1960's and 1970's Vehicles

[jimmo]

About those muscle cars.I'm guessing there are some faulty memories on TRW or you guys are alot younger than the time period your wanting to model.

From mid 64 on starting with the Mustang those little pony cars ( Mustang,Camaro,Firebird,Baracuda,and Challenger) were all over the place.I really think there is a market for them.These cars origonally were econoboxes with 6 poppers under the hood and 3 on the floor.

Johnathan, I think the idea here is that if we are truly attempting to build realistic model railroads (or dioramas) everyday, boring autos and trucks are going to have to be in the majority when it comes to our model scenes. The cars you mentioned were certainly plentiful but unless you're modeling a fantasy world full of your favorite cars, the plain Janes should dominate the scene (with an occasional muscle car here or there).

As someone who IS in the business of producing N-scale vehicles (as a full-time job) it is a bit discouraging to learn of all the modelers who are trying to make and sell model cars themselves. At least I know of a few models that I can back-burner for now.

Anyone doing medium or heavy-duty trucks? After recently discovering that Showcase Miniatures just came out with a model that I've been working on for quite a while, I'm a little shell-shocked.

[DKS]

As someone who IS in the business of producing N-scale vehicles (as a full-time job) it is a bit discouraging to learn of all the modelers who are trying to make and sell model cars themselves.

Yes, but precious few of true quality. I will make no secrets of what I intend to produce, so that we aren't working at cross-purposes. Feel free to PM me for my short list.

[unittrain]

I have a '61 Impala 2 door hardtop that I am working on.  I'm also trying to shrink down a '64 Impala 4-door but I keep having trouble with it.  I also have a '69 Impala convertible with the top up that I haven't started on yet.

I'll definatley be in for a few when they are done.

[Rasputen]

Thanks for the update. Any information on when your first model might be available, and how you plan to market and sell them?
I look forward to seeing the results.

Best wishes, Dave

I don't have any pictures yet, but here is what I have shrunk down to N scale so far.  I find it more efficient to work on them in batches.  I'm working on making hollow versions and making the interior fit before I re-cast them:

71 Olds Vista Cruiser Wagon
69 Cadillac 4 door
64 Dodge 330 2 door
70 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
60 Ford Station Wagon
77 Dodge Monaco 4 door
61 Mercury Comet 4 door
67 Plymouth Fury 4 door
73(?) Dodge Van
72 Ford Econoline Van
62 Plymouth Belvedere 2 door

The ones above should be ready within the next few weeks.

There are a few more that are close to N scale but need to be shrunk a little further, maybe an additional week on these:

68 Ford Pickup - this one has been very difficult but I will not give up on it.
64 Olds Wagon
66 Ford Fairlane 4 door
64 Ford Falcon
73 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon
61 Pontiac
72 Pontiac Grand Am

After that, I have about 30 other models, including the Impalas mentioned earlier, that I am starting to work on.

All of the 60s and 70s vehicles I am working on are cars, pickups, or vans.
I've been considering a '65 Mustang coupe but I want to see the model I would shrink it from in person before I buy one.

[Dave Schneider]

Wow, what a great list. At the risk of repeating myself and irritating you Rasputen, how are you planing on selling these?

Best wishes, Dave

[jimmo]

Jimmo,straight black 6 cylinder ,3 on the floor 13 inch wheels 65 Mustang is very boring and still was quite a popular car in West Michigan (other colours too of course). Blue 6 cylinder 3 speed Camaro coupes were also quite popular.

I was not referring to the Hi Po pony cars but the ones that mom bought to go to the store or take the kids to school or drive to work.People seem to forget that ordinary people drove ordinary pony cars everyday till they wore them out.

That black Mustang went through two 170 cu.in. and one 200 cu.in.Ford six before there was nothing left to junk.

I get your point Johnathan, but a parking lot full of Mustangs and Camaros just doesn't look like reality.

[Lemosteam]

Need a '67 Chrysler Newport slab side, coupe or sedan or wagon.  Great, HUGE everyday car That once saved my entire family's life (383- what a motor!).  The sedan was larger than the Fury and could transport two adults and six kids.

[Rasputen]

Dave, I really haven't thought much about how to sell them, other than making sure they would be acceptable as unpainted kits.  I'm more concerned about making them accurate, and being able to cast them. 

[Packer]

I like the list, not everything is a Porsche or w/e. Any chance of doing HO scale cars for the 70's and 80's?

[MEC_FAN]

I like the list also, looking forward to seeing them 65 to 75 is perfect!!

[Mark5]

Jimmo,straight black 6 cylinder ,3 on the floor 13 inch wheels 65 Mustang is very boring and still was quite a popular car in West Michigan (other colours too of course).

I have one of the WillModels 65 Mustangs - save for the solid windows its a great model!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-Scale-1-160-Willmodels-65-Ford-Mustang-Kit-/170865150336?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item27c85b4980

Mark

[jimmo]

Jimmo,I wouldn't want a parking lot full ,infact in my era a couple of each would be more than enough.My point was (at least I intended it to be) that the cars were there in their basic forms as ordinary transportatiion

I realize that Johnathan, I sell quite a few of both cars you mentioned but I still get many requests for four-doors and wagons of all eras.

In regards to the hollow body and see-through windows, there are some real challenges in our little scale. Some of those A-pillars are very thin and would be quite fragile. Then you have the issue of the glazing, are you going to be content with the liquid stuff or will there have to be vacuum-formed or clear-cast inserts and how well will they fit into some of those thin roofs? That's why I said Willmodels is slowly moving towards hollow bodies on autos. I'm working on trucks currently, which are inherently easier because of their size.

[aquaper]

A variety of AMC vehicles from the 60's and 70's would be the bee's knees.  You make an International Harvester Scout or Travelall ...

[GimpLizard]

aquaper... you are the man!!!

I want a 1964 Rambler Ambassador station wagon... please.

[Specter3]

I like the selection he has posted. I like kits, and finishing my own stuff. My question now is that is this going to fall into the 1-2$ a car background filler and autorack filler, or are we talking 5-7$ a car for actually nice things. And for sure I would stop talking about brand names and companies that produce them or u will have the trademark police after you. I suggest doing the perfume thing and say "Jungle Love, similar to Chanel number 5". The companies that you are reproducing have whole slews of lawyers with nothing better to do than make your life miserable. I have been asking for generic looking sedans and wagons from this time period to avoid that issue. But manufacturers want to make "models, not toys". I say we need the "toys" for filler in backgrounds and on autoracks. Especially if we can get them for 1-2$ each.