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1:87 Scale Automobiles

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  • Member since
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  • From: Georgia
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1:87 Scale Automobiles
Posted by Boxcar_Melvin on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 5:52 PM

It's hard enough to find 1:87 scale cars in stores, but the ones I do find, even in hobby shops are always like luxary/foreign cars like Ferraris or Lamborghinis. I want cars you see in everyday life. The ones that aren't the Shelby Cobra or the Jaguar XKE look pretty shoddy and cheap.

I almost fell down when I came across an HO guage Gremlin the other day. It was the only one in the store and was perfect, because I'm building a '70s era layout. I also found a Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am in 1:87, but lately nothing good. Any suggestions on where to find decent-looking HO guage automobiles from late seventies on back?

Train, train, take me right out of this town.
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Posted by wholeman on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 6:28 PM

Check Walthers' website

Will

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Posted by RedGrey62 on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 7:27 PM

Walmart used to carry the Malibu and Fresh Cherry brands that I believe the two you found were in that line.  For whatever reason, they don't carry them any more.  Model Power has most of the cars similar to that now, 68 El Camino and GTO and a few others.  Classic Metal Works has some too, mainly 50's and early 60's.

A friend also found some Hotwheels in 1/87 that has more "normal" cars versus the fantasy ones they did a couple of years ago.  However, they still have the large rear tires, I'm hoping to find a few as I think I can rework the wheels to get some really nice muscle cars.  You can find them in all places, grocery stores.

Good Luck

Ricky

"...Mother Nature will always punish the incompetent and uninformed." Bill Barney from Thor's Legions
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Posted by Left Coast Rail on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 7:38 PM
Atlas, Classic Metal Works and Woodland Scenics all carry cars from the '70s and '60s. If you look on some of the aution sites, you might find some earlier Classic Metal Works or Mini Metals cars from that time period also.
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Posted by galaxy on Thursday, June 3, 2010 6:18 AM

I bought a bunch of the 1:87 Fresh Cherries and others that Walmart was selling awhile back. I even found a Ford Pinto like we had in the late 70's!

I haven't checked lately for them, but if other's say they no longer carry them, maybe not.

Some good links have been provided, so you should find something.

Good luck

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:28 AM

Look down at the bottom of this page.  There's a section called "Trains.com Resources."  Click on "Coming Events" and browse around for train shows in your area.  Most of these shows have vendors who have a lot of HO-scale vehicles.  In particular, there are a lot of the models that Walmart used to carry.  Walmart sold them for under $2, but most of them I've seen have prices more like $5 now.  It's a show, though, so if you buy 5 or 10 of them the vendor will likely cut you some kind of price break.

This one is a Mini-Metals that I painted and decaled:

 

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Boxcar_Melvin on Thursday, June 3, 2010 11:21 AM

Oh that General Lee Dodge Charger is perfect, because my railroad is going to be Georgia where I'm from and I still see the occasional General Lee driving around here now and then.

Thanks, everyone, you were extremely helpful.

Train, train, take me right out of this town.
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Posted by G Paine on Thursday, June 3, 2010 12:00 PM

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

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, June 3, 2010 12:00 PM

Y'all send me a PM and I'll send you the artwork for the decals, y'heah?

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Left Coast Rail on Thursday, June 3, 2010 12:30 PM
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Posted by Medina1128 on Thursday, June 3, 2010 1:21 PM

MisterBeasley

 

 

Is that a 66 or a 67? It's a nice job! But, you know the rivet counters will point out that the Dukes drove a 69. The early Chargers were cool; they had bucket seats in the back, and the console ran the length of the interior.

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Posted by Boxcar_Melvin on Thursday, June 3, 2010 5:51 PM

Thanks G. Paine. That Pinto Cruiser Wagin is perfect! Those things must've been all over the place when I was a kid and that Mercury Bobcat, too, my aunt had one. Thanks a lot. Those were just what I was looking for. You made my day!

Train, train, take me right out of this town.
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Posted by dknelson on Thursday, June 3, 2010 8:33 PM

Man, I gotta say this, at the risk of sounding like a crabby geezer.  If you have been in this hobby long enough you can't understand how anyone can complain about the choice and quality of HO scale vehicles that are available these days.  This is the Golden Age for HO vehicles whether it seems like that way or not. 

As to that Dodge model up above, oh my it reminds me of Driver's Education circa 1967 when the local Dodge dealer donated the cars we learned in .... the driver's turn signal indicators were outside the car, up near the headlights ....  

Dave Nelson

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Posted by RedGrey62 on Thursday, June 3, 2010 8:43 PM

dknelson

Man, I gotta say this, at the risk of sounding like a crabby geezer.  If you have been in this hobby long enough you can't understand how anyone can complain about the choice and quality of HO scale vehicles that are available these days.  This is the Golden Age for HO vehicles whether it seems like that way or not. 

As to that Dodge model up above, oh my it reminds me of Driver's Education circa 1967 when the local Dodge dealer donated the cars we learned in .... the driver's turn signal indicators were outside the car, up near the headlights ....  

Dave Nelson

While I can echo your sentiment, I still have issues with some of the stuff that's missing (or I haven't heard of yet).  We have pickups from the 50's and the 80's+. but where are the 60's or 70's.  I know Trident has at least one 70's but it's still pretty sparse out there.  And when we get to semi trucks, the 60's are again left out, no KW or Pete cabovers (except for hard to find Tyco KWs) or conventionals, still waiting for Ulrich to release their KW conventional.  Thankfully, Athearn came out with the Mack R and the B was still going strong them too.  The Athearn Freightliner can be backdated a little bit but its from the 70's too. Everything Herpa/Promotex has is mid 70's and later.

As someone stated earlier, hopefully the rivet counters don't look too close.  All joking aside, we have some of the most accurate trains ever, it would be nice to match up a few of the vehicles a little better.

Besides, I need about 10 to 20 67-68 pickups for my open autoracks!Smile,Wink, & Grin

Ricky

"...Mother Nature will always punish the incompetent and uninformed." Bill Barney from Thor's Legions
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, June 4, 2010 7:07 AM

Medina1128
Is that a 66 or a 67? It's a nice job! But, you know the rivet counters will point out that the Dukes drove a 69. The early Chargers were cool; they had bucket seats in the back, and the console ran the length of the interior.

Thanks.  The model is of a 67 Charger.  They used both 68s and 69s for the show.  Some of the car stunts were so extreme that they literally went through hundreds of vehicles over the run of the series.

I started with a white (or slightly yellow) model.  The body was painted in an acrylic called "Pumpkin," as I recall.  I made my own decals with downloaded images, resized appropriately.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by TMarsh on Friday, June 4, 2010 7:53 AM

Next obvious question. Why is the General Lee ON the tracks? Shouldn't it be flying OVER them? Regardless the year, I like it.

Todd  

Central Illinoyz

In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.

I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk. Laugh

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, June 4, 2010 8:00 AM

TMarsh
Next obvious question. Why is the General Lee ON the tracks? Shouldn't it be flying OVER them?

Well, let's see.  We should be able to make a few changes so it can do that....

Of course, that would be Hazardous.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Boxcar_Melvin on Friday, June 4, 2010 11:16 AM

The above pic is beautiful. I noticed that in the pic of the General Lee on the crossing, there was no driver. Must have been the ghost General from that episode where they fooled Roscoe into thinking the car was possessed.

Seeing it on the track gave me an idea. I'd like to make a pic of the General Lee crossing the tracks as the General 4-4-0 engine (from Kennesaw, GA) is about to cross. I have a replica of that engine so why not have a General Lee on my layout as well.

Train, train, take me right out of this town.
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Posted by Santa Fe all the way! on Friday, June 4, 2010 9:23 PM

I've enjoyed the recent explosion of vehicles available lately. I have at least 60 from Athearn, Mini Metals, Ricko,Model Power etc, etc. One thing that sticks in my craw is why does Athearn make an amazing 1950's fire truck with alot of great detail and then put a light bar on it from the 70-80's????

Come on CMW, make a '41-'46 Chevy school bus!
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Posted by Colorado_Mac on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 7:12 PM
I"m new at this, but what I find lacking are autos from the pre-fiffties. Yet I still agree with the poster who said this is a "golden age". The variety is astounding.

Sean

HO Scale CSX Modeler

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 11:07 PM

Colorado_Mac
I"m new at this, but what I find lacking are autos from the pre-fiffties.

Jordan vehicle kits have lots of pre-fifties cars and trucks.  Remember, of course, that the early 40s were the "war years," and there weren't a lot of consumer autos produced, so the cars of the 30s had to be kept running.  These kits are a bit of a struggle to assemble at first, but after you've done a couple, you get the technique down and they're much easier.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by Left Coast Rail on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 11:37 AM

You might also look into Sylvan.  They have several pre war vehicles.

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Posted by Colorado_Mac on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 2:17 PM
Thanks, guys! Very helpful. i also found this website - "1/87th Vehicle Club" that has lots of information. ( http://www.1-87vehicles.org/index.php ) Specifically, under the "Links" section are lists of manufacturers and retailers. However, the entire site is interesting. Also found this (http://www.route87.org/index.html) This seems to be a fairly new site, but there are some great photos under the galleries section, and a couple interesting links. One more (http://87thscale.info/showcase.htm) check out the craftsmanship on some of the dioramas.

Sean

HO Scale CSX Modeler

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Posted by JP_Shoe on Monday, June 21, 2010 3:16 PM

Santa Fe all the way!

I've enjoyed the recent explosion of vehicles available lately. I have at least 60 from Athearn, Mini Metals, Ricko,Model Power etc, etc. One thing that sticks in my craw is why does Athearn make an amazing 1950's fire truck with alot of great detail and then put a light bar on it from the 70-80's????

 Actually the Ford C was made well into the 80's (1990 was the last year, I think) and fire engines tend to last a long time, so that light bar is not unreasonable.

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Posted by Hamltnblue on Monday, June 21, 2010 3:21 PM

MisterBeasley

Well, let's see.  We should be able to make a few changes so it can do that....

Of course, that would be Hazardous.

 

Yes, some of us got it. Big Smile

Springfield PA

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Posted by JP_Shoe on Monday, June 21, 2010 3:57 PM

Boxcar Melvin asked about '70's cars. My club's layout is set in 1980, so I'm getting pretty familiar with the subject.

Here's the info I've collected so far. Please add to the list!

 

Joe

 

Atlas
1978 Ford Fairmont wagon
1978 Ford Fairmont Sedan
1968 Plymouth Fury Sedan
1970 Ford Custom

Brekina:
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
1971 Volvo 144 Sedan
1971 Volvo 144 Wagon

BS Design
1978 Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Bronco

Bub
Datsun 240Z Fairlady, early/mid 70's
Mustang GT 350, mid 60's

Busch
1973 TransAm Firebird (ex Praline)
1977 Plymouth Fury
1977 Dodge Monaco Sedan
1964 Mustang convertible (they have models with top up or top down)
1964 Mustang Hardtop

Classic Metal Works / Mini Metals
1970 Chevy Malibu
1970 Chevelle SS454
1967 Ford Custom 500
1978 Chevrolet Impala (including taxi's, police cars and a fire chief)

EKO
1966 Dodge Dart
 
Herpa
1963 Corvette Sting Ray
1969 Ford Mustang fastback
1976 Buick Grand National Sedan
1969 Volkswagen Beetle
1966 Porshe 911
1979-82  Ford Mustang

Hot Wheels
’70 Dodge Hemi Challenger, scales out to 1/90
’70 Plymouth Superbird, scales out to 1/90

Kniga
1968-75 Volvo 164 E

Life Like
1978 Ford F-150 pickup

Malibu International / Reel Rides
1972 Chevy C10 Pickup, Dazed & Confused
1970 Pontiac GTO, Dazed & Confused
1977 Pontiac Trans Am, Smokey and The Bandit
1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX, Tommy Boy

Model Power / Minis
VW bus
VW Karmann Ghia Coupe
1964 Ford Mustang convertable, top down
1969 Camaro SS396
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442
1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda
1968 Chevrolet El Camino

Monogram Mini-Exacts
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
1963 Stingray Corvette

MotorMax / Fresh Cherries
1977 Ford Pinto cruising wagon
1974 AMC Gremlin
1978 AMC Pacer
1975 Mercury Bobcat
1974 AMC Hornet
1971 Ford Mustang Sportroof
1975 Honda Civic
1970 Ford Maverick
1977 Ford Granada

Ricko
Jeep CJ5
1974 Jaguar E-Type top up

Roco
1977 Dodge W200 pickup

Walthers
1966 Ford F-100 Pickup
1967 Ford Mustang

Wiking
1965ish Chevrolet Malibu
1976 Volvo 264

Williams Brothers
1978 Chevrolet El Camino kit
1977 Dodge Diplomat 4-Door kit
1965 GTO kit

 

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Posted by DSchmitt on Monday, June 21, 2010 10:08 PM

Manufacturers of 1/87 cars and trucks

 

 http://www.1-87vehicles.org/directory/directory.php

 

 

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

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Posted by ChevelleSSguy on Saturday, July 3, 2010 1:07 PM

MisterBeasley

TMarsh
Next obvious question. Why is the General Lee ON the tracks? Shouldn't it be flying OVER them?

Well, let's see.  We should be able to make a few changes so it can do that....

Of course, that would be Hazardous.

That doesnt look like Cooter checking under the hood. Cool

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Posted by loathar on Saturday, July 3, 2010 1:23 PM

DSchmitt

Manufacturers of 1/87 cars and trucks

 http://www.1-87vehicles.org/Links/links_mfgers.php

 

 

The Grail...

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Posted by jwhitten on Saturday, July 3, 2010 5:21 PM

MisterBeasley

Y'all send me a PM and I'll send you the artwork for the decals, y'heah?

 

 

You keep the decals, just send along Daisy... Big Smile

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's

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