Hey Guys...just an intersting sidenote. I just picked up 4 of the FINALLY released 55 Ford Fairlanes in assorted paint schemes at my local hobby shop. They're NOT diecast metal anymore...completely plastic! And yet the price remains the same as what we were paying for with a diecast body. Don't get me wrong...I appreciate the fact that they're available at all...just kind of disappointed that they've gone the plastic route. Likely a cost issue, etc, but hey, can you still call it a "Classic Mini Metals" issue when its all plastic? The tires are different also, and NOT a good fit on the plastic wheels. None of the four I opened werer free-rolling like the mini-metals of previous vehicles. Maybe not a big deal to most, but just a heads-up when you order or shop....it ain't as good as it used to be.
Looks like there have already been two other complaint threads about CMW:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/241279.aspx
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/242514.aspx
Jeff1952,
After having to disassemble many CMW Models Trucks/Cars, I have found that the tire/wheel issue can be remedied, by removing the tire and looking at the wheel, there will be two slots, that the hollow tire fits over, one of the slots has a nub on it from the sprue it was removed from, preventing the tire from seating on the wheel properly causing it to look egg shaped and not roll right. Not that hard to fix at all. Most all those mass produced Models are that way. In a production line....they do not stop and cut off the nub. I have noticed the same on some Built-up Models on the market, sprue nubs left on pieces that they assembled....just a no no in My book.
Take Care!
Frank
Edit: The two Trucks on the right are CMW Models completely stripped of all paint and repainted,(two of many) they had the same problem I discribed, would not roll out of the box....now the slightest touch and they roll.
JeffI started at least one of those threads that Maxman linked to concerning the CMW 1955 Ford. My complaint was the paint finish on the model, which was a bit rough and somewhat sloppy. Do your models have a rough finish?
I finally got to see the 55s up close and personal.I would not waste my money on them.CMW's QC is really getting bad.If they are designing their models from blueprints they need to hire someone who can read them.
The N scale vehicles are even worse and these guys are supposed to be N scalers.
chutton01 JeffI started at least one of those threads that Maxman linked to concerning the CMW 1955 Ford. My complaint was the paint finish on the model, which was a bit rough and somewhat sloppy. Do your models have a rough finish? The paint finish wasn't too bad, but NOT as nice as we've come to expect from CMW on their diecast bodies in the past. I could accept all this IF the cars were being marketed at a lower price...but to charge the same for an obviously lesser quality vehicle seems a bit insulting to us as modelers.
The paint finish wasn't too bad, but NOT as nice as we've come to expect from CMW on their diecast bodies in the past. I could accept all this IF the cars were being marketed at a lower price...but to charge the same for an obviously lesser quality vehicle seems a bit insulting to us as modelers.
Here's my 55 Ford (HO scale):
It's pretty much the same old same old compared to the newer offerings from CMW. These have all been plastic. Only the first few years were metal bodies.
The paint on my car was fine. One of the tires had some rubber flash that covered the hub cap. Simple enough to pop the tire off and trim the flash.
I have a few more on their way, including the two tone body versions. Hopefully they look OK.
I'm looking forward to when the taxi version is released.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
I am very glad to hear that the entire production batch is not all flawed, will take my chances and order a couple while they are still available. They are selling very well and the first release will be gone soon.
I just received a two-tone blue and white 55 Ford. It does not have any major flaws that I can see but there are a couple of minor things. The tires were not seated on the rims correctly, which took all of 10 seconds to correct. The 'Fairlane' printing on one of the rear fenders is almost invisible. Part of the problem is that it is printed in silver on a white background so there isn't much contrast. I am a bit disappointed that the body it plastic but the casting is clean. Also, the headlights are not as clear as the older metal bodied cars were.
None of those things are significant at all. In fact I feel like I am splitting hairs. I will buy one or two more.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I was looking forward to getting a few of these but when I saw photos of the actual model I changed my mind.
My issue isn't that it is plastic but a couple of finish errors. The silver painted window frames are wrong. No '55 Fords had these, at least not the sedans.
Also the wheel covers are wrong especially for the Fairlaines. The wheels and wheel covers they used on the '53 would look more correct.
I spent a lot of time in a blue and white '55 Fairlane when I was 16 that belonged to my best friend's parents. With that little 272 engine it could hit 110, at least according to the bouncing speedo needle.
CN Charlie
CN Charlie,
I had a 1955 Ford 4-dr Sedan, that I bought in 1959. What I think they were trying to replicate on the windows with the silver trim...was the chrome trim that was actually around the window openings in the door frame, which were channels with felt inside for the window guides. There were on all four drs. and the front vent window were all chrome. I have a couple pic's that I'm trying to find, that will show that. I had a 312 in mine, that I put in myself....after the 272 put a rod through the side of the block. Those ''Y'' blocks were all the same looking and very easy to work on with solid lifters. I had a three speed stick, with 411 rear, my so called ''sleeper'', of the year.
A pic' of My 1954, with 57 Ford hub caps, that I just sold 3 yrs ago. Also had a 312 stick/overdrive with 411 rear.
I decided to use a magnifying glass to look at the lettering on the rear fenders. It does not say 'Fairlane' as I had assumed, but I can't tell exactly what the words are. There are two words and they appear to start with the letters 'T' and 'S'.
Do any of you car experts know what the words are? The car is two tone - blue and white.
Just curious.
EDIT: Had I bothered to read the packaging more carefully I would have seen that it clearly states "Town Sedan" on it. Duh!
Dave,
LOL. You would have fun, with the station wagons.
FACT: The Ford Fairlane was an automobile model sold between 1955 and 1970 by the Ford Motor Company in North America. .... to bridge the gap between the compact Ford Falcon and the full-sized Galaxie, making it a competitor for GM's A-body
The Ford Fairlane was a full size automobile from 1955 through 1959,There were 3 varients ,the Fairlane,the Fairlane 500 ,& the Fairlane 500 Galaxie.In 1960 it was changed to Galaxie.In 1962 the Fairlane was brought in what we would now class as a Mid size.In 1955 and 56 the Fairlane name and Ford logo were on the front doors.In 57 to 59 it was on the rear quarters just ahead of the tail lights.
Catt,
You didn't mention the 55/56 Fairlane Crown Victoria. Or the Skyliner.
My 57 & 58 Skyliners simply say Fairlane 500.My 59 says Fairlane 500 Galaxie. Funny it took Ford three years to get that top to work reliably then they stopped making the darn things.By the my 57 and 58 have the 59 hydraulics so they raise and lower like they should.I would like toi get all three of these cars in both N and HO.
Frank, very nice '54! Just a little trivia but Fords made in Canada that year still had the flathead, but the 255 cu.in. version in the top models.
Now if they would just come out with a '58. I learned to drive on my Dad's '58 Meteor Rideau ( Canadian Ford Fairlane) that had the 352 engine. It had the bright trim around the windows.
Thanks for Your comments, that was a great car and it would do 110 like the speedo said, which by the way, is the same dash that the 55's had. The motor You are referring to was a 256 cubic inch four barrel which was used in the states for a Police interceptor, not available to the public. The 352 was a good engine. My DAD, God rest His soul, had one in His 1963 1/2 Galaxie. I use to race Ford's at the drag strip for quite a few year's. FORD....''First on Race Day" LOL.
Another one of My cars that I had restored, 1949 Customline. This one had the V8 Flathead in it. Sold this one around the same time as the 54:
Being an "Old Timer",and trying to source HO Exact Scale 1940,s/50,s vehicles ,I appreciate your case,"Plastic labelled as Metal". It is not honest. From recent purchases I have also found marked variations in HO Scale .Oxford models of the 40,s and 50,s are very well presented,no wheel problems there. I have another problem unique to overseas buyers-some various brands are out of stock before the order is pulled. Three tries to get one order,and then just what was in stock. The website still showed those unavailable models as "In Stock". Happy modelling from Oz-Seasons Greetigs to all. Owen
Sunshine ExpressBeing an "Old Timer",and trying to source HO Exact Scale 1940,s/50,s vehicles ,I appreciate your case,"Plastic labelled as Metal". It is not honest.
Hi Frank
That is a lovely car!