N gauge crowdfunded cars (discussion thread)

[Tricky-CRS]

If I recall correctly certain car manufacturers such as Ford have to approve any model made of one of their vehicle products past and present. Does this prevent any models from potentially appearing or has these royalty/approval costs already been factored in?

Will be following developments with interest however.[/quote

 

Posting edited to reflect link pertinent to posted question.......

 

http://ipkitten.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/bgh-decides-in-opel-toy-car-case-opel.html

 

Cheers

Dave

Dave This may only apply in Germany but I have always wondered in 1:148 scale do you need the badge on the front or a shape. The packaging may be an issue if you refer to it as a Ford Escort, but that could be got around if you called it an Escort or F.Escort. Ford I believe are one of the more difficult to deal with, which is a shame as I'll take the Escort Mk I, & III including van versions.

[McRuss]

Hello Dave,

 

maybe a solution about possible royalty/licensing cost could be, that you won't call the car by it's name, but instead you could call it maybe a middle class car similar to a Ford Escort.

These for example is the way Etchit from Germany has solved the problem with. licensing problems.

 

http://www.easy01.de/etchIT-store/pd-14045248.htm?categoryId=10

 

Markus

[Andy Y]

Hello Dave,

 

maybe a solution about possible royalty/licensing cost could be, that you won't call the car by it's name, but instead you could call it maybe a middle class car similar to a Ford Escort.

These for example is the way Etchit from Germany has solved the problem with. licensing problems.

 

http://www.easy01.de/etchIT-store/pd-14045248.htm?categoryId=10

 

Markus

 

I think Opel would find it hard to argue that it was a model of one of their products.

[mikeharvey22]

What about an Original Mini? (provided it's not being produced already).

 

One of the more numerous classics - still see a fair amount of them around today.

 

Regards,

Matt

Like this one?

 

http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-148/products/austin-mini-car-mini-old-english-white-and-black-nmn002

[Grimly Feendish]

I think Dave's original post hits the mark in terms of eras and models. Excellent choices. Where do I sign up!

[McRuss]

Hello Andy,

 

you may be right, but I think it's the paintwork on the pictures. But when you look at the Skoda MB 1000 Model

 

http://www.easy01.de/etchIT-store/pd1693013722.htm?categoryId=10

 

Here the owner also call the car a car similar (ähnlich) to a Skoda MB1000

 

Markus

[Pyewipe Jct]

I came across this article a while back, which gives the top 10 best-selling cars of the 1970s (which would be perfect for any layout from the early '70s until, in many cases, easily the early '90s).

Cars & numbers registered from the article:

Ford Cortina (Marks III & IV) - 1,412,102

Ford Escort (Marks I & II) - 1,119,004
Morris Marina - 703,686

Mini - 611,695

Vauxhall Viva HC - 547,717

Austin Allegro - 385,584

Ford Capri - 378,310

Austin 1100/1300 - 303,064

Ford Consul/Granada - 237,937

Hillman/Chrysler Avenger - 219,600

Top 10 Selling Cars of the 1970s

[acg5324]

This is a very interesting proposal Dave and I for one would be up for a pack of two!

 

What version of the Viva are you thinking of doing?

Which Ford Zephyr version?

Surely Austin Allegro

Would the models be produced in multiple colours or would the batch be all of one colour?

[Paul B]

I'd be in for a few of these, even better if a wider timespan could be covered in due course although the starting point is obviously sensible. Good idea and one I hope comes to fruition.

[grahame]

A couple of points occur to me;

 

I'm not so sure that copyright or permission/royalties is a big issue. After all there have been several N Gauge scale models produced of Ford, for example, vehicles (i.e. Bachmann Scenecraft Capri's, R Parker Transits, and a range from Fleetline, P&D, etc) plus 3D printed models of many are available from Shapeways.

 

Secondly, if this is to be a crowd funded project it would be nice to have a dedicated site where expressions of interest/support or commitment to orders can be registered (to at least get a running total of the total numbers wanted) rather than just a forum discussion thread.

 

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the final options and very prepared to place an order.

 

G.

[Tricky-CRS]

A couple of points occur to me;

I'm not so sure that copyright or permission/royalties is a big issue. After all there have been several N Gauge scale models produced of Ford, for example, vehicles (i.e. Bachmann Scenecraft Capri's, R Parker Transits, and a range from Fleetline, P&D, etc) plus 3D printed models of many are available from Shapeways.

Secondly, if this is to be a crowd funded project it would be nice to have a dedicated site where expressions of interest/support or commitment to orders can be registered (to at least get a running total of the total numbers wanted) rather than just a forum discussion thread.

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the final options and very prepared to place an order.

G.

I suspect Bachmann did get permissions, but the others as very small businesses probably passed under the radar. DJ Models however as a RTR manufacture are probably advised to, although asking and failing would kill the project.

 

At a guess the preordering may be handled by Kernow as the do his other crowdfund projects.

[grahame]

I suspect Bachmann did get permissions, but the others as very small businesses probably passed under the radar. DJ Models however as a RTR manufacture are probably advised to, although asking and failing would kill the project.

 

 

I wasn't suggesting that anyone should avoid obtaining permission (or that any of the smaller companies haven't bothered) but that it would seem to be quite possible to get the appropriate permission, so it isn't quite the stumbling block that some have suggested. And that if any royalty was payable it doesn't appear to have made the prices prohibitive - the Scenecraft vehicles were quite cheap even if not quite so accurate.

 

G. 

[porkie]

Deffo interested in these.

Would like to see a choice of 80's and 90's if successful

[Padishar Creel]

Hi,

Great idea this, and I hope it succeeds.

When/if the crowdfunding is successful and production goes ahead, what will we be able to compare them with qualitywise? Fleischmann, Herpa, Wiking, Busch, Marks, Tomytec?

Thanks in advance

es grüßt

pc

[DJM Dave]

Hi,

Great idea this, and I hope it succeeds.

When/if the crowdfunding is successful and production goes ahead, what will we be able to compare them with qualitywise? Fleischmann, Herpa, Wiking, Busch, Marks, Tomytec?

Thanks in advance

es grüßt

pc

Hi,

I'm looking at a comparable product to Wiking / Tomytec

Price might dictate no seats for example, which would be a pain, but I'll aim as high as I can go with them within the price point.

 

Cheers

Dave

[roundhouse]

Hi,

I'm looking at a comparable product to Wiking / Tomytec

Price might dictate no seats for example, which would be a pain, but I'll aim as high as I can go with them within the price point.

Cheers

Dave

Next you will be telling us that there will be no engine in them!

[DJM Dave]

Next you will be telling that there will be no engine in them

Mmmmmm interesting idea ;-)

 

Or working rear seat DVD players I'm afraid. Lol

 

Although if I design them carefully enough I might consider front and rear lighting if there was a demand?

[Tricky-CRS]

Would the seating not be part of the chassis block, as long as the wheels are seperate it will be okay, I would aim for Oxford quality as the cars are also plastic, in fact a lot of the range seems to be. That said I think they have made a few poor decisions with some designs. 

[Phatbob]

Mmmmmm interesting idea ;-)

 

Or working rear seat DVD players I'm afraid. Lol

 

Although if I design them carefully enough I might consider front and rear lighting if there was a demand?

If you're doing working lighting Dave, don't waste your time with working indicators on any BMWs you might make.

 

[DJM Dave]

If you're doing working lighting Dave, don't waste your time with working indicators on any BMWs you might make.

 

Or Mercedes, or German Chelsea tractors ;-)

 

But I might fit hazards to any Alpha's I do. Lol

[Boco_D1]

Hi,

I'm looking at a comparable product to Wiking / Tomytec

Price might dictate no seats for example, which would be a pain, but I'll aim as high as I can go with them within the price point.

Cheers

Dave

That's faller car system compatible out the window then?

[laurenceb]

A Mini in ether 00 or n that looks like Mini would be a first

[Mr chapman]

I think oxford have quite a few vehicles available for transition era modelling. I'd really like to see some 1930's vehicles produced. With the availability of 1930's locomotives and coaches it would be nice to have a few early cars to go with them. You wouldn't need many, a pack of five would cover the typical gwr branch line.

[SKELTON15]

Some inspirational images. 46 023 on a traditional mixed freight on Ashley Down bank in 1978 with carflats at the front conveying a mix of British Leyland's finest, including at least one Vanden Plas Allegro.

 

http://railphotoprints.zenfolio.com/p573218589/h9DF340D#h9df340d

http://railphotoprints.zenfolio.com/p573218589/h9DF340D#h74bc995

[grahame]

In general, since the initial frothing and apart from suggestions outside the initial proposed period (the sixties and seventies) it seems to have gone a little quiet. Is there any development or refinement of the thinking for what originally seemed a great idea - the production of some quality N Gauge models of bog standard saloon cars?

 

Is the project likely to come to fruition? I'm up for supporting it.

 

G.