Model Car prices-Even at Hobby Lobby.!!!

Licensing indeed!
For those of us who enjoyed NASCAR modeling in the 90s, the lawyers blew it up by stopping production of aftermarket decal sheets.  I guess the lawyers gave up on that later, as there are a bunch of aftermarket NASCAR decals being prduced now, for fairly reasonable prices.

And for a parallel in the aircraft modeling business - I think it was the mid-1980s when Boeing's lawyers got busy.  I still have several of the Hasegawa 1/200 737 kits that have "Boeing" marked out on the box top.  So I was able to buy a box full of 737, but not Boeing 737.
Rick

BrandonK

So, why are car kits priced this high, overall, and why does HL stock a ton of them and not too many AC or tank kits?

One word, "licensing".

Car kits used to serve as mini advertising aids that got kids to eventually buy that "cool" car. Many older car models began life as "promos", i.e. pre-built models of the car your dad bought given to the buyer.

Today, in the licensing world, all the car companies want a piece of the pie. So you will notice that many WW2 Army Jeeps don't even use the "brand name" Jeep. They just call it 1/4 ton utility vehicle or truck.

Most military vehicles were created with government funds and recreations of the items are in the public domain. So no licensing is necessary. Although around the turn of the century, Sikorsky was attempting to prevent 40 year old helicopter model kits from being sold because they were infringing upon their licensing.

I find it funny that car kits run so pricey given parts count and quality. Many AC kits are newer, have better counts and higher quality and are not much more. And if I'm not mistaken, AC kits in 1/48 are the most modeled of all kits. So, why are car kits priced this high, overall, and why does HL stock a ton of them and not too many AC or tank kits? Seems like the opposite would be true.

BK

I know, it's just a lot of "vintage" reissues. One vintage reissue has even helped me; years ago, as a child in high school or junior high, I built a small Japanese pickup truck. Recently, I had thought about it and wanted to try to find one, but first I had to remember what make the truck was and what company made the model.

Knowing that it would have had to be Revell, Monogram, AMT or MPC, I began my search for both a Datsun or Toyota pickup truck. While I saw a good number of kits, nothing looked like the box art I remembered.

Then, I saw the box art of the Subaru Brat in Hobby Lobby and it was the kit I had built. Without that box art, I would never, ever had guessed the truck I couldn't remember was a Subaru.

The funny thing is that I'm on my third Subaru Outback and have been driving a Subaru since 2003.

I know Revell recently released a Ford Bronco and there are at least two different ones at Hobby Lobby.

The only new armor kits at Hobby Lobby are the Tamiya 1/48 M1A2, Tamiya M4A3E8 and those Meng cartoon tanks.

Rob,

Those old molds you see at Hobby Lobby are not a plot to disrepect us modelers, but an accurate reflection of current releases from the manufacturers.  Someone at Round 2 (AMT) heard that we really, really, really wanted another chance to buy that Joker Goon Car, so they dusted off  the old molds and did some old-looking new box art and gave us the nostalgia we said we wanted.  And I still never get enough of the AMT 1925 T double kit and the AMT double dragster kits. 

Last night I bought the AMT 40 Willys pickup gasser kit, knowing full well that it dates from 40 years ago or so.  First kit I've bought in a year.  I hear it has fit problems.  I'll deal with it.  I might even use the goofy Coca Cola decals.

Revell has done a little bit of nostalgia, but most of their releases are up to date.

I agree, many of the car models at Hobby Lobby are molds that are decades old, of course with the exception of newer model year cars.

The Batmobile and Joker Goon Car are from 1989, with the Goon Car originally being older. I had a Force 440 cop car that I think was the original version and the Dukes of Hazzard was essentially the same car.

midnightprowler

 

 

stikpusher

Well, Hobby Lobby is not geared towards the serious modeler in what they carry. You can occasionally get something new or recent release, but most of their model inventory is the stuff you’d buy for a kid just getting into building models. 

 

 

 

 

I disagree.  I just bought the new Revell  Land Rover kit, they've got the new Revell 68 chevelle,  and quite a few other good kits I wouldn't get for a kid starting  out. There's a few kits geared towards kids but most of the automotive stuff anyway is more adult oriented. 

 

I can’t speak for car kits, that’s outside my area. Aside from a Smokey And The Bandit Trans Am, I couldn’t begin to guess the age of most car kits. Their military model selection; aircraft, armor, & ships,on the other hand is at best 20% new or recent stuff, and 80% older kits or re pops of older kits. Perhaps I should have used the term novice modeler rather than “kid”. I was thinking of the kits that I built and gave as gifts during my grade school years, when that was common. I built and gifted that Revell USS Arizona and USS Missouri numerous times back then. I think Nixon was still in the White House when Tamiya released their M41 and Sdkfz 251 kits that HL still sells. Great old kits for the novice armor modeler.

Be thankful you like to build cars at $25-35 and not large scale ships like this knucklehead (me). Last three buys, Missouri $375 Yorktown $350 Titanic $375 and now pre-order Enterprise $400. Hi my name is Juan an I'm an addict . LOL Happy building everyone!

TB,
I think you found a mistake there.  I'm sure you are one who understands the idea of Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, and that many stores, especially on-line, undercut the MSRP.

The final issue of Scale Auto had a review of another one of that AMT 1/32 series, the '32 Ford Coupe, and it called out the AMT MSRP of $21.99.  Today I was in a HL and I saw that 1/32 Squarebird kit with a price tag of $17.99, and a big sign in front that said there is a sale of 40% off of all boxed model kits.  (I got a kick out of that because I think all the models at HL are indeed boxed, but I digress) 

So if I had wanted that kit today, I could have gotten it out the door for $10.79, plus a whacking great sales tax, but that doesn't count.

So I think that T-bird kit you saw was just mismarked.  Much as we'd like to throw stones at any shop that doesn't pay us to take their models, we really know that it's hogwash to think that they mark their prices above MSRP intentionally.
Best regards as usual,
Rick

stikpusher

Well, Hobby Lobby is not geared towards the serious modeler in what they carry. You can occasionally get something new or recent release, but most of their model inventory is the stuff you’d buy for a kid just getting into building models. 

 

I disagree.  I just bought the new Revell  Land Rover kit, they've got the new Revell 68 chevelle,  and quite a few other good kits I wouldn't get for a kid starting  out. There's a few kits geared towards kids but most of the automotive stuff anyway is more adult oriented. 

If you're going to order a couple things (e.g. make the shipping worth it) HobbyLinc has some good prices on car models

AMT 1/32 60 Tbird - 19.99

https://www.hobbylinc.com/amt-1960-ford-thunderbird-plastic-model-car-kit-1:32-scale-1135

Well, Hobby Lobby is not geared towards the serious modeler in what they carry. You can occasionally get something new or recent release, but most of their model inventory is the stuff you’d buy for a kid just getting into building models. 

Hi Stik:

    Yeah but, I might be willing to pay a higher price for 1/32 if it was the super well done Monogram Trucks and Trailers of years back. Yes, they were Snappers but were beautiful when done. This old dog has been around in one form or another ( read-SlotCar) for years

Mrchntmarine

I think just about all the modelling supplies in our HL are more expensive than the LHS.  Not sure about the models.

 

Their sticker prices are higher than average. But that’s why you buy the most expensive item with the 40% off coupon.

I think just about all the modelling supplies in our HL are more expensive than the LHS.  Not sure about the models.