an infinite number of variations on the hot-rod theme from the very good stuff that's already out there? Chopping and lowering upright cars is far far easier than say, a '49 Merc or a '48 Ford. Let's look at how those pre-chopped kits are selling. Convince us.

And how about some input on the sales of the pre-customized Stacey David "Rat Roaster" version of the '32 Ford? I know the car overall didn't appeal to a lot of modelers, like me, and I also know it DID appeal to a lot of modelers, like me, as a parts-raider source.

Gee, I wonder if there's some massively successful video game kids play that has huge lists of cars in it? Maybe a company could look at that and see what huge numbers of people are "buying and driving" in those games. If only there was such a thing.... Maybe even on several different game platforms? Or even turned into a movie? Hmmmmmm.

2) Do you really think the video-game crowd is going to make the conversion to building models, which requires an entirely different manual-dexterity skill set, patience, and an attention span that can be captured by something that isn't going crash and boom constantly? Again, make a convincing argument.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS "if YOU were a model-company executive, in charge of planning a new lineup of kits, what would you think WOULD ACTUALLY SELL in enough numbers to make a large investment in development and tooling worthwhile, and WHY ?"

Try to keep that in mind as you form your answers.

Edited May 10, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[hack-n-whack]

Business case questions, as if this were an actual product development meeting. No criticism intended...only realistic answers and thought sought.

1) Why bother with a chopped and lowered '30s hot-rod kit when a competent modeler can already build an infinite number of variations on the hot-rod theme from the very good stuff that's already out there? Chopping and lowering upright cars is far far easier than say, a '49 Merc or a '48 Ford. Let's look at how those pre-chopped kits are selling. Convince us.

2) Do you really think the video-game crowd is going to make the conversion to building models, which requires an entirely different manual-dexterity skill set, patience, and an attention span that can be captured by something that isn't going crash and boom constantly? Again, make a convincing argument.

I don't think the video-game crowd is going to care at all what we as modelers want. I don't care what they want either. I like to build model street rods and drag race cars and trucks. I'd like to see any mid-thirty's Mopars. They are naturals for 3-n-1's. Any Dodge, Plymouth, and De Soto fans out there ?

[Ace-Garageguy]

I don't think the video-game crowd is going to care at all what we as modelers want. I don't care what they want either.

But that's not the point.

The point of this thread is really "if YOU were a model-company executive, in charge of planning a new lineup of kits, what would you think WOULD ACTUALLY SELL in enough numbers to make a large investment in development and tooling worthwhile, and WHY ?"

Edited May 10, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy