Scale auto renaissance?

[Harry P.]

That's your opinion and your entitled to it, but this is why it is difficult for model companies to choose a subject.

Exactly! We all have different ideas as to what would make a desirable kit; there are very few, if any, subjects that have universal appeal. Those few cars that come the closest to universal appeal ('32 Fords, "57 Chevies, etc.) have all already been issued over and over and over and over, because the kit companies know that particular handful of subjects will sell... they have a proven track record of success, and the kit manufacturers will obviously try to squeeze every last penny out of those tools that they possibly can. That's just good business.

But when it comes to newly tooled kits of models that have never been produced before, it gets a little trickier. Aside from the Hudson, there probably aren't a lot of "sure fire" subjects out there that haven't already been done, just models that would appeal to a relative handful of modelers. It's hard to come up with a new release that almost everyone will be interested in. The kit manufacturers can't possibly please everyone, given the incredibly varied tastes of their customers, so I'd say let's be happy that there are new releases of never-before done subjects being released at all! It's a financial risk to do that, and the best way we can assure a steady stream of new subjects being kitted is to buy the kits that are released. There's no harm in taking part in one of these "wish list" threads, just don't hold your breath for any particular new subject, and understand that your favorite never-been-done-before subject may never be released.

And no, I don't work for any model kit manufacturer...

[Craig Irwin]

One of the big advantages of making Studebaker models would be that there can't be any licensing fees involved, nay?

Sorry, Studebaker Corp. is still in business, they just haven't built cars in 45 years or so.

[Harry P.]

And even if a company isn't building cars anymore, someone still owns the name and the rights associated with it.

[Junkman]

it's not really all that difficult for them, they know more about what modelers want then anyone else here does. there is a good reason why '57 Chevy's and Mustang kits get produced, because they sell well and people do want to buy and build subjects like that despite what many on this forum will try and have you think. for all of those that try to tell me that there is nothing interesting being put out by the model companies, either you are in the wrong hobby or your tastes are so obscure and niche that you are on the verge of "eccentric".

Speak for yourself. I for one don't own a single 57 Chevy or Mustang. I have zero interest in this overhyped mainstream riff raff.

And as for Harry's post, no, I will not buy a model kit just because it is a new tool. They can keep their 53 Hudson and 50 Olds hippomobiles, which I find as exciting as fallen asleep feet. Don't get me wrong, there are loads of early Fifties American cars I find exciting, a few of which have been mentioned by others in this thread. There are also a lot of the recently anounced reissues I will buy, actually most of them.

So there is your opinion, and here is mine.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Junkman

[bbowser]

One more vote for an Airflow. Oh and any year Packard, there's an American brand that's gotten no love through the years. Also i can't help but believe any year Cadillac from the '30's up through to today wouldn't be a winner. But I think I'm in love with Steve's 300

[Harry P.]

What I would love to see is a resurrected "Gold Cup" series of classics from the '30s, like those kits released in the '60s.

Only this time include a Packard or two, and a Pierce-Arrow, along with the "usual suspects" (Rolls, Caddy, Duesenbergs and Cords).

Yeah, I know it'll never happen, but to quote the Beach Boys, wouldn't it be nice?

[LoneWolf15]

I've been following along here , the wish list is interesting to say the least . Do I believe there is a resurgence in the car model world ? Without a doubt !

I've been in this hobby for a long time . Dudek insists that he and I , along with Harry , sat behind Moses in second grade . Given my occasional bouts with the CRS syndrome , I have to take his word for it !

In all of those 50 years , I do not recall this many new kits ever being released in such a short time span ! Best scenario , they are of a far better quality then what we've ever seen before in the car modeling world .

In their day , the early releases of the AMT kits

did not have the flash , sink marks , etc , that are associated with today's re- releases of those same kits . Say what you will , almost all of these modern model companies have really stepped up to the plate and given us some fabulous kits to work with .

I would like to see the following .....

' 65 Belvedere

Complete new tool for a ' 55 and ' 57 Nomad wagon

More sedan deliverys - 36 Ford , ' 37 Chevy , ' 41 Chevy , ' 50 Ford , etc !

Yes , Mr Most , I too , would love to see more iconic pickup kits offered , I'm sure we're not alone on this one .

I'm not sure if the model industry pays close enough attention to what the aftermarket has to offer which they should ! For example , Slixx decals have a beautiful decal sheet for at least 6 of the ' 65 Belvedere Super Stock cars , that doesn' t count several other companies offerings for said subject ! The new Hemi Dart proved this point all by itself !

Oh , almost forgot , drag cars !

1/25th scale '70's Dusters , Barracudas , Challengers , Vegas , etc . Yes , they have been done before but not correctly !

My opinion and wish list , let the screaming now begin ! Lol !

The Old Man

[Craig Irwin]

The 50 Olds not exciting?

The 49 Oldsmobile ( add a windshield divider bar to the 50 and you have a 49) was the car that ushered in the whole OHV short stroke V8 craze that lasted 25 years. The Rocket 88 had songs written about it and rock bands named for it ! This car started the horsepower race.

[Harry P.]

I've been in this hobby for a long time . Dudek insists that he and I , along with Harry , sat behind Moses in second grade.

udas , Challengers , Vegas , etc . Yes , they have been done before but not correctly !

I hate to be a nit-picker, but actually I did not sit behind Moses in second grade. But he did ride the same school bus that I did...

[Chuck Most]

Steve- I remember that 300! Wasn't that the dreadful R&R kit?

[LoneWolf15]

I hate to be a nit-picker, but actually I did not sit behind Moses in second grade. But he did ride the same school bus that I did...

[LoneWolf15]

See ! You don't remember either ! I knew all that Geritol was gong to catch up with you ! Of coarse , it might be an allergic reaction to the Depends ! One never knows !

[Junkman]

What I would love to see is a resurrected "Gold Cup" series of classics from the '30s, like those kits released in the '60s.

Only this time include a Packard or two, and a Pierce-Arrow, along with the "usual suspects" (Rolls, Caddy, Duesenbergs and Cords).

Yeah, I know it'll never happen, but to quote the Beach Boys, wouldn't it be nice?

Oh it would be oh so nice. And it doesn't even have to be restricted to American subjects. Bugatti Atlantic anyone? That Voll & Ruhrbeck bodied Horch 853 that's a regular at Pebble Beach? A Saoutchik bodied Delahaye?

Despite the huge interest in classic era cars, and the growing popularity of many concourses d' elegance, the model kit industry does what it does best. Ignore the whole thing. And then say: there is no money in it. We think we can make money by doing bugger all.

[Junkman]

The 50 Olds not exciting?

The 49 Oldsmobile ( add a windshield divider bar to the 50 and you have a 49) was the car that ushered in the whole OHV short stroke V8 craze that lasted 25 years. The Rocket 88 had songs written about it and rock bands named for it ! This car started the horsepower race.

Yes, and by 1951 it was completely obsolete because Chrysler had sent King Kong to town. Yawn...

Edited October 26, 2011 by Junkman

[Junkman]

I hate to be a nit-picker, but actually I did not sit behind Moses in second grade. But he did ride the same school bus that I did...

Which reminds me...

We need a school bus kit. And a Greyhound Scenicruiser while we are at it.

[Casey]

Yes, and by 1951 it was completely obsolete because Chrysler had sent King Kong to town.

Well, I wouldn't say the early Hemi made the Olds OHV V8 obsolete, but it was more the packaging of Chevrolet's OHV V8 inside the sporty '55 Bel Air/150/210 2-door bodystyle that made the Olds (and Pontiac) OHV V8s fade quickly.

Fringe manufacturers (not to mention those which are also defunct) are a touigh sell from the get-go, since the general public knows little to nothing about them. The Tucker Torpedos case is helped by the Tucker movie, and Fozzy the Bear did drive a bullet nose Stude in the Muppet Movie, so it's got that goin' for it.

I have to agree with Dave, and what Brett stated a few times earlier in this topic- mainstream kits like '32 Fords, '57 Chevy Bel Airs, and Ferraris sell, so they aren't going anywhere, no matter how sick of them you are. Like I said earlier, it's nice that we have so many kits to chose from, both new and re-issue, that we can have a twenty page debate over it.

Maybe we're just spoiled?

[jeffs396]

I actually think a good 51 Studebaker Starlight coupe would a no-brainer for a plastic kit. It has been desired for so long by so many. I think Moebius is the only outfit with enough vision and imagination to do it. Converts, business coupes and sedans could easily follow. The chassis and engine tooling can be used on the Hawks from later years.

Agreed! Why wouldn't the manufacturers want to tool up an all-new kit of a wild looking body style like this? The possibilities are endless:

[Craig Irwin]

What Casey said.

The new announcements have a half dozen or so kits I want, and a bunch that I hope interest others. I have no interest in the van kits what so ever, but I know several guys who have been wanting them for years so I hope they sell thousands of them.

I couldn't buy 1 of everything announced if I had to.

[Harry P.]

Like I said earlier, it's nice that we have so many kits to chose from, both new and re-issue, that we can have a twenty page debate over it.

Yes! That's the whole point of what we do here! Debate, chat, BS, exchange ideas and opinions, etc. It's all good!

[Chuck Most]

And I'm glad to see more 'oddball', or at least less mainstream subject, being made available in kit form. One of these days they WILL exhaust all demand for '57 Chevys, Deuces, 'Vettes, and the like, and it'll be the remainder of what's available that will carry the hobby. What will that remainder be? I have no idea, but I think it's going to be fun watching it all unfold and finding out.

[Modelmartin]

It is interesting to note that the Monogram classics are going on 40+ years old and still are considered good kits. If the manufacturers would take the long view and know that if they pick good subjects and tool them up well they will continue selling forever. Building up a bank of tooling that can be used forever would be a good thing for the bottom line. Trendy stuff like all of the showrods from the 70s and the Donks won't stand the test of time. I suppose they might make a quick buck but I don't think they have the same kind of distribution today to make that work.

[Chuck Most]

It is interesting to note that the Monogram classics are going on 40+ years old and still are considered good kits. If the manufacturers would take the long view and know that if they pick good subjects and tool them up well they will continue selling forever. Building up a bank of tooling that can be used forever would be a good thing for the bottom line. Trendy stuff like all of the showrods from the 70s and the Donks won't stand the test of time. I suppose they might make a quick buck but I don't think they have the same kind of distribution today to make that work.

Well, the Donk kits were mostly based on existing tooling, and all the Donk parts were add on. In fact, I think all could be built as the earlier 2 in 1 versions where applicable.

But yes, picking a good subject that will stand the test of time and NOT RUINING it by making something trendy out of it (cough cough, MPC Vampire Van) does sound like a great business model. Trick is... which ones will stand that test, besides the obvious choices?

[Darin Bastedo]

I've been following along here , the wish list is interesting to say the least . Do I believe there is a resurgence in the car model world ? Without a doubt !

I've been in this hobby for a long time . Dudek insists that he and I , along with Harry , sat behind Moses in second grade . Given my occasional bouts with the CRS syndrome , I have to take his word for it !

The Old Man

I tell you guys to act your age, I i'm afraid you would turn to oil!

[Aaronw]

You know one of the things I've noticed on those old Monogram kits? They actually encouraged modeling, from tips about detailing, to simple conversions and kit bashing. I haven't run across it in any car models but the military modelers had the great diorama tips and ideas from Shep Paine.

http://sheperdpaine.com/monogram/index.htm

Some of the Johan kits also included this kind of info. The '59 Rambler wagon showing how to make a sedan or phantom Rambler pickup. I haven't run across many modern kits including this kind of info, sometimes it seems like they barely even include adequate assembly instructions.

It just seems like a win for all if they still did this. They could even pimp their other kits by suggesting kitbash combinations for new build options.

Edited October 27, 2011 by Aaronw

[Junkman]

I cannot tell you guys how much I enjoy this debate. And how much can be gained from it.

Hence I sat down in earnest and tried to make up a sensible list of subjects which I think would appeal to a lot of people. I started with the 30s and went through each decade. I tried to incorporate what people wrote in this thread, what my gut feelings are, and spiced it with a tad of my personal taste.

Let's see whether I would make a good kit industry manager or not.

1930s:

Chrysler Airflow

1937 Studebaker Coupe Express, followed by coupe and sedan.

1936 GM 'turret tops'

Any late 30s Packard

1940s:

Tucker Torpedo

1942-48 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

1946 De Soto taxi

1941 Chevrolet

Willys Jeepster, followed by a Station Wagon.

early 1950s:

Bullet Nose Studebaker

1951 Buick LeSabre show car

1950-53 Buick (for it's stunningly good looks and it gave us the side trim for our chopped 49-51 Mercurys)

late 1950s:

Any 'forward look' Mopar except the 58 'dere and 300C. Preferrably a 1957 DeSoto.

New tool Chevy Nomad.

1957 Pontiac Bonneville.

1960s:

1969 Camaro in some obscure COPO version, most importantly with steelies and dog dishes (just kidding).

Checker Cab.

VW 1500 Squareback/Notchback/Fastback.

VW T2 Baywindow.

VW Karmann Typ 34.

VW Kurierwagen Typ 181 (Thing, Tracker, whatever).

1969 Mercury X100.

Jeep Wagoneer.

1970s:

1970 Chrysler 300 with separate bonnet and bootlid to allow for the Hurst version.

1971 Boattail Riv.

1974 Dodge Monaco (AND a '73! I insist!).

Jeep Cherokee Chief.

Plodgler Granfifthlomat.

1977-> Caprice.

Ford full-sized Station Wagon (you gotta tow your gassers with something, right? Apart from that, DD anyone?).

Rover P6 V8 (just kidding).

1980s:

GM G-Body, preferrably an Olds, preferrably the last Hurst.

Bustleback Seville.

Chrysler LeBaron.

1990s:

1992-1997 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

2000s:

Cadillac Sixteen concept car

Chrysler Crossfire

Cadillac XLR

Chevrolet Malibu