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Revell 30 Model A Ford Production Halted?

Daddyfink

By Daddyfink
in Car Kit News & Reviews

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Casey MCM Ohana

Casey

Posted
Posted

 

I also realize that this is all probably wishful thinking.  Quickest and dirtiest way to get these kits back in production would be to duplicate the existing tooling exactly, which is what I expect will happen...

It's clear there was quite a bit of demand for the '30 Coupe, and probably five(?) times more than for the '29 Roadster (Brett, maybe you have could share a comparison ratio of sales numbers?), so Revell could return the '30 Coupe to production status, pump out more as originally designed, and have no worries.

There are going to be future variants from this common design work, so making changes to those variants, instead of making them on the original/repaired '29/'30 molds, makes more sense to me.

we will find out when we find out

*mic drop* ^_^

Brett Barrow MCM Ohana

Brett Barrow

Posted
Posted

It's clear there was quite a bit of demand for the '30 Coupe, and probably five(?) times more than for the '29 Roadster (Brett, maybe you have could share a comparison ratio of sales numbers?),

I suspect you probably meant half kidding but believe it or not, I had exactly 5 to 1 Coupe vs Roadster orders when I checked this morning. We switched software a while back so the archive doesn't go all the way back to when the roadster was brand-new so I don't think it was that lopsided overall but there was definitely more demand for the coupe.  To put it in perspective only the Hurst Olds and Bronco sold better in the same timeframe.    

Brett Barrow MCM Ohana

Brett Barrow

Posted
Posted

The Czech Republic has several companies that could do the die-making and molding. Aircraft builders are well aware of the fine work Special Hobby and Eduard et al are doing. 

Plus an unintended positive might be the ability to tweek the roof of the coupe while cutting a new tool.

Aircraft builders are also aware of the fine work AMK and the stillborn Aviation Art (the Su-33 eventually released by Kinetic) are doing with Chinese (techincally Macau) tooling.  I know it's popular in the West to bash the "Chi-coms" but like I said, they're pretty good at it and I suspect even if production were to move back to the US it'd still be done with Chinese or Macau-cut tooling. Airfix is moving some production back to the UK but it'll still be done with Chinese tooling.   Eduard's machinery is state-of-the-art but rather small, I don't know they could handle one-piece car bodies in what they've got.  

From Revell:

 

Please note we have decided to discontinue the following items, 85-4322 and 85-4326 Ford Model A, due to issues with our supplier. Since it is uncertain when they will be available again, we have decided to discontinue these product numbers. When the issues are resolved we will establish new kits and new numbers for these 2 subjects.

 

Dave Van MCM Ohana

Dave Van

Posted
Posted

Looks like everyone wants these kits back out ASAP, but there seems to be something that nobody seems to have realised...insurance.

I would expect that Revell has all of their tools insured, and if damage happened (either by accident or intent), then it is likely going to be a while before an insurance company is going to ante up $300K to cut a new tool.  And there may be all sorts of stipulations about the conditions under which any damage occurred.  There could also be lawyers involved, which would probably mean that Revell should not legally talk about anything even if they wanted to.

Cut Revell some slack - we will find out when we find out.  Until then, worrying about it will likely be a big waste of time.

Steve D

I brought up the insurance thing in an early post but that was pages ago.......it will be worked out...doubt we will ever know what happened.

stavanzer MCM Ohana

stavanzer

Posted
Posted

I just checked the Revell Website. No Mention of any troubles on the '30 Coupe, and it is still listed, and presumably still available for purchase.

I understand that Revell owes the public nothing, but an official, public response would be a nice gesture to to those of us who support their company. Something a bit bland, with enough detail to at least hold off the conspiracy theorists. I'm not asking for promises, just some hard information to stop the internet rumors.  It seems to me that even after at least 10 years of very active Internet Effects on public companies, most corporate leadership still thinks that "just ignore the Internet, and it will go away" is a good response to any trouble. (sigh).  Two sentences from Revell HQ could stop most of this thread in it's tracks, and build good P.R.

Just my thoughts IMHO.

Robyn MCM Friend

Robyn

Posted
Posted

I just checked the Revell Website. No Mention of any troubles on the '30 Coupe, and it is still listed, and presumably still available for purchase.

I understand that Revell owes the public nothing, but an official, public response would be a nice gesture to to those of us who support their company. Something a bit bland, with enough detail to at least hold off the conspiracy theorists. I'm not asking for promises, just some hard information to stop the internet rumors.  It seems to me that even after at least 10 years of very active Internet Effects on public companies, most corporate leadership still thinks that "just ignore the Internet, and it will go away" is a good response to any trouble. (sigh).  Two sentences from Revell HQ could stop most of this thread in it's tracks, and build good P.R.

Just my thoughts IMHO.

Ed Sexton in a way did - check the top of page two, someone emailed Revell and Ed replied to them.

Robyn

Brett Barrow MCM Ohana

Brett Barrow

Posted
Posted (edited)

I just checked the Revell Website. No Mention of any troubles on the '30 Coupe, and it is still listed, and presumably still available for purchase.

I understand that Revell owes the public nothing, but an official, public response would be a nice gesture to to those of us who support their company. Something a bit bland, with enough detail to at least hold off the conspiracy theorists. I'm not asking for promises, just some hard information to stop the internet rumors.  It seems to me that even after at least 10 years of very active Internet Effects on public companies, most corporate leadership still thinks that "just ignore the Internet, and it will go away" is a good response to any trouble. (sigh).  Two sentences from Revell HQ could stop most of this thread in it's tracks, and build good P.R.

Just my thoughts IMHO.

They did:

From Revell:

Please note we have decided to discontinue the following items, 85-4322 and 85-4326 Ford Model A, due to issues with our supplier. Since it is uncertain when they will be available again, we have decided to discontinue these product numbers. When the issues are resolved we will establish new kits and new numbers for these 2 subjects.

 

 

 

Edited by Brett Barrow
DrKerry MCM Ohana

DrKerry

Posted
Posted

I don't know 100% for sure how bad the die looks or is, but unless it was dropped from more than 5 feet up it may not be too bad to repair. I worked in a plastic injection molding facility for 7 years and we dropped plenty of dies. I also now work in a metal stamping facility that has dropped 20,000 pound dies from 3 to 4 feet up and sheared the dies only to have them back out and running a week or two later. If the guide pins are stout enough they take the impact pretty well and don't cause much damage to the internal blocks of the die. If they are smaller pins than the die takes the impact, but like us at Deere the tool room has multiple pins, punches, blocks, cams etc etc on hand for when stuff breaks under operation. If the place in China has an adequate tool room which I'm sure they do, it shouldn't be too much of an issue to repair a damaged die. Like I say I don't know how bad the die looks or how far it was dropped to know for sure...

I hope they are able to get the die back up and running as I haven't gotten it yet.... time will tell!!!

charlie8575 MCM Ohana

charlie8575

Posted
Posted

The Czech Republic has several companies that could do the die-making and molding. Aircraft builders are well aware of the fine work Special Hobby and Eduard et al are doing. 

Plus an unintended positive might be the ability to tweek the roof of the coupe while cutting a new tool.

Agreed.

Eduard especially has some of the best molding an mold-work in the entire hobby business. A testimony to their tool-makers and designers.

Charlie Larkin

BKF MCM Friend

BKF

Posted
Posted

My local Hobby Lobby still seems to have the '29 Model A Roadster kit on their shelves.

I'm seeing a few ' 29's also and the HL I'm at now still has two of the '30s on the shelf as I type. They've been here for a while. I think I'm going to leave them here.

Snake45 MCM Ohana

Snake45

Posted
Posted

I don't think that my local Hobby Lobby ever got the '30 Model A Coupe yet, and I doubt that they will now.

We never got the '30s either, though I did buy three '29s there.

Mike999 MCM Ohana

Mike999

Posted
Posted

I have 2 fairly local Hobby Lobby stores here (Anderson and Easley, SC).  The Anderson store has always had the '29 roadster on the shelf and still does.  I found one '30 coupe in that store, back in September 2016, but none since. 

Never saw a '30 coupe in the Easley store. I suspect because it sold out very quickly and never got any more. That store is further away from me, so I don't go there as often. 

ChrisBcritter MCM Ohana

ChrisBcritter

Posted
Posted

I'll check the Deerfield Hobby Lobby and HobbyTown USA tomorrow and let you know what's there.

OK: HobbyTown USA has one '29 roadster.

Hobby Lobby has two '29 roadsters and one '30 coupe. Happy hunting!

BKF MCM Friend

BKF

Posted
Posted

The Rosenberg, TX. store had two '29 roadsters and two '30 coupes when I left there Wenesday. Hope someone buys them up.

 

  • 2 weeks later...
my80malibu MCM Ohana

my80malibu

Posted
Posted

I was lucky enough to score one of the 30 Ford Coupes today while at my LHS today. Some Kanaka ,or Okole, or whatever colorful expression Gregg uses. Hadn't picked up his pre-order in six months. 

  • 1 month later...
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