Model Ideas, Wagon / Four Door edition.

[stavanzer]

I just read the 4 doors/Wagons thread started by Ranma.

A couple of posters noted a pair of subjects that might be worth pushing for.

Those subjects are:

1. Bluesmobile

2. Family Truckster.

Now hear out my reasoning.

One of these is a real car, would require all the usual (and expensive) arraignments with Chrysler.

The other is a mostly Ford based fictional Wagon.

1. The Bluesmobile could be marketed in three different Flavors.

A. The Iconic Movie Car.

B. The less Iconic, but real, Mt Prospect Police Cruiser.

C. A Bone Stock 4 door Monaco Sedan, w/ full factory wheel covers,and upscale Bumpers

2. The Family Truckster. This could be marketed in at least two different Flavors.

A. The Movie Version. Complete with Roof Rack, and Luggage,

B. The "Antarctic Blue Super Sports Wagon with the CB and optional Rally Fun Pac."

Doing the SS wagon would require IMHO, a different set of Chrome wheels, some Cool 1980's Rally Stripes and a pair of Fog Lamps and a Sport Steering Wheel.

Now, my idea for this is that the model company leverage off the Monaco tooling and use it for all the running gear on the Truckster. I know, the "real" Truckster is Ford based. The entire Monaco Chassis and Running Gear could be shared between the kits. In fact, even the Interior Tub or Floorboard could be shared, need only a station wagon add-on for the tub, or different sidewalls for a platform build. The whole goal is to share as many parts between the "real" Mopar Sedan and the Fictional Truckster. All of the Wood grain on the Truckster would be handled by decals.

There are other options for the kits as well, Taxi, Fire Dept and Ambulance versions for the Truckster, and Taxi and a Fire versions for the Monaco. Possibly with enough sales the Monaco could spawn a Wagon version also, although I would not expect it right away.

The next thing is to convince a company to tackle this subject. It requires a large dose of Licensing Wrangling, (two Movie Franchises, and One Major Car Manufacturer) Plus tooling and marketing..

I'd like to start a Co-ordinated" campaign, starting here to very politely start pushing for this as a project. The Bluesmobile has been a grail for many modelers for many years, and is in my opinion, one of the few 4 Door subjects that might actually have potential beyond the Fringe Market. A genuine Poll, with verifiable results would be a great start, but it must be followed by a focused letter writing and Facebook effort, as well as, again, very polite pushing on other Modeling Forums. The whole idea is similar to the One used last century to convince a major model company to release an Caprice Police Car.

But if we go scattershot of on various makes, models and subjects, we'll never get our Monaco. So the key is to resolutely focus, Laser-Like on just the Monaco / Truckster, and how that subject can be leveraged into both in Hobby and out Hobby markets. (like the Movie Collectables market targeted By Round2 with the "Elvis Dune Buggy" and other "Silver Screen" kits.

I'd like some feedback on this idea. It is NOT an overnight thing, and will have to be pursued for a long time to get any results. In fact, it may well NEVER get any results, but it WILL never happen if we don't pull together and try.

Alan Alexis

[Muncie]

Now there is a guy with a plan - thought out and could be possible.

not only would it be a kit for the model car builders, but the movie collectors would be on board as well,

Could even consider going to a snap kit, common chassis deal so a novice could assemble it

[martinfan5]

Now, my idea for this is that the model company leverage off the Monaco tooling and use it for all the running gear on the Truckster. I know, the "real" Truckster is Ford based. The entire Monaco Chassis and Running Gear could be shared between the kits. In fact, even the Interior Tub or Floorboard could be shared, need only a station wagon add-on for the tub, or different sidewalls for a platform build. The whole goal is to share as many parts between the "real" Mopar Sedan and the Fictional Truckster. All of the Wood grain on the Truckster would be handled by decals.

No on sharing chassis and interior parts, that is a bad idea. The other option would be just to make a generic chassis plate, or just a flat chassis plate like on the "Build And Play" line. Those two cars are not anywhere close to being the same to share the same parts.

[mike 51]

No thanks!

[Chuck Kourouklis]

I'm guessing there's a reason there's been no follow-up from the last Charger Street/Service Vehicle to the current generation, and what a shame.

Wonder if the Hellcat would tip that balance any, though...

Far as the Bluesmobile/Monaco goes, you might guess there's a start on the pattern work, since they did that 1:18 diecast a while back. Exactly how easy that stuff is to transfer, repurpose, and rescale is something I'd have to ask those with more experience in the industry, though...

[martinfan5]

I'm guessing there's a reason there's been no follow-up from the last Charger Street/Service Vehicle to the current generation, and what a shame.

Wonder if the Hellcat would tip that balance any, though...

Far as the Bluesmobile/Monaco goes, you might guess there's a start on the pattern work, since they did that 1:18 diecast a while back. Exactly how easy that stuff is to transfer, repurpose, and rescale is something I'd have to ask those with more experience in the industry, though...

Heck, I would take a 1:24th diecast of the Bluesmobile and be very happy.

[stavanzer]

Jonathan S, the whole point is that since the Truckster is fictional, it really doesn't matter what interior goes in it, nor does the Chassis matter much.

That's why I suggest the leverage off the Monaco Chassis.

I like the idea of a Snapper. Not as much as a Full-Glue kit, but I'd take it and run with it. Esp, if we could get an opening hood and a separate engine insert. At least we could source our own "Cop Motor"

[disabled modeler]

Id be glad to have any all new or reissued 60s to early 70s 4doors or wagons...full glue or snap kit as long as its realistic looking. I have a few ideas of my own on subjects but they will never happen so I try to make them myself...its not always easy to do...more kits of them would be nice though.

[stavanzer]

Thanks, Mike Wickland & Lee From Austin.

I understand your viewpoint.

It's not mine however.

\Do you have any suggestions directly relating to this Discussion?

(other than, "I don't Like 'em", and "I don't Care". You've made that abundtly clear)

Anything Constructive?

Thanks,

Alan

[GLMFAA1]

The 'blue brothers' Dodge could be a 4 n 1 kit, all from the movie, Original, Blues modified, Illinois State police and Chicago PD

all in one box.

greg

[StevenGuthmiller]

The coolest thing about the "Family Truckster" was when it went through the barriers @ the end of the road!

One of the ugliest things I've ever seen!

But, you never know. It might sell.

Steve

[1972coronet]

Funny thing about the Family Truckster : it was "sold" at Glendale Dodge ! A view of the other cars on the lot reveals a bevy of M-bodies and K-cars . A Victoria wagon --heavily modified-- sold at a Dodge dealership .

Too much !

In-so-far-as the proposed Bluesmobile : I love it !

Now , the actual cars were really retired California Highway Patrol units ! The production crew's master body man painted the cars to Mt. Prospect livery .

I would like to additionally propose that the Monaco sedan 'option' include a 360 , with two barrel and HP (4 barrel) options (and the correlating single exhaust [2Bbl] and dual exhaust [4Bbl] ).

Throw an 8 track player into the A/C vents on the passenger side , complete with Sam and Dave's Greatest Hits ; cigarette butts and empty Chesterfield cigarette packs for the dashboard ; a template to add the rip to the driver's side interior door panel ; and , the busted-out backlight (from the shotgun blast from 'Tucker McElroy' ) , and you've got a deal !

[StevenGuthmiller]

Funny thing about the Family Truckster : it was "sold" at Glendale Dodge ! A view of the other cars on the lot reveals a bevy of M-bodies and K-cars . A Victoria wagon --heavily modified-- sold at a Dodge dealership .

Too much !

In-so-far-as the proposed Bluesmobile : I love it !

Now , the actual cars were really retired California Highway Patrol units ! The production crew's master body man painted the cars to Mt. Prospect livery .

I would like to additionally propose that the Monaco sedan 'option' include a 360 , with two barrel and HP (4 barrel) options (and the correlating single exhaust [2Bbl] and dual exhaust [4Bbl] ).

Throw an 8 track player into the A/C vents on the passenger side , complete with Sam and Dave's Greatest Hits ; cigarette butts and empty Chesterfield cigarette packs for the dashboard ; a template to add the rip to the driver's side interior door panel ; and , the busted-out backlight (from the shotgun blast from 'Tucker McElroy' ) , and you've got a deal !

You guys must be on a mission from God!

Steve

[Aaronw]

I think there is some potential in the Bluesmobile, you've got interest from movie buffs and collectors, cop car builders and both of the guys who like to build factory stock 4 doors ( )

The Family Truckster has much narrower appeal, but maybe it could be done as a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon with the optional funky bits to do a truckster. Take it a bit further and maybe there is the option of sharing some of the tooling with a 1979 LTD sedan? (again with interest from the cop car builders).

Edited June 25, 2015 by Aaronw

[charlie8575]

Do the proposed 4-in-1, and I'm on board.

Movie car- no thank you. Never seen any of those movies, no real interest, and as Steve said, man is that thing gross.

Charlie Larkin

[Agent G]

I think there is some potential in the Bluesmobile, you've got interest from movie buffs and collectors, cop car builders and both of the guys who like to build factory stock 4 doors ( )

The Family Truckster has much narrower appeal, but maybe it could be done as a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon with the optional funky bits to do a truckster. Take it a bit further and maybe there is the option of sharing some of the tooling with a 1979 LTD sedan? (again with interest from the cop car builders).

Now this..........has potential.

G

[Edsel-Dan]

I am trying to remember when "Quincy" was on

That could be an option on a Stock build of the Ford Wagon

AND would fit in the Police/Emergency vehicle builders on the Truckster kit idea

Although Most of the wagons he drove were AMC, there were a couple Fords there too

(Or I THINK there were)

Rotator Dome would have to be clear, or Both a Clear red & Clear Amber one would have to be included

as those Morgue wagons had either at times!! (Depending on episode/season)

Edited June 29, 2015 by Edsel-Dan

[unclescott58]

I don't know if anybody else would be interested in this idea. But, I would love to see a model of a Cadillac Fleetwood 75. Any year from 1954 through 1976 would be okay with me. Talk about a four-door!

Scott

[Aaronw]

I am trying to remember when "Quincy" was on

That could be an option on a Stock build of the Ford Wagon

AND would fit in the Police/Emergency vehicle builders on the Truckster kit idea

Although Most of the wagons he drove were AMC, there were a couple Fords there too

(Or I THINK there were)

Rotator Dome would have to be clear, or Both a Clear red & Clear Amber one would have to be included

as those Morgue wagons had either at times!! (Depending on episode/season)

Well they used a '75 LTD wagon at one point, what's a couple years off.

Based on the comments there is some debate on the year.

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_78061-Ford-LTD-Wagon-1975.html

Edited June 29, 2015 by Aaronw

[Maindrian Pace]

Great idea on having both kits. I learned to drive in the family '79 LTD-S (single headlights) wagon. A stock version could be built as a police, fire chief, coroner, service, news crew, race team hauler, family car with Airstream, and a zillion other possibilities. The Truckster parts would be a nice bonus. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening.

I'm building a 1:1 Bluesmobile as we speak (It's been taking up a lot of time lately) So no surprise how I feel about a 1:25 kit. No way on the shared chassis, a box Panther with a torsion bar front end is just wrong - and the kind of move that gets kit companies in hot water in the hobby. A one piece chassis, a la promo style with no engine detail would be better, although full detail is always best. Also, for these two to share a chassis, one would have to be under or over scale, as the C barge Monaco is considerably wider than the Panther.

-MJS

[stavanzer]

Ah, Mike, Thanks for weighing in on the differences in underpinnings on the Bluesmobile vs Truckster.

So trying to share Chassis would not work.

So, I think a concentration on the Bluesmobile would be the place to start. Perhaps a Monaco Wagon could be leveraged from that.

Part of my thinking on this proposal is to show that This is a viable subject to kit.

That means getting as much use from the tool as possible. Ergo, maybe a Wagon would be good follow up.