BobbyG

Beautifully done. Great color choices.

Luc, Thank you for responding. I agree with you. A survey can be conducted right here and/or from their website with voting buttons that can be collected to determine buyers' responses/choices. It may be a low cost effort using simple survey technology that may be cost effective (like voting buttons on emails). it's certainly worth the effort to determine what subjects to product giving the feedback. They can launch the survey from their site but need to promote the event to get favorable responses. My suggestion would be something like this example: What modified reissue would you like to see using the 66 Old 442 kit (obviously a 65 442 which we never had)? Why not use this forum with all the subscribers this forum has? If memory serves me, their may have been something similar survey on this forum several years from John Gruzlak (?) of Round 2 soon after they took over. He even took the time to respond to an email i sent him. I know I come off critical about Round2's capabilities, but I think they are the player to sustain the future of our hobby. Hopefully someone from Round2 may respond with their feedback just as you said. Best regards, Bobby G

Luc, My sentiments exactly, I have been saying this all along. The late nineties era of great Ertl detailed kits lend themselves to countless modified reissues for new subjects just as you stated. However, some argue that the costs to investment in modifying tooling as opposed to straight reissues is less, but if there is a demand for fresh new subjects that were never tooled or are very rare originals, then there is better potential for profits. Or, we just go on living with reissues after reissues which is Round2's happy zone. I'll say it again, my money is saved for Moebius and their future. They seem to be listening. The upcoming 65 Coronets with two versions out of the gate as with their new Chevy II kits (with probably more versions to come) are a perfect examples. It would behoove Round2 to take a survey listing possible modified issues of the Ertl tools for input. That can lend to a marketing road map for their future. In my opinion, Round2 is sitting on a gold mine, adding to your example: adapt the 68/69 Road Runner/GTX guts for a 68 Coronet R/T. When a very rare original MPC kit is selling on an auction site commanding ridiculous bid prices (most of us wouldn't or couldn't pay $400-$500 or $200 for a glue bomb), that to me is justification for a fresh kit. My generation (I'm pretty sure we remain the majority of the buying group) may be stepping aside for younger people looking for more current subjects, but look at the 1:1 classic car hobby which is surging regardless of age group. Just saying.

Yes but some products are the obvious to produce that seem to be overlooked especially when most of the guts are already tooled. Again, as in the past I refer to Moebius a much smaller company, but understandably, they have less overhead or investors as Round 2. The market genius comment is my opinion but you all obviously are more privy than I am. Thanks for your reply.

Tim, I hope so, it would definitely tell us they are aware of what the hobby has been asking for. It doesn't take a marketing genius to see these threads and make solid decisions for new products instead of countless reissues of the same old stuff.

Ho hum. Another blah month from Round2.

I hope so. My frustration with Round2 is they seem to be overlooking a lot of possibilities with existing tools to use for multiple versions. That is why, in my opinion, Moebuis has the right formula; they make multiple versions of a given subject or spin off to sister brands. Their 65 Plymouths, Ford pickups and their newest Chevy IIs. You would think Round2 has the resources to do the same. This is just my opinion not an attack on anyone. I learned a long time ago that constructive criticism means you care.

Paul, great outlook but we will see. Unfortunately, Round2's model kit product manager is a Trekie and not up to automotive knowledge. Hopefully they can add an automotive product manager.

I get it and there is nothing wrong with keeping costs down to make a profit. But at the current prices above everything else going through the ceiling, my money is better spent on new models at the same price. On top of that, if you want accuracy, you will have to kit bash with better models which increases your cost for that kit. Until Round2 comes out with new tools or adapt the earlier ERTL detailed kits into kits we have not seen, my money will stay in my wallet.

What else should we expect from Round2. Repackaging a terrible kit for the price of a new tool. Tired of Round2 and will spend my money on better kits.

Just my opinion as being in this hobby for 55 plus years. As a consumer, I look at the obvious of what could be. On the other hand, being in the corporate environment my whole career, I see these suggestions as a calculated risk especially when you have a core product that can be further developed for additional products while minimizing costs. Maybe there is a bigger market for Star Wars and Star Trek followers, so it is their business decision to satisfy both audiences. Maybe the model car business is not as big as it appears and a lot of us have high expectations As a consumer, at the prices kits are today, I will put my money on new tooling and subjects that are up to today's standards. Addressing your assessment of the suggested kits, as you know, just look at what resin casters are getting for modified models based on these subjects. You know the prices they command when they are out of production, such with Modelhaus kits. Thanks for your feedback, that's what keeps our hobby interesting.

Casey, I was not referring to the annual kits, I think someone else on this thread has mentioned that. I am referring to the ERTL era detailed kits and the realistic opportunity for new subjects based off of them. Here's what I mean: - 57 Chrysler 300 : 57-58 Desoto or easier and 57-58 Chrylser New Yorker Basically all the same vehicles - 58 Plymouth: 59 Fury or Dodge Coronet, same as above - 60 Ford Galaxie: 61 or 62 Ford Galaxie - 71 Duster: 71 Dodge Demon the same car. - 62 T-Bird convertible, here's a real easy one, a 62 hardtop. - 66 Ford Fairlane: 67 Fairlane 500 or how about a 2 dr sedan? - 69 Olds 442: 68 442 Etc. Where is their marketing acumen? How many folks have been waiting on a 71 Demon....many with baited breath. I just think Round2 just doesn't have the marketing wherewithal to make these decisions. Maybe I'm wrong but with that said, I realize it's cost but who of us in the hobby would not want the above mentioned kits? Like I said, Moebius is listening and so is JR Salvino. How many Coke kits do we need at the high prices Round2 charges for blobs? I am just tired of seeing re-issue after re-issue with new box art but nothing new.

Casey to your point about the 67 Chevy Impala, the same can be said using the tooling from existing kits with sensible modifications for new subjects. Example: why not use the 57 Chrysler 300 tool for a 57-58 Desoto or Chrysler New Yorker. Same dimensions, same chassis/engines and similar interiors and bodies. Or the 58 Belvidere to a 59 Fury or Coronet. I can go on listing new kits based on shared dimensions, chassis and engines. It's like taking the playbook from a more aggressive company as Moebius, who I am more than happy to open my wallet. There are quite a few of those ERTL kits that can lend themselves to new subjects without creating all new tooling. In my mind, Round2's marketing and product people are lost a mire of producing globs of plastic with no insight to the hobby. Granted they redeveloped the Chevy Ii wagon and 64 Cutlass, but then have bigger fish to fry if they just used their heads. Oh and coincidently they are re-issuing their AWB Nova to answer Moebius' upcoming releases...woohoo! And to rub it in, they are pricing old kits with little detail and limited pieces for the same amount of other company's new tool offerings. Bottomline, by modifying existing tools from the glory days of ERTL, we can see more subjects that were never produced in detail.

I totally agree. Round2 seems to be scratching the bottom of the barrel for re-re-issues and nonsense kits. They are just unwilling to compete with the smaller companies like Moebius and JR Salvino for fresh new subjects and answering the call for vehicles most of us have been wishing for. It's unfortunate that they do not realize the potential for new offerings that can be based on the detailed ERTL molds from the late 90's early 2000's. Revell does get it with their upcoming 71 Mustang and 71 Olds 442 hardtop. But for now, I plan on spending my wallet on the Moebius and Salvino kits to help them for their future.

If only I can get another great Mopar done...this one is my 62 Dart Ramcharger.

Congratulations Steve. Your 68 R/T is an amazing work of art and testament to the dedication to detail. As with all of your builds, spectacular! This is your best! Looking forward to your next build and some more inspiration to the art of accuracy.

Another stalled Mopar project, 62 Plymouth wagon.

Thanks Bill, got to finish them soon.

These have been dormant too long. But they will soon be completed in my new workshop.

Dave all I can say is YEAH BABY!! You are giving us kits we never thought we would see and this news just made me think I'm in heaven. Keep them coming and we will support you. It makes sense to tool up new versions of previous releases. Thank you for listening to your base and showing your competitors what Moebius is made of.

Steve, this may help a little bit. This is from my 67 R/T that I restored several years ago. Although it was an A/C car, you may see some markings on some appropriate components. Great build as usual. Hope you have a set of keys to start her up...lol.

Agreed.

Ditto, I support Moebius by buying just about every kit and will continue when the Chevy II's are out. It's so refreshing for a company to listen to their customers while sharing new kits before production. It seems every year gets better and hopefully some Dodge pickups and 67-72 correct Chevys will be on their way as well. Pay attention Round2. Well done Dave!

Hi Rico: Now that you have the GTX rear panel perfected, is the 68 Road Runner taillight/trunk panel on your radar? Great pieces as usual.

Just received the 69 Cuda taillight panel from Rico Redenz, all I can say is SUPERB! Rico got the curvature of the taillights down and the center panel is excellent. I also got another copy of the Cuda grille. I also ordered his 78 Dodge Ram grille which s another work of art. This has been well worth the time Rico put into the Cuda tail panel and his meticulous and masterful work is second to none. If anyone is working on a 69 Barracuda, I highly recommend these pieces! https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace?q=ra-sta&s=0&type=product#more-products