Oxford Diecast vehicles

[grahame]

What ever happened to the Ford Cortina Mk3 that ODC promised (years ago?) in N gauge 1:148 scale. Has it been produced yet or, if not, when is it due?

 

They just seem to churn out specialist vehicles like fire engines, buses and ancient military jobbies or expensive unusual sports cars that aren't exactly commonplace on the roads. Why is it they never seem to produce much in the way of common or garden, bog standard, peoples saloon cars from the 80s and 90s? I'm sure more of those type of vehicles are required on layout roads and would get more repeat/multiple sales than things like hearses and dated luxury cars like Rollers.

 

G.

[acg5324]

http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-148/products/ford-cortina-mkiii-gold-ncor3001

 

Still in the catalogue. I'm sure it had a 4th quarter 2016 release at one point.

 

I agree with your comments...I'd rather have a Vauxhall VIva or Marina over this http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-148/products/austin-princess-late-carlton-grey-light-grey-nap003

[PhilJ W]

The problem with diecast cars is that the more exotic cars represented sell far more than the family saloons. By far the most commonly produced make in model form is Ferrari.  Before producing any model a manufacturer has to assess the likely sales to see if it is viable. If the model concerned is not selling very well its unlikely that it will be produced in any other scale.

[grahame]

The problem with diecast cars is that the more exotic cars represented sell far more than the family saloons. By far the most commonly produced make in model form is Ferrari.  Before producing any model a manufacturer has to assess the likely sales to see if it is viable. If the model concerned is not selling very well its unlikely that it will be produced in any other scale.

 

Oddly enough the Oxford N gauge cars are not die-cast (any longer) and tend now to be plastic. The die-cast car collector market tends to be in larger Corgi/Dinky sized scales where that analogy might apply. 1:148 is a speciality model railway scale rather than one that appeals to collectors (who only tend to purchase one of each example anyway).

 

The issue is that you don't see many Farraris on the roads so one is more than ample for a layout whereas most layouts would happily accommodate multiples of a bog standard car. And you are very unlikely to have seen a train of Carflats and/or Cartic 4s loaded with Farraris whereas a train load of one model of Dagenham dustbins would be more prototypical. Consequently I would certainly purchase a larger quantity of family saloons than Farraris, hearses and buses. And I guess that many others would also.

 

G.

[Godfrey Glyn]

I agree that Oxford need to look at the range of ordinary cars that populate our roads. I have bought the latest car transporter but find it difficult to stock it with 'everyday' cars. Drive around the UK you see loads of cars from the VW family  - VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat but Oxford do not produce anything other than the old Beetle and a Mark 1 Golf, and the Golf is in my humble opinion, not that good. I appreciate that many of us who cannot afford to buy a real 'exotic' car may wish to buy a model of it but I would have thought there would be a market for the more common types on our roads.

 

Godfrey

[mikeharvey22]

There are current Nissan Qashqai, BMW Mini, and a wide variety of Jaguars and Land Rover/Range Rover types, all built in the UK and likely to be seen on transporters in the UK as full loads of one marque. Passed several on a round trip on the M40 yesterday. Agree that they are not representative of all the cars on the roads but nor are most streets. I live in a town where there is a plague of Fiat 500s and Citroen DSs which dominate any carpark or street. A few years back it was Ford blue Focuses. For the manufacturers they need to see a market for say 3000 of each colour, and although that might work in the 00 collectors market, for N it is a really tall order. Very few of Oxford Diecast's 1/148 range have sold out, even the Ford 105E Anglias, Morris Minors and Minis which ought to attract 1950s/60s layout builders. Just checking and found 2 out of 6 Ford Anglias sold out, I out of 4 Daimlers saloons, 3 out of 4 Jaguar MkVIIIs, 3 out of 5 Jowetts, 2 out of 4 Jaguar SS, 3 out of 6 Minor Travellers, 0 out of 3 Minor saloons, 2 out of 5 Minis, I out of 3 VW Beetles.

Edited November 19, 2016 by mikeharvey22

[Joseph_Pestell]

Jaguar SS not exactly a common car but I really must get one for the layout. Pure nostalgia as my father had one when I was very young. One of the great regrets of my life is that he sold it.

[grahame]

Ford Anglias, Daimlers, old Jags, Jowlettes and Minors are all rather dated for me and potentially for the forthcoming NGS Carflat wagon and their Cartic-4 kit. Some bog standard common or garden vehicles from the 80s and 90s would be great - it does seem to be an underrepresented era in the ODC catalogue and, therefore perhaps, a new market opportunity for them to sell 3000, especially if they are purchased in bulk to fill a train load of new cars.

 

G.

[GreenGiraffe22]

Have they canceled their RAF Vangaurd or did it sell out via pre-orders? I noticed on my Hattons wish list It's gone from 'on order' to 'discontinued'

[acg5324]

In an ideal world I'd like to see the British cars such as the Austin/Morris 1100/1300, BL Princess, Vauxhall VIva HC plus VX type Victor, Morris Marina, Ford Escort, Capri and Granada, Hillman Minx and Avenger, Range Rover maybe a Rover SD1 and maybe something as an estate Cortina, Avenger or Marina.

[phil gollin]

Jaguar SS not exactly a common car but I really must get one for the layout. Pure nostalgia as my father had one when I was very young. One of the great regrets of my life is that he sold it.

.

 

It was probably a choice between the Jag or You !

 

Did he choose well ?

 

.

[PhilJ W]

In an ideal world I'd like to see the British cars such as the Austin/Morris 1100/1300, BL Princess, Vauxhall VIva HC plus VX type Victor, Morris Marina, Ford Escort, Capri and Granada, Hillman Minx and Avenger, Range Rover maybe a Rover SD1 and maybe something as an estate Cortina, Avenger or Marina.

The early 'classic' Range Rovers and SD1 will be introduced by Oxford in 00 scale over the next 12 months. As I stated above, if a particular model does not sell to well in 00 scale Oxford are unlikely to consider producing it in N scale. I asked a trader who specialises in diecast models which ones sell and which do not. The Mk. III Cortina which the OP mentioned regretably is not a very good seller so is unlikely to be produced in any other scale.

[BernardTPM]

I agree with your comments...I'd rather have a Vauxhall VIva or Marina over this http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-148/products/austin-princess-late-carlton-grey-light-grey-nap003

I agree too, but at least that vdP allows you to build something really silly.

[PhilJ W]

I agree too, but at least that vdP allows you to build something really silly.

That particular vehicle was converted from an ambulance. Such chassis were used as a basis for ambulances as most of the contemporary vans were not suited. It wasn't until the Transit came along and manufacturers ceased to produce chassis for specialist bodywork that it changed. The Austin Sheerline and Humber Super Snipe were popular choices for ambulances.

[mikeharvey22]

Have they canceled their RAF Vangaurd or did it sell out via pre-orders? I noticed on my Hattons wish list It's gone from 'on order' to 'discontinued'

Showing as sold out at Oxford Diecast.

[Joseph_Pestell]

.

 

It was probably a choice between the Jag or You !

 

Did he choose well ?

 

.

 

No, I don't think that my existence had any bearing on the decision. A couple of years later he got into 1930s Rolls-Royces. He only got rid of them when his daily commute got longer and so he needed a more economical car.

Some years later, we nearly got a MkVI Bentley (like Ivo Peters) at a time when they were very good value. But that got vetoed on the basis that my mother would not drive it.

[grahame]

As I stated above, if a particular model does not sell to well in 00 scale Oxford are unlikely to consider producing it in N scale. I asked a trader who specialises in diecast models which ones sell and which do not. The Mk. III Cortina which the OP mentioned regretably is not a very good seller so is unlikely to be produced in any other scale.

 

That rather implies a lack of understanding of the N gauge market where it is generally accepted that in that scale modern subjects command a larger percentage/are more popular than in other scales. ODC seem to have persisted in producing older vehicles in N gauge that will no doubt not be as good sellers as more modern subjects - which are also required in greater volumes (due to the massive increase in road traffic and car ownership in that era). Assuming that the N gauge market behaves and replicates the OO market is rather naïve and potentially misses sales potential. 

 

G.

[mikeharvey22]

I think it is a case of "Mind the Gap" in N. Given the more restricted market size for each era it would be good to have:-

 

2-3 typical "bread and butter" cars

1 light van + possibly 1 medium van

1 rigid truck - body variations possible

1 heavy truck - rigid or artic according to era

1 double deck bus

1 single deck bus

1 Coach

+ some specials like emergency, agricultural, military vehicles.

 

Oxford and BT tick some of these boxes, but neither comprehensively. Just filling the gaps for one era would be more than three year's investment for Oxford.

 

Even with this brief list, covering all the eras requires investment in many more castings, and we come back again to the problem of finding enough N gauge railway modellers to buy the 3000 of each colour and say 4 different colours to get the price right for the market, especially in the passenger car sector.

 

The DJ Models initiative to produce sets of 6 different cars seems to have foundered for lack of attention to detail and managing the proposal, or maybe because too few people are interested enough for it to succeed.

 

The only way to test this in reality will be for someone with the required funding, passion and acumen to launch the idea and actively promote it. I do not see that person at the moment.

[Joseph_Pestell]

I agree too, but at least that vdP allows you to build something really silly.

Further down that link $40,000 for a Mini Cooper!!! I should have persevered with mine.

[James Makin]

I found this thread having been lured into this area of the forum with the upcoming 'Oxford Rail Announcement' only to misread the title and realise the posters were just talking about silly trains and not the decent range of vehicles from Oxford! 

 

I wanted to share a slightly disappointing conversation I had with an Oxford rep at Warley, on a similar theme to this thread. I saw that there is an ever-increasing range of colourful novelty branded modern Ford Transits in their range, and the latest Sierra Sapphire Cosworth release, and enquired whether we'd see an everyday car like the Focus (either Mk.1/2/3) appear in 1:76 scale.

 

To my surprise, the rep didn't give me a corporate "we'll look into it" response - he actually went out the back of the stand (and said) he talked to the top development guy at Oxford. Apparently, the answer from him was a blanket "no" on the basis that everyday cars like the Focus (one of the best-selling in the UK over the last 19 years) is far too mundane to be of interest and Oxford would prioritise stand-out/interesting/aspirational cars that the public would buy, sports cars or branded Transits etc (which makes safe commercial sense, targeting impulse buys at the model shop!).

 

A disappointing response, but I appreciate their honesty, at least I can go away and come up with a solution of making more Focus' in model form (thinking: scanning, shrinking and 3D printing the 1:43 Minichamps ones!) - but I thought it useful to share here, from the horse's mouth; maybe out there is a company who would dare to take the plunge and produce some useful everyday cars for model railway layouts, but it doesn't sound like part of Oxford's business plan, at least for the time being!

[Lyddrail]

James,

That is a very interesting comment from Oxford, but a great shame. However, they have produced common cars before surely. As you say we can head elsewhere.

Cheers.

[Dunsignalling]

I found this thread having been lured into this area of the forum with the upcoming 'Oxford Rail Announcement' only to misread the title and realise the posters were just talking about silly trains and not the decent range of vehicles from Oxford! 

 

I wanted to share a slightly disappointing conversation I had with an Oxford rep at Warley, on a similar theme to this thread. I saw that there is an ever-increasing range of colourful novelty branded modern Ford Transits in their range, and the latest Sierra Sapphire Cosworth release, and enquired whether we'd see an everyday car like the Focus (either Mk.1/2/3) appear in 1:76 scale.

 

To my surprise, the rep didn't give me a corporate "we'll look into it" response - he actually went out the back of the stand (and said) he talked to the top development guy at Oxford. Apparently, the answer from him was a blanket "no" on the basis that everyday cars like the Focus (one of the best-selling in the UK over the last 19 years) is far too mundane to be of interest and Oxford would prioritise stand-out/interesting/aspirational cars that the public would buy, sports cars or branded Transits etc (which makes safe commercial sense, targeting impulse buys at the model shop!).

 

A disappointing response, but I appreciate their honesty, at least I can go away and come up with a solution of making more Focus' in model form (thinking: scanning, shrinking and 3D printing the 1:43 Minichamps ones!) - but I thought it useful to share here, from the horse's mouth; maybe out there is a company who would dare to take the plunge and produce some useful everyday cars for model railway layouts, but it doesn't sound like part of Oxford's business plan, at least for the time being!

I could understand that in respect of their 1:43 scale range which are large enough to make attractive display items in their own right but 1:76.is really too small for that. 

 

Railway modellers must form a significant chunk of Oxford's clientele in the smaller scales, and equivalent cars from earlier periods are readily available.

 

Maybe the Focus just needs to be discontinued for a decade or two and nostalgia to kick in - I wonder if Oxford would have done the Morris Minor if it was still in production?

 

Perhaps the Focus might interest Bachmann now they have fingers in the Diecast pie via their acquisitions of EFE and Classix?

 

Another thought that springs to mind is that there have been Ford Focuses of at least three distinctly different shapes since the name was adopted, so which one?

 

John

[Dungrange]

Another thought that springs to mind is that there have been Ford Focuses of at least three distinctly different shapes since the name was adopted, so which one?

 

The first Ford Focus body style for me please (although I'd also by a second body style).  It's disappointing to hear that Oxford don't want to produce ordinary cars, but perhaps they need to hear more of us telling them that is what we want.  However, I can understand why they would perceive that different livery transits and sports cars sell. I've certainly bought too many transit vans because of the liveries offered.

[acg5324]

With run of the mill cars a lot of people not just modellers would like a model of car(s) that they have owned. Hence the Vauxhall Viva HC on my earlier post......

 

I'd then have to get a second one as I was daft enough to buy another after RMD183L ( BRG with black vinyl roof ) was traded in for BWV83T ( white with blue vinyl roof ).

[mikeharvey22]

The first Ford Focus body style for me please (although I'd also by a second body style).  It's disappointing to hear that Oxford don't want to produce ordinary cars, but perhaps they need to hear more of us telling them that is what we want.  However, I can understand why they would perceive that different livery transits and sports cars sell. I've certainly bought too many transit vans because of the liveries offered.

Another feature here is licensing. I recall that the modern Transit was delayed forever waiting on Ford's approval. And a separate agreement is needed for each scale. Maybe small vehicles are not given priority at Ford, whereas agreements with Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, and the BMH brands seems much easier to achieve, and require a lot less management time from Oxford.