That's right Neville... it was NJ International. They had three versions 139-1 (coupe) which I don't have. I have the 139-2 (convertible) and the 139-3 (hatchback). I took a while for me to find them buried with all of the Detail Associates, Wheelworks, GHQ, Alloy Forms, Railway Miniatures, C in C and Showcase Miniatures metal cast vehicles. I wish I would have gotten more of these and the Alloy Forms 57' Chevy Bel-air. Back then I just assumed these items would be around forever . It's actually amazing how many N scale vehicles there have been made... but... now many of them are out of production. It seems that most of these manufacturers are/were cottage industries that made just enough to justify perhaps the owners interest and a certain amount of extras as long as the molds lasted.
Grandpa "Joe", Thanks for refreshing my memory; as I had completely forgotten about NJ's 139-3 (hatchback). The good news: Along with all of the other 1970s - 1980s era N-Scale Alloy Forms, Chooch, Magnuson Models (the structure line), and Period Miniatures products that I acquired from JAKs Industries were the masters and worn-out molds for the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. The Bad News: Despite nearly four years of recession (and nearly six years of ownership of the production materials formerly owned by JAKS), I am still unable to find a reliable (American based) firm to take on the task of producing new molds and resuming full production of the extensive Period Miniatures line. Despite three costly re-starts that ended with one batch of ten different stock numbers of architectural detail parts being re-introduced to the market, the search for a reliable manufacturing source continues. Hopefully, 2012 is the year that this long running problem is finally resolved. What concerns me most about the long-term health of the Classic Metal Works N-Scale product line is the prolific increase in manufacturer direct product closeouts. While distributor closeouts are often related to a short term balancing of ever growing inventories of items from numerous manufacturers and/or product lines, manufacturer closeouts are often early indicators of weak product sales over a long period of time (e.g., Kato's RDC's).
I'm wondering if going the kit route may make it easier to get around the choking issue as the cars would no longer be RTR and considered "toys". I think CMW is in a slump because they tried to play the middle with the 60's-80's releases of recent. I know there are those of you that model the 60's - 80's but working in a shop, those don't sell. We sell more transition era models in both N and HO than anything. CMW needs to concentrate on transition era and modern era if they want to make money. The 60-80's just aren't selling in both loco's and vehichles. We either sell transition era steam/diesel or modern equpiment, most everything else is stagnant. We still sell the 50' Meadowbrook very well although the 54' Ford 350 didn't do as well. I think most people are looking for cars, not trucks. The 350 aiming at utility and RR themes limited their appeal. You are not going to buy a UP labeled truck for an eastern layout. We still have the Impala's hanging on the wall from the original order. As they move to more modern vehichles, sales will suffer. The newer the car, the more modelers will be excluded from the purchase. Even somebody modeling 2012 can justify buying a 50's car for a car show or an interesting piece on the layout but modeling the 50's, it's hard to explain a 90's Ford Exloder on the layout. I personally need more of the earlier releases (pre 1950). Single early CMW cars that are no longer available are selling for nearly twice what the original 2 packs went for. Maybe those can come back as kits if they move production back to the US. I would gladly pay $15 a two pack for decorated kits. I already pay $5-10 each for resin and pewter kits that are unpainted and require an hour of work or more a piece to finish. I don't mind having two of the same color in a box, they will find a home in different places on the layout. It also promotes more sales if I want more colors and I don't have to buy a two pack with one color I don't want in the box.
Where are you finding these 60's and 70's era automobiles? I would be eager to buy them if they existed. I wouldn't judge what sells based on CMWs production of 1977 Impalas and 1967 Ford Custom, you can only have so many on a layout. They have not produced the more popular cars from that era, so there is not really enough data to judge on what would sell.. On the other hand, they have produced a lot of transition era stuff and it is out there in droves (the trucks even went for fire sale prices recently).
I'm judging by what we have been able to get in the past 3-4 years in the shop. CMW 77 Impala 67 Ford 59 Ford 54 Ford PU 53 Ford Wagon 50 Dodge Meadowbrook Atlas 97 Ford F-150 96 Ford Taurus 93 Ford Explorers 78 Ford Fairmonts Of those, the CMW Transition era (Pre 1955) cars sell the best by far. I see nothing wrong with a couple 59 Fords on a 70's layout. I currently drive a car that is 13 years old, my wifes is 8 years old. Not everybody drives a new car. In fact I know very few people that are driving brand new cars. Any layout should have cars from the present day it is modeled back 20 years or so, obviously weighted toward the cars about 2-3 years older than the date of the layout.
Another few points to ponder about the transition era cars. When I was a kid in the 1960's... I remember a lot of 1940's to early 1960s cars on the road. My dad had a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria (nice Black 'n White two toned)... I was a nice car but because of the fancy electrical systems that frequently broke down... my dad traded it for a 1962 Mercury Meteor in 1965 (and got money BACK in the trade!!!). Back then cars were built to last for a LONG time and most folks didn't trade-in for many years... if at all (ran them into the ground). The trucks were just as long lasting back then too... frequently being re-sold... before finding them in a junkyard. It seems that in the 1960's the paradigm shift occured for more trade-ins and vehicles became more 'disposable' at an earlier age. I don't know if that was merely built-in obsolecense... but it was different mindset of ownership than before. There were more choices of 'Domestic' vehicle manufacturers in the 1940's to early 1960 too.... Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, Packard... to go with the "Big Three" GM, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Plymouth/Dodge/Chysler. We really also have a big problem with the licensing issues for GM and now Chrysler. Our layouts are dependant upon their consent to use the 'name' and 'likeness' of their product. The creativity of Woodland Scenic 'Auto Scenes' has helped to get 'similar' looking vehicles to market. There are urethane cast versions that are good stand-ins for more detailed RTR models we would like to have... but... many just don't want to go through the 'trouble' of assembling and painting. The HO and O scale modelers benefit from companies that have licensing agreements for a lot of vehicles... but N scale and Z scale do not enjoy the same treatment.
Which illustrates my point. You contend that 60s through 80s automobiles don't sell, but as I noted, there aren't really any made.We need 65 Mustangs, late 60s Camaros, El Caminos, and other cars that were popular and produced in large numbers.
I'm resusitating this thread because I received an email today from CMW and openned it up expecting some fabulous N Scale vehicle news. Man..... was I disappointed!!! It was essentially all HO scale items which will be available in late fall early winter... nary a word about N Scale... just a combined comment about the TD 3610 buses in both HO & N. I participated in the surveys that CMW sent about 4 or 5 months ago and felt that we were going to get some news by now about possible new releases... NOT A WORD about new N scale vehicles. What's worse is the email commented on the difficulties that CMW has had over the past couple of years with production... and COST INCREASES... in China. I don't know how much more the cars would cost to produce here in 'The States'... but IFF the cost of these items get much higher there will not be a market in N scale for them. Die-Cast model collectors really go for the larger 1:43 (O scale) 1:64 (S scale) and 1:87 (HO scale) vehicles because they come with extra features like operating doors, trunks & hoods. Those larger scales do cost upwards of $50.00 too... but... they get it from those avid Die-Cast collectors. We don't get the volume of interest in N scale because of the smaller market and the diverse interest in 'era' to fit in with our railroads. Die Cast collectors are not as picky... thus CMW has naturally (it seems) moved them to a priority position for new releases in their HO catagory. While I can't blame CMW... after all it is a business... it does hurt to see all the cool stuff being announced in scales I'm not interested in collecting. I don't know what else can be done to induce CMW to produce more N scale other than to buy more... but they need to make some so we can vote with our wallets.
I'm guessing you didn't read the whole e-mail then. The e-mail gives me a feeling either delays in China have slowed the announcement of the new N products
My disappointment was that I thought after all the surveys and pending 'major annoucements for N Scale' discussion over the past few months... that this email I received would be the one detailing the new N scale products. As I had mentioned... the only thing about N scale in the email was the combined comment of the HO & N TD 3610 bus... but... that is a re-run of the previous issue... not a new item per se... and it had been announced for a long time. I really don't need any more city buses either... though I'd love to have the PD 4103 Interurban bus and PD 4501 SceniCruiser. There are so many possible choices of classic autos & trucks... that CMW could be in business for years releasing a different models every 6 months. N scale is still WIDE open for scenery items including land, water and air transportation... I thought for sure CMW would be in the forefront of filling the need. Athearn has virtually dropped out of sight for the past two years and Woodland Scenics has been kind of slow on new releases too. The economy undoubtedly has forced them to slow down some... and the Chinese production constraints also are to blame. There is no shortage of other vehicle sources... but... most are unbuilt urethane models and some have questionable detail and fidelity to the prototype... they would be good background/parking lot fillers for me.
It takes a number of months to get an item from the planning stages to the hobby store shelves - close to a year or more. The surveys were just earlier this year. The fact that CMW stated major N scale announcements are to come is indicative of their adjusting their N scale planning due to the surveys. Most likely, the fruits of those surveys won't be savored until late this year or early next year. But the good news is that N scale products are coming. It's best to be patient and see what surprises are in store.
And meanwhile there are plenty of previous CMW releases being sold on eBay every day... I can't imagine how many box trucks CMW must have turned out given the number of listings. Still plenty of fodder for the aftermarket decorators who are doing custom painted / decaled CMW box trucks while committing all kinds of copyright violations... not that I'm complaining...
I do not agree that autos are more sought after than pick up trucks. Think about it if you are putting these vehicles on a model railroad they require maintenance of way trucks ,pick ups one-tons would be a great addition. Let's face it If CMW would produce a 60 to 80's pickup or a cab chassis model everybody would probably buy at least two or three. i have several friends that would customiize them for utility trucks or pull a camper. It seems to me if you have a company that wants to grow...you need to to produce what people need. I also know that you can not please everybody. So please CMW produce us some pickups, kits would be great or as RTR models. Let us n scalers help your company grow. So by working hand in hand we can both benefit together . To me it's a win win situation CWM becomes a stronger company and us N scalers get some really cool vehicles. Thanks for Letting Me let off some steam Larry
Larry, There is a 1970s pickup in development by a manufacturer of N scale items, but that is all of the information I am allowed to share. Carter
Thank You Carter for the update. That is good news for several of my projects. Hopefully we can all pull thru the lack of new vehicles and have some really cool things that we all have developed and projects that we have accomplished. With the inspiration and help from one another, after all is that not what one aspect of model railroading is all about. A Little Talent and a Litttle Inspiration with a small touch of bravdo thrown in. Do not each of us have a little bit of hey LOOK What I MADE!! But most of all I have met some really great people and have recieved a lot of inspiration in my modeling career. Thank You All Larry
The fact that there is a general 'blow-out' of CMW cars on eBay is a testament to overproduction in the mid 2000's; or worse, not enough N scale interest. I've seen pairs of tractor-trailer selling for under $5.00 and even less for the box trucks. It seems that the eBay seller may have a connection with CMW itself since they are about 20-30 miles from the CMW headquarters. I like the pricing... but it can't be good for the hobby in general because the distributors and hobby stores are losing sales for items in their inventory. This only leads to less interest in carrying these products due to potential losses. The temporary windfall of cheap items will be paid for in future LIMITED releases and higher prices.
I think CMW prefers transition era vehicles because the transition era is more commonly modeled, there is a bigger market right off the bat. Second, their vehicles can still be used on modern layouts for farms, used car lots, rural towns, etc. Next, it seems that it might be less competetive and therefore less expensive to get the licenses for vehicles from that time period. Matchbox, Hotwheels, et al, drive up the cost of modern vehicle miniature licensing. That is a fact of economics... you dont see a lot of companies making toy grade cars based around the late 1940s~1960s. But every maker of toy grade cars makes modern vehicles, their willingness to pay higher amounts to get a license does affect other companies in other markets. Personally, I model the late transition era and beyond so I dont think CMW vehicles are too dated for my purposes. I understand the consternation that more companies don't produce higher end N scale vehicles from the modern era but CMW has a business model based on their market. If enough people ask for newer vehicles they may change their product line or, if the economics don't work out, they may stick to what they have been doing up until now.
I had taken CMW's survey earlier in the year and was hopeful when they first announced that they were bringing out a Greyhound ScenicCruiser. Then reality set in and only the HO folks are getting them. While we do have Athearn's Flexible intercity bus (which weren't all that common), we don't have any of the GM Intercity buses to fill our transition era (and somewhat later) needs.
I don't know where you are getting your information, but our licenses don't specify a rate/cost based on era. The license covers a set of marks, requires a certain guaranteed amount per year, plus a fixed percentage of the sales. If I wanted to do a Model T and a 2012 Flex, the percentage of the selling price is going to be the same. I have a feeling that the reason many of the toy grade cars are modern is a child can relate to them or wants a toy car that looks like mom's or dad's. Paul Graf
