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Classic Metal Works - good news, bad news and new news

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  • Member since
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  • 85 posts
Posted by charlieB on Saturday, January 1, 2011 8:05 PM

With all the different manufacturers today the scale vehicle selection availalable to us alot better then years back.In the sixties all I remember was Jordan,Wiking,Ulrich and Minitanks. 

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Posted by don7 on Saturday, January 1, 2011 3:25 PM

Update. too late for Christmas, but still great news.

I just received an e-mail from Classic Metal Works indicating that the 1953 Ford Squire Wagons are now in transit (on the water).

In addition I am informed that besides the Squire wagon, the 1953 Ford will also be offered in a sedan delivery finish as well.

They are also taking pre-orders directly on the 1953 Fords.

  • Member since
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  • From: Chamberlain, ME
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Posted by G Paine on Thursday, December 9, 2010 6:56 PM

sfcgadget
I'd like to see them do a New England Transportation Company paint job used by the New Haven Railroad on one of their tractor trailors and I bet I'm not the only one. It would not even require designing a new model, just the paint and graphics.

The best thing to do if you want one of those is get an undecorated trailer and truck, and paint / decal them. You may have to make your own decals as well.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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Posted by chutton01 on Thursday, December 9, 2010 3:14 PM

m horton
Great, tell them to start producing some sixties/seventies vintage vehicles,that's where the void is. mh.



I'm wondering if their 1978 Chevy Impala release was the latest 'model year' release that they ever did, or did they do any vehicles from the 1980s or later.

I have that model, suitably weathered to match my 21st century timeframe (based on an actual Chevy Impala I used to see regularly a few year back) - this and their 1967 Ford Custom 500 are the only CMW vehicles that will go on the layout modules (any day now...), while other 1940s & 1950s CMWs go into a display cabinet w/ other neat looking classic vehicles - this way I don't need to justify my 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook, or an Athearn 1930 Model A or a Ricko 1931 Lincoln Model K in the 2005-2010 era, but I can still look at and admire them.

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Posted by don7 on Thursday, December 9, 2010 1:33 PM

tcf511

Is there such a thing as a website that lists all of the vehicles that they've produced over the years. Their official site on seems to list current items. I would like to know what my options are for older products that I might find at shows or online. Thanks.

This link shows some of their older vehicles, there used to be a page showing all of their old catalogues but it seems to be gone now.

http://www.classicmetalworks.com/hoscale.html

 

 

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  • From: Johnston, RI
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Posted by sfcgadget on Thursday, December 9, 2010 1:23 PM

I'd like to see them do a New England Transportation Company paint job used by the New Haven Railroad on one of their tractor trailors and I bet I'm not the only one. It would not even require designing a new model, just the paint and graphics.

 

SFC Gadget (Ret.)
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  • From: The Villages, FL
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Posted by tcf511 on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 7:43 PM

Is there such a thing as a website that lists all of the vehicles that they've produced over the years. Their official site on seems to list current items. I would like to know what my options are for older products that I might find at shows or online. Thanks.

Tim Fahey

Musconetcong Branch of the Lehigh Valley RR

 

 

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Posted by don7 on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 5:40 PM

Santa Fe all the way!

I guess Horizon got tired of CMW crappy delivery schedule, they seemed to have dropped CMW products from their website. If you've been telling people that a certain car is coming since 2009 and its almost 2011, thats pretty bad. Let me say, I love their products, thats what makes it so frustrating when you wait YEARS after they show you a picture of it. I guess the 1941-46 Chevy trucks will be out in late 2012?

It is my understanding that distributors such as Walthers and Horizon try to influence the manufactures to use a single distributor.  They will offer enticements to ensure the competition is not used. The incentives of course affect the cash flow. Not surprised to see items that are sell well only available from a limited number of distributors.  

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  • From: East central Missouri
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Posted by Santa Fe all the way! on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 5:03 PM

I guess Horizon got tired of CMW crappy delivery schedule, they seemed to have dropped CMW products from their website. If you've been telling people that a certain car is comming since 2009 and its almost 2011, thats pretty bad. Let me say, I love their products, thats what makes it so frustrating when you wait YEARS after they show you a picture of it. I guess the 1941-46 Chevy trucks will be out in late 2012?

Come on CMW, make a '41-'46 Chevy school bus!
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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Posted by mobilman44 on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 2:57 PM

Back again about the '57 Ford convertible.......

I had a cherry '57 Fairlane 500 ragtop - black with white top and red/white interior.  That's not all that uncommon I guess.  But what made it different is that it came with the factory 312 cu "Thunderbird" engine with a 4 barrel and duals.  Ok, what really made a difference was those models had an extra piece of chrome attached to the top of the front bumper.  It was like "a dash, a V, and a dash". 

I would sure like a model (kit would be great) of this, but haven't seen anything like it ever.

Maybe CMW would make me one???

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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  • From: Omaha, NE
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Posted by dngnrr on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 1:54 PM

The '57 Ford rag top and flip top would be nice and through in a 2dr hard top. 

The DINGER line Free Lance Steam to Diesel

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Posted by m horton on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 4:19 PM

True, I generally buy one of all CMW cars and trucks, but wishful thinking still prevails.mh

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Posted by rclanger on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 11:57 AM

Agreed, not everyone models the 50's.

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  • From: Fullerton, California
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Posted by hornblower on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 11:27 AM

m horton

Great, tell them to start producing some sixties/seventies vintage vehicles,that's where the void is. mh.

Keep in mind that the correct vintage of cars for most layouts would be the present model year back to around 15 to 20 years of previous models.  Quite a few 50's vintage vehicles were still on the road in the 60's and 70's, especially since they were so much better built than today's vehicles!  In fact, three of my high school friends drove mid-to-late 50's cars as their everyday drivers throughout the late 70's.  Although rare, it is still possible to see someone driving a Model T today!  Depending on the affluence of your layout locale, the locals may still be driving older models.  Remember that railroads rarely run through the more desirable areas of town.

Hornblower

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Posted by G Paine on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 10:24 AM

slammin
Both tooling and production is no doubt being done somewhere in Asia, adding to the potential for delays and quality problems. 

I agree, remember the problems CMW had with their Greyhound busses? The manufacturer in China could not meet quality standards on the chrome plating. That delayed the release by many months.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

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  • From: Fruita, CO
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Posted by slammin on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 6:47 AM

OPPS, my mistake, it is the 1950 model. Sorry for the senior moment. I think you will find, that many times new models are announced, then the release is delayed. The lead time for ads in magazines is months ahead of the published date. Tooling for die cast models is more complex than regular plastic molds, dealing with much higher injection pressures. Both tooling and production is no doubt being done somewhere in Asia, adding to the potential for delays and quality problems. 

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Posted by don7 on Monday, December 6, 2010 10:25 PM

slammin

I purchased one of the 56 Dodges several months ago. Nicely done model.

Do you mean the 1950 Dodges?

The 1956 Dodge cars have yet to be released. They were to follow the delayed 1953 Ford Squire stationwagons.

 

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Posted by wholeman on Monday, December 6, 2010 10:16 PM

mobilman44

I sure would like them to put out some mid-late '50s Pontiacs, and a '57 Ford ragtop!

And a '57 Flop Top.  Although CMW makes vehicles that are too old for my era, they make some fine models.  You could have a hobby within a hobby collecting those things.

Will

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  • From: Fruita, CO
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Posted by slammin on Monday, December 6, 2010 8:04 PM

I purchased one of the 56 Dodges several months ago. Nicely done model.

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Posted by G Paine on Monday, December 6, 2010 6:35 PM

m horton
Great, tell them to start producing some sixties/seventies vintage vehicles,that's where the void is. mh.

There also is a void of the post-war / late 40s vehicles which they are starting to fill.

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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Posted by mobilman44 on Monday, December 6, 2010 6:25 PM

Don7 - sounds like you have an "in" with CMW.

I sure would like them to put out some mid-late '50s Pontiacs, and a '57 Ford ragtop!

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    January 2010
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Posted by m horton on Monday, December 6, 2010 4:43 PM

Great, tell them to start producing some sixties/seventies vintage vehicles,that's where the void is. mh.

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    April 2005
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Classic Metal Works - good news, bad news and new news
Posted by don7 on Monday, December 6, 2010 4:30 PM

Classic Metal Works had run ads indicating their 1953 Ford Squire station wagon models were shipping in October, The newest ads indicate year end. I just received a 2011 pamphlet that indicates the model will be ready in 2011.  As I back-ordered a number of these that certainly is disappointing news.

However, in the 2011 production of HO models there are a whole series of 1941-1946 Chevy trucks. The whole line is being released, pickups, flatbeds, box trucks, tanker trucks as well as semi tractor and trailer units.

In addition a 2009 pamphlet was also included which showed the 1956 Dodges which also have not yet been released. At least there were no ads released for those vehicles.

 http://www.classicmetalworks.com/catalogs_current.html

Check it out.

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