Revell and West Coast Customs

[Junkman]

Mr. Friedlinghaus does suffer from a form of dwarfism.

This didn't keep him away to build a multi-million company from a $5,000 loan.

Edited December 15, 2015 by Junkman

[Mr. Metallic]

  On 12/15/2015 at 3:09 PM, rust-n-dust said:

WCC are far from customizers....all they do is tack on the same thing on every car, huge rims, stereos and other "me too" additions. If Revell were smart, they would do a series of customs from the legends such as Barris, Watson Roth etc....

 

 

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I don't think it's fair to say that they are not customizers. Yes, most of their cars are big wheel, big stereo showcars. But look more closely and you'll see there's a lot of real customizing going on here. This is just a few examples I found with a quick search. Hard to get more custom than a chopped Merc, right...?

[Mr. Metallic]

  On 12/14/2015 at 10:34 PM, Casey said:

The two aren't even working on any kits together, and yet, Revell has lost its way, and we're all doomed.  At least Frank provided a link to the article for those who want to actually read and understand what this partnership is about before commenting. Please don't let that stop you from jumping to conclusions and extrapolating the future results of a business partnership that has literally just started. 

Also, if someone would please be so kind to remind us all how Ed Roth, George Barris, Darryl Starbird, Tom Daniel, Chip Foose's, etc. involvement with model companies ruined modeling forever, it would be greatly appreciated. What in the world could the obviously out-of-touch brain trust in Elk Grove Village possibly thinking their model kits, which can be customized, would even remotely have in common with a business which customizes real cars? 

Thanks for being the voice of reason Casey. Spot on reply

Gotta wonder why kids aren't overly interested in joining our hobby. If I was their age and ever did attempt to join the hobby and stopped by here and saw all the negativity thrown at their generation, I would certainly be turned off.

[Brett Barrow]

  On 12/15/2015 at 4:59 PM, Mr. Metallic said:

Thanks for being the voice of reason Casey. Spot on reply

Gotta wonder why kids aren't overly interested in joining our hobby. If I was their age and ever did attempt to join the hobby and stopped by here and saw all the negativity thrown at their generation, I would certainly be turned off.

[aurfalien]

Being a newb myself, I think its great for exposure.  Scale model building has fallen out of favor and replaced by premature sexual experiances and other FaceBook/Twitter encouraged shenanigans.

I think the deal is a great for exposure as it brings relavance to whats out today and what kids may be interested in.

I personally may not buy any of the kits as a result of this deal as I hover around 50-70's endurance/forumula 1 kits but still. its cool to see this.

PS Revel is very smart and seemingly well run.  There current Star Wars line and now this should bring profits and further jobs to the company.  I love em even though most of my kits are Fujimi/Tamiya.

 

Edited December 15, 2015 by aurfalien

[Harry P.]

I have absolutely zero interest in models like that, but IMO any life being shown in the hobby can only be a good thing.

[Petetrucker07]

Agreed Harry. I have no interest in anything labeled West Coast Customs. That's all that'll happen. The same Donk kits, with a label or brand. But, if it gets more interested in the hobby, it is good. Hopefully Moebius will put out some regular kits that the mass will be content with.

[Daddyfink]

[Roadrunner]

  On 12/15/2015 at 5:29 PM, Harry P. said:

I have absolutely zero interest in models like that, but IMO any life being shown in the hobby can only be a good thing.

Me neither, Harry. If some of these inevitable Donkey kits are released and they can also be built as stock, great. If not, and can only be built as the Donkeyfied versions, I'll just not buy them, simple as that. As to whether or not it's a wise marketing move, only time will tell I guess.

[Rob Hall]

  On 12/15/2015 at 6:51 PM, Roadrunner said:

Me neither, Harry. If some of these inevitable Donkey kits are released and they can also be built as stock, great. If not, and can only be built as the Donkeyfied versions, I'll just not buy them, simple as that. As to whether or not it's a wise marketing move, only time will tell I guess.

Actually, their builds aren't 'donks'...they appear to be more contemporary or Pro Touring style, like the Foose kits.  (i.e. the blue Shelby and HHR above). 

Edited December 15, 2015 by Rob Hall

[Roadrunner]

  On 12/15/2015 at 7:05 PM, Rob Hall said:

Actually, their builds aren't 'donks'...they appear to be more contemporary or Pro Touring style, like the Foose kits.  (i.e. the blue Shelby and HHR above). 

I understand, Rob. My use of the term was rather loose at that, but still, what little I've seen them produce, appeals to me in no way whatsoever, much as is the case with the Foosemobiles.

[Rob Hall]

  On 12/15/2015 at 7:16 PM, Roadrunner said:

I understand, Rob. My use of the term was rather loose at that, but still, what little I've seen them produce, appeals to me in no way whatsoever, much as is the case with the Foosemobiles.

You aren't the the target audience, then.  But they aren't remotely donks..I just have to laugh when people can't get the terminology right..

Edited December 15, 2015 by Rob Hall

[Rob Hall]

I would assume there will be some WCC branded kits eventually from Revell, I can see several that could be modified reissues of existing kit tools, looking at their showroom site

http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/showroom/wcc

and their TV build site

http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/showroom/tv-builds

 

[Roadrunner]

  On 12/15/2015 at 7:20 PM, Rob Hall said:

You aren't the the target audience, then.  But they aren't remotely donks...

Nope, I'm certainly not, Rob. I'm sure they'll be popular with some folks, and that's always a good thing I guess. I suppose I may just be just too traditional in my views, but all of the gimmicky stuff added to otherwise classic cars by these type of shops, just seems a waste to me, but that's just me.

[Belugawrx]

Any friend of Carroll's ?,...Is a friend of Mine!

[louie]

  On 12/15/2015 at 5:08 PM, Brett Barrow said:

I love it, that is beautiful and I couldn't agree more with you.          Jeff 

[Pete J.]

I have seen the show and have always been intrigued by skilled craftsmen plying their trades and these guys have some mad skills.  What they create and who they create it for is of absolutely no interest to me, but then I am of a different generation.  No interest in a Shaq Jeep or Justin Biebers Lambo, but I can see a market for that.  As usual I will vote with my wallet and bypass this stuff.  On the other hand, I hope it sells well and causes the hobby to expand.  A rising tide raises all ships and that sort of thing.  I remember visiting Tamiya years ago and talking with Mr. Tamiya and I asked him why he produced the Mini 4WD series.  He was very blunt about it.  It made a lot of money and let him produce a lot marginally profitable models for my generation that he would not have otherwise been able to produce. I hope Revell just knocks this one out of the park!

Edited December 16, 2015 by Pete J.

[Lownslow]

You guys are so out of touch with the hobby its ridiculous, no wonder kids in the hobby moved on to social media.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Lownslow

[Lownslow]

  On 12/15/2015 at 3:09 PM, rust-n-dust said:

WCC are far from customizers....all they do is tack on the same thing on every car, huge rims, stereos and other "me too" additions. If Revell were smart, they would do a series of customs from the legends such as Barris, Watson Roth etc....

sit down shut up youre way off the mark

 

[Erik Smith]

  On 12/16/2015 at 11:39 AM, Lownslow said:

You guys are so out of touch with the hobby its ridiculous, no wonder kids in the hobby moved on to social media.

"Some" of you guys...

[Speedfreak]

Ain't the internet great! 

[Richard Bartrop]

Not really my thing either, but truth be told, it Revell just did what was my thing, they'd probably go bankrupt within a year.   It's perfectly all right if people want to build models of things you don't like, and if this puts more money into the company coffers, just maybe, some of it will go into new molds for things we do like.

[bobthehobbyguy]

I agree that I don't have much interest in these kits but hope they sell well. Probaly to start it will be just wheels and tires and decals. Most in to it won't care.

Just curious to see this discussion would be if Roth was partnering today intead of the sixties.. I'm sure people would complain bitterly about it.

As far as Revell doing stuff I like the 29 roadster and 30/31 are what flots my boat

[Joe Handley]

  On 12/16/2015 at 11:46 AM, Lownslow said:

sit down shut up youre way off the mark

 

This one could be done from that uptown series Charger, probably be an improvement on it too.

[Lownslow]

  On 12/17/2015 at 12:29 AM, Joe Handley said:

This one could be done from that uptown series Charger, probably be an improvement on it too.

too much retooling this charger was shortened