Here's some new kit topics I'd love to see from Revell (thinking very creatively out on the edge here, with a big wish as well)...

[tim boyd]

The Hot Wheels Snake and Mongoose Dodge D700 Transporters. The matching, fully restored pair is featured in the new Traditional Rod and Kustom magazine....given the iconic appeal of the subject, such kits could have multi-generational sales appeal, and could support and entire reissue program of past Revell and Monogram "Hot Wheels" drag racing kits. Of course, the corporate guys at Mattel would have to moderate their Hot Wheels licensing fees to make such a deal viable (some licensing revenue is a whole lot better than no licensing revenue, guys!) A few years ago I would have totally dismissed such an idea, but with the success of Revell's '49 Merc, '57 Black Widow, Chopped '48 Ford, and Kurtis Midget kits, such a specialized and admittedly eccentric kit topic might actually be worthy of consideration. They would need to keep the detail of the kit somewhat simplified (but please, not a curbside!!!) to make the tool affordable. (That means leaving the tool boxes on the transporter bed without any interior detail, and molding the leaf springs with the chassis rails, for example.)

To further recoup the investment to produce such a kit, according to TR&K the Mongoose transporter was originally sold by Chrysler to Sox and Martin, making the potential for a S&M transporter as a third licensed property off the tool. Of course, to make use of that, our friends at Revell would need to either 1) go ahead and tool up that all-new 1970 'cuda kit we've been begging for all these years....(turns out that the '70 S&M 'cuda Pro Stock was stunningly close to a factory stock 'cuda that year and would be an easy second derivative of a stock '70 'cuda kit...)...or 2) do a new '68 Cuda body on the '68 Dart Hemi GTS kit tool (but the wheelbase would have to be shortened for the 'cuda body)....or 3) find the old JoHan '71 S&M tool, buy it, and refurbish it (the tool must be around somewhere, and it still has the best bi-scale E body 'cuda body casting - tied with the MPC '70 'cuda kit - ever put to styrene). Of course, my vote would be for the new '70 'cuda as that would open up many kit spinoffs over subsequent years, just as Revell has done with their '32 Ford Street Rod series...but I digress.

Oh well, just some random Good Friday dreamin' out at the Boyd model ranch....

Happy Easter everyone. TIM

Edited April 6, 2012 by tim boyd

[Dr. Cranky]

Dreaming is good, Tim. That's what the hobby is all about. I hope the good folks over at Revell are listening. I know they have to be making a bit of money off kits like the 49 Merc, 41 Willys, and 55 Chevy. How do I know? I'm just one builder in thousands and when I look up at my shelves those are the kits I have multiple copies of.

Cheers, DC

[Casey]

I am still perplexed as to why the '70 'Cuda/Barracuda has not been done in 1/25 scale by Revell. The Monogram 1/24 '70 Challenger T/A kit has been in regular production, off-and-on for the better part of 28 years now, and we know musclecars sell. Maybe Revell's sales of the 1/24 '71 Cuda kits are enough that they don't need to create an all-new '70 kit.

While I think the Dodge D-series truck would be neat to have, I don't see the average person ever buying more than one, and what would such a kit retail for? $35.00? They'd have to go all the way and at least give it Monogram-level basic detail (separate leaf springs and rear end, engine, etc.), but those trucks aren't terribly complex, so I think the parts count could be kept reasonable. I like the idea of issuing the Snake & 'Goose F/Cs kits with the truck as a combo kit, too, but I doubt they would male the truck 1/24 scale to match the 1/24 F/Cs...which brings us back to 1/25 scale, and the need for an all-new '70 Cuda kit.

[charlie8575]

(some licensing revenue is a whole lot better than no licensing revenue, guys!)

Happy Easter everyone. TIM

I think right there is the biggest single problem with a lot of the new releases. After studying this pretty intently for the last year or so, it seems that the licensing fees are the single largest problem, and can rapidly become as expensive as the research, development, design and production of the model itself.

I've been told Goodyear wants $100,000 upfront. NASCAR has what amounts to a 90% royalty. Chrysler can still be a bit cantankerous to deal with, and somewhat costly.

I would love to see the industry- toy and hobby, negotiate a blanket agreement with the automobile manufacturers, and perhaps do something with the accessory companies- tires, oil filters, etc. That might save thousands per product, and thousands more for both sides in reduced administration charges and fees.

Union Pacific ran into a similar problem in a very well-documented case about ten years ago. When thousands of model railroaders sent letters and boxed UP and related-road engines and cars to Omaha in protest, UP relented in the publicity nightmare, and actually stopped charging royalties, and simply requested right-of-reivew with a small administrative charge (like $200.)

Profit-seeking isn't a problem. It's when we allow lawyers, accountants and people educated far beyond their ability to comprehend to run the show that we start to have problems.

Back to the subject- if that D-700 was made, I'd buy one, especially if they came out with the option of setting it up as a standard tractor, as I'm not too big into racing, or offered a tractor down the road.

Happy Easter to those celebrating it.

Happy Passover to those celebrating that.

Happy weekend to everyone else.

Charlie Larkin

[Scuderia]

i hadn't thought of the licensing issues much before, makes sense that it would be a wrench in thngs.

[Eshaver]

I think right there is the biggest single problem with a lot of the new releases. After studying this pretty intently for the last year or so, it seems that the licensing fees are the single largest problem, and can rapidly become as expensive as the research, development, design and production of the model itself.

I've been told Goodyear wants $100,000 upfront. NASCAR has what amounts to a 90% royalty. Chrysler can still be a bit cantankerous to deal with, and somewhat costly.

I would love to see the industry- toy and hobby, negotiate a blanket agreement with the automobile manufacturers, and perhaps do something with the accessory companies- tires, oil filters, etc. That might save thousands per product, and thousands more for both sides in reduced administration charges and fees.

Union Pacific ran into a similar problem in a very well-documented case about ten years ago. When thousands of model railroaders sent letters and boxed UP and related-road engines and cars to Omaha in protest, UP relented in the publicity nightmare, and actually stopped charging royalties, and simply requested right-of-reivew with a small administrative charge (like $200.)

Profit-seeking isn't a problem. It's when we allow lawyers, accountants and people educated far beyond their ability to comprehend to run the show that we start to have problems.

Back to the subject- if that D-700 was made, I'd buy one, especially if they came out with the option of setting it up as a standard tractor, as I'm not too big into racing, or offered a tractor down the road.

Happy Easter to those celebrating it.

Happy Passover to those celebrating that.

Happy weekend to everyone else.

Charlie Larkin

Charlie , first well said once again sir ! Let me remind ALL of you that A M T canceled a release of the Hogan's heroes Jeep over this very issue back in 1987. Chrysler at that time was going to car shows with F B I agents , warrants in hand and seizing any and all Chrysler memorabilia !!!!!!!!!!! I happen to know cause I was still selling New Old stock Ford parts then . How we ever got ANY Chrysler owned , Chrysler produced , Chrysler merged , or Chrysler related is beyond me .

I swore I wouldn't buy a Chrysler related product from that point and I still wont . They can come back to earth , maybe then I'll re consider . Ed Shaver

[Mercman]

I would think that the major companies would drop or at least lower the licensing fees. This way they would get there product name out to more people. I'm with Ed on Mopar stuff. I wouldn't walk across the street if it were free. BTW I did own one at one time. Talk about a nightmare. Slant 6 which was nice, but somebody put the plugs in on the side that slanted towards the fenderwell, and the oil filter was upside down. You would loosen it, and have a quart of oil all over everything.

Okay I admit I would take a RED RAM Hemi vintage) if offered one.

Edited April 7, 2012 by Mercman

[Ben]

Great minds think alike! I have been gathering parts and info to build both transporters for years! Even before they were restored! That was some irony! I have two of the Dodge crew cabs that were offered by Tom Coolidge. Vince Putt, here in the group has been working on a CNC routered styrene kit of the hauler beds used on each truck. (there were minor differences in the beds) I have been gathering every photo I can find for reference and they can be seen here:

www.public.fotki.com/lotso

Also, the ModelHuas has just come out with their own Dodge D series truck conversion kits as well.

Edited April 7, 2012 by Ben

[Nick Notarangelo]

My random dream is someone will come out with a all new Late 60's or 70s GMC/Chevy pickup or a Ford or Dodge from the same years.

But thats just my dream.

Maybea mid 70's Abody as well

Edited April 7, 2012 by Nick Notarangelo

[Rob McKee]

Profit-seeking isn't a problem. It's when we allow lawyers, accountants and people educated far beyond their ability to comprehend to run the show that we start to have problems.

Well said Charlie.

[rel14]

Dreaming is cool,, I'ld like to see a limited late model, open wheel modified, midget sprints, and more dirt track cars,,Can ya tell

what i'm into? Some Hoosier tires would be nice,,