Nichimo 1/16 Shelby GT500 Mustang - value?

Do some research. That kit may be an unlicensed "knock-off".

rangerj wrote:

Do some research. That kit may be an unlicensed "knock-off".

Thanks for that gem...

An "unlicensed knock-off" of what? The Nichimo Shelby GT500?

In the process of doing "research", I ask questions of those with a bit more knowlege in the subject area... hence the post... in the Auto area...

I used to try to win one on eBay but finally gave up, the price always went too high for me. Not that it wasn't worth it, just more than I wanted to pay. It's been a while since I looked at one but as well as I can recall they were selling for $50-100. That was 2 or 3 years ago. They may go for about the same now, maybe more or less, I have no way of saying for sure. What's popular at one point in time isn't at another.

I don't believe it's an entirely accurate kit but it's supposed to be pretty decent and as far a larger scale kit, it's the only game in town. Here's another board that you could go to for answers. The fellow that runs the board, Tom Carter, has been in the business of reselling kits for a long time and there are a lot of knowledgeable people there. You don't have to register and the board isn't segmented by topics, it's all open. They don't have to know you to answer your question. Just ask basically what you did here and I'm sure someone will be glad to help. But be aware that there is no buying, selling or trading allowed on the board. However, don't be surprised if someone should email you wanting to buy. Not saying they will, but it is the internet and you never know. Just scroll down from the image at the top and click on Post New Topic and go from there. That's all there is to it. It's a good place with a lot of nice people.

http://wwwboard.spotlighthobbies.com/

That's the best I can do,

Tony

I bought one a few years ago for $50 and then sold it last year for almost $70, so the price can fluctuate.

The model was produced as an electric powered car as a lot of Japanese kits were at the time. As such, the car is lacking any real detail. The body can be upgraded to look correct with some work, but the interior and chassis are not accurate.

I always wanted to make it into a GT500KR using the 427 out of the Cobra, but chickened out after looking at all the corrections that would need to be made. This is not to say it's a bad kit mainly because it's the only one of it's kind. It is quite rare and can fetch a good price.

I know this sounds negative, but if someone is looking to spend almost $100 and then finds out about the inaccuracies,.........

The body is good looking, but lacks the 'ridge' down the center of the top and trunk which might be easily fixed.

 

This is the 'rearend' and shows it's heritage for being a battery powered car.

 

However, the wheels are gorgeous!

The product you are referring to has two licensed trade names, actually three or four. Any product using Carroll Shelby's name must enter into a license agreement and pay him, or his company, a royalty. This would include the "Cobra" trade name and the "Shelby" Mustang GT 500 or GT 350. The same is true for Ford and any of the Ford products, e.g. Mustang. If this product was produced and is being sold without a license agreement with Ford and Shelby then it is an ileagally marked product, often referred to as a "knock-off". The box should tell you that it is an officially licensed product of Ford and Shelby. Sometimes these products get onto the market and are sold before the producer gets sued and has to stop selling the product. You end up with a rare (valuable to A COLLECTOR) kit that was sold in very limited numbers.

Carroll Shelby is often ripped off by those who use his name to make money and not pay him for his registered trade marks or trade names. He and his companies are very active in pursuing law suits against anyone using his property (trade name) ileagally, including model manufacturers. He has has been most active going after the 1:1 scale kit car manufacturers who make Shelby Cobra kit cars. He has won every law suit so far.

I think the Nichimo kit was a rebox of another manufacturer, but if it is a rare kit it may be valuable enough that you may not want to build it. 

rangerj wrote:

The product you are referring to has two licensed trade names, actually three or four. Any product using Carroll Shelby's name must enter into a license agreement and pay him, or his company, a royalty. This would include the "Cobra" trade name and the "Shelby" Mustang GT 500 or GT 350. The same is true for Ford and any of the Ford products, e.g. Mustang. If this product was produced and is being sold without a license agreement with Ford and Shelby then it is an ileagally marked product, often referred to as a "knock-off". The box should tell you that it is an officially licensed product of Ford and Shelby. Sometimes these products get onto the market and are sold before the producer gets sued and has to stop selling the product. You end up with a rare (valuable to A COLLECTOR) kit that was sold in very limited numbers. Carroll Shelby is often ripped off by those who use his name to make money and not pay him for his registered trade marks or trade names. He and his companies are very active in pursuing law suits against anyone using his property (trade name) ileagally, including model manufacturers. He has has been most active going after the 1:1 scale kit car manufacturers who make Shelby Cobra kit cars. He has won every law suit so far. I think the Nichimo kit was a rebox of another manufacturer, but if it is a rare kit it may be valuable enough that you may not want to build it.

So in your opinion is the Nichimo kit a Knock Off? or is it that your just guessing?  LOL

The package, that is the box or the instructions, should tell you whether the product is licensed by Ford and Carroll Shelby. I do not have a copy of this particular model so I can only guess.

This model was produced way back before there were any troubles concerning Mr. Shelby and the licensing issues which have popped up in the last few years. Nichimo may have had permission to produce this kit at the time, but it has not been repopped since. I do believe this is the only version and that Nichimo is the original.

StickyFingrz wrote:

This model was produced way back before there were any troubles concerning Mr. Shelby and the licensing issues which have popped up in the last few years.

Like was just mentioned. 

This kit was made way before licensing by Ford or Shelby was even an issue.