CAR: SSP and Buyer's Choice releases (again)????
Casey Michael Littmann
I believe it was Tom Heidtt (sp?) that asked last week, but there
was only mention of the Revell Jeb Allen dragster (circa '73) kit. Any
further updates from anyone, regarding either Selected Subjects Program or
Buyer's Choice kits???
Casey
P.S. Has anyone seen the March Buyer's Choice kits yet?
JaggyWires
Well here we go:
SSP's (Summer Release)
Revell
Jeb Allen "Praying Mantis" Top Fuel
"Miss Deal" '53 Studebaker F/C
McHale's Navy PT-73 Boat
Monogram
'82 Collector's Edition Corvette (snap)
"Firebolt" Jet Bonneville Racer
"Popper Chopper" Tom Daniel Custom Bike
AMT Buyer's Choice (Fall)
'61 Ford Galaxie Hardtop "Styline"
'65 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Peterbilt Wrecker
'59 3 in 1 Customizing Boat Kit
That is the latest. Enjoy!
Nancy Ramsey
Jacksonville, FL
Jaggy...@aol.com
Casey Michael Littmann
> SSP's (Summer Release)
> Revell
> "Miss Deal" '53 Studebaker F/C
A belated "Thanks" for posting this info, Nancy.
Am I the only one who thinks that a reissue of an SSP kit is
strange? Especially when considering the statement R-M has put out
regarding the availability of these kits, which went something like
"these limited kits will not be reissued for another 5 years..." or
something like that.
Anyone care to speculate *why* R-M is reissuing an SSP kit?
Casey
Donald Van Hook
Do you know which release number the "Miss Deal" was previously from??
dvh
Drty Hrry
The only question I have about the SSP kits is why the hell do they cost
so much? It isn't like they have updated the things, in alot of the cases
they even pull out some of the custom parts that were included in the
original offering. No new tooling , no big promotion schemes, no new
nothing. So where do they get off charging upwards of $4 more per kit?
Am I the only who has a problem with this?
But then again, I myself have bought more than a few of these things, so
they must be doing something right.
James
Screw it, give me some pudding and a vodka chaser, I want to go for a spaceship ride.
Anthony W. Wallace
It has to deal with an attitude that I have seen in Model Railroading
and had hoped that it wouln't make it to this hobby. The attitude is to
make limited runs and charge more. You are right, it doesn't make
sense. The molds are
already created, and probably paid for. All they really have to do is
load the
models onto the machine, and shoot them. I said before that I would pay
more for a model kit if the quality was improved, but this isn't quite
what I wanted.
Tony Wallace
(wal...@uwyo.edu)
Casey Michael Littmann
From article <3360CF...@uwyo.edu>, by "Anthony W. Wallace" <wal...@uwyo.edu>:
>> The only question I have about the SSP kits is why the hell do they cost
>> so much?
> The attitude is to
> make limited runs and charge more.
I think of it this way- Most of the SSP/BC kits haven't been
available for X-XX number of years and many (though no all) have a "market
value" which is almost always higher than the price on SSP or BC kits.
Also to be considered is availability. While SSP and BC's may not
be readily available in all areas, they are available to most of the
model-building public, whereas discontinued kits are less available, or
available at considerably higher cost. Of course, this is all depends upon
whether or not the kit _you_ want to build is part of the next SSP or BC
"phase."
It has also been stated by R-M that prices reflect the condition the
tooling is in, i.e., poor condition = higher price. Whether or not that's
true, we'll never know...
Casey
Peter Shyvers
AAMRESIN wrote:
>
> Casey--It has been 5 years since the first SSP kits were released. As far
> as I know, no guarrantee was ever made that there would be any specified
> length of time between reissues. Now, if they would just reissue the 41
> Lincoln Continental and the 30 A coupe?
>
> Art Anderson
I vaguely recall that early SSP discussion included a caveat that the
tools would go unreleased for a minimum of 5 years after the SSP. That's
no guarantee, but...
As far as the higher cost on the SSP's - obviously we have no proof, but
here goes anyway:
- while tooling was probably amortized/depreciated long ago, there was
undoubtedly some cleanup on every mold. I'm told that these things rust
over time, and don't get the best of handling/storage between shots. (In
fact, some subjects have been dropped because the tooling was too far
gone.) Cleanup costs money. Esp. where an insert was lost or damaged.
- the cost of test shots, advertising, rumour control (!) are similar to
those for any other kit (well, no fancy catalog shots) but must be
amortized over a smaller production run
- it takes a lot of money using today's advanced plastics, parting
agents, etc. to guarantee the same level of sinkmarks, short-shots, etc.
that we enjoyed 30 years ago... (actually the quality's been pretty darn
good, if you overlook the old tooling standards.)
The amazing thing is that these suckers come out of the box looking like
yesterday. What else in today's world can you do that with? Imagine what
you'd pay to be able to buy a 1:1 '60's musclecar MIB?
8^)
Brooks Moses
AAMRESIN wrote:
>
> Casey--It has been 5 years since the first SSP kits were released. As far
> as I know, no guarrantee was ever made that there would be any specified
> length of time between reissues. Now, if they would just reissue the 41
> Lincoln Continental and the 30 A coupe?
>
> Art Anderson
Art -
The Monogram SSP Phase 16 web page says:
> Each quarter, we re-issue 6 popular Monogram Kits from the '50s, '60s,
> '70s and '80s. They are produced on a limited basis and then the tool is
> returned to our archive for at least 5 years. See your local hobby dealer for
> details now because you won't see these kits again until year 2001!
Interestingly, this wording has been left off of the most recent SSP page....
- Brooks
AAMRESIN
AAMRESIN
Three reasons that I can think of:
1) the costs associated (while not anything like new tools--they are
significant)
are spread over less than 25% of the numbers that can be expected of an
unlimited reissue.
2) Considering that there is an anticipated pent-up demand for a reissue
that hasn't been seen in a long time, were you or I in their shoes,
wouldn't we decide to make a few extra dollars off of each kit? Sounds
like free-market economics to me.
3) given the collector market value of the original or earlier issues of
an OOP kit
they still can charge a few dollars more, and you get a bit of a bargain
(case in point: Lincoln Futura's and Pontiac Club de Mer's were going for
upwards of $200
at swap meets 5 years ago--if you even saw one!).
Art Anderson
Matthew Y. Hayashibara
Casey Michael Littmann <fac...@alpha1.csd.uwm.edu> wrote:
>> SSP's (Summer Release)
>> Revell
>> "Miss Deal" '53 Studebaker F/C
> A belated "Thanks" for posting this info, Nancy.
> Am I the only one who thinks that a reissue of an SSP kit is
>strange? Especially when considering the statement R-M has put out
>regarding the availability of these kits, which went something like
>"these limited kits will not be reissued for another 5 years..." or
>something like that.
> Anyone care to speculate *why* R-M is reissuing an SSP kit?
Have you seen how much people are selling these muthas for at the
swaps? Seems to me they didn't make enough of these on the first
go-round (and perhaps way too many Mazda RX-7's, Porsche Speedsters,
Mustang GTP's...)
Follow the money...
MadMat
CMathis227
I understand and agree with most of the points you made but, it is pretty
disappointing to get one of these SSP/Buyer's Choice and find a lumpy,
flashy mess. The Stone, Woods, and Cook Willys I got looks like they
forgot to clean up the molds -- a lot like I remember Revell kits being in
the late '60's. The Jag XKE wasn't much better. Honestly, in the case of
the Willys I would have bought six if I could have found them (even
knowing what was inside) as it was I had to grab the one and run. I can't
see that from a quality stand point the SSP's and Buyer's Choice kits are
really worth the extra money. Besides they keep missing the ones I really
want.
Chuck
CMath...@aol.com
Robert W. Hall
Regarding AMT's announced (officially/unofficially?) upcoming Buyer's
Choice kits-- it is not clear to me whether the '61 Ford HT is a Galaxie
Starliner fastback or a regular Galaxie HT w/ the a squared-off roofline
?
I know that AMT made an original '61 Starliner kit and a Sunliner conv
(I have a Sunliner w/ the box in my collection). It's not clear from
my price guides whether AMT made both a Starliner and a regular HT kit
in their annuals..
--
--Rob
ERIC HOUKAL
Regular annual kit was Starliner/Sunliner(one or the other)
the Galaxie squaretop was the Styline kiy(the one I heard was being
released.) All three, plus wagon were Promos. The squaretop was
essentially an unassembled promo, no engine, hood molded shut, etc.,
but with some interesting custom parts added.
AAMRESIN
?
I know that AMT made an original '61 Starliner kit and a Sunliner conv
(I have a Sunliner w/ the box in my collection). It's not clear from
my price guides whether AMT made both a Starliner and a regular HT kit
in their annuals..
--
The "annual" 3 in 1 kit was a 61 Ford Starliner HT, and the "styline" kit
was the Galaxie (with the square roof) lifted from the promo.
Art Anderson
Casey Michael Littmann
On Sat, 3 May 1997, Robert Norton wrote:
> *snip* I am having a blast finding these old
> kits and getting a chance to relive my mispent youth <big grin>! I look
> forward for each new quarter to see what is coming out next.
For some of the "younger" modelers (myself included), it's great just
to be able to _see_ some of these kits, not to mention be able to buy
them. Even though I'm not interested in building the Tom
Daniels-designed kits, it's interesting just to see what these kits
actually look like, since most were first issued when my age was a single
digit. This is also one of the many reasons swap meets are so great- you
get to see models you never have, may never see again, and would never be
able to afford even if you did! ;-)
> BTW ... I have been looking for the old Munster cars, "Munster Koach"
> and "Dragula". I keep hearing that they will be coming out again but
> have not seen them yet. Anybody know anything?
Only that T&T Productions has issued the 1/16th scale Munster
Koach in resin...with a $150.00 price tag...ouch.
Casey
Robert Norton
JaggyWires wrote:
>
> Well here we go:
>
> SSP's (Summer Release)
>
> Revell
>
> Jeb Allen "Praying Mantis" Top Fuel
> "Miss Deal" '53 Studebaker F/C
> McHale's Navy PT-73 Boat
>
> Monogram
>
> '82 Collector's Edition Corvette (snap)
> "Firebolt" Jet Bonneville Racer
> "Popper Chopper" Tom Daniel Custom Bike
>
> AMT Buyer's Choice (Fall)
>
> '61 Ford Galaxie Hardtop "Styline"
> '65 Lincoln Continental Convertible
> Peterbilt Wrecker
> '59 3 in 1 Customizing Boat Kit
>
> That is the latest. Enjoy!
>
Hey Nancy (et all) do you have any pics on the items? I looked on the
R/M home page and they still have not updated their site.
Thanks,
Robert
--
<IX0YE>=-{ rno...@gte.net
Robert Norton
Casey Michael Littmann wrote:
>
> > SSP's (Summer Release)
> > Revell
>
>
>
> Am I the only one who thinks that a reissue of an SSP kit is
> strange? Especially when considering the statement R-M has put out
> regarding the availability of these kits, which went something like
> "these limited kits will not be reissued for another 5 years..." or
> something like that.
>
> Anyone care to speculate *why* R-M is reissuing an SSP kit?
I can only speak for myself, but I am glad to see them coming out again.
I just turned 40 and have just got back into modeling with a 25 year
hiatus. I have been collecting all the old kits that I had as a kid and
am having a blast doing so. I paid $20 for a copy of the old "Garbage
Truck" that I had as a kid and was glad to get it. Is the price a bit
steep ... yeup ... you bet, but I am having a blast finding these old
kits and getting a chance to relive my mispent youth <big grin>! I look
forward for each new quarter to see what is coming out next.
BTW ... I have been looking for the old Munster cars, "Munster Koach"
and "Dragula". I keep hearing that they will be coming out again but
have not seen them yet. Anybody know anything?
Blessings,
Robert Norton
JaggyWires wrote:
>
> Well here we go:
>
>
> Revell
>
>
> Monogram
>
> '82 Collector's Edition Corvette (snap)
> "Firebolt" Jet Bonneville Racer
> "Popper Chopper" Tom Daniel Custom Bike
>
> AMT Buyer's Choice (Fall)
>
> '61 Ford Galaxie Hardtop "Styline"
> '65 Lincoln Continental Convertible
> Peterbilt Wrecker
> '59 3 in 1 Customizing Boat Kit
>
> That is the latest. Enjoy!
>
Was also wondering if you know of a good site that lists the "Buyer's
Choice" models they have in stock and/or what is coming out?
Thanks,
Robert Norton
Casey Michael Littmann wrote:
>
> On Sat, 3 May 1997, Robert Norton wrote:
>
> > kits and getting a chance to relive my mispent youth <big grin>! I look
> > forward for each new quarter to see what is coming out next.
>
> to be able to _see_ some of these kits, not to mention be able to buy
> them. Even though I'm not interested in building the Tom
> Daniels-designed kits, it's interesting just to see what these kits
> actually look like, since most were first issued when my age was a single
> digit. This is also one of the many reasons swap meets are so great- you
> get to see models you never have, may never see again, and would never be
> able to afford even if you did! ;-)
>
> > and "Dragula". I keep hearing that they will be coming out again but
> > have not seen them yet. Anybody know anything?
>
> Koach in resin...with a $150.00 price tag...ouch.
>
> Casey
Yea ... major ouch! If I were to pay that it would no longer be
fun! <G>
Blessings,
Robert
--
"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as
outraged as those who are."
----> Benjamin Franklin