[tbucket74]

Hello all;

was at my local hobby shop today and was talking to the sales guy that I normally deal with. I was looking for some newly released AMT models and he told me that RC2 was droppping the AMT line as well as the JL line at the end of the year. I was shocked as both lines seem to do well; has anyone else heard of this? Are there any buyers out there for the JL line? This has really bummed me out. Tell me it ain't so !!

G

 

[accobra64]

He may have been referring to the plastic model kits.
That wouldn't surprise me.
Don't forget that RC2 tried making JL plastic model kits in recent times.
I don't think that they sold very well.
I have read several things about RC2 dropping the AMT plastic model line.
I also believe that not many people are building plastic models any more.
All you have to do is look at all the 1/24 metal diecast vehicles that are readily available. No painting, no glue, and already completely assembled.

Cheers. Cobra

 

[WLRay]

2007 Last Year for RC2

I heard that after 2007 no more JL...Link to the article...http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07032/758362-97.stm

 

[Lpgeoteacher]

**gasp**

 

[STUTZ]

Time will tell.

I'm not going to worry about future RC2/JL castings, there are plenty of older JL castings that I want and don't have.

 

[tbucket74]

Not good news at all. What if all of us JL collectors pooled funds and made an offer? May not be to far-fetched if you ask me.

Regards
G

 

[wannafbody]

If they do go out I'd hope that Greenlight would buy some of the castings. IMO JL is realeasing too many of the same cars to close together.

 

[Zom]

Why did Playing Mantis sell the Johnny Lightning line in the first place?

 

[carnut2256]

Re-read that article, everyone; it's the same basic thing we heard around the same time period. We were told that RC2 was losing AMT and the ERTL die cast line, and JL would be staying as RC2 tried to emphasize the profitable lines like Thomas the Tank.

Nothing has been publicly disclosed about JL going away or being for sale (though neither would surprise me).

 

[wlpaul]

Why did Playing Mantis sell the Johnny Lightning line in the first place?

Maybe in Tom Lowe's infinite wisdom,...he saw the writing on the wall as far as the price of zinc. He is a very hands on kind of guy, and was incredibly involved with all aspects of his little company. Quite the networker, and a very savy businessman, he may have seen early trends beginning in the diecast industry.

 

[Macs_Little_Car]

Why did Playing Mantis sell the Johnny Lightning line in the first place?

Playing Mantis didn't sell the JL line .... Playing Mantis sold Playing Mantis - lock, stock and barrel... RC2 bought Playing Mantis and all its companies - Memory Lane, JL, the slot cars, Polar Lights, etc

 

[wannafbody]

that would explain why the new 1:24 general Lee is under the Polar Lights brand instead of JL

 

[HobbyRI]

Hello all;

was at my local hobby shop today and was talking to the sales guy that I normally deal with. I was looking for some newly released AMT models and he told me that RC2 was droppping the AMT line as well as the JL line at the end of the year. I was shocked as both lines seem to do well; has anyone else heard of this? Are there any buyers out there for the JL line? This has really bummed me out. Tell me it ain't so !!

G

I just received a list of all JL releases for 2007. When I visited RC2 at Toy Fair in NY a few weeks ago it sounded like the JL line would continue, they have certainly put some money into new tooling and packaging lately.

 

[ParkRNDL]

Playing Mantis didn't sell the JL line .... Playing Mantis sold Playing Mantis - lock, stock and barrel... RC2 bought Playing Mantis and all its companies - Memory Lane, JL, the slot cars, Polar Lights, etc

and later, Tom bought the slot car business back from them. They are currently doing business as Round 2, selling the Auto World line of slot cars, which is essentially the continuation of the JL Thunderjet slot car line.

(just thought I'd throw that in there for the slot car fans... )

--rick