Mercury Marauder

[Jimi Brix]

I'd love to see AMT re-release the 1963 Mercury kits and maybe even a fresh release of the 1970 Marauder. Better yet, the 2003/04 Marauder with some parts options. Most of the kits released in the past 15 years were re-releases from older kits hence, a majority of kits are all from the 50's & 60's. Over and over again. Please, now another 1932 Ford? How long is this going to go on? At least if they want to release old molds can they at least go with the missing Impala's like the 1969 and 1966? And maybe some '70s Impalas? Let me guess what's coming: 1957 Chevy Nomad, 1932 Ford Coupe, 1920's Ford custom truck, no wonder kids don't build anymore. 2007 Mustang? New Challenger? Come on, how 'un-exciting' is that? How about a 1988 Chevy Impala police car? AMT just re-released the U.S.S.Enterprise kit #610. Why? There's a new film out. Tool the new ship! Look, they want to re-release, can they at least walk further back into the warehouse and pull out some gems like the 1966 stock Impala? Or the 1950 Mercury sedan delivery? And put the stock parts back into the 1920's pickups, (old Revell Iron series), and include stock parts for the 1950's pickups and panel trucks like the Harley panel truck. 'Love to have the stock parts for a commercial vehicle build on that one. I fear this hobby is dieing, and corporate greed has alot to do with it. Always the easy way, with the smallest investment, new decals, lowrider wheels, ###### like that! I have to buy vintage kits, or from overseas just to keep enjoying the hobby. Another 32 Ford? Yuck! What's this, version number 20? Why even bother to buy it?! Thanks for letting me vent. I'm new here and it's good to finally talk with other builders because God knows, the wife doesn't want to hear it! -And unfortunately, neither do the model companies!

[elan]

I think the bean counters make those kinds of decisions. They know that a lot of modelers are interested in '32 Fords, they just aren't sure about the 'fringe' players. I would love to see some the old stuff from the '60s, if we make enough noise who knows what would happen? They must follow forums like this.

[jjsipes]

There seems to be a resurgence in the vintage drag racing carsat the car shows, why not dig and bring back more of the old pro stocks, funny cars and stuff like that. Tool up some new vintage drag racing stuff. I know a few people that would buy more of that stuff than the newer cars. Although I am glad they did the 2009 Challengers.

You see alot of the 50's Dodges and Plymouths being done in resin, I know some of them had to come from plastic kits that was on the shelfs at one time, bring back some of that stuff in plastic instead of resin. I have a feeling alot of them were Johan kits and god knows what happened to all of them. I know that has been discussed here before.

How about with some of the Chevys, tooling up new bodies for the other bodies on the same chassis. A sleeper Biscayne would be cool, '58-'60 (Revell), '61(Lindberg).

They want to keep raising prices for the same stuff you could buy 5-10 years ago for half the price. That and video games is what is killing the hobby.

[mikemodeler]

While I share your sentiments regarding the same old same old when it comes to kits, there are probably several reasons why we keep seeing them.

1. Some of the old molds have been modified over the years into other variations so therefore they cannot "go further back into the warehouse" and dig them up. In some cases, given the ownership changes the hobby has seen, some molds and parts of them have been lost due to moves and improper storage.

2. An all new kit can run into $100,000 or more in development costs. Depending on subject matter, there can be licensing costs that run into thousands more.

3. Everyone has a wish list of what they think will be the next best seller. The '57 Chevy is a kit that has been around for ever and yet another version just came out. The immediate reaction has been great and it is selling well. Why, do you ask? Because it is an improvement over previous kits and is a version not seen.

4. The recent all new kit of the Chevy Nova from Revell has already spawned another version of the same kit, the Yenko Nova. While there are differences between the two, the majority of the kit is shared and subtle changes are made to come out with another kit.

The model companies do listen and they try to give us what we want. If you look at the hobby from their perspective, you will see that they have to ensure that whatever kit gets the green light for production, it has to be a good seller, otherwise the money won't be there for the next kit. Add to that the fact that most of the consumers of the product are older, the model companies gear their offering to what those folks are looking for.

A late model Maurader is a great idea as it could be derived from a Crown Vic kit. The Crown Vic kit would be a huge seller as there are many Cop Car builders out there, far more than those who desire a Maurader. How much would those two variations cost to develop and bring to market I don't know but maybe someone else here does.

Don't lose the faith and please don't take my comments as criticism, just some observations from being around the hobby for a long time. There have been many threads like this one before and I am sure there will be more in the future.

The best way for the hobby companies to know if we like their new kits is through the sales of them. If they don't sell, they get the hint!

Mike.

[Rob Hall]

Ya, such it is. I'd love a new kit of a '69/70 Marauder or the '03-04 Marauder, but there is apparently a lot more demand for a custom '49 Mercury, hence the all new Revell kit a couple years ago. Go figure.

[MikeMc]

BTW, this entire thread belongs in "Rants And Raves", not in "On The Workbench". This section is for works in progress, not for ranting. I actually opened the post expecting to see a WIP on the 1964 Marauder.

MARK! Calm down breathe in .......out....in.....out.......there that will be better.

You are 100% correct but cut Jimi some slack ...He is a newbie....so he will learn!

Jimi...listen to Mark and reread the prev post... I also might mention looking into resin bodys...more work and $$$ but more choices also!! BTW Welcome to our nuthouse....we do not bite!!!

[MikeMc]

Ya, such it is. I'd love a new kit of a '69/70 Marauder or the '03-04 Marauder, but there is apparently a lot more demand for a custom '49 Mercury, hence the all new Revell kit a couple years ago. Go figure.

Well I bought 2 and hafta admit it is one sweet kit!!!!