Well some of you may recall that I was worried about folks waiting to buy the new Model Power cars at Wal-Mart rather than at the model train shops. Didn’t need to worry! Some folks wonder why I have a HO scale vehicle section in my store…"people don’t really buy these when you can buy Hot Wheels for 97 cents, do they??? "(yes I have been asked that)
After selling 112 of the new Model Power vehicles in a week, I can tell you there is definately an appetite out there for good HO American vehicles…and these fit the bill.
Not telling you this to promote my store, just letting folks (maybe other manufacturers?) know that these things are selling! Horizon is already sold out of some of the models, they are expecting another shipment possibly in late September or early October.
So far the red '56 Ford F100 is the most popular model, followed by the little red Corvette. And the Crown Vics.
Remember the price increase on September 15th. Now is a great time to get them at a little lower price. Hopefully your LHS or model train shop got some in!
I am glad to hear turnover is healthy; I’ll keep that in mind when the next new Rickos come out. I am a bit sad to hear the 442 isn’t doing better. Not only is it the best model of the bunch (and I have had a long time to study all the new models), slow sales will just reinforce the perception there is not enough of a market for vehicles from that era.
Word to the wise: All you guys who have been bellyaching about the lack of vehicles for the 60s, 70s and 80s better get down to your LHS and load up on those Model Power '69 Oldsmobiles and '69 Camaros (and, no, all those Malibu International Camaros you stocked up on at Wal-Mart don’t count) to let Model Power know it needs to make more cars from those years.
Oh I didn’t mean to imply that the '69 Olds wasn’t selling well, it is…
So far, being in pick-up country, the red F100 is selling best, I was surprised that the tan is doing better than the black.
If there is a dominant color on the Olds, it would be the gold, closely followed by the white and then red…which usually is the better selling color.
The '57 Corvettes are selling well, in this case the red being the color of choice, followed by yellow and no one seems to want the “baby blue” color much.
Kinda surprised that the '63 Thunderbirds are not selling better, they may be the low spot. Also the 1964 1/2 Mustangs aren’t doing as well as I would have figured, but still selling.
The EMS van isn’t going to sell with the yellow lenses in the light bar.
All in all customers are flippin’ over these cars. They are happy which is a big part of what makes this job satisfying. Most of the time…
But like I mentioned, they are ALL selling pretty well. I ordered my third shipment this morning and will be scrambling to find a lost order (apparently “they” lost my order or have not received the cars in yet at one distributor…) so hopefully that one gets filled.
And yeah we also can’t wait for more Ricko cars. Especially the Charger Police cars. Saw them on the 1/87th site…very nice!!!
In my thread "60sto 80s autos, delivery vans and greyhounds I asked:-
I would like to mechanically populate my town streets of the 80s with more than just trucks, semi trailers and emergency services.
I have checked right through Walthers and I’m working my way through what they can provide.
BUT… I would like more ordinary autos… the odd panel van (such as an Econovan) and one of those 3 axle step bodied Greyhound or similar buses.
Any suggestions please?
TIA [:P]
This was not a bellyache. Most of the responses have kindly suggested suppliers. One expressed surprise at one particular price that does look high until you see the model.
Someone called “bcawthorn” gave a long explanation as to why we won’t get many H0 model autos but no suggestions on sources…
Have a nice day [:P]
Edit: Correction… You’ve since come back with two useful supply notes. Thanks [:D].
For the 1980s, try Herpa 032049 Camaro, 022026 Buick Regal, 022033 Ford Thunderbird, 022002 Pontiac Grand Prix which should be available through a Herpa stockist in the UK. Here’s a source for a list:
The Ford Probe made by Busch was first offered in 1989. Technically, the Busch model is a second-generation car introduced in 1993, but it’s a suggestion.
The Trident Chevrolet trucks are all early 1980s models. There is a G-Series van in both cargo and passenger variants in the line.
By the way, Truck Stop Models (recommended by another poster) is an excellent source for 1:87 scale vehicle models and they do ship internationally. I have been doing business with them since they opened (actually before they opened; I designed their logo). So, if you don’t have access to One Track Mind’s shop in Arkansas, I suggest a visit to TSM.