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?
Check Walthers' website
Will
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
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.
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.
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.
RedGrey62Walmart used to carry the Malibu and Fresh Cherry brands
Fresh Cherries are listed in Walthers under the Motermax brandhttp://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=&manu=&item=&keywords=fresh+cherries&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search
Atlas has done a number of runs on Ford Fairmonts, another is due in Augusthttp://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=H&manu=atlas&item=&keywords=Ford%28R%29+Fairmont&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=300&Submit=Search
Trident has done a number of pickup trucks and vans that may fit what you are looking forhttp://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=H&manu=trident&item=&keywords=pickup&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=300&Submit=Search
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=H&manu=trident&item=&keywords=van&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=300&Submit=Search
Athearn has done a munber of runs on Ford C cab over trucks, and Checker Taxis; many are shown as sold out, but may be found at train shows or hobby shopshttp://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=FordCtruck+RTR&CatID=THV
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=checker+taxi+RTR&CatID=THV
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Y'all send me a PM and I'll send you the artwork for the decals, y'heah?
'71 Plymouth Baracuda
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.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
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!
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
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!
Medina1128Is 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.
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.
TMarshNext 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.
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.
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????
Sean
HO Scale CSX Modeler
Colorado_MacI"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.
You might also look into Sylvan. They have several pre war vehicles.
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.
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.
Springfield PA
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
Atlas1978 Ford Fairmont wagon1978 Ford Fairmont Sedan1968 Plymouth Fury Sedan1970 Ford Custom
Brekina:1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1971 Volvo 144 Sedan1971 Volvo 144 Wagon
BS Design1978 Chevrolet CorvetteFord Bronco
BubDatsun 240Z Fairlady, early/mid 70's Mustang GT 350, mid 60's
Busch1973 TransAm Firebird (ex Praline)1977 Plymouth Fury1977 Dodge Monaco Sedan 1964 Mustang convertible (they have models with top up or top down)1964 Mustang Hardtop
Classic Metal Works / Mini Metals1970 Chevy Malibu1970 Chevelle SS4541967 Ford Custom 500 1978 Chevrolet Impala (including taxi's, police cars and a fire chief)
EKO1966 Dodge Dart Herpa1963 Corvette Sting Ray1969 Ford Mustang fastback1976 Buick Grand National Sedan1969 Volkswagen Beetle1966 Porshe 9111979-82 Ford Mustang
Hot Wheels’70 Dodge Hemi Challenger, scales out to 1/90 ’70 Plymouth Superbird, scales out to 1/90
Kniga1968-75 Volvo 164 E
Life Like 1978 Ford F-150 pickup
Malibu International / Reel Rides1972 Chevy C10 Pickup, Dazed & Confused1970 Pontiac GTO, Dazed & Confused1977 Pontiac Trans Am, Smokey and The Bandit1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX, Tommy Boy
Model Power / MinisVW busVW Karmann Ghia Coupe1964 Ford Mustang convertable, top down1969 Camaro SS3961969 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4421970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda1968 Chevrolet El Camino
Monogram Mini-Exacts1969 Ford Mustang Boss 3021963 Stingray Corvette
MotorMax / Fresh Cherries1977 Ford Pinto cruising wagon1974 AMC Gremlin1978 AMC Pacer1975 Mercury Bobcat1974 AMC Hornet1971 Ford Mustang Sportroof1975 Honda Civic1970 Ford Maverick1977 Ford Granada
Ricko Jeep CJ51974 Jaguar E-Type top up
Roco1977 Dodge W200 pickup
Walthers1966 Ford F-100 Pickup1967 Ford Mustang
Wiking1965ish Chevrolet Malibu1976 Volvo 264
Williams Brothers1978 Chevrolet El Camino kit1977 Dodge Diplomat 4-Door kit1965 GTO kit
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.
MisterBeasley TMarshNext 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.
DSchmitt Manufacturers of 1/87 cars and trucks http://www.1-87vehicles.org/Links/links_mfgers.php
http://www.1-87vehicles.org/Links/links_mfgers.php
The Grail...
MisterBeasleyY'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...
John