Reegs Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Just picked up a Merit Lago-Talbot GP. Does anyone know the history of the company? Still in business? If not (and I'm guessing they ain't) anybody know what happened to the molds? While the kit isn't the most detailed, they made a boatload of these GPs and it would be nice to see them on the market again.
stitchdup Posted February 2 Posted February 2 I believe the molds are still around. theres loads of these kits on european ebay sites from various smaller manufacturers (or at least not very common brands). I'm sure i've seen boxes with 3 kits in recently
Spooker Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Czech company (Smer) had the molds last I knew. They re-issued the Talbot and Alfa Romeo maybe 20 years ago. With some P/E wire wheels, modern techniques and paint, the old Merit kits can look pretty nice. I've got a Merit Gordini on my bench now, going to be Fred Wacker's 1953/54 GP car. He was involved in the accident that ended the street course racing in Watkins Glen in 1952. Interesting guy.
mr moto Posted February 2 Posted February 2 I have that same kit made by a Czech company called Smer. That is probably who currently owns the molds but, of course, things change without keeping me in the loop!
Ace-Garageguy Posted February 2 Posted February 2 Several of the Merit kits have been repopped by Smer...
Ace-Garageguy Posted February 2 Posted February 2 (edited) Atlantis had reboxed a couple too... Double kit... ...and single kits. Edited February 2 by Ace-Garageguy 1
Ace-Garageguy Posted February 2 Posted February 2 And no...the Merit / Smer / Atlantis Talbot-Lago race car is NOT the Heller kit. Entirely different tooling, not even distantly related.
Ace-Garageguy Posted February 2 Posted February 2 (edited) HISTORY: https://velocetoday.com/merit-124-scale-model-kits/ Edited February 2 by Ace-Garageguy 1
Matt Bacon Posted February 2 Posted February 2 The only 1/24 Merit racing car kits that ever get repopped are the Alfa 158/9 and the Talbot Lago. They were described as “Superkits” when they first came out, because they had engines, unlike the rest of the range. The rest have only ever been issued in Merit boxes. Merit is long-defunct, it’s heyday as a kit manufacturer was the late 50s/early 60s, though they were a generic toy maker as well… I had a Merit Chemistry Set in the early 70s. They made some 1/48 aircraft kits as well, which as Bill says have also been repopped by Smer. These include a Suoermarine Walrus, Bristol Bulldog and Tiger Moth. Quality wise think early Aurora. The Merit 1/24 cars include: Aston Martin DB3S, Jaguar D-Type, Maserati 250F and 4CLT, GP Connaught, Lancia-Ferrari D50, Gordini F2, Cooper-Climax F2, BRM, Vanwall, Mercedes W196, Lotus XI… I think that’s all, but I may have missed one or two… best, M.
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