I'm wondering where I can find modern HO scale vehicles. Most of what I have found is transition era, European, or models of high end cars like Lambourginis. I'm looking for vehicles that would fit in the 80s to present. If I modeled in S scale there seems to be an unlimited selection of vehicles! (And yes, I have used Google to search, endlessly).
There's always a wide variety on Ebay.
Boley, Walthers Scene Masters, Trucks-n-stuff, Prieser, just to name a few. When on Ebay looking, also look in Diecast vehicles and toys, select 1:87 scale.
Also in Ebay, notice the names of the sellers, as some of them deal stricly in trucks and vehicles.
I know the market is stuffed full of the transition era, just look at all the modelers of that period in here! It's the same all over.
I also model from the late 80's, to present.
I recently found a truck I've been looking for in Shapeways, which is another source
Good luck!
Mike.
My You Tube
River Point Station has modern Ford pickups. Trident may have some vehicles, I have not looked at them lately.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Browse through these. Some are not too bad price wise:
https://www.american-excellence.com/?p=list&scale=87
Take Care!
Frank
OrangemanI'm wondering where I can find modern HO scale vehicles.
I have the same, if not worse, problem in N Scale.
Mike has a good suggestion. Shapeways and some other 3-d sites had some things I could use. They may not always be as finished (especially the paint) as vehicles sold by model companies, but they are pretty good and at a reasonable price.
It has almost encouraged (almost - but not yet) me to check into buying a 3-d printer.
York1 John
Look up "4D model cars" on ebay and Ali Express. There's a set of 16 kits you can usually purchase for between 14 and 20 bucks. They are mostly higher end and lean european, and some bodies have odd paint accents (paint over or alcohol them off) but for the price it's worth it for the more "normal" looking sedans, van, SUV, etc. They're the same vehicles that were sold by Walthers individually for a few times the price.
The kits are pretty simple and easy to put together, but that they are kits makes it easy to paint interiors and bodies if you wish.
There's also alot of basic sedans avaialble in bulk for around 20 cents each. Be aware though that these tend to be 1:100 even when they're sold as HO. Still, they fit the era and are great filler. I've seen them on many layouts and there are guys who take them to shows and sell them for a buck or two each!
I have alot of Matchbox trucks that are HO sized, but I know many folks don't think they're up to snuff. You can see some of those at the blog linked in my signature and make up your own mind.
Here's a picture of a few Matchbox that haven't made the blog yet that are in stores right now.
Clearly the sedan is too large, but you get an idea for how the trucks can be quite close to HO. Many times (such as the garbage truck) you can make them look even better just by blacking out the hub caps. The wheels on these sorts of vehicles are often the quickest give-away that they are toys and drawing the eye away from them can be quite effective.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
York1It has almost encouraged (almost - but not yet) me to check into buying a 3-d printer.
Just rember that home 3D printers will not produce the quality of model than can be made by Shapeways $5 million 3D printers. You can buy a lot off Shapeways for the cost of a home printer, and someone else does the design, the printing work and after job cleanup
Orangeman (And yes, I have used Google to search, endlessly).
(And yes, I have used Google to search, endlessly).
I take it you found this site...
https://www.3000toys.com/index.aspx
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
PennCentral99 Orangeman (And yes, I have used Google to search, endlessly). I take it you found this site... https://www.3000toys.com/index.aspx Terry
To tell you the truth I've looked through so many sites I don't remember. But I just took a quick look and it looks promising. Thanks
Eilif Look up "4D model cars" on ebay and Ali Express. There's a set of 16 kits you can usually purchase for between 14 and 20 bucks. They are mostly higher end and lean european, and some bodies have odd paint accents (paint over or alcohol them off) but for the price it's worth it for the more "normal" looking sedans, van, SUV, etc. They're the same vehicles that were sold by Walthers individually for a few times the price. The kits are pretty simple and easy to put together, but that they are kits makes it easy to paint interiors and bodies if yo Here's a picture of a few Matchbox that haven't made the blog yet that are in stores right now. Clearly the sedan is too large, but you get an idea for how the trucks can be quite close to HO. Many times (such as the garbage truck) you can make them look even better just by blacking out the hub caps. The wheels on these sorts of vehicles are often the quickest give-away that they are toys and drawing the eye away from them can be quite effective.
The kits are pretty simple and easy to put together, but that they are kits makes it easy to paint interiors and bodies if yo
I have a Matchbox truck I've saved since a teenager that I think would work well. I believe it is 1/87 or close to it. It's the Builders Supply scaffold truck. Lost the scaffolding long ago. But I do keep an eye out for appropriate models. The ones you posted look pretty good.
I have a few business cards from the many different places I've bought stuff, on line and hobby shops, and they have an HO scale ruler on one edge. It comes in handy, especially when considering Matchbox, and other toys you see in the store.
You could make a little scale ruler easy enough, and put in your your wallet.
Eilif Look up "4D model cars" on ebay and Ali Express. There's a set of 16 kits you can usually purchase for between 14 and 20 bucks. They are mostly higher end and lean european, and some bodies have odd paint accents (paint over or alcohol them off) but for the price it's worth it for the more "normal" looking sedans, van, SUV, etc. They're the same vehicles that were sold by Walthers individually for a few times the price. The kits are pretty simple and easy to put together, but that they are kits makes it easy to paint interiors and bodies if yo Here's a picture of a few Matchbox that haven't made the blog yet that are in stores right now. Clearly the sedan is too large, but you get an idea for how the trucks can be quite close to HO. Many times (such as the garbage truck) you can make them look even better just by blacking out the hub caps. The wheels on these sorts of vehicles are often the quickest give-away that they are toys and drawing the eye away from them can be quite effective. I have a Matchbox truck I've saved since a teenager that I think would work well. I believe it is 1/87 or close to it. It's the Builders Supply scaffold truck. Lost the scaffolding long ago. But I do keep an eye out for appropriate models. The ones you posted look pretty good.
mbinsewi I have a few business cards from the many different places I've bought stuff, on line and hobby shops, and they have an HO scale ruler on one edge. It comes in handy, especially when considering Matchbox, and other toys you see in the store. You could make a little scale ruler easy enough, and put in your your wallet. Mike.
Good idea Mike!
Orangeman Matchbox truck I've saved since a teenager that I think would work well. I believe it is 1/87
Russell
I think I know what you are talking about. Unfortunately when I was around 14 I was talked into giving my whole Matchbox collection away. You probably can imagine how much I regret that now!
Matchbox cars and trucks are generally very close to 1:64 scale
As threads are getting deleted and locked and I am under a short leash, I will only say that I got an email today from a popular online train store that is not in Maryland with very good prices for select CMW vehicles this Easter.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
floridaflyerMatchbox cars and trucks are generally very close to 1:64 scale
Yea, you gotta look carefully, some are close to HO some aren't. That's why I carry the business card with the scale ruler on one side.
Most are not close to HO, length might be right, height way off, etc., etc., same with all of the brands that are like Match Box, I don't remember names or manufacturers.
Just my experience.
If we're speaking of the vehicles that are sold for about a buck most Matchbox cars, are very close to 1:64.
However, most dollar Matchbox trucks much smaller in scale and many are closer to 1:87. Compare a matchbox truck to a properly scaled 1:64 truck (or to an HO truck) and you'll see what I mean.
It's a simple function of having much larger vehciles being sold in the same size packaging and taking up about the same space as smaller vehicles. Matchbox even has some construction and farm trucks that are not far off from N scale!
Here's some of my Matchbox HO scale comparisons.
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/search/label/Toy%20Car%20Scale%20Comparison
I don’t have one Matchbox truck on my layout that I have not repainted. Repainting and maybe adding a decal or two really eliminates the Matchbox Toy look of them.
I recently updated my profile in Shapeways, did some looking around, and the site is full of builders of great vehicle models, from the 60's through 2014.
I have a long sought after dry bulk pneumatic trailer on the way.
This link has a lot of interesting info.
http://1-87vehicles.org/
danno54 I don’t have one Matchbox truck on my layout that I have not repainted. Repainting and maybe adding a decal or two really eliminates the Matchbox Toy look of them.
Got any pictures of these? I'd love to see them.