Moebius Hudson!

[Art Anderson]

The plastic parts are now approved for production, final tire test shots are due in the US in a couple of days, decal sheet is ready for printing, tampo printed whitewalls are almost ready, instruction sheet (will this be a full booklet like that for the International Lonestar?). YESSS, the Moebius '52-'53 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Club Coupe LIVES folks!

Here's a teaser pic of the final test shot of the body and hood:

Now before anyone pitches a fit because the hood seems not to fit--NOT TO WORRY! I shot this pic 3 weeks ago, not long after I got this test shot--didn't take time to trim down the sprue attachment points at the rear edge of the hood--I do that, the hood will fit like fingers in a glove.

As a side note here:

Hearly a year ago, Dave Metzner took a step that no model company product development specialist does: He let all of you here on MCM Foruns in on what the first go-round of the tooling mockup looked like. There was a virtual firestorm of comment--Dave and I listened, we read, we went back, checked all the references, found the errors, got them corrected--with the help of all of you here on MCM--so pat yourselves on your back (be careful, some of you may bruise easily!), but you guys who pointed out your areas of concern were listened to--so you deserve a bit of credit in all this.

I will have more pics as I launch into building this puppy (It's a car out of my past--my Dad bought a '53 Hudson just like this one--black with ivory roof and ivory lower side panels, so this is a trip down memory lane for me, for sure. Stay tuned!

Art

[Jairus]

Good to know Art, thanks for the info!

[Guest Johnny]

Thanks Art! This is a gotta have! Neighbor had one when I was a kid in two tone green. I can still see that car if I close my eyes and think about it!

[Guest]

The chrome spear down the side still looks way too thick and clunky. The rest of it looks better.

[Art Anderson]

The chrome spear down the side still looks way too thick and clunky. The rest of it looks better.

The side spear is now correct. What may be confusing you is that there is a "cheat line" above the side chrome, where the sheet metal "bumps out", and this pic doesn't really show the width (or height) of the side chrome.

Art

[Harry P.]

Hearly a year ago, Dave Metzner took a step that no model company product development specialist does: He let all of you here on MCM Foruns in on what the first go-round of the tooling mockup looked like. There was a virtual firestorm of comment--Dave and I listened, we read, we went back, checked all the references, found the errors, got them corrected--with the help of all of you here on MCM--so pat yourselves on your back (be careful, some of you may bruise easily!), but you guys who pointed out your areas of concern were listened to--so you deserve a bit of credit in all this.

If only ALL the kit manufacturers would run their business that way!

[Foxer]

If only ALL the kit manufacturers would run their business that way!

Amen!

[george 53]

Amen!

X2!!!!!!

[FASTBACK340]

I think it's great that the manufacturer listened to the enthusiasts! That's an awesome compliment letting the hobbyist know that they were heard and involved. Personally I'm more interested in the Chrysler, but I can appreciate a well engineered kit.

Even if it is a Hudson...

[bandit1]

Amen seconded.

I'm sure it wasn't fun having the new baby called less-than-perfect, but the kit is better than it would have been without the critique, as the Chrysler will be for the same reason. Which is a testament to how badly Dave/Moebius wanted to do things right, and in the end a stronger product means only good things for both builders and Moebius going forward. At least to me, any manufacturer willing to walk the walk in this way deserves credit for trying to do right by their audience.

A certain Chinese manufacturer that charges premium prices for substandard accuracy could learn a lot here...

I can't wait to get one of these on the bench. It's just so far removed from what anyone else would tool up, it's a must-have for me just because it will stand out on the shelf.

:D :P B)

[Zoom Zoom]

Amen seconded.

A certain Chinese manufacturer that charges premium prices for substandard accuracy could learn a lot here...

They could, but they probably won't. Products, prices, track record are the only way to read their tea leaves. Falcons certainly are better than what many of the critics will acknowledge, but when less-than-accurate models aimed at adult builders are priced double what their true value is compared to the competition, well...the market will ultimately decide their ultimate success or failure. What is clear is that they certainly didn't go through the same steps as Moebius has to ensure their products meet their customer's expectations.

The approach that Moebius is taking is a breath of fresh air, quite honestly. Interesting subject matter, attention to detail, listening to their customers and critiques, making sure something is right before they hit the market, and priced with only a nominal premium over commodity-level kits, I really hope they have great success with this formula. While it was interesting to see how things have transpired since those first Hudson photos, I have to wonder if the amount of critical input was such that they purposely did not share the same development of the Chrysler 300's to the general public.

[Zoom Zoom]

While it wasn't as "big" as the Hudson threads here, there were similar comments, and corrections made by Moebius, on the 300. I don't recall it as well (honestly the subject is less interesting to me than the Hudson, so I paid less attention) and was mostly, if not all, done during the pattern stage prior to the molds being cut, but the roofline was shown to be off...and Moebius went back and fixed it.

That's all I remember seeing as well; roofline issues.

I've been a big fan of the 300's since I found out a friend's Dad had restored a '56, and he knew another guy locally who perfectly restored a '55. I took photos of both, and did the body/interior masters for All American Models '55 and '56 300's, Art did the chassis/engine parts. As gung-ho as I was, I still haven't built any of my resin 300's...too many projects, too little time, too much "modeler's ADD"

I will build one of my resin 300's alongside the plastic kit.

[Zoom Zoom]

I'm a little puzzled as to why Moebius didn't do a '56 rather than a '55' the '56 is the one with all the NASCAR heritage. Should be a cool kit regardless, and I'm looking forward to it.

I would expect over time they would offer a '56. The biggest changes would be to the rear quarters, taillights, rear bumper. IIRC everything else is pretty much the same inside and under the hood. '55's had the underhood area painted black, in '56 they "cost-reduced" it and they painted it body color rather than a contrasting color.

[Zoom Zoom]

Interesting that Moebius' car kits, which, from all appearances, will outclass Trumpeter's products in pretty much every way, will have MSRPs roughly $20 less than those of the Falcons.

BTW, as one the critics of the Falcons, I readily acknowledge they look better built than I ever expected from them in unassembled form. The toy-like chassis detail still makes me cringe, though ...

To get such a highly-detailed, all-new kit of a car like the Hudson, for $30 retail...that's a bargain. Model car guys are cheap...the Hudson should be an easy sale, and I think they've done their homework to make sure there are no cringe-worthy elements.

I'm really looking forward to the Hudson...my Dad used to rave about how good they were, with the first step-down design for a common car, and their performance even w/the 6. Of course the car that got purchased for Mom was a Hudson Jet, but she loved that car.

[SuperStockAndy]

I gotta buy me a few of these

Here are my ideas:

Stock

Rat Rod

Hot Rod

Gasser

Pro Mod

[Casey]

The Hudson and 300 are old news, Art. Kindly spill the beans regarding Moebius' next release.

Seriously, the Hudson looks fantastic.

[Guest]

The side spear is now correct. What may be confusing you is that there is a "cheat line" above the side chrome, where the sheet metal "bumps out", and this pic doesn't really show the width (or height) of the side chrome.

Art

That may expalain part of it,but the hornet at the front of the spear looks to be a good 2-3 mms thick. Can you provide a close up photo of that area?

[SteveG]

The Hudson and 300 are old news, Art. Kindly spill the beans regarding Moebius' next release.

Seriously, the Hudson looks fantastic.

I suspect that news will be held tightly by Moebius until mid October, as in i-Hobby Expo.

However, can I get conformation that Model King will be offering the first NASCAR version in a limited run joint deal as was posted on another board. Art or Dave ?

Edited July 7, 2011 by SteveG

[Art Anderson]

while it's nice to see the retooled body i'm curious about some of the other issues that i saw and brought up early on with this kit, things like the pegged lights and the glass that looked alot like AMT's overly thick efforts with a "halo" visible around thier perimeters. the other thing i want to know if it was addressed was the rear axle that glued to the frame rails and the tabbed rear emblem on the trunk lid. i'm not looking to pick this thing apart yet again, but i would like to know if those issues were resolved or left alone.

Bear in mind, the last pics you saw were those of the tooling mockup, so the rear axle assembly there might well have had some mounting to the frame rails. The kit itself doesn't. As for the "tabbed" mounting of the Hornet "rocket emblem", that will still be the way it's mounted, in order to ensure proper locastion for this separate, plated part. For those wanting to omit this, for that "shaved look", the slot should be very easy to fill and sand smooth.

The windshield glass is designed for flush fit, but from behind--that necessitates a thin "flange" around it, with the vent wing glass tied in at the ends (easy to cut those apart, trim down the flange on both windshield and vent wing glass if one so desires.

Art

[Jon Cole]

We're not going to see this until August at the earliest, are we?

[Jairus]

I don't care about the glass... I wan'na build this one!

[Eshaver]

Art an everyone else . I'm holding any and all comments until I can see a real un molested kit in my hands........... Ed Shaver

[Art Anderson]

Bear in mind, the last pics you saw were those of the tooling mockup, so the rear axle assembly there might well have had some mounting to the frame rails. The kit itself doesn't. As for the "tabbed" mounting of the Hornet "rocket emblem", that will still be the way it's mounted, in order to ensure proper locastion for this separate, plated part. For those wanting to omit this, for that "shaved look", the slot should be very easy to fill and sand smooth.

The windshield glass is designed for flush fit, but from behind--that necessitates a thin "flange" around it, with the vent wing glass tied in at the ends (easy to cut those apart, trim down the flange on both windshield and vent wing glass if one so desires.

Art

Correction! I just received final round test shots, and the windshield is SEPARATE from the vent wing glass--just the tiniest flange around the inside edge to position it against the inside of the body shell, giving a flush fit when viewed from outside!

Those who were concerned about the headlight lenses having locating pegs in their centers? Not to worry--those are there NO longer. Someone asked about the hubcaps: They are molded as part of the stock wheels, seeing as how they are almost large enough to be full wheel covers, but no matter--open steelies have been tooled.

In short, there's a LOT TO LIKE in this kit!

Art

[Guest]

Just one little question.

When????????????

[Art Anderson]

That may expalain part of it,but the hornet at the front of the spear looks to be a good 2-3 mms thick. Can you provide a close up photo of that area?

The Hornet "rocket" is larger than the chrome spears on the sides, both in height (vertical dimension) and in thickness (as it stands out from the sheet metal surface), lotsa pics out there to confirm that for you.

Art