new for 2018

[Zoom Zoom]

Gemini? Why not a BMW 2.8, 3.0 CS/CSi? Y'know that 2002 is great, but...a Gemini???

Isn't this what always happens when something new gets announced? 

While my apathy for the Gemini is real, perhaps some of you can amuse me with a 24 Hours of Lemons group build of Geminis ...and Porsche tractors. 

[Rob Hall]

Yeah, kind of an obscure econobox for them to kit...someone at Hasegawa may have had one 30 years ago..

Edited November 3, 2017 by Rob Hall

[Brett Barrow]

I'd suspect that the photo is altered enough to get around any copyright issues.  It's not like the photographer owns the rights to the Impala SS, staircases, and alleyways.

It's definitely transformative enough to get around any copyright issues.  That's a major reworking of that image, it's not just a trace.  Our own Harry P. wrote a thread on here somewhere how to Photoshop over photos like this, it's a ton of work.  I know Jairus Watson has done box art for Revell recently, maybe he knows more about the process and legal wranglings.  I feel like Revell is big enough and been doing it long enough to know how to properly license images.  

[Darin Bastedo]

It's definitely transformative enough to get around any copyright issues.  That's a major reworking of that image, it's not just a trace.  Our own Harry P. wrote a thread on here somewhere how to Photoshop over photos like this, it's a ton of work.  I know Jairus Watson has done box art for Revell recently, maybe he knows more about the process and legal wranglings.  I feel like Revell is big enough and been doing it long enough to know how to properly license images.  

even if you can get away with copying over somone elses professional photograph through some loophole, I still think it's dirty pool. I often work from photos as I can't always have the car in my driveway to look at, But I either work from my own photos or photos I've had taken for me when I can't make it to where the subject is. Maybe it's an artist thing.

 

[martinfan5]

Gemini? Why not a BMW 2.8, 3.0 CS/CSi? Y'know that 2002 is great, but...a Gemini???

Isn't this what always happens when something new gets announced? 

While my apathy for the Gemini is real, perhaps some of you can amuse me with a 24 Hours of Lemons group build of Geminis ...and Porsche tractors. 

That would be fun

Have no fears Bob, I am going to build mine street stock, yeah, cuz thats how I rollyo

[Chuck Kourouklis]

An Isuzu Gemini??

A car so inspired they needed "EEEE-SSOOOOO-ZZZOOOOOO... that's okay, kid, I can't say Chivvarray" as an ad campaign?

That's got to be one of the eyebrow-raisingest, chin-scratchingest, w-t-ever-loving-effingest subject choices known in the history of hobbydom.  Not even a Piazza/Impulse?

I'll have one.

[niteowl7710]

An Isuzu Gemini??

A car so inspired they needed "EEEE-SSOOOOO-ZZZOOOOOO... that's okay, kid, I can't say Chivvarray" as an ad campaign?

That's got to be one of the eyebrow-raisingest, chin-scratchingest, w-t-ever-loving-effingest subject choices known in the history of hobbydom.  Not even a Piazza/Impulse?

I'll have one.

Fujimi already makes a (granted basic and formerly motorized) Piazza, which they just reissued last month. There were a couple of factory "tuner" versions of the Gemini sold in Japan including one with a Lotus tuned suspension. Undoubtedly there's a 3dr hatch cooking in there for the Irmsher Turbo version, plus that was also raced in JTCC and plugs the missing link to being able to build any JTCC car from about 1988 to 1990. That 80s/90s Era of racing is super hot right now with the Beemax M3, EF3 Civic & AE92 Corolla Levin. Plus Hasegawa has reissue their 318i Touring car, the 3dr & Ferio Civic race cars and their AE101 Corolla Levin. Beemax has the Volvo coming any day now, with a early 90s Corona JTCC hot in it's heels. That doesn't even touch the Gr. B Rally cars or the fact that Beemax is prepping a rally version reissue of the M3 in early 2018.

Heck Tamiya just this past week reissued the Subaru XT - which probably flew under the radar of anyone who doesn't take a daily swim in the deep end of the information pool.

[Chuck Kourouklis]

I was being a little tongue-in-cheek, but the Tamiya XT - I forgot about that one! 

Thanks for the reminder! Gonna go plop one in the warehouse...

**edit**

Hmmph.  Scratch that.  Evidently it was Search where I last saw that and not Link - and Search is all plumb out.

What I'd REALLY like is an SVX.  Coulda swore somebody had a plastic 1/24, but it just don't google...

Edited November 4, 2017 by Chuck Kourouklis

[niteowl7710]

I was being a little tongue-in-cheek, but the Tamiya XT - I forgot about that one! 

Thanks for the reminder! Gonna go plop one in the warehouse...

**edit**

Hmmph.  Scratch that.  Evidently it was Search where I last saw that and not Link - and Search is all plumb out.

What I'd REALLY like is an SVX.  Coulda swore somebody had a plastic 1/24, but it just don't google...

Wow it's discontinued already. That was FAST, like sold out in less than a week fast. Glad I grabbed one when I did because HLJ didn't take pre-orders for it like 1999 did, the only activated the link once they had them in stock. I had seen some mention on Japanese builder groups about it selling out of Hobby Shops in a a couple of days, but I didn't realize the production run was THAT small.

There was a resin multimedia kit done of the SVX, I see it occasionally pop up time to time on Japan resale auctions, but I tend not to like that car in the $180-$200 for unseen resin kind of way.

Edited November 4, 2017 by niteowl7710

[martinfan5]

I knew I should of jumped on it, I gots the again

[The Creative Explorer]

Fujimi are bring back their 1/12 scale Nissan Skyline GT-R in March. I can remember Fujimi making a range of 1/12 kits back in the day which haven't been in their catalogue forever.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10499666

 

That is awesome! I just got me the drag-version for 200 euro's, so I wouldn't mind getting a few for lower prices I am sure I will be getting a couple. 

[Richard Bartrop]

I suzu Gemini does seem an odd choice, but considering all the generic malaisewagens that people seem to clamour for here.  maybe there's some nostalgia factor.  Maybe whoever is in charge of making the decisions at Hasegawa has fond memories of the family Isuzu when he was a kid.

[iamsuperdan]

My dad very briefly had a 1986 Chevy Spectrum. I'd totally buy this kit and mock that up!

 

[OldNYJim]

 

Then again, when I see them doing their retarded youtube vids

Well, that's incredibly offensive

[martinfan5]

Ah, funny handshake and all that, huh?

Nope, we just cant speak publicly about it yet, no funny handshakes or milkshakes.

[250 Testa Rossa]

Can we please get a '65 Riviera reissue from AMT?

[fumi]

It is odd about Meng making those kits at all...can't imagine there is much interest in US spec truck and SUV kits in Asia.

There is actually quite a large interest in the F-150 in China.  Big enough for Ford to officially import it.

[fumi]

As for the Gemini, I'd say Hasegawa has a pretty good sense on what the Japanese modellers who are actually buying and building car kits want.  The Sunny Truck, the Jimny, Honda N and the 2002 all sold quite well, and the Civic is expected to sell well too.

The Gemini has quite a cult following in Japan.  Many people in my age remember their TV commercials very well.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=街の遊撃手

Edited November 20, 2017 by fumi

[Rob Hall]

On 11/3/2017 at 9:23 PM, niteowl7710 said:

Fujimi already makes a (granted basic and formerly motorized) Piazza, which they just reissued last month.

The 2nd generation Piazza/Impulse would be interesting to see, never kitted that I know of.  

 

 

Edited February 7, 2018 by Rob Hall

[Mike Chernecki]

That looks like a modern version of an AMC Pacer. That is ugly.

Edited November 20, 2017 by Mike Chernecki

[sfhess]

There were promos of the Geo Storm, which was the base car for these Isuzu monstrosities.  The original Impulse (Piazza) was much better looking.

[Rob Hall]

I'd assume it was the other way around, that the Geo was developed from the Isuzu.  The original Piazza and Gemini of that era were on the T-car platform, as was the Chevette and many other models. 

Edited November 20, 2017 by Rob Hall

[Jordan White]

Yup, Geo's were simply just rebadged vehicles from other companies. Prizm was a Toyota Corolla, Tracker was a Suzuki Sidekick, Storm was an Isuzu Impulse, and Metro was a Suzuki Swift.

[Erik Smith]

Wait.  What?

This has to be one of the most obscure, or, at least lame, cars ever brought to kit form. Daihatsu Miras and Leezas, Toyota Yaris and Platzes will have a new shelf mate. I’ll definitely be getting one. 

[mk11]

Yup, Geo's were simply just rebadged vehicles ...  and Metro was a Suzuki Swift...

Follow that line far enough and you get these...

mike