Marauder die-cast cars

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Billatpro
Thanks Mac, as always you seem to have the voice of reason, which must be why so many agree with the majority of opinions, which is why I try to find away to disagree Just trying to find a way to contribute!!

Oh, but you DO contribute here, Bill, and please keep doing so.

Question...If we were to put up some "promise" money, say maybe 100 bucks a piece, how would that help out with the 1/24 scale MM project? Could we see enough "tool" money?

I think that once we have a decent 1/24 die-cast, the die hard die-cast fans would have to get involved, yes? Just a thought...

[Billatpro]

Well, yes and then again no! You see tooling would run about $60,000.00 to $80,000.00, and would vary much between 1/24th and 1/18th scale,
(I think you would be much happier with 1/18th)

The unit cost would likely be about $45.00 to $55.00 each. so doing the math and using the high side estimate, 80000 / 500 = $160.00 + $55.00 unit cost = $215.00 would you pay that for any scale car.

Now a 1000 cars gets you to $80.00 + $55.00=$135.00 still to high? 1500 cars $53.33 +$55.00=$108.33? and so on. I would pay that for a 1/18th but thats me.

I say 1/18th because you will get a car about 11" long and a ton of detail. The overall profile would be much more faithful also.

Find enough people and we can pull it off.

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Billatpro
Well, yes and then again no! You see tooling would run about $60,000.00 to $80,000.00, and would vary much between 1/24th and 1/18th scale. The unit cost would likely be about $45.00 to $55.00 each. so doing the math and using the high side estimate, 80000 / 500 = $160.00 + $55.00 unit cost = $215.00 would you pay that for any scale car. Now a 1000 cars gets you to $80.00 + $55.00=$135.00 still to high? 1500 cars $53.33 + $55.00=$108.33? and so on. I would pay that for a 1/18th but thats me. I say 1/18th because you will get a car about 11" long and a ton of detail. The overall profile would be much more faithful also. Find enough people and we can pull it off.

Okay...I'd pay 150. for a Franklin/Danbury mint quality model. I prefer 1/24, because my collection is 1/24, but I'd take a 1/18 if that what it comes to be.

Here's your first 150., now what?

[Murader03]

I'll be the 2nd $150.

[martyo]

Bill: I'll be your third Order @ $150.00.

[Kelly]

I'll be your 4th.

[LincMercLover]

5th here.

[Billatpro]

You guys are just nuts! Ok lets say we can do this now lets also decide what scale I should pursue?

1/24th or 1/18th?

Some considerations:
PRO 1/24th
1- 1/24th is considered the most common "American" collector scale.
2- It would have a unit price about (at a high level of quality) 33% less.
3- Broader appeal based on item 1.
4- Tooling cost might be reduced by a significant amount IF a fairly good tool exsist for a 1/24th scale Crown Vic, which I could mod to produce the MM, there are some out there but I don't know how good they are.

Con 1/24th
1- Detail level might be limited.
2- Proportions can be some what less then faithful depending on the skill and knowledge of the modeler/tool maker.
3- Smaller cars like this tend to have less visual impact.

Pro 1/18th

1- Larger size has more visual impact.
2- Proportions are generally better.
3- Size provides for higher detail level.
4- There is a current "American Muscle" market well developed by ERTL for this scale(but no tool for this car)
5- Manufacture would be more inclined to eat some tooling cost based on ability to produce variations of additional product from tool, some times colors are enough.

Con 1/18th
1- Unit cost higher (about 33%)
2- Tooling cost would be higher.
3- Size thought to be to big for some.
4- May not fit with current collection.

Now bear in mind (this is aimed straight Mac) regardless the choice, franklin Mint level build quality may be tough to get, things like fabric covered seats with "give" to them and hand finished Paint would likely not be there.

so between us we have about $1000.00 rounded up! just a few more thou and we are there!!

Maybe we should do a poll, I've not done this before but how bad could I screw it up?

[Billatpro]

looks like this topic has gotten moved to a new thread where it belongs, thanks.

[vaderv]

Ill buy either but prefer 1/18th.

[sandman]

definately count me in on this!

I prefer the 1/18th scale, but don't recall s ever seeing the CV done up.
I know there are alot of 24th scale versions of CV squads, maybe some mods could be done up to match our MMs??
just a thought.

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by sandman
I know there are alot of 24th scale versions of CV squads, maybe some mods could be done up to match our MMs??

Well, there's an idea for you Bill, unless you have covered it already. I know there are many model cop car builders on the market, in both scales. Maybe they could re-tool a PI to a Marauder for less than what we're expecting now?

[Billatpro]

Guy's, item 4 on the "pro 1/24th list" I would like to get a lead to the custom PI builder's working in each scale.

[MAD-3R]

http://www.classicmetalworks.com

they do 1/24 crown vics. Police cars and New York taxi cabs. They maybe our best bet for now.

[Jack McKenzie]

Let me know...I'd be interested.....