Corgi was just bought out by Hornby. Many others are no longer in existance. What's your take on this? :eek:
Thanx, Frank

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No, not at all. The number of new models seems to be ever increasing. Just as there are fewer car companies now than there were in the 1920's, and yet you wouldn't say that cars are "on their way out." Consolidation does not necessarily mean the end of an era.

Corgi's problem was their financial management - their Vanguards range of 1:43 British cars is very popular, at least in the UK. Anyway, Corgi's collectable ranges include 1:76, 1:50, 1:43 & 1:36 models.

As for 1:43 on the whole, as PWS says, there is ever more product available - releases from Minichamps, Schuco, Ixo, Norev, Ebbro, etc, sell very well & with many more models to be released.

1/43 certainly isn't on the way out here in England!

One thing I noticed is that Mattel cancelled the 1/43 scale Barris Batmobile; they are apparently bringing it out in 1/50 scale.

I prefer 1/43 by far over 1/50. I probably won't buy the 1/50 version. I can't imagine the justification for the switch.

One thing I noticed is that Mattel cancelled the 1/43 scale Barris Batmobile; they are apparently bringing it out in 1/50 scale.

I prefer 1/43 by far over 1/50. I probably won't buy the 1/50 version. I can't imagine the justification for the switch.

I concur with your feelings but I will reserve judgment about whether or not I purchase it until after I see it. I already have the best 1/43 Batmobile (Corgi) so I don't really need another one.

1/43 certainly isn't on the way out here in England!
After further investigation I agree with your statement, totally. But if your talking about USA muscle cars (The Big 3), they are almost non-existant (quality cars anyway).

One thing I noticed is that Mattel cancelled the 1/43 scale Barris Batmobile; they are apparently bringing it out in 1/50 scale.

I prefer 1/43 by far over 1/50. I probably won't buy the 1/50 version. I can't imagine the justification for the switch.
Business wise it makes sense for Mattel to start another scale. It means more money for them.
Frank

What I find particularly sad about the current 43rd scale market is the glorious lack of features and respective detail in *ALL* makes.

I do not know if a single brand that makes a high end decent, precise to scale, nicely detailed 43rd scale model with all opening panels.

I understand the apprehension to open up with 1/64 scale models - though I do not think it is justified for the higher end collector market where people pay on the order of $10-$20 per car (Action Elite and HW 100%) - but 1/43? This scale is around 5' long, with plenty of room for panels and detail!

I find the Kyosho/Ebbro/Minichamps/IXO/Autoart to be so lacking in features and detail on a collector level. I find them to be nicely made TOYS, nothing more. They would have to charge at least $75 per car, even as high as $200, but there is a market for these cars.

In fact, the only nicely detailed and fully featured 1/43 diecasts came from a now defunct French company called "Jouef" (whose castings were puchased by an Asian outfit called Eagle, but re-released all closed). Of course, Franklin Mint has several 1/43 scale models with all open features, but despite the "adult" price in the $80-$100 range, their poor quality was closer to the $7-$15 range. Kyosho had a single LP400 they did in conjunction with MR Collection of Italy that was awesome, but they only did this one with superb detail - their others are decent toys, but nothing more.

I wish companies like CMC/Exoto - yes, even Mattel and Action - would step up to do high end 43rd scale models with the furious detail parallel to their 18th scale models (to the extent possible), with photo etch trimmings and the works.

One thing I noticed is that Mattel cancelled the 1/43 scale Barris Batmobile; they are apparently bringing it out in 1/50 scale.

I prefer 1/43 by far over 1/50. I probably won't buy the 1/50 version. I can't imagine the justification for the switch.

Very odd, I didnt know that anything was made in 1/50 except for some 1980s & 1990s Corgi and Lledo trucks which are almost worthless today. 1/43 has never been bigger than it is today except perhaps c1969 when Corgi was making millions of cars every year - today we have Hongwell making millions of 1/43 as well as all the part works in europe making the sheer variety now available greater than at anytime since the early 1970s,and prices are lower too, in real terms..

What I find particularly sad about the current 43rd scale market is the glorious lack of features and respective detail in *ALL* makes.

I do not know if a single brand that makes a high end decent, precise to scale, nicely detailed 43rd scale model with all opening panels.

I understand the apprehension to open up with 1/64 scale models - though I do not think it is justified for the higher end collector market where people pay on the order of $10-$20 per car (Action Elite and HW 100%) - but 1/43? This scale is around 5' long, with plenty of room for panels and detail!

I find the Kyosho/Ebbro/Minichamps/IXO/Autoart to be so lacking in features and detail on a collector level. I find them to be nicely made TOYS, nothing more. They would have to charge at least $75 per car, even as high as $200, but there is a market for these cars.

In fact, the only nicely detailed and fully featured 1/43 diecasts came from a now defunct French company called "Jouef" (whose castings were puchased by an Asian outfit called Eagle, but re-released all closed). Of course, Franklin Mint has several 1/43 scale models with all open features, but despite the "adult" price in the $80-$100 range, their poor quality was closer to the $7-$15 range. Kyosho had a single LP400 they did in conjunction with MR Collection of Italy that was awesome, but they only did this one with superb detail - their others are decent toys, but nothing more.

I wish companies like CMC/Exoto - yes, even Mattel and Action - would step up to do high end 43rd scale models with the furious detail parallel to their 18th scale models (to the extent possible), with photo etch trimmings and the works.

I must admit that I'm none too bothered about opening features in 1:43 models. I'm more concerned that the casting accurately reflects the shape of the 1:1 - after all, opening features were added, to Corgis & Dinkys, to give them more play value.

However, there are some companies which do offer opening features - several of Minichamps' & Kyosho's BMWs have opening bonnets. There was also a series of models from Minichamps, which came in special "flip boxes", which had some opening parts. Trax in Australia have recently released their "Opal" series which have bonnets, bootlids & doors which open - I still can't get too excited about openings though.

I would agree that opening parts are more appropriate to a 1/43 toy car than a 1/43 model aimed at collectors. I think it is still difficult to provide opening doors on a 1/43 car without detracting at least slightly due to the shut lines. Bonnets are a little easier.

I could be wrong, as Herpa and Faller have produced 1/43 plastic models with opening doors which fit beautifully.

43rd scale is as small as you can get and still mass produce cars with openings that do NOT detract. For 64th scale, openings have to be ultra precise or they may look bad. But the Jouef's I have look great and hold their own against hand made master pieces.

For those of you who do NOT like openings, you already have what you want. I am among those who is willing to pay for quality and open panels.

As for Minichamps, they indeed had less than half a dozen cars with opening bonets, but the detail was negligent and the subjects were not very interesting as is the case with Trax.

43rd scale is as small as you can get and still mass produce cars with openings that do NOT detract. For 64th scale, openings have to be ultra precise or they may look bad. But the Jouef's I have look great and hold their own against hand made master pieces.

For those of you who do NOT like openings, you already have what you want. I am among those who is willing to pay for quality and open panels.

As for Minichamps, they indeed had less than half a dozen cars with opening bonets, but the detail was negligent and the subjects were not very interesting as is the case with Trax.

For those of us who have lived in Australia the Trax Holden Monaro with detailed engine and opening doors is a masterpeice -its links to the european Opel Commodore GS of 1968 are apparent, but perhaps there is no look alike american GM car of the period although Aussie Falcons do look like various US Fords of the 1960s and 1970s,perhaps not exciting ones but then i am not a Ford kinda guy:dude:

For those of us who have lived in Australia the Trax Holden Monaro with detailed engine and opening doors is a masterpeice -its links to the european Opel Commodore GS of 1968 are apparent, but perhaps there is no look alike american GM car of the period although Aussie Falcons do look like various US Fords of the 1960s and 1970s,perhaps not exciting ones but then i am not a Ford kinda guy:dude:

Are you referring to this one I found on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRAX-HOLDEN-HQ-MONARO-GTS-GLACIER-WHITE-SOLD-OUT_W0QQitemZ320255448900QQihZ011QQcategoryZ21529Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I also see from their site the other castings:
http://www.topgear.com.au/category.php?type=opal

Though nice models, the subjects are quite bland. It would have been more redeemable had they at least chosen race versions. Do you know if Trax ever made a race version, or were they all street versions like these?

I would love to get a model of this quality and detail, but then again the subjects are not particularly attractive either.

I have several Trax race versions. But they are not with opening features.

Are you referring to this one I found on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRAX-HOLDEN-HQ-MONARO-GTS-GLACIER-WHITE-SOLD-OUT_W0QQitemZ320255448900QQihZ011QQcategoryZ21529Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I also see from their site the other castings:
http://www.topgear.com.au/category.php?type=opal

Though nice models, the subjects are quite bland. It would have been more redeemable had they at least chosen race versions. Do you know if Trax ever made a race version, or were they all street versions like these?

I would love to get a model of this quality and detail, but then again the subjects are not particularly attractive either.

There is a 2 door coupe Monaro as well.I have driven a real Holden HQ, just fitted with a normal 202 cubic inch motor and three-on-the -tree gear shift so I like this car a lot, enough to buy the casting but not enough to buy the real 1:1 car although I did own a 1970 HT Holden once for 6 months.These cars were rapid off the mark but do not have the glamour of a 69 Dodge Charger or a 71 Plymouth GTX . There is a limit to how many model recolours of iconic US cars I will buy for my shelves -variety is the spice of life:thumbsup: and personal experience of a real car makes it much more desirable as a collectable toy - that is why so many millions of bland VW Beetles are turned out for kids toys and collectors every year....