Shortly afterwards the famous 'Smokey and the Bandit' Trans Am appeared in black with gold coachlining - possibly influenced by the JPS liveries too.
It was most definitely a two-way street. An even more blatant example was the Ford Sierra being a sort of a huge market test to see if the "Aero Look" worked on production cars (it did, and the rest is history).
Just to add Ford really messed up when they introduced the Probe[...]
You don't have to go any further with a "to the UK". The Ford Probe was an absolute disaster on SO many different levels. The Mustang fans hated it because it was being discussed as a possible replacement for the Mustang. The factory workers hated it because it was a rebadged Mazda. Most other people hated it because it had no V8 engine, the odd range of colors available, and believe it or not, the name.
Ford found that people wanted a "retro" name (remember, this is the mid-1990's; the retro thing hasn't been beaten to death yet), discontinued the Probe, altered the look somewhat, let it remain out of production, and we got the eighth generation Mercury Cougar. The problem was that it was marketed poorly/should have been badged a Ford.
Likewise, when it was sold in Europe as the Ford Cougar, the problem was that the marketing approach remained the same. Unlike the American car, which was trying to be returned to its roots, the Ford Cougar still had all the wild paint schemes, excesses, and just flat-out tackiness of the Probe.
A wee " Marlin " for your pleasure.
I always wished the Excalibur (basically a local equivalent) had stuck to marginally affordable coupes and convertibles; I'm convinced it would have survived that way.
I received my second Plymouth Savoy yesterday within a week of phoning Database (I was originally sent a 122 Merc in error which they very kindly let me keep) so I assume supplies of the Savoy must be fairly plentiful right now. They've done a very nice job of the car IMHO, and the magazine is surprisingly good too
Well, I sure look forward to the ones coming my way! Nice that they got the magazine right, too! I wonder when the '73 Bel Air and '86 Dodge Ram will start leaking out early from that one eBay seller who always gets his stuff a few days before everyone else.
EDIT: You know, looking at it, the Dodge Ram may also be an '87 model (due to the side mirrors and plastic bumpers that were fairly common on the '87 models [optional throughout 1986-1989 [and after, but the film was made in 1989], however]).
EDIT AGAIN: Looking very closely at the top of the tailgate, it's without question a 1987 Dodge Ram (I'm guessing a D-150), not an '86. The top of the '87 Ram's tailgate was flush with the sides of the cargo bed (like the Ram in the film), unlike the 1986 model, which slanted inward at the top and had a noticeable steel ridge. The 1988 and 1989 models have different taillights (plastic brackets, the film truck has metal ones).
Shortly afterwards the famous 'Smokey and the Bandit' Trans Am appeared in black with gold coachlining - possibly influenced by the JPS liveries too.
It was most definitely a two-way street. An even more blatant example was the Ford Sierra being a sort of a huge market test to see if the "Aero Look" worked on production cars (it did, and the rest is history).
Just to add Ford really messed up when they introduced the Probe[...]
You don't have to go any further with a "to the UK". The Ford Probe was an absolute disaster on SO many different levels. The Mustang fans hated it because it was being discussed as a possible replacement for the Mustang. The factory workers hated it because it was a rebadged Mazda. Most other people hated it because it had no V8 engine, the odd range of colors available, and believe it or not, the name.
Ford found that people wanted a "retro" name (remember, this is the mid-1990's; the retro thing hasn't been beaten to death yet), discontinued the Probe, altered the look somewhat, let it remain out of production, and we got the eighth generation Mercury Cougar. The problem was that it was marketed poorly/should have been badged a Ford.
Likewise, when it was sold in Europe as the Ford Cougar, the problem was that the marketing approach remained the same. Unlike the American car, which was trying to be returned to its roots, the Ford Cougar still had all the wild paint schemes, excesses, and just flat-out tackiness of the Probe.
.
Sadly I owned two the 16v 2litre then the 24v 2.5. The second was a dealer exchange as the first
Was too much of a probe-lem . The car had so many visits for warranty repair . The 24v did not fair much better and was sold on. Yes the name was the biggest issue over here . It should have been badged as the Capri. As probe was regarded as being a bit rude??? Fords are much more globalised now obviously cutting manufacturing costs. The new range really doesn't float my boat and do not stand out like the iconic examples of sixties to the mid nineties. The last true european/British ford has to be the Sierra Sapphire Rs cosworth.
Just got some interesting news from Ixo (found out about it confirming the unrelated release of PremiumX Diecast's Ford Maverick). Apparently, they're planning to release an Ixo Classic Jeep CJ-7 with a number of features we see on the LTK Jeep CJ-7. I wonder if we'll see this one, if the mould was rejected, or perhaps the partwork will end either at 135 or before we can see this one? It wasn't as if it played a small role by any means; I wouldn't mind seeing this one at all.
Classic CJ-7 Jeep will sell like hot cakes. Sadly we may now see IXO announce stuff for their own range that had prototypes made when collection was to stop at 140 so if we stop at 135 we may have to pay IXO prices and have to code 3 them to get Bond models....
Hope this is not the case. Like many others I would happily swap the Minor for a CJ-7 (Or UAZ for that matter).
Classic CJ-7 Jeep will sell like hot cakes. Sadly we may now see IXO announce stuff for their own range that had prototypes made when collection was to stop at 140 so if we stop at 135 we may have to pay IXO prices and have to code 3 them to get Bond models....
Hope this is not the case. Like many others I would happily swap the Minor for a CJ-7 (Or UAZ for that matter).
Classic CJ-7 Jeep will sell like hot cakes. Sadly we may now see IXO announce stuff for their own range that had prototypes made when collection was to stop at 140 so if we stop at 135 we may have to pay IXO prices and have to code 3 them to get Bond models....
I agree with this. Everything I'm thus far getting is pointing to one of two things...
1) The collection ending at 135 or...
2) The collection ending at 140.
Ixo may also alter the release schedule following Issue 129. I've not been told how (if they inscrease speed, decrease speed, or even issue one car at a time [this would be to gauge interest for another extension, I'm guessing]), but everything seems to point to this partwork winding down and ending at either 135 or 140. One of the two dealers I frequently mention was told three months in advance (wish I'd known him then...) that the collection would be extended from 110 to 130. Contrast this with learning about an extension he believes is to 135 within the past two weeks.
As such, we may see a number of Ixo's unreleased/proposed moulds showing up in PremiumX Diecast, PremiumX Resin, and Ixo Classic. Since when did Ixo ever let a good mould go to waste?
Hope this is not the case. Like many others I would happily swap the Minor for a CJ-7 (Or UAZ for that matter).
Amen to this. The CJ-7 is an American Motors Jeep and for whatever reason, AMC Jeeps have a bit of a cult following amongst modellers of all scales here in the US (certainly far more than Chrysler or Willys; Kaiser-Jeep also has a huge cult following). This one would sell pretty well if they made it. And quite frankly, the UAZ-31512 would sell well to the East Bloc collectors.
Classic CJ-7 Jeep will sell like hot cakes. Sadly we may now see IXO announce stuff for their own range that had prototypes made when collection was to stop at 140 so if we stop at 135 we may have to pay IXO prices and have to code 3 them to get Bond models....
I agree with this. Everything I'm thus far getting is pointing to one of two things...
1) The collection ending at 135 or...
2) The collection ending at 140.
Ixo may also alter the release schedule following Issue 129. I've not been told how (if they inscrease speed, decrease speed, or even issue one car at a time [this would be to gauge interest for another extension, I'm guessing]), but everything seems to point to this partwork winding down and ending at either 135 or 140. One of the two dealers I frequently mention was told three months in advance (wish I'd known him then...) that the collection would be extended from 110 to 130. Contrast this with learning about an extension he believes is to 135 within the past two weeks.
As such, we may see a number of Ixo's unreleased/proposed moulds showing up in PremiumX Diecast, PremiumX Resin, and Ixo Classic. Since when did Ixo ever let a good mould go to waste?
Hope this is not the case. Like many others I would happily swap the Minor for a CJ-7 (Or UAZ for that matter).
Amen to this. The CJ-7 is an American Motors Jeep and for whatever reason, AMC Jeeps have a bit of a cult following amongst modellers of all scales here in the US (certainly far more than Chrysler or Willys; Kaiser-Jeep also has a huge cult following). This one would sell pretty well if they made it. And quite frankly, the UAZ-31512 would sell well to the East Bloc collectors.
Still chasing issue 120 and 121 spoke to a friendly chap at JBCC as far as they are aware the collection is concluding at 135. But here is the but he went onto say they are planning to ship out the remaining 12 models faster than expected so they are predicting a short extention maybe upto the original 140 or as end of collection specials !!! Who knows, im running out of space anyway but will stick with it to the bitter end even with the morris or not.
Classic CJ-7 Jeep will sell like hot cakes. Sadly we may now see IXO announce stuff for their own range that had prototypes made when collection was to stop at 140 so if we stop at 135 we may have to pay IXO prices and have to code 3 them to get Bond models....
I agree with this. Everything I'm thus far getting is pointing to one of two things...
1) The collection ending at 135 or...
2) The collection ending at 140.
Ixo may also alter the release schedule following Issue 129. I've not been told how (if they inscrease speed, decrease speed, or even issue one car at a time [this would be to gauge interest for another extension, I'm guessing]), but everything seems to point to this partwork winding down and ending at either 135 or 140. One of the two dealers I frequently mention was told three months in advance (wish I'd known him then...) that the collection would be extended from 110 to 130. Contrast this with learning about an extension he believes is to 135 within the past two weeks.
As such, we may see a number of Ixo's unreleased/proposed moulds showing up in PremiumX Diecast, PremiumX Resin, and Ixo Classic. Since when did Ixo ever let a good mould go to waste?
Hope this is not the case. Like many others I would happily swap the Minor for a CJ-7 (Or UAZ for that matter).
Amen to this. The CJ-7 is an American Motors Jeep and for whatever reason, AMC Jeeps have a bit of a cult following amongst modellers of all scales here in the US (certainly far more than Chrysler or Willys; Kaiser-Jeep also has a huge cult following). This one would sell pretty well if they made it. And quite frankly, the UAZ-31512 would sell well to the East Bloc collectors.
Still chasing issue 120 and 121 spoke to a friendly chap at JBCC as far as they are aware the collection is concluding at 135. But here is the but he went onto say they are planning to ship out the remaining 12 models faster than expected so they are predicting a short extention maybe upto the original 140 or as end of collection specials !!! Who knows, im running out of space anyway but will stick with it to the bitter end even with the morris or not.
Yes just heard my 123-Plymouth Savoy is in the shop to collect 2 weeks after the last one.(122-Merc)
So this is solid evidence that delivery is speeding up.
Maybe new owners Eaglemoss want to finish it quick. 12 x 2 weekly is finishing sometime in February 2013 I suppose.
I agree with this. Everything I'm thus far getting is pointing to one of two things...
1) The collection ending at 135 or...
2) The collection ending at 140.
Ixo may also alter the release schedule following Issue 129. I've not been told how (if they inscrease speed, decrease speed, or even issue one car at a time [this would be to gauge interest for another extension, I'm guessing]), but everything seems to point to this partwork winding down and ending at either 135 or 140. One of the two dealers I frequently mention was told three months in advance (wish I'd known him then...) that the collection would be extended from 110 to 130. Contrast this with learning about an extension he believes is to 135 within the past two weeks.
As such, we may see a number of Ixo's unreleased/proposed moulds showing up in PremiumX Diecast, PremiumX Resin, and Ixo Classic. Since when did Ixo ever let a good mould go to waste?
Amen to this. The CJ-7 is an American Motors Jeep and for whatever reason, AMC Jeeps have a bit of a cult following amongst modellers of all scales here in the US (certainly far more than Chrysler or Willys; Kaiser-Jeep also has a huge cult following). This one would sell pretty well if they made it. And quite frankly, the UAZ-31512 would sell well to the East Bloc collectors.
Still chasing issue 120 and 121 spoke to a friendly chap at JBCC as far as they are aware the collection is concluding at 135. But here is the but he went onto say they are planning to ship out the remaining 12 models faster than expected so they are predicting a short extention maybe upto the original 140 or as end of collection specials !!! Who knows, im running out of space anyway but will stick with it to the bitter end even with the morris or not.
Yes just heard my 123-Plymouth Savoy is in the shop to collect 2 weeks after the last one.(122-Merc)
So this is solid evidence that delivery is speeding up.
Maybe new owners Eaglemoss want to finish it quick. 12 x 2 weekly is finishing sometime in February 2013 I suppose.
Bleuville.
Ho hum. So, do we have any takers for a Ponyo partwork after the JBCC?
The silly thing is, apart from the completists, I think most people now following the JBCC wouldn't mind if it carried on until 200 or even more. It's hooked a valuable customer group for EMFabbri that I really don't think they were expecting, and now they have it/us, it seems crazy for them to give up on it. Unless I see signs of another partwork coming up along the lines of the ones we've discussed (movie vehicles, American classics, Bond figures etc) my wallet's gonna be closing up again. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
But here is the but he went onto say they are planning to ship out the remaining 12 models faster than expected so they are predicting a short extention maybe upto the original 140 or as end of collection specials !!!
That would seem to support an extension to 140; my dealer did not rule that out. His own personal speculation (and this is only slightly more informed than we are) is that IF the collection goes to 140, they added a third SF model and we'll wind up seeing four non-SF cars.
The obvious candidate for the SF car is the Jaguar XJ-L. Even if Ixo has the New Beetle in their range, the Jag XJ-L would just be too obvious a moneymaker. But, given that Ixo will probably keep right on making "car-centric" issues (albeit with new moulds), that would mean we'd see four new cars. Ixo would likely want to be able to re-use the moulds, save on costs, and still produce something interesting with at least a semi-significant film role. It's also likely that their "Anglo-American" car formula would remain intact and that they would probably delve into cars on IMCDB that have anywhere from 2-3 stars. My predictions (not my preferences), if we do get to 140...
-Issue 136, UAZ-31512, GE. Played a huge role in the film and would allow Ixo to alter the mould just enough so that it could be released seperately from the UAZ-469B in USSR AvtoLegende and likely Ist Models. Would also break the "Anglo-American" back and forth for a very different model.
-Issue 137, 1971 Ford Custom LV Sheriff's Car, DAF. They need to include another huge American sedan, which they could use as a basis for the '71 Galaxie, '71 LTD, and a myriad of other '71 police cars and taxis, including at least 10 State PD's and the very-underrepresented San Diego PD. But most importantly, and this is how you'd get the car to be a seller, the New York City Transit Authority also used '71 Ford Customs as police cars; whilst not the NYPD proper, they do work with them and are constantly (and correctly) associated with NYC's first responders. This would be the last American car in the JBCC.
-Issue 138, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, FRWL. Ixo gets to show off its R-R license and produce a couple dozen variants of this car in resin, too.
-Issue 139, Jaguar XJ-L, SF.
-Issue 140, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe, OHMSS. I actually think that given the nature of this car/how many times Bond and Tracy were driving around in it, it would be a terrific car to finish on. And Ixo gets to show off another Rolls-Royce.
The B-pillar seems a bit thick, but it otherwise looks very nice. Of course, VERY hard to tell anything from this angle. We'll have to wait until another one goes up.
Did some more checking out of the '73 Bel Air. The roofline, trunk, and windows all appear to have been done correctly. I can't tell what the rear bumper looks like, however; the photo must have been slanted forward a little (which is frustrating; triple taillights means it's an Impala while double taillights means it's a Bel Air). The front looks fine.
Corgi have done Cortina Mark I through IV in their Vanguards series now. The Mark II is freely available on Ebay but not sure that they have re-released it in last couple of years since they have already done so many versions in previous years. Its also quite common at toyfairs at under a tenner.
Maz
Thanks will check out eBay . Don't know how I missed that :-)
The mould of the Cortina Mk.2 is of the 2-door version. There have been fourteen releases so far - 5 motorsport versions, 3 police versions and the other 6 were road-going/street versions (including a chromed club version - I belong to that club but I'm not keen on these chromed models myself).
Road-going versions were the GT in Ermine White with black roof, released in 2001 and then again in a perspex case in 2004 (the second release has a black-washed grille), the Deluxe in Lagoon Blue from 2001, the Super in Dragoon Red from 2002, the "Boy Racer" in purple metallic from 2003 and the Lotus in Aquatic Jade from 2005. There was also a standard saloon in Fern Green Metallic as part of a Ford Collection of three models in 2002.
This particular mould (VA041) was the last of those planned by Lledo to make it into production following their bankruptcy and subsequent buyout by Corgi in October 1999.
Today's release schedule update from Corgi has the Cortina Mk.3 GXL in Flame Red down for the week starting 10 September. It was delayed a bit - probably to up the production total, I reckon, based on the sales success of recent Ford releases from Corgi.
Which brings me back to the JBCC and Ixo and the fact that they could very easily do the OHMSS Ford Escort Mk.1 if they wanted to. It probably wouldn't sell as well as some those proposed by DB110, but neither would my first choice for a 136-140 subject (the Escort is #2), the CR Ford Mondeo. Oh well, I guess that's why it's called a WISHlist
Great to see Issue 124 has made it onto ebay - the subscribers should be getting that and the Dodge Ram next week if EM stay on track.
I think I speak for most of us non-subscribers and those behind in the collection if we could get some photos once people get their '73 Bel Airs and '87 Ram D-150's.
Which brings me back to the JBCC and Ixo and the fact that they could very easily do the OHMSS Ford Escort Mk.1 if they wanted to. It probably wouldn't sell as well as some those proposed by DB110, but neither would my first choice for a 136-140 subject (the Escort is #2), the CR Ford Mondeo. Oh well, I guess that's why it's called a WISHlist
**Shrugs** The stuff I listed is actually not my wishlist for Issues 136-140. Here's how I figure it, if they decide to extend the collection that far...
-We already have rumors of a military UAZ-31512 by Ixo for VVM Models of St. Petersburg. It wouldn't be released until the middle of next year, so the timing is about right.
-Ixo is supposedly making an early 1970's Ford four-door sedan to compete with the Minichamps and Neo Dodge Monaco models. They also have confirmed a 1971 Ford Galaxie (in other words, almost the same car). Aside from the up to two dozen variants they could get out of this one car, introducing it as the LV Sheriff's Car (the LVPD cars are 1970 models) would likely mean they would have an excuse to speed things up.
-We all want the Jaguar XJ-L in terms of cars from SF, it seems. Therefore, I'd not be surprised if they actually did it.
-Although Ixo has been pretty forthcoming about their modern Rolls-Royce designs, they've played their cards very close to their vest regarding the older models. IF they release a Silver Shadow I LWB, Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe, and Silver Wraith, they actually have three cars they could turn into nice resin models with a distinct niche for each one of them: the Silver Shadow I LWB (with European bumpers, RHD, and European spec turn signals, which shouldn't be too hard) takes the mantle of "big '60's-'70's British luxury car", the Silver Wraith would be "the classic Rolls-Royce", and the Shadow Drophead Coupe "the sporty yet luxurious sister model to the Silver Shadow LWB".
I would have NO problems with any of the models you suggest however; I'd actually like to see them!
I think I speak for most of us non-subscribers and those behind in the collection if we could get some photos once people get their '73 Bel Airs and '87 Ram D-150's.
It's a 'free listing' weekend coming up on eBay so hopefully we might see more pics of both cars from sellers, but yes, any photos from subscribers would be great.
Dalko and FACT - I'd like to see the models suggested and predicted, all good choices. I notice the blank spaces on Wikipedia for issues 136-140 all have 'planned' indicated, so here's hoping.
I think I speak for most of us non-subscribers and those behind in the collection if we could get some photos once people get their '73 Bel Airs and '87 Ram D-150's.
It's a 'free listing' weekend coming up on eBay so hopefully we might see more pics of both cars from sellers, but yes, any photos from subscribers would be great.
Yes, I know; what I mean is closeups of details. The car doesn't seem to exhibit any real problems except the B-pillars MIGHT be on the thick side (which really doesn't bother me), but we haven't seen things like the front or rear. I realize beggars can't be choosers, but odds are we'll either get...
1) Another overhead angle or...
2) A really blurry photo of the front and side.
3) A nicely done photo of the side (probably the best we can ask for from an eBay seller).
Just got back off hols to find Savoys and Merc waiting for me. Of three Savoys the front lights are about straight on one of them. Will unbox tomorrow but general impression other than door handles not being straight is good...
Just got back off hols to find Savoys and Merc waiting for me. Of three Savoys the front lights are about straight on one of them. Will unbox tomorrow but general impression other than door handles not being straight is good...
Savoy is generally excellent. Its just the QC failures again really winding me up. Wish there was an option to pay an extra quid for a high QC pass....
Pics below show 3 different cars and lights are all squint to some degree - pic in box so not high quality.
BTW anyone else got a problem with rear tyres on Lincoln Limo being too big and coming off the rims all the time? Yet another phone call for a replacement needed....
Savoy is generally excellent. Its just the QC failures again really winding me up. Wish there was an option to pay an extra quid for a high QC pass....
This is why I prefer getting my models from a newsagent rather than subscribing or ordering backcopies. I have four newsagents nearby that each get in about three copies, so that's a fair pool from which to find one decently-made model.
Strange that all three of your models also have that oddly-angled windscreen wiper, Maz. That is one of the things I look at when choosing a model from the selection available - they do get it right on some!
No newsagents here stock them. They'll order them in but you get no choice then. If all 3 have wipers at that angle suspect that it is deliberate - have you already got one with wipers at different angle?
So all those with Savoys out there - what angle are your wipers at? Is this a batch 2 feature or a general one??
Superbly-done car, Maz! Of course, all the defects fortunately CAN be fixed...just take the car apart, poke out the parts, put 'em back in, and voila!
I also agree that the QC should be a bit better. If that means going back to the old schedule, so be it. I mean, the last time it was asked, pretty much all of us here would prefer a correctly done model every four weeks than a QC problem every fortnight. I hate to sound like I'm saying "I told ya so", but I've been nervous about Ixo speeding up their manufacturing. Unless they do unpainted interiors/some unpainted external details, you can almost set your watch by their QC problems.
FACT raises a great point about buying sight unseen. This is why I pay an extra fee to my dealer for what we call "hand-pick". We devised it after having problems getting a VAZ-2106 Zhiguli with a correctly attached siren and flasher assembly. For an extra $3, he goes through his inventory and picks out the best car he has. If there's any defect not counting SLIGHTLY wonky axles, flattened tires, or anything impossible to notice without taking the car off its base, I get another model with my next order.
BTW anyone else got a problem with rear tyres on Lincoln Limo being too big and coming off the rims all the time? Yet another phone call for a replacement needed....
No, although seeing as the front axle on mine can barely roll, I think I see how this happened.
So all those with Savoys out there - what angle are your wipers at? Is this a batch 2 feature or a general one??
Mine will either arrive tomorrow, Wednesday, or Friday. I'll keep you posted. FWIW, the wipers should be completely even. A few real cars ironically have the driver's side wiper blade approximately an inch higher than the passenger side wiper blade, though!
No newsagents here stock them. They'll order them in but you get no choice then. If all 3 have wipers at that angle suspect that it is deliberate - have you already got one with wipers at different angle?
So all those with Savoys out there - what angle are your wipers at? Is this a batch 2 feature or a general one??
One of the Savoys I bought has the same wiper configuration as yours, plus a slightly angled headlamp assembly, whilst the other one has both wipers resting together and straight lamps. Both cars have one or two door handles incorrectly positioned but all of these things are generally fixable as Dalko says - unless of course the model is kept unopened in the blister packaging.
No sign of the Ram turning up on eBay, or any better pics of the Bel Air unfortunately. Maybe the dealers are all busy watching the Olympics on TV. 8-)
No sign of the Ram turning up on eBay, or any better pics of the Bel Air unfortunately. Maybe the dealers are all busy watching the Olympics on TV. 8-)
I did see one other "from the top" picture with a better view of the B-pillar. It's a bit better than I thought it was, although now you can barely see the front of the car in that photo. They also did a nice job on the top of the trunk lid. The rear bumper also appears SLIGHTLY different. It could be the way the photo was taken, but if so, then we likely have the correct double taillights of the Bel Air vs. the triple taillights of the Impala.
By the way, found out that PremiumX Diecast will be releasing the 1961 Ford Ranch Wagon at the end of the year. From what I understand, it's going to be the four-door version (both two-door and four-door versions appeared in the film), although the moulds could be altered very easily to have a two-door version. Still, the fact that they already have a mould for a four-door version indicates they may decide to go that way vs. the two-door wagon. Both versions appear for roughly equal amounts of time, so this isn't really that big of a deal, though I was kinda hoping for the two-door, utility-oriented version (though I will naturally get the four-door version if they make it). They'll also be releasing the 1961 Chevrolet C30 LWB Pickup using the same cab and presumably same base as the Chevrolet 1-Ton Stakebed Truck, FWIW.
No newsagents here stock them. They'll order them in but you get no choice then. If all 3 have wipers at that angle suspect that it is deliberate - have you already got one with wipers at different angle?
So all those with Savoys out there - what angle are your wipers at? Is this a batch 2 feature or a general one??
I got my Savoy from a newsagent last week. The wipers on my one are lying horizontal and more or less level compared to those in your photos. One of the door handles on my model doesn't look completely flush against the side of the car, but that's really only a tiny quibble.
Overall, I think this is an impressive offering of a handsome beast of a car, but slightly let down by the dullest of dioramas.
By the way, the headlights in your 3 photos all look okay to me - what exactly is wrong with them?
By the way, the headlights in your 3 photos all look okay to me - what exactly is wrong with them?
It's not the physical headlights so much as it is the brackets holding them, which appear to be seperate parts. Note especially on the third photo that the bracket isn't correctly aligned (also evident in the first photo, though not as much...the second photo and fourth photo look okay).
Comments
It was most definitely a two-way street. An even more blatant example was the Ford Sierra being a sort of a huge market test to see if the "Aero Look" worked on production cars (it did, and the rest is history).
You don't have to go any further with a "to the UK". The Ford Probe was an absolute disaster on SO many different levels. The Mustang fans hated it because it was being discussed as a possible replacement for the Mustang. The factory workers hated it because it was a rebadged Mazda. Most other people hated it because it had no V8 engine, the odd range of colors available, and believe it or not, the name.
Ford found that people wanted a "retro" name (remember, this is the mid-1990's; the retro thing hasn't been beaten to death yet), discontinued the Probe, altered the look somewhat, let it remain out of production, and we got the eighth generation Mercury Cougar. The problem was that it was marketed poorly/should have been badged a Ford.
Likewise, when it was sold in Europe as the Ford Cougar, the problem was that the marketing approach remained the same. Unlike the American car, which was trying to be returned to its roots, the Ford Cougar still had all the wild paint schemes, excesses, and just flat-out tackiness of the Probe.
I always wished the Excalibur (basically a local equivalent) had stuck to marginally affordable coupes and convertibles; I'm convinced it would have survived that way.
Well, I sure look forward to the ones coming my way! Nice that they got the magazine right, too! I wonder when the '73 Bel Air and '86 Dodge Ram will start leaking out early from that one eBay seller who always gets his stuff a few days before everyone else.
EDIT: You know, looking at it, the Dodge Ram may also be an '87 model (due to the side mirrors and plastic bumpers that were fairly common on the '87 models [optional throughout 1986-1989 [and after, but the film was made in 1989], however]).
EDIT AGAIN: Looking very closely at the top of the tailgate, it's without question a 1987 Dodge Ram (I'm guessing a D-150), not an '86. The top of the '87 Ram's tailgate was flush with the sides of the cargo bed (like the Ram in the film), unlike the 1986 model, which slanted inward at the top and had a noticeable steel ridge. The 1988 and 1989 models have different taillights (plastic brackets, the film truck has metal ones).
Sadly I owned two the 16v 2litre then the 24v 2.5. The second was a dealer exchange as the first
Was too much of a probe-lem . The car had so many visits for warranty repair . The 24v did not fair much better and was sold on. Yes the name was the biggest issue over here . It should have been badged as the Capri. As probe was regarded as being a bit rude??? Fords are much more globalised now obviously cutting manufacturing costs. The new range really doesn't float my boat and do not stand out like the iconic examples of sixties to the mid nineties. The last true european/British ford has to be the Sierra Sapphire Rs cosworth.
Hope this is not the case. Like many others I would happily swap the Minor for a CJ-7 (Or UAZ for that matter).
Definitely !
I agree with this. Everything I'm thus far getting is pointing to one of two things...
1) The collection ending at 135 or...
2) The collection ending at 140.
Ixo may also alter the release schedule following Issue 129. I've not been told how (if they inscrease speed, decrease speed, or even issue one car at a time [this would be to gauge interest for another extension, I'm guessing]), but everything seems to point to this partwork winding down and ending at either 135 or 140. One of the two dealers I frequently mention was told three months in advance (wish I'd known him then...) that the collection would be extended from 110 to 130. Contrast this with learning about an extension he believes is to 135 within the past two weeks.
As such, we may see a number of Ixo's unreleased/proposed moulds showing up in PremiumX Diecast, PremiumX Resin, and Ixo Classic. Since when did Ixo ever let a good mould go to waste?
Amen to this. The CJ-7 is an American Motors Jeep and for whatever reason, AMC Jeeps have a bit of a cult following amongst modellers of all scales here in the US (certainly far more than Chrysler or Willys; Kaiser-Jeep also has a huge cult following). This one would sell pretty well if they made it. And quite frankly, the UAZ-31512 would sell well to the East Bloc collectors.
Still chasing issue 120 and 121 spoke to a friendly chap at JBCC as far as they are aware the collection is concluding at 135. But here is the but he went onto say they are planning to ship out the remaining 12 models faster than expected so they are predicting a short extention maybe upto the original 140 or as end of collection specials !!! Who knows, im running out of space anyway but will stick with it to the bitter end even with the morris or not.
Yes just heard my 123-Plymouth Savoy is in the shop to collect 2 weeks after the last one.(122-Merc)
So this is solid evidence that delivery is speeding up.
Maybe new owners Eaglemoss want to finish it quick. 12 x 2 weekly is finishing sometime in February 2013 I suppose.
Bleuville.
Ho hum. So, do we have any takers for a Ponyo partwork after the JBCC?
The silly thing is, apart from the completists, I think most people now following the JBCC wouldn't mind if it carried on until 200 or even more. It's hooked a valuable customer group for EMFabbri that I really don't think they were expecting, and now they have it/us, it seems crazy for them to give up on it. Unless I see signs of another partwork coming up along the lines of the ones we've discussed (movie vehicles, American classics, Bond figures etc) my wallet's gonna be closing up again. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
The Chevy's up on eBay:
That would seem to support an extension to 140; my dealer did not rule that out. His own personal speculation (and this is only slightly more informed than we are) is that IF the collection goes to 140, they added a third SF model and we'll wind up seeing four non-SF cars.
The obvious candidate for the SF car is the Jaguar XJ-L. Even if Ixo has the New Beetle in their range, the Jag XJ-L would just be too obvious a moneymaker. But, given that Ixo will probably keep right on making "car-centric" issues (albeit with new moulds), that would mean we'd see four new cars. Ixo would likely want to be able to re-use the moulds, save on costs, and still produce something interesting with at least a semi-significant film role. It's also likely that their "Anglo-American" car formula would remain intact and that they would probably delve into cars on IMCDB that have anywhere from 2-3 stars. My predictions (not my preferences), if we do get to 140...
-Issue 136, UAZ-31512, GE. Played a huge role in the film and would allow Ixo to alter the mould just enough so that it could be released seperately from the UAZ-469B in USSR AvtoLegende and likely Ist Models. Would also break the "Anglo-American" back and forth for a very different model.
-Issue 137, 1971 Ford Custom LV Sheriff's Car, DAF. They need to include another huge American sedan, which they could use as a basis for the '71 Galaxie, '71 LTD, and a myriad of other '71 police cars and taxis, including at least 10 State PD's and the very-underrepresented San Diego PD. But most importantly, and this is how you'd get the car to be a seller, the New York City Transit Authority also used '71 Ford Customs as police cars; whilst not the NYPD proper, they do work with them and are constantly (and correctly) associated with NYC's first responders. This would be the last American car in the JBCC.
-Issue 138, Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, FRWL. Ixo gets to show off its R-R license and produce a couple dozen variants of this car in resin, too.
-Issue 139, Jaguar XJ-L, SF.
-Issue 140, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe, OHMSS. I actually think that given the nature of this car/how many times Bond and Tracy were driving around in it, it would be a terrific car to finish on. And Ixo gets to show off another Rolls-Royce.
The B-pillar seems a bit thick, but it otherwise looks very nice. Of course, VERY hard to tell anything from this angle. We'll have to wait until another one goes up.
Thanks Maz!
Did some more checking out of the '73 Bel Air. The roofline, trunk, and windows all appear to have been done correctly. I can't tell what the rear bumper looks like, however; the photo must have been slanted forward a little (which is frustrating; triple taillights means it's an Impala while double taillights means it's a Bel Air). The front looks fine.
The mould of the Cortina Mk.2 is of the 2-door version. There have been fourteen releases so far - 5 motorsport versions, 3 police versions and the other 6 were road-going/street versions (including a chromed club version - I belong to that club but I'm not keen on these chromed models myself).
Road-going versions were the GT in Ermine White with black roof, released in 2001 and then again in a perspex case in 2004 (the second release has a black-washed grille), the Deluxe in Lagoon Blue from 2001, the Super in Dragoon Red from 2002, the "Boy Racer" in purple metallic from 2003 and the Lotus in Aquatic Jade from 2005. There was also a standard saloon in Fern Green Metallic as part of a Ford Collection of three models in 2002.
This particular mould (VA041) was the last of those planned by Lledo to make it into production following their bankruptcy and subsequent buyout by Corgi in October 1999.
Today's release schedule update from Corgi has the Cortina Mk.3 GXL in Flame Red down for the week starting 10 September. It was delayed a bit - probably to up the production total, I reckon, based on the sales success of recent Ford releases from Corgi.
Which brings me back to the JBCC and Ixo and the fact that they could very easily do the OHMSS Ford Escort Mk.1 if they wanted to. It probably wouldn't sell as well as some those proposed by DB110, but neither would my first choice for a 136-140 subject (the Escort is #2), the CR Ford Mondeo. Oh well, I guess that's why it's called a WISHlist
I think I speak for most of us non-subscribers and those behind in the collection if we could get some photos once people get their '73 Bel Airs and '87 Ram D-150's.
**Shrugs** The stuff I listed is actually not my wishlist for Issues 136-140. Here's how I figure it, if they decide to extend the collection that far...
-We already have rumors of a military UAZ-31512 by Ixo for VVM Models of St. Petersburg. It wouldn't be released until the middle of next year, so the timing is about right.
-Ixo is supposedly making an early 1970's Ford four-door sedan to compete with the Minichamps and Neo Dodge Monaco models. They also have confirmed a 1971 Ford Galaxie (in other words, almost the same car). Aside from the up to two dozen variants they could get out of this one car, introducing it as the LV Sheriff's Car (the LVPD cars are 1970 models) would likely mean they would have an excuse to speed things up.
-We all want the Jaguar XJ-L in terms of cars from SF, it seems. Therefore, I'd not be surprised if they actually did it.
-Although Ixo has been pretty forthcoming about their modern Rolls-Royce designs, they've played their cards very close to their vest regarding the older models. IF they release a Silver Shadow I LWB, Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe, and Silver Wraith, they actually have three cars they could turn into nice resin models with a distinct niche for each one of them: the Silver Shadow I LWB (with European bumpers, RHD, and European spec turn signals, which shouldn't be too hard) takes the mantle of "big '60's-'70's British luxury car", the Silver Wraith would be "the classic Rolls-Royce", and the Shadow Drophead Coupe "the sporty yet luxurious sister model to the Silver Shadow LWB".
I would have NO problems with any of the models you suggest however; I'd actually like to see them!
It's a 'free listing' weekend coming up on eBay so hopefully we might see more pics of both cars from sellers, but yes, any photos from subscribers would be great.
Yes, I know; what I mean is closeups of details. The car doesn't seem to exhibit any real problems except the B-pillars MIGHT be on the thick side (which really doesn't bother me), but we haven't seen things like the front or rear. I realize beggars can't be choosers, but odds are we'll either get...
1) Another overhead angle or...
2) A really blurry photo of the front and side.
3) A nicely done photo of the side (probably the best we can ask for from an eBay seller).
Probably the same will be true of the Dodge Ram.
Thanks Maz, I look forward to your review!
Pics below show 3 different cars and lights are all squint to some degree - pic in box so not high quality.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz307/mazwoolley/Model%20Cars%20for%20web/James%20Bond%20Cars%20Collection/savoylights2.jpg
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz307/mazwoolley/Model%20Cars%20for%20web/James%20Bond%20Cars%20Collection/savoylights1.jpg
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz307/mazwoolley/Model%20Cars%20for%20web/James%20Bond%20Cars%20Collection/savoylight3.jpg
Finally a proper picture - it is good apart from QC, very, very good.....
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz307/mazwoolley/Model%20Cars%20for%20web/James%20Bond%20Cars%20Collection/savoyfront2.jpg
BTW anyone else got a problem with rear tyres on Lincoln Limo being too big and coming off the rims all the time? Yet another phone call for a replacement needed....
Strange that all three of your models also have that oddly-angled windscreen wiper, Maz. That is one of the things I look at when choosing a model from the selection available - they do get it right on some!
So all those with Savoys out there - what angle are your wipers at? Is this a batch 2 feature or a general one??
I also agree that the QC should be a bit better. If that means going back to the old schedule, so be it. I mean, the last time it was asked, pretty much all of us here would prefer a correctly done model every four weeks than a QC problem every fortnight. I hate to sound like I'm saying "I told ya so", but I've been nervous about Ixo speeding up their manufacturing. Unless they do unpainted interiors/some unpainted external details, you can almost set your watch by their QC problems.
FACT raises a great point about buying sight unseen. This is why I pay an extra fee to my dealer for what we call "hand-pick". We devised it after having problems getting a VAZ-2106 Zhiguli with a correctly attached siren and flasher assembly. For an extra $3, he goes through his inventory and picks out the best car he has. If there's any defect not counting SLIGHTLY wonky axles, flattened tires, or anything impossible to notice without taking the car off its base, I get another model with my next order.
No, although seeing as the front axle on mine can barely roll, I think I see how this happened.
Mine will either arrive tomorrow, Wednesday, or Friday. I'll keep you posted. FWIW, the wipers should be completely even. A few real cars ironically have the driver's side wiper blade approximately an inch higher than the passenger side wiper blade, though!
One of the Savoys I bought has the same wiper configuration as yours, plus a slightly angled headlamp assembly, whilst the other one has both wipers resting together and straight lamps. Both cars have one or two door handles incorrectly positioned but all of these things are generally fixable as Dalko says - unless of course the model is kept unopened in the blister packaging.
No sign of the Ram turning up on eBay, or any better pics of the Bel Air unfortunately. Maybe the dealers are all busy watching the Olympics on TV. 8-)
I did see one other "from the top" picture with a better view of the B-pillar. It's a bit better than I thought it was, although now you can barely see the front of the car in that photo. They also did a nice job on the top of the trunk lid. The rear bumper also appears SLIGHTLY different. It could be the way the photo was taken, but if so, then we likely have the correct double taillights of the Bel Air vs. the triple taillights of the Impala.
By the way, found out that PremiumX Diecast will be releasing the 1961 Ford Ranch Wagon at the end of the year. From what I understand, it's going to be the four-door version (both two-door and four-door versions appeared in the film), although the moulds could be altered very easily to have a two-door version. Still, the fact that they already have a mould for a four-door version indicates they may decide to go that way vs. the two-door wagon. Both versions appear for roughly equal amounts of time, so this isn't really that big of a deal, though I was kinda hoping for the two-door, utility-oriented version (though I will naturally get the four-door version if they make it). They'll also be releasing the 1961 Chevrolet C30 LWB Pickup using the same cab and presumably same base as the Chevrolet 1-Ton Stakebed Truck, FWIW.
I got my Savoy from a newsagent last week. The wipers on my one are lying horizontal and more or less level compared to those in your photos. One of the door handles on my model doesn't look completely flush against the side of the car, but that's really only a tiny quibble.
Overall, I think this is an impressive offering of a handsome beast of a car, but slightly let down by the dullest of dioramas.
By the way, the headlights in your 3 photos all look okay to me - what exactly is wrong with them?
It's not the physical headlights so much as it is the brackets holding them, which appear to be seperate parts. Note especially on the third photo that the bracket isn't correctly aligned (also evident in the first photo, though not as much...the second photo and fourth photo look okay).
- but on closer inspection, I noticed that the fender cowling above the light unit is damaged (ringed), which might explain the mis-alignment:
I'd definitely send that one back, Maz
Aah, now I get it - thanks guys.