Harry P.

There's no reason why a competent jeweler can't fix that.

I move posts if, in my opinion, they need to be moved. This is about the possible resurrection of a model brand. It has nothing to do with scale, it's a news item. If you think you can do a better job moderating, why not quit dogging me and instead send Gregg a PM offering your services. And if you don't want to be a moderator, how about you leave the moderating to the moderators?

I've tried to get an accurate timeline of Pocher for a while, but internet information is hard to find. From what I've been able to piece together (a lot of it from Italian websites using translated pages that don't always make sense when translated), this is the story as far as I can figure it out: 1911: Arnaldo Pocher born. He studies godsmithing/engraving in school 1932: After graduation, Pocher moves to Turin to carry out his trade. Late 1940s: comes into contact with model railroading, begins producing model railroad accessories as a supplier to a Turin hobby shop. 1951: Founds Pocher Micromeccanica in Turin, producing model railroad accessories, and later, locomotives and rolling stock. 1956: Ocean liner Andrea Doria sinks, carrying thousands of Pocher locomotives and rolling stock destined for the US market. 1956: Italian model railroad company Rivarossi is commissioned by Fiat to produce scale models of the Fiat 500 and 600. They are sold in fully assembled form as "disassembly models." and included instructions on how to take them APART! 1961: Fiat commissions Pocher to produce models of the new Fiat 1300, which was to be introduced at the Turin Auto Show in April 1961. The model is in 1/13 scale and features operating steering and an opening hood with engine detail. 1963: Rivarossi and Pocher combine their operations to produce both automobile kits and model railroad products. 1964: Pocher/Rivarossi continue to produce new Fiat 1/13 scale models to coincide with each new model introduced by Fiat. 1966: At the Milan International Toy Fair, Pocher introduces their first 1/8 scale automobile kit, the 1907 Fiat F2 Grand Prix race car. The model is also sold in preassembled form in a glass display case. 1968: Pocher introduces their first 1/8 scale Alfa Romeo kit, the Monza. Arnaldo Pocher leaves the company. 1970: Pocher introduces their third 1/8 scale kit (and the first Rolls Royce), the Sedanca Drophead coupe. 1972: Fire destroys the factory in Turin while Pocher was in the process of production of a new Fiat 132 model and a variant of the 1/8 Alfa Romeo; the Alfa tooling survives the fire. Management takes the destruction of the factory as the opportunity to drastically reduce the staff by outsourcing much of production. The number of employees is reduced to 30, compared to 120 before the fire. 1975: Pocher introduces their first 1/8 scale Mercedes kit, the 500 cabriolet. 1977: Pocher introduces the 1/8 scale Rolls Royce "Star of India" kit. 1980: Pocher introduces their first 1/8 scale Bugatti model kit. 1981: Pocher becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rivarossi, production moves to Como, Italy. Late 1980s-early 1990s: Pocher introduces 1/8 scale kits in their "modern" series: Ferrari F50, Ferrari Testarossa, Porsche 911 and Volvo truck. The models are much less detailed than the "classic" series, they sell poorly. Cost of coming out with further new kits becomes too high, the company goes bankrupt. 1998: The last Pocher catalog is printed. 2004: The dormant Pocher name is taken over by Hornby, an English manufacturer of model trains and supplies, but they do not revive the Pocher brand name. Hornby currently owns what remains of Pocher.

Because so far all we know is that there will be some sort of announcement in January. No mention of scale has been made... so as of now, a pretty "general" topic.

??? Photoshop can't generate anything in 3D.

We did have a LOT of 100 degree days last summer. Like you said, there was one stretch where it was 100 plus for about 6-7 days straight.

Pretty fancy wheels for a cop car!

Any photos of the underside?

I also like the southwest. I've been to Phoenix a couple of times, and yeah, it gets hot... but like they say, "it's a dry heat!" And that's really true. I can deal with 110 degrees and 20% humidity, no problem. It's those 90 degree/90% humidity summer days here that are killers. I swear, you can sit perfectly still under a shade tree and still break a sweat!

Beautiful models! They both look great, but I agree, the stock version is the winner!

Yeah, I know... but all of us who are into Pochers are assuming. I hope they intend to continue in 1/8. Speaking of Pochers, I just finished another Alfa... I have to get some photos taken and post them, it turned out real nice.

Ah, but no mention of scale. We're all assuming 1/8... but it might not be.

You axe too many questions...

At least I didn't prematurely post...

You can do anything in Photoshop...

Could be... but IMO any activity regarding Pocher is welcome! I never thought I'd see their return in my lifetime... now maybe it'll happen. Maybe I can finally get a Bugatti for less than a couple grand! (fingers crossed).

If it's on the official website it must be true! Woo Hoo! If this happens, I will be a very happy camper. Can't wait until January 30 to see what the news is. Hopefully an all-new kit, but even reissues of the old kits (at more reasonable prices than what they go for these days on ebay) would be welcome. Wow, this could be really big (no pun intended) for us Pocher builders. Like "the Donald" might say... this is gonna be yoooge!

I can't believe I'm still here putting up with these midwest winters! If I had any sense I would have moved away a long time ago...

I can only assume this was a joke?

See post #47.

I think they forgot to carry the 1...

What about Festivus?

You should have home schooled him.

Was he too heavy to carry?

Your not alone, their are others who feel the same way...