Wouldn't it be cool to see what Tamiya could do with an American muscle car?

cbaltrin

Come on Tamiya, how about it? 70 Doge super bee? 71 Plymouth GTX

 

It would be better if Tamiya did an American big rig!

I would love to see that.  Working on the Mercedes GT3 currently and it's just such a well fitting, well engineered kit.  Would really like to see them expand.

I'm working on an Rc166 250 cc six cylinder bike at 1/12. Power curve peak at 20K rpm!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2nmmVOKCI

Beautiful little model.

Cobra would be nice, in say 1/12.

Tamiya did do the late '90s Ford Mustang GT Convertible many years ago.

And theres an escort or two as well in the ralley stuff.  What about mopar af/x, big block chevelle, 70 boss 302... that would be cool.

Though I must say recent revell and moebius kits are pretty darned good.  The bronco and comet i just did were great to assemble. 

I did not realize that Tamiya did not make American muscle car models! Hard to believe that they do not, the models would sell like hotcakes I imagine.

Okay:

        Car Nuts! How about this line up. FORD - Mustang

                                                                    56-57 Fairlanes ( Hdtp or Converts.                                                                              GT. 40s ,  Cobras and Crown Vickies.

                                                         G.M.     Malibus, G.T.Os and Monte Carlos.With                                                                   More than a few Impalas thrown in.

                                                          Mopar-Well, any or All that were worth messing with. Chargers and Maybe the 300 Series and maybe a few Imperials and Newports.

                                                           Any Classic American Automobile .Caddies,Pierce Arrows, Lincolns , Packards, Stutzes and how about some Offy racers? Then Cap it off with Cords and Deusenbergs !

Would it be nice? Sure. Is it going to happen? Nope.  Why? Economics, the market ain't there. Even in the US, the only ones that really sold well were the Muscle Cars, so you can write of things like the the Fairlanes, Crown Vics, 300s, Imperials and Newports that TB suggested (unless they can be turned into a race car, then they MIGHT be viable). I will admit that we could use a new 289 Cobra, but the Monogram and Fujimi 427's are good kits. We could use a new Mk. IV GT-40, but the Fujimi Mk. II kits would still be hard to beat. As for classic cars such as the Deusenbergs, Caddies, etc., just ask Monogram and Lindberg (which are very good) how well their classic cars have sold. Finally, it's numbers. There are a whole lot more aircraft, armor and ship guys than there are car guys, so our wishes are low on the totem pole. Now that Revellogram is dead, Moebius might come to the rescue, but I wouldn't hold my breath.  Sorry to be a Debbie Downer.

Buddy is absolutly correct. Its the numbers. The reason we pay more for the car kits vs. AC kits is the sales volume. AC kits are among the hotest items and cars are far down the list, so we pay more and have less to choose from. I would love to see a resurgence in car modeling like we had 30+ years ago, but I don't see it. Militaria is far more popular. I'm actually starting to aquire some of the older car kits that I love due to the fact that many are getting scarce and won't likely get made again. And thus my stash grows faster than I can build. My family should live will off the sales of those once I'm gone. 

BK

I think some of the Otaki, Doyusha, Bandai etc American kits are as close as your going to get to Tamiya quality.

I have a 1/24 73 Challenger by Otaki & it has opening doors, a beautifully moulded body shell & some very sharp trim parts, I’ll start on that soon.

Go & search eBay for the 1/12 Japanese manufactured Mustang Mach1, 72 Firebird T/A & C3 Vette’s, not much subject choice but the quality is definitely there

Ade

American car model builders expect an engine and detail.  And we want them for the prices we used to pay for AMT models.  Or else we wait until they get dumped off cheap to Ollies because they don't sell wel enough.

I don't think there is ever a hope of combining the quality and detail we want for the prices we are willing to pay.

I'll pay 30-60, but not 350 like some multimedia kits.  If I recall they tamiya formula 1 kits and the bikes have great detailed engines.  Bikes run 30-40.  I'd love to see this happen.  But like I said, the new revelle kits are fantastic 

Maybe Tamiya will do the new mid engine Corvette.  That would fit in with their current line up.  Didn’t they do the new GT-40?

They did do the new GT.  Looks to be 30-40 poking around.  Revell and Revell Germany also did the new GT which looks to run 25-30 so the price question is valid.  I have heard good things about these kits - Revell Germany being a bit better according to the latest Scale Auto.

Maybe I'll order both and do a side by side.  One of them is on my xmas list :)

Not to be rude but many car modelers are just plain cheap, and particularly classic American car modelers. If you spend anytime at all at a model car site you will be regaled with tales of $1.89 model kits, and what a rip off that kits cost $25 now.

Of course some will spend the money, and when you get into non-US cars, big rigs, sports cars and race cars many of those builders are quite willing to spend money (notice a fair bit of overlap with the automotive subjects the Japanese companies do offer).

There is no shortage of price gripes in other modelling genres, but after spending years on model car sites and other model sites, the difference in the volume of price complaining is quite noticable. 

Thrifty is the term I'd use ;)  Interesting though because many of the models today are the same kits - though round 2 has greatly improved many.  So recalling purchasing a kit in 1979 and buying the same kit now for $30 must jar some memory issues.  Particularly when it may be the same old AMT kit with flash and fit issues.  But hey - you don't have to buy it!

I think the spirit of the thread is let's see a really good quality manufacturer produce some of the classic American muscle car kits.  Revell is listening - the 67 Charger and Bronco are great kits (beats the dead horse) 

John;

    You know like many of us that there a lot of cars out there that deserve notice. The requirement of engines and opening doors isn't necessary,Really. Why, Well, It's nice to build a model car and not sweat stuff you don't normally see anyway. Curbsides are fine. Some of the better ones have been made as what I call Snappers.

     Great detail in the places that count.The body scripts and trim and dash details ,and it seems that Snappers seem to have better molded steering wheels and other stuff. 

 As to engine detail, well, the bottom plates will certainly make better detail painters of those who build them.

UK prices of kits are way above US  prices. The Tamiya Aston Martin retails here for between 45 and 50 pounds sterling, so you guys are quite lucky in the states.

Tamiya I doubt will ever go into American Muscle cars as they are looking at a world wide market. Unfortunately US muscle cars have less interest world wide than F1 cars and exotics. When will Tamiya bring out a Bugatti Veyron of Chiron is what I would like to see. I guess that the resurrected Revell US branch will still cater for the muscle car enthusiast. Also bear in mind that most US car subjects appear in 1/25 scale as opposed to the 1/24 scale favoured by European and Far East manufacturers.

Mr Mike

Tamiya did do the late '90s Ford Mustang GT Convertible many years ago.

 

They did a Jeep Grand Cherokee back in the 90s that was really nice. When they do a standard automobile model kit, they really put out a nice kit.

Rob Gronovius

 

 

Mr Mike

Tamiya did do the late '90s Ford Mustang GT Convertible many years ago.

 

 

 

 

They did a Jeep Grand Cherokee back in the 90s that was really nice. When they do a standard automobile model kit, they really put out a nice kit.

 

Wow, I wonder what the heck made them choose that subject...?

cbaltrin

 

 

Rob Gronovius

 

 

Mr Mike

Tamiya did do the late '90s Ford Mustang GT Convertible many years ago.

 

 

 

 

They did a Jeep Grand Cherokee back in the 90s that was really nice. When they do a standard automobile model kit, they really put out a nice kit.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, I wonder what the heck made them choose that subject...?

 

On the Grand Cherokee, that might have been driven by the Lindberg 1/20 offering and other SUV stuff of the era.

Lindberg's move into 1/20 scale was part of their downfall. Everyone was going to a constant scale, they jump ship into an offscale.

I've been thinking that we need a late model Cadillac CTS-V for a while now. It'd sure be nice if Tamiya were the one's that could produce it.

As far as cheap is concerned.....I see some of that but I also see alot of folks that are chunking out major bucks on resin kits and all the AM goodies that are now available in the automotive building world now. Cheap would not be a word I would assosiate with all of that stuff. I build aircraft AND autos and can tell you that I spend just as much, if not more, on automotive builds. I do understand that I am but one of the many auto modelers out there but can also say that anybody I've seen worth their salt as a builder is usually willing to spend a comparable amount of money to that of other genres. Just my observation.....

uspsjuan

I for one would happily spend $50+ on a quality muscle car. Yes with a complete engine and drive train. I know you don't normally see these items, but I might choose to have the hood open or doors for that matter. If I can get a tank with full interior that has fantastic detail, why not a car? Most "gear heads" I know love to look at a nice engine. Kind of like showing an aircraft without the engine panels attached. Maybe if a manufacturer took a chance and gave us a high quality kit , John Q Public would snap it up even with an elevated price tag. Look at the cost of one of the latest 1/350 or 1/200 ships ! They are $150-400. And yes I have 2 of the 1/200 kits and waiting on the Titanic to be released. Happy building everyone!

 

This started life as a Revell Big Block and then I added the rocker covers from the AMT Baldwin Motion Camaro kit, a resin Holley 4 barrel from Fireball Resin and then all the PE stuff. Throttle return spring is from a 1:1 scale turn signal bulb filament.

Hello;

    Now see! That is an engine that can displayed out of the car.  A better chance to see the work that way. Personally, what I meant in my comments is that I think there would be more if the Full engine /Opening Doors and Trunks issue wasn't so important. So you see it's not to me a neccesity. But m folks forget this extra stuff adds to the final price on the shelf

   After all, I have built long enough if I want it, I can do the openings myself. So ,for that reason if curbsides are there I could work from there. I had an M.P.C. car kit for years with opening hood. I didn't build it and still haven't. Why? Well, back then it had the wrong engine represented and Now that I have the right one, I put it in a Better vehicle.

      To those who say if you want it you will spend the bucks. Why? I build a lot of ship models and I have yet to spend that kind of money.$ 500.00 for the ship, plus $ 300.00 for aftermarket for an Iowa Class. No Way! 

     I would sooner build it at 1/200 scale out of Cardstock for $90.00 and add my own created details! This is one thing I have noticed in the hobby.Cost!

Hi,Upsjuan:

  Hey ! Building Cardstock models isn't that hard. all you need is lots of patience and a good glue like Aleen's Craft glue. It's more forgiving and doesn't leave the water-spots Elmer"s does. Remember in cardstock you have lots of Bends, Folds and Curling to do.

    Also a good pair of very pointy and sharp scissors and plenty of sharp X-Acto blades and a steel ruler, won't hurt!

 As far as P.E. I found that the Cardstock building, Helped me, learn how to do P.E. Better. Now after all that I can do heat shields on Model car engines with no problems.

 Then I took it to ships. The last time I ever used P.E. on a model car was on a 1/12 Model "T" I did the grill surround out of the brass left over from the brass trees from a Tank Model. Yes, I have used it, Love it, But have to watch my Budget.

 I have just been stubborn about spending a lot on Aftermarket in 1/25' I did Buy from the Company( Lindberg's Supplier) a full dozen sets of the Wire wheels from the 53 Ford kit. So see, I do it but rarely.

    What disapoints me most is that a lot of the Aftermarket( Both resin and P.E.) haven't made Generic ( For standard Autos) Wire Wheels. Have you ever seen a set? Except for Ferraris they are not common. I finally read an article in Scale Auto and had Gene help me, and Now using the plastic rims I create my own wires. More on that later. Happy Modeling.