Luc Janssens

I thought this was common knowledge ;^) But seriously, thanks Dave, it needed to be addressed, the negative overtook the positive, in the posts you proudly showed the work in progress. I for one love, seeing the behind the curtain work, from the development of a model kit, it sort of brings me back to the days, when I was working on pilot cars at GM. Anyway, in a way it's unfortunate now that model companies are no longer part of a larger toy manufacturer, or teamed together with a precision Die-cast company if only to share the development and licensing costs. Ertl for example had lots of potential in the 90s, but brand managers didn't talk with each other, thus valuable resources were wasted. Model companies now, are trying to spread the costs by releasing multiple versions of the same basic model, so in a way limited resources fuels creative thinking, hope that along the way some common part groups, like engines and such are no longer tooled over and over again, but will have their own tool, ready to be run with the rest of the automotive kit which needs it, same for wheels, standard and optional. IMHO having the choice of several wheels styles, adds a lot to the fun factor of a automotive kit, certainly coupled with a theme, meaning adding period correct aftermarket items, a 60s car for example has been on the road for over 4 decades, with each one having a change in style, going from Street machine to resto-mod or whatever, I don't yet see that in model kits, which should reach a broad clientele. On the States side development, IMHO only plausible if all plastic modelkit manufactures join together, forming sort of a separate company, to spread the cost inherent with development (I'm available to form a team when the industry is ready ;^) Again thanks Dave and other passionate, hard working men and woman in the model kit industry, for catering to us, passionate model car kit builders/collectors

Never understood why they did the box-art like that, it's sort of a Hippie theme or Barbie (not Klaus) toy-like, while the Land Rover brand at that time, stood for a though vehicle for serious off-roading, for fun and as a mean to get through and to remote areas, other then by plane. Since the late 90's it's also become a fashion accessory, to portray the adventurous to those who like the theme but in a concrete jungle setting. And then the French license plates on a iconic British vehicle, they fought wars for less there ;^) Anyway, that kit, if the tooling is still there needs a overhaul, better wheels and tires (option off and on road) a roll-bar extra doors for topless (no not that kind) driving and some neat off road accessories like a winch, tread plates and real looking gas cans.

Amt 1968 Ford Galaxie

Wonder how much cost would be involved to turn this into a 1/25th scale kit

Would've bought one, if the hardtop was in there.

IMHO the topic should've been, what defines a good model kit to you personal, which will make the tread much more positive. To me it's form follow function, ease of assembly throughout all the steps in the build and keeping it fun with all kinds of options and when finished better looking then a $15 diecast ;^)

Hey Bill, Think it will remain that way, a model kit is the "basic" representation of a subject, which when one prefers, can be put to a higher level, using skills, talent and or money, with the use of aftermarket add-on or replacement parts.

Only read a few pages into this topic and can't help but wondering, if all the people here are willing to spend $100 on a standard auto model kit. Cuz that is what it will take, likely even more, cuz don't think stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby will bother to stock these kits, mainly because their customers won't spend that kinda money, on what they always saw as a cheap past time..while model companies will have to spend an obscene amount of funds to get the job done to the specs we here ask for. IMHO when seeing the mockup from Revell's S&H Torino, they're toning down on parts breakdown to lower the threshold in an attempt to catch and hold the casual buyer as a repeat customer. I only see one path which will lead to the almost (there will always be issues) perfect automotive kit...and that is crowd funding...which means putting the wallet where ones mouth is, but first a few issues will have to be sorted out, like... - What subject are we gonna kit (think we never gonna get past this one) - Specifying the kit content and at what cost? - Designate an engineer to do the research and who will see through this project start to finish. - Getting a model company involved to tool, produce and market the kit But anyway, even when all the noses point to the same direction, subject wise, I don't think there are enough people, to raise the necessary funds for such an undertaking, even not when all the boards and hobby groups on facebook unite... Proof me wrong LOL

Maybe I want more in dept investigation, it's a bit more involving and when done right, with input from everyone here in this" forum of knowledge" we may end up with very detailed and interesting possible tool variant, one everybody wanted but always forgot to ask for. Hope I'm making sense, if not, blame it on the language barrier LOL But when talking '71 Cyclone, what parts are we talking about?

A great man once said that when you divide the costs by the number of parts it levels out at $1000, per cavity I'm pretty sure you know him ;^) About the possibility of a redesigned part, affecting other parts, I'm very aware of that, in fact some time ago when I inspecting an all new kit which landed on my doorstep, I saw ghost lines on the body, apparently a left over from a modification in the test shot stage, in which the wheelbase was altered, which most likely was a costly re-tool while still in the development phase. About tooling bases, it's my understanding that the tooling of model kits designed today are a cluster of smaller tools, thus I don't see a significant problem. It's thinking like that, which removed the red clear tail lamps from so many Amt kits, while they could've been added to the clear parts tool.

Guys, try to tone it down a bit, better to list 2 or so and name the parts, that need to be added or reworked, then list a whole slew of possible all new projects, if you would look at them from a cost and tooling design perspective. A rule of tumb is that every cavity costs $1000 and every part except the body have at least two. So try to come up with something exiting new without breaking the bank. Thanks!! Luc

Which existing kits would you buy again if certain newly tooled parts were added? (And yes I know very well, there's something like the resin aftermarket) - Amt '71 Charger. if Round2 tools up a new grille with hidden headlamps, rearbumper with the std. taillamps and Daisy spoke mag wheels on fat tires (optional sidepipes) -Monogram '69 Super Bee: New flat or power bulge hood,slight rake and 70s Keystone klassic wheels on fat tires Small note, it's better to list 2 or so and name the parts, that need to be added or reworked, then list a whole slew of possible all new projects, if you would look at them from a cost and tooling design perspective. A rule of tumb is that every cavity costs $1000 and every part except the body have at least two. So try to come up with something exiting new without breaking the bank. Thanks!!

It is Tamiya designed and produced, both in factory stock as a racing variant, just like Esci did. IIRC the box art design from Tamiya shows a silver Audi, while the Esci featured a red one, the racing ones where factory racing colors...again IIRC

Odd, very odd....

Was thinking that same thing when I looked at the chrome tree, it's especially odd, since it was designed as a model kit from the ground up and not promo derived.

Dresden blue?! should've renamed that Dresden torch red.

On the top of my list are these two... Jo-han 69-70 Cadillac De Ville Mpc '72 Impala And likely to remain there, unless I bring some serious green or get lucky...cuz an all new kit of these subjects is very unlikely...

Didn't the Amt/Ertl 2000ish designed '68 El Camino kit materialize, due to the track record of the '69 annual? About the '67 Fairlane, that would be a "relatively easy" project, based on the '90s designed '66, hopefully when found interesting enough, they take into account the redesign of the greenhouse too, Oh and make it a GTA just like the one featured in the book by randy Lefffingwell about the former Otis Chandler collection....

Never underestimate the nostalgia factor, which flashes over much if not all the negative from the past, human nature...

But it's not realy a kit, but rather an un-assembled toy, aimed at kids....just like the '15 Mustang and Audi R8. Yeah, I would like the last gen Crown Vic too, but like you said, for many a police car is a police car, whatever the make and model....

Bentley.... http://www.modellversium.de/kit/artikel.php?id=10149 Photo courtesy from Modellversium

a MkII you mean, the only first gen 1/24th scale Capri that I know of is the one by Doyusha

The Dodge has merit, dunno 'bout the Turbine. If I were king I would scan the Dodge body and related parts, to use in the design of a compete new kit series of Chryslers "forward look" Know of a couple great engineers who could help Dave with such a project. ;^)

The reason we don't have many plastic model kits of bread and butter automobiles here in Europe, is that we didn't have manufacturers commissioning promo's, also Europe wasn't a single market back then, but a bunch of countries with a lot of different rules, views and legislation, within part of a continent, called Western Europe. And then add 1/32 scale and nationalism (everything foreign is bad, domestic is the best) in the mix, and we ended up with virtually nothing... Anyway good thing Revell Germany kicked down those stupid barriers, seeing potential in the young-timer segment, think we have to thank the European Ed Sexton for this, he goes by the name Ulli Taubert. Now if only Airfix would let go of 1/32 scale...

Therefor the ;^)