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Which UK cars could be viable kits?


Paul H

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Prompted by a discussion on Heller's (excellent) range of French classic vehicles in 1:24, I was wondering what UK cars people think are obvious ommissions from the 1:24 plastic kits that are / have been available?  Ones that spring to mind are:

 

  • Morris Minor (plenty of cope for lots of variants, including commercials - I know there are a couple of resin ones, but I think the shapes of both look wrong).
  • a later Spridget (race and / or rally variants could be easily spun off from both).  This would surely be as good a seller as the Aoshima MGB?
  • TRs, to continue what Gunze started with their TR2 to 3A series - if a 4A rather than a 4, it could share a lot of the same sprues as a 5 or 6.
  • Lotus Cortina
  • Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1980s one)
  • Rover SD1 Vitesse touring car (well, a Volvo 242 Turbo has been kitted recently!!!)
  • Lotus Elise - lack of one is very surprising.
  • Any TVR!

 

In terms of new tools of previously kitted subjects, a decent, full detail Aston DB5 is an obvious omission, and a decent new tool big Healey (options for road and rally variants) is also overdue.

 

I reckon all of these are commercially viable, based on other, not too dissimilar subject matter that has been tooled recently, and not just by Heller!  Oh, and I hasten to add, that this is not my wishlist, rather subjects I am surprised haven't been available.

 

What do you all think, and what else is strangely absent?

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It would never happen. Not sporty enough, but I'd love a Cortina Mk III 2.0 GXL. Lovely looking car. Heller seem to acknowledge their commercial heritage too, so a Fordson 10 CWT, Bedford CA or CF, Transit Mk I...or a nice Morris J type would be pretty cool. Go well with a couple of Daleks.

 

I'm going to have to think of a list...

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Mk2 Escort, we really, really need a new state of the art kit of one - with standard, forest arched and tarmac arched bodyshell options. And an optional 'droop snoot' RS 2000 nose. Nope, I don't want much...!! :)

 

But I'd also like a Vauxhall Magnum, Chevette HSR, Lotus Sunbeam, Avenger Tiger and Hillman Imp - and especially a Mini 1275GT!

 

Keith

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10 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

Mk2 Escort, we really, really need a new state of the art kit of one - with standard, forest arched and tarmac arched bodyshell options. And an optional 'droop snoot' RS 2000 nose. Nope, I don't want much...!! :)

 

But I'd also like a Vauxhall Magnum, Chevette HSR, Lotus Sunbeam, Avenger Tiger and Hillman Imp - and especially a Mini 1275GT!

 

I'd buy any of those if available, especially a good Mk2 Escort that I could get a Mexico out of. Used to own one for the princely sum of six days before it was nicked, so knowing the current prices, a model kit would have to do me. Kits of the Magnum, Chevette HSR and Avenger Tiger would cripple my wallet!

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All of the ones Keith said. MkII Mini or MkIII, Ford Capri, Triumph 2500PI, Jaguar XJC, MGB GT (with Sebring option)

 

Oh, and of course, a Triumph GT6 MkIII 😉

 

Atb, Steve.

 

P.S. I thought of about 30 more but they would be no-hopers.

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12 minutes ago, Spiny said:

 And there is a sick, twisted part of me would like to see a Maestro too...

It would be an ideal first kit, because the worse it's made the more realistic it will be 😉 .

 

Not very viable but I'd love to see a Ginetta,  preferably a G4.

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It's hard to think of much with the global, iconic image and sales potential beyond these shores of a Mini, Series III Landy and E-type, but I'll have a go...

 

For obvious reasons: a detailed _plastic_ kit of the 1907 Silver Ghost.

A new DB4/5, with or without added extras (I think it should be possible to do a small Aston family with common research and at least CAD design, and maybe some clever modular mould design!)

Lotus Cortina (I'm vaguely surprised Tamiya didn't do one when they were on the Jag Mk2/Morgan/Europa/Escort Cosworth theme...)

State of the art D-Type in plastic (To the standard of the Profil24 kit)

McLaren 675LT

Gordon Murray Design T.50

 

And another vote for Escorts, GT6, later TR's and Capri...

 

And while we're REALLY wishlisting, a Mulliner Bentley Continental S2 and and Alvis TE21 drophead...

best,

M.

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46 minutes ago, Spiny said:

Trouble is, we need to know what non-Brits would want to make it viable I think. But I'd love to see an SD1.

 

Fully agree, especially regarding international appeal.  However I do wonder if those behind the Volvo 242 Turbo are also considering a race version of the SD1, since it was visible in the box art on the first release of the Volvo.  Thus it would find buyers as part of the series.

 

As it is, Ebbro created various French cars recently (R4 & van, 2CV van & pickup, as well as their DS19 & 21) rather than Heller (I know they also have an R4), so there is clearly international appeal for more mundane vehicles such as those (the DS definately not being mundane!).  What UK cars have similar appeal, but which haven't been modelled?  I'm thinking predominantly sports cars, such as MG, AH & Triumph, but there must be other stuff. 

 

1 hour ago, fightersweep said:

 

I'd buy any of those if available, especially a good Mk2 Escort that I could get a Mexico out of. Used to own one for the princely sum of six days before it was nicked, so knowing the current prices, a model kit would have to do me. Kits of the Magnum, Chevette HSR and Avenger Tiger would cripple my wallet!

 

The HSR and Sunbeam would also generate rally variants, so I could see that being popular - the Sunbeam having the cachet of the Lotus branding too, which would no doubt help. 

 

Given the popularity of old Fords (especially rwd ones), anything that would appeal to that fanbase would be successful, in addition to regular model builders.  Cortina, Capri, Escort...  It's surprising that there isn't a roadcar version of the recent Escort Mk1 rally car.  The Capri would also appeal to the European / German market too.

 

9 minutes ago, cmatthewbacon said:

And while we're REALLY wishlisting, a Mulliner Bentley Continental S2 and and Alvis TE21 drophead...

best,

M.

 

Make the second release of the Alvis a TD21 Series 2 please!  An Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire would be nice, but only a few in the UK and Australia would probably buy one.

 

If pure wishlisting, then pretty much any twin cam Riley, whether it be the prewar gems such as the Imp, MPH, Sprite, Lynx, and Kestrel, or the postwar RMA-H series.

 

Oh, and a William Towns Lagonda...  :sorry:

Edited by Paul H
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1 hour ago, Spiny said:

And there is a sick, twisted part of me would like to see a Maestro too...

 

You're not alone,as long as it was an MG - I think they were great looking cars!

 

45 minutes ago, cmatthewbacon said:

Lotus Cortina (I'm vaguely surprised Tamiya didn't do one when they were on the Jag Mk2/Morgan/Europa/Escort Cosworth theme...)

 

Escort Cossie was more in line with the Sierra RS500 kits I'd say - as well as their other WRC/rally cars.

 

They do a 1/10 scale Mk2 Escort that I forlornly hope they may 'downscale' to a 1/24 static - but I'd also hoped they'd do that for the 1/10 Mondeo and Audi A4 BTCC cars but it hasn't happened yet and I don't see it happening any time soon...

 

As to Capri, Decalcas have announced a Mk1 rally car kit which I hope will be a new mould and not a modified Aoshima Doyusha kit! 

 

And I hope we'll be able to get the recently announced DM models Sierra Saph Cossies in the UK without needing a second mortgage!

 

Lots of hoping going on in this post!!

 

Keith

 

Edit - brain fade in thinking the old Capri kit I had was by Aoshima!

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Austin 7 (1922 - 1939 version)

Using the same basic 6 foot chassis unit and 750cc engine several different body styles can be used, from the 'four' seat Chummy, the racing Ulster, right through to the full metal body of the 1930's Ruby

Revell (Heller?) did a Dixi (later BMW Dixi) and I have a couple of Chummy types from an unknown maker but a kit of the proper car would be better.

 

 

Within my vintage car clubs the collective name for Austin 7 owners is 'an Asylum of Austineers'

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Surprised there aren't any currently available Ford Sierra Cosworth models (plenty of rally pedigree, should have international appeal) - though DM Modelkits are apparently working on one.

Also the Aioshima MGB - there's no hard-top version!

A Caterham 7 might be a nice kit, nearest thing is the Tamiya Lotus 7.

I'd also like a nice Lola T70 kit in 1/24

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  hi  ALL ,

 

                    a  1/24 144 VOLVO Sedan  please !

 

                                                             mumbatashunz !

 

                                                                                   Geoff

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55 minutes ago, Black Knight said:

Austin 7 (1922 - 1939 version)

Revell (Heller?) did a Dixi (later BMW Dixi) and I have a couple of Chummy types from an unknown maker but a kit of the proper car would be better.

Not 100% sure, but I think the Revell one is indeed the Heller kit.  Are the Chummy ones in white metal?  If so, that sounds like the Wills Finecast kit.

 

 

50 minutes ago, Scargsy said:

Also the Aioshima MGB - there's no hard-top version!

 

The rally version has the works style hardtop.  Not sure if it is available yet, but its re-release has been announced by Aoshima & a few of the usual UK suppliers have it on pre-order.  I am very tempted to get one too.  However, if not fussed about the hardtop, the rubber bumper version is the one to get, as not only does it have the additional Rostyle wheels, but the chrome bumper kit doesn't have all the tonneau cover options (can't remember which off the top of my head) as at least one of them is on the same sprue as the rubber bumpers.  However, the rubber bumper car includes all the parts from the chrome bumper one too.

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2 hours ago, triumphfan said:

All of the ones Keith said. MkII Mini or MkIII, Ford Capri, Triumph 2500PI, Jaguar XJC, MGB GT (with Sebring option)

Oh, and of course, a Triumph GT6 MkIII 😉

Atb, Steve.

 

I think Steve was looking over my shoulder when these were listed. :rofl2:

You did miss out the Scimitar GTE however.

 

Chris.

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2 hours ago, cmatthewbacon said:

A new DB4/5, with or without added extras (I think it should be possible to do a small Aston family with common research and at least CAD design, and maybe some clever modular mould design!)

 

Given that its role in the recent Bond films, a decent one of these is presumably a license to print money, even without the optional extras.  However, I wonder if, as a result, that the licensing is the issue?  The lack of a new DB5, or even the re-release of the Doyusha one is very surprising.

 

Even if we only get the DB5, a DB4 would not be that hard a conversion at home - and a drophead would go very nicely with either Heller or Revell's E Type OTS & FHC, in addition to the Tamiya & Revell Mini Coopers, and Hasegawa's Muira... 😉

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Yeah? I always thought they were on a different body shell though maybe the same floor pan. :unsure: I wouldn't mind a 2 door Avenger though, then I could do the car Andrew Cowan won the 1976 NZ rally in. Yeah right. :D

10 hours ago, keefr22 said:

 

But I'd also like a Vauxhall Magnum, Chevette HSR, Lotus Sunbeam, Avenger Tiger and Hillman Imp - and especially a Mini 1275GT!

Now here is a man who knows what the Golden Age looked like. :)

Steve.

 

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7 hours ago, Paul H said:

Not 100% sure, but I think the Revell one is indeed the Heller kit.  Are the Chummy ones in white metal?  If so, that sounds like the Wills Finecast kit.

 

No, they are plastic. I think they are Eastern German. The odd plastic is similar to that used by the Soviets on industrial items.

They may be this one (link below) but I got my two just in plastic bags and with badly photocopied instructions. Both bought separately, months apart, different sellers.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/mk-modelle-dixi-da1--366128

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My preferred cars would be:

 

Morris Minor  aka Moggie Thou (it all its variations - saloon, traveller, van, pickup, etc)

Morris Oxford (same style as the Moggy)

Morris Oxford (the more rectangular version)

 

No guessing I am a child of the '50s...

 

Cheers,

 

Ray

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1 hour ago, stevehnz said:

Now here is a man who knows what the Golden Age looked like. :)

Steve.

 

Those were the days, eh Steve?! :)

 

8 hours ago, Jo NZ said:

Talbot/Lotus Sunbeam? You should be able to chop one from an Avenger

 

That would be great if someone did an Avenger kit!

 

9 hours ago, G.E.SAUNDERS said:

a  1/24 144 VOLVO Sedan  please !

 

British...?! :shrug:  :)

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

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