Why are original Blue Beetle's selling for big $'s ?

[VW93]

With the Blue Beetle being re issued as the Blue Bandito, I'm seeing original kits going for some pretty high prices.

Is it the original box, decals or what?

Edited August 22, 2014 by VW93

[1930fordpickup]

My Guess is I do not think that the gates have been opened for the complete kit after the first run. So every other release has been short all the cool stuff from the original release and the blue color.

[VW93]

I just got off the phone with Revell about the Blue Bandito since it was supposed to be out in the third quarter. They told me it now has a mid September release date.

I was told it was being issued as the original with buckets, bed cover, scuba gear and surfboard.

The only changes are the name and the Cadillac valve covers due to licensing. The valve covers will not have the Cadillac script.

It seems they can't issue it as the Blue Beetle due to VW having "Beetle" trademarked.

I should have asked them about the box art.

Edited August 22, 2014 by VW93

[Jordan White]

The only changes are the name and the Cadillac valve covers due to licensing. The valve covers will not have the Cadillac script.

It seems they can't issue it as the Blue Beetle due to VW having "Beetle" trademarked.

I should have asked them about the box art.

"Revell is now rereleasing the Blue (not blue) German Bug with large American V8 and generic tires!"

[Bernard Kron]

I just got off the phone with Revell about the Blue Bandito since it was supposed to be out in the third quarter. They told me it now has a mid September release date.

I was told it was being issued as the original with buckets, bed cover, scuba gear and surfboard.

The only changes are the name and the Cadillac valve covers due to licensing. The valve covers will not have the Cadillac script. ...

Thanks Frank for taking the time to follow up with Revell and posting this update.

The appeal of the kit to me is the same as several other Monogram-era re-releases of classic kits, the excellent depiction of period correct parts. From this perspective the lack of Cadillac script on the valve covers is a real setback, although the kit has plenty of other things to work with. I really think that obtaining licensing is worth the effort on both the part of the license owners (the car companies, tire companies, etc.) and the model companies. It is mutually beneficial in that it helps promote a sense of tradition and history and adds value to the brand, which both increases the potential market value to the brand's owner and enhances the model company's function as a supplier of replicas and model history. Round2 appears to be coming around to this point of view and is gradually introducing branded parts into its lineup. We have yet to see this from Revell and it continues to be a disappointment. The Blue Beetle name is less important to me, personally, than branded tires, valve covers, etc. but I can fully understand the frustration that some collectors might feel over such an imperfect re-issue.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Bernard Kron

[johnbuzzed]

So, all those insects out there, such as the Japanese beetle, have to pay VW to use the scientific term "beetle"...? Where does this silly stuff end ?

[Ace-Garageguy]

So, all those insects out there, such as the Japanese beetle, have to pay VW to use the scientific term "beetle"...? Where does this silly stuff end ?

When the lawyers and penny-chasing bean-counters say it can end. That would be...never??

It's almost surprising nobody has a lock on the term "water", so we'd all have to put a nickel in the faucet every time we turn it on, just to pay the licensing fee.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Lunajammer]

It's almost surprising nobody has a lock on the term "water", so we'd all have to put a nickel in the faucet every time we turn it on, just to pay the licensing fee.

I'm sorry, but you can't use the term nickel in print without express written consent. Pay up.

[Brett Barrow]

Name not changed because of VW, it's because of DC's Blue Beetle comic.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'm sorry, but you can't use the term nickel in print without express written consent. Pay up.

Please have your legal team contact ours at your earliest possible convenience regarding the nickels-and-dimes you wish to recover for our allegedly un-licensed usage of the term "nickel".

[Joe Handley]

When the lawyers and penny-chasing bean-counters say it can end. That would be...never??

It's almost surprising nobody has a lock on the term "water", so we'd all have to put a nickel in the faucet every time we turn it on, just to pay the licensing fee.

Seriously dude, shut up, you don't want that idea out there cor somebody with the means to do so to see it?!

[Quick GMC]

It depends on context. It's all relative. I have some of my own products and I cannot copyright the product to names due to them being generic terms used to make the name. This is good and bad. I can't protect the name, but then again I can't be sued for it either. I can however, trademark the name in the configuration we use it in with the artwork.

[Harry P.]

People whose name is McDonald can't open a store and call it "McDonald's." It's their name, but they can't call their store that.

[Harry P.]

BTW... I just submitted my application to obtain the copyright on the word "the."

I expect to be real rich real soon...

[VW93]

According to Ed Sexton, it was an issue with Volkswagen regarding using the term/name "Beetle".

The Blue Beetle comic character also may have something to it being the Blue Bandito.

[VW93]

I just used that word 3X in my last post.

Let me know where to send th check.

[Quick GMC]

People whose name is McDonald can't open a store and call it "McDonald's." It's their name, but they can't call their store that.

for the same reason i can't name my business after my own name, if I quit working for my dad. They do it to protect the established companies. A lot of new companies will pick a name that is very similar to well known, established companies in hopes people won't realize the difference and buy from them. it happens a lot with after market parts and such.

[Joe Handley]

I think VW has been far more aggressive with that than DC comics has.

[Mark]

Are they selling for high prices, or are people attempting to sell them for high prices? Big difference there. The announcement of a reissued or reconstructed kit usually brings a tsunami of eBay listings of originals, in hopes of catching the uninitiated off guard. The Street Fighter, Tijuana Taxi, Rommel's Rod, and Dragon/Circus Wagon reissues all brought similar consequences...

[cobraman]

People whose name is McDonald can't open a store and call it "McDonald's." It's their name, but they can't call their store that.

I'm pretty sure "Old McDonald" who had a farm had to change the name of his farm ! : )

[Brett Barrow]

According to Ed Sexton, it was an issue with Volkswagen regarding using the term/name "Beetle".

The Blue Beetle comic character also may have something to it being the Blue Bandito.

You're right, the subject came up on another board a couple months back and I misremembered which was it, I had them flip flopped in my mind. I think I may have even spoken to or emailed Ed about it, too.

[jbwelda]

>People whose name is McDonald can't open a store and call it "McDonald's."

sorry, harry, but in 99% of the cases they certainly can. its only when there is an attempt to confuse or deceive that it is a problem. McDonalds will not sue McDonalds Hardware in Podunk minnesota. now if you opened a nationwide discount hamburger business you might have problems especially if your name were Ronald or you had some arches somewhere in the picture.

honestly I do not know where these ideas come from. maybe rush oxycodon or somewhere. while we are at it you most obviously cannot "copyright" something like a common word. and you cannot really enforce even legit copyrights without expensive lawyers.

meanwhile I am very glad to hear they are storing the original scuba and surf stuff; that is what made this kit. it has always brought pretty decent money and 130 for a new condition box and kit wasn't unheard of, though that was pretty much the high end of the scale. I always liked the car, truck actually, at least around here, quite a bit on its own, its fairly simple, fits together well and there is some real nice detail to it.

edit to add: oh yeah, VW America is especially known for chasing down those using "their" names and insisting they cease and desist. even down to the level of the hardware store in Podunk. My friends VW shop used "Volkswagen" in its name and he got a cease and desist letter from VWoA about it. changed it to "Kombi Haus" and I guess that ended the problem but at the time, more than 10 yrs ago I think, they were very rabid about using the names VW Volkswagen Beetle Squareback etc. Kinda made me realize what a bunch of azzes they had become. kinda dictatorial in an ironic sort of way. like hogans heros almost.

jb

Edited August 22, 2014 by jbwelda

[VW93]

Mark, if that auction site is to be deemed reliable, original issue kits have sold for between $111.00 to one from a seller in France getting $249.00.

One original (1964) that was sold for best offer was sealed in cellophane. Did Monogram use cellophane back in 1964?

[Mark]

If they are in mint condition, original issue kits aren't affected much by reissues. It's the built, half-built, "projects" and the like that are affected, and those are the ones that usually get dumped into the marketplace when a reissue is announced. The Tom Daniel and (Revell) Roth kits, in original-issue, mint condition form, still change hands at strong prices because some collectors want the originals. The original issue has a forty or fifty year head start on anything with a UPC code.

I'm pretty certain Monogram used the cellophane wrap on their kits well into the Sixties, possibly the early Seventies. I've never paid too much attention to Monogram stuff from that era, so others will know better than I.

[Tom Geiger]

I dunno, if the only thing missing from the kit is the valve covers, I'll bet some enterprising caster will supply them.