sjordan2

Also available in a German staff car version.

For those who are in the know, are the costs of car models amortized over a manufacturer's wider spectrum of model kits such as aircraft and armor? Are some car models issued at a possible loss just for a brand to keep their hand in the game?

Only if it's priced below average value. Example: 1/16 Italeri Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. Sometimes priced at around $80, sometimes closer to $40.

That is outstanding. What are the specifications for your paint -- brand, color, etc?

Very fine work with superb detail.

Before we return to the Packard restoration: One more thought on the wire wheel replacements for the Bugatti. It just occurred to me that the kits require 5 wheels, since there is a side-mounted spare. Let me receive the set I ordered and I'll let you know if it's worth it.

My experience in the old days was that JoHan interior tubs were poorly detailed and unrealistically shallow, unlike AMT and Revell. Did anyone else see this?

I don't even want to ask what this is.

Bad door fit also suggests "Italian."

These wheels from Le Mans Miniatures look pretty good. Don't know anything beyond what you see here. The page says they're out of stock, but you might check info@minichampsna.com, who is listed as a distributor. http://www.lemansminiatures.com/uk/produit.php?idproduit=665&sessionid=390313447526a9dac82e50 EDIT: They appear to be available here for only $12.98. PS: These are for the Bugatti 57G "Tank" slot car, but look the same. I just ordered a set for my kit. http://www.ncphobbies.com/lemans-tires-1/32-slot-car-tires/lemans-lm-spa132020-set-of-wheels-for-bugatti-57-g-1-front-rear-axle-4-wheels-slot-car/lm-spa13

Nice job. I had a 1966 GT Sprint Veloce, and this looks very stock to me -- I don't see engine or body modifications of a GTA.

Harrelson or (agreeing with Casey) McConnaughey.

If anyone has been following Norm Larson's thread on his 3D-printed Ariel Atom, who is probably more qualified on this subject than anyone else here, I would direct you to this thread for his experience with 3D printing: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69078&page=1

Please let me know what information you need, because I have a ton of information on this car. The Pyro kit is based on a one-of-a-kind road-going version adapted by Rodney Clarke of England and later owned by a New Yorker named Ludington, before it was returned to its original Grand Prix state. This is the same car as the Bburago diecast with the fenders (supposedly 1:18 but closer to 1:15). The biggest issue with making this an accurate kit is trying to replicate the unique piano wire wheels (T59 Bugattis did not have regular wire wheels). The only source I know is for the larger-scale,Bburago version, which is very nice and offers a front axle with the proper camber (I think the camber is correct on the Pyro kit).

When you stop to think that a company like Sony will spend up to $20 million to offer a new video game, model kit development at over $100,000 is not as expensive as it looks for your personal entertainment. But it's a lot more expensive than you might expect. Example: "Nintendo's own Reggie Fils-Aime states developing games for the Nintendo DS is cheap, costing only a few hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop and only needing to sell 100k units to make a profit. Wii games require about $5-10 million in the average case, including marketing costs. He asserts PS3 and X360 games need much more resources, from $20 million up to a staggering $50 million with sales of 1.3 to 1.5 million units to make money on them.[8] Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot has predicted game budgets will rise to an average of USD 60 million in the future. Games for Xbox 360 and PS3 cost between USD 20 million and USD 30 million to make." I only bring this up because it's amazing to see how the cost of making stuff for our interests is much more expensive than we might have imagined.

The 1/32 Matchbox Bugatti T59 is very nice, too. Surprisingly, the 1/32 Pyro road version is also very good, though it could use an engine swap with the Matchbox version.

Great job and nice photography.

One question: If you were an average guy and didn't build plastic car models, what would you use it for on a regular basis?

I save instructions but boxes very seldom. My choice is to flatten some of the boxes if I should ever need them for unforeseen reference.

So far, your fellow members have said stunning, awesome perfect. I don't know what to add.

Even though an affordable home printer may be just around the corner, I think it will take much longer than might be assumed for meaningful mass market penetration. Demand will drive what happens, and I don't see this tool as important to consumers as a microwave oven, or like the evolution of home computer systems. There's still the challenge of software availability and price, plus the learning curve to master creating your own designs. I know Shapeways offers certain free programs, but I wonder how many hobbyists are even using those now. Scanners will also have to get much cheaper (don't some printers come with built-in 3D scanners?). I just see the market for a home version as specialized and narrow, which will probably appeal mostly to some types of businesses, certain hobbyists and those who have well-equipped home workshops, and not as a mass market product. This product will never achieve "must-have" importance for everyday consumers any more than a lathe or CNC router.

Just going with what's been reported on the daily gossip shows for a couple of weeks.

No. There are a multitude of reasons why some products never come to market. As an ad agency professional, I've done many speculative campaigns for products that never happened for one reason or another.

Agreed.

One? Well, there's a groundswell of opinion. And yes, I have bothered to read this thread. Nice attitude, guy.