Do you think we should see the old 1/32 cars again?

[Captain Triggers]

Tomy, but don't tell it the admin.

That box art idea has been around for a few years hasn't it.

[Lolah12]

Airfix yes but my understanding at least had nothing to do with 'air' in any context (even if inflatable products were produced) but merely because it would become listed first in directories. Bear in mind that when Airfix was founded they didn't even make kits: the two words apparently sounded good together, and that was that.

 

As to the 1/32 cars, lovely from a nostalgic point of view; I would perhaps buy some just for that alone (I know we are talking other cars here but I have in mind the Marina, Maxi and the Victor etc). Practically though who aside from a handful of modellers in and beyond their 50s, or an owner of said car, would ever buy one whatever the kit? 

 

Broadly speaking, they were inaccurate and with poor fit, and again something no mainstream company wants to leave potential modellers

transfers CDG  

with the impression of. I've said it before and will say it again, imagine a new or returning modeller buying what is actually an awful 50-60 year old kit, giving up and, throwing it out, thinks 'never again'. Also as I've said, manufacturers have to make money to survive and I'd hazard a guess that Airfix would not be able to survive on nostalgia alone.

 

If such kits were to be released then they should be retooled so they fit nicely, leaving a good impression in the modeller's mind.

 

 

 but from a manufacturing aspect I jolly well hope they don't.

Yes, I quite agree with you 

[Captain Triggers]

Very interesting to see what people think about this topic.

 

Case closed

 

Do not try to redo the old 1/32 cars- end of!

[Rogerbass]

Perhaps they could sell the old tooling to Dapol, they bought the old Highway Pioneers I bought some kits years ago from them

[leslie entwhistle]

no i dont think we should bring back the old 1/32nd cars i would much rather see airfix move into the 1/24th 1/25 th scale for cars i think they would sell well even in an over crowded market if done correctly ,just be selective in choice add details and price accordingly to a world market and im sure the airfix name will fly again 

[Jonno65]

 Yes - would be happy to see more of 1/32 and 1/24 range back. Love the Escort, DB5, MGB, E-tpye Jag, Triumph TR4  and Triumph Herald Kits etc - although they need a lot of fettling and kerfuffling to get them to a reasonable standard. But that's part of the challenge for me. I have the Maxi and Victor - but they are part of my keepers catalogue (heritage miniature museum if you will). I am not sure I would ever build them. I note a previous comment about Classic British Car range not selling well in 1991 - perhaps they would now - as there seems to be more of a growing nostalgia for the golden days / older kits (including Aircraft and Ships) - I would probably buy a few, warts and all! I understand though a lot of the moulds are lost / spoilt ? So kits like the Bond Bug fetch silly prices on a well known auction site!

[Sailorman]

I'ms still hoping to find a Ford Cortina to build ......been searching for years but the prices are ridiculous.

[cezary_swiecicki]

I personally would love to see them again, would bring back happy memories of rushing to Woolworth's with my pocket money to buy one.

I started making kits in the mid fifties, then you believed that the models would be around for ever.

I would buy a few of each, even if they came in a plain white box, seems to work for AMT?

😀

[dabhand]

I note that the 2017 catalogue indicated through abscence the 1/32 scale car range- including the recent additions.  This, along with the withdrawal of 'legacy' kits was a sensible decision.

I've bought and completed examples of the older kits (eg the Jaguar e-type) and the new (the Jaguar XJR).  The new kit was very nice and assembled well.  But the older kit featured poorly fitting parts and less than explicit instructions.

As a generally capable modeller, I put the work required by the e-type kit into its construction and was happy with the result, which was a product of its time (mid 1960s?) and a representation of the car rather than an accurate model.  I think that if a younger and/or inexperienced builder got one of these older kits, they would not have enjoyed attempting to build it and the experience may have detracted them from undertaking the hobby.

Airfix is re-establishing itself and whilst these 'legacy kits' may be attractive to, say, older builders who appreciate and aspire to the challenge of building them, they do nothing for the firm.  So their withdrawal is not unexpected, and appears a sound business decision.

However, there may be a market for well produced models of historically important British cars, like the old big Bentley kit, but to a smaller scale.  And as 1/24 seems the accepted scale for car kits, abandon the 1/32 scale preiously used.

Having said that, perhaps there's no market (and no need) for an Airfix car-kit reival anyway?

[ARfan]

A big YES from me. All the original Airfix 1/32 scale injection-molded plastic kits should be re-issued.

Maxi, Marina, Victor, Capri Mk1, Jaguar 420 etc. I believe there would be a strong market, not least because all the aforementioned vehicles are now classics.

You mentioned a limited market of a handful of modellers, in and beyond their 50s. Well I'm aged 30 and have  a great interest in cars of this era. In fact, I'm in the latter stages of assembling a 1/32 Airfix Austin Maxi kit, which I have found extremely rewarding. Sometime in the future, I also hope to build the Vauxhall Victor 2000 Estate and Morris Marina 1800 to display with the Maxi. Will try and upload some images soon.

[ARfan]

Forgot to mention just now; I would like to see the Montego and Maestro produced as 1/32 scale plastic kits. I know Austin Rover cars in general had a chequered history; particularly Montego and Maestro. Nevertheless, they now have official Classic status, an almost 'cult' following and lot of enthusiasts are now asking for scale replicas and/or kits.

[roy_fitzsimmonds]

Let's try to be realistic.

 

There's NO 'sensible' market for the old Airfix classics, so the chance of them being re-released is probably even less than winning the lottery.

 

Yes, people on forums like this want them, and say they's but several of each.

That would probably amount to at least 50 kits being sold.

 

I run a small garden railway model company and about a few years ago, someone on a forum mentioned a particular locomotive, they would love to see as a kit for GR use.There were LOADS of 'Oh, yes!' replies - 'I'll buy one - maybe two'...

 

Like a FOOL I spent an age designing a kit and producing it, deliberately making it INEXPENSIVE. (£40 for a full kit with motor, gearbox, chassis, wheels - even pre-coloured!) In the past 3 years I've sold three of them.

NEVER again.

 

Airfix is a BUSINESS.

 

Mind you - there IS a market for modern cars such as the new Jaguars, Astons etc- something BRITISH.

[Jonno65]

A big YES from me. All the original Airfix 1/32 scale injection-molded plastic kits should be re-issued.

Maxi, Marina, Victor, Capri Mk1, Jaguar 420 etc. I believe there would be a strong market, not least because all the aforementioned vehicles are now classics.

You mentioned a limited market of a handful of modellers, in and beyond their 50s. Well I'm aged 30 and have  a great interest in cars of this era. In fact, I'm in the latter stages of assembling a 1/32 Airfix Austin Maxi kit, which I have found extremely rewarding. Sometime in the future, I also hope to build the Vauxhall Victor 2000 Estate and Morris Marina 1800 to display with the Maxi. Will try and upload some images soon.

Look forward to seeing those AR Fan. Being in my 50's - I remember my dad had a Maxi once. Same colour as the on the box artwork - Austin Beige perhaps!. Was quite reliable and loads of room in the back - but I don't recall he kept it for that long.

[MG Writer]

Let's try to be realistic.

 

There's NO 'sensible' market for the old Airfix classics, so the chance of them being re-released is probably even less than winning the lottery.

 

Yes, people on forums like this want them, and say they's but several of each.

That would probably amount to at least 50 kits being sold.

 

I run a small garden railway model company and about a few years ago, someone on a forum mentioned a particular locomotive, they would love to see as a kit for GR use.There were LOADS of 'Oh, yes!' replies - 'I'll buy one - maybe two'...

 

Like a FOOL I spent an age designing a kit and producing it, deliberately making it INEXPENSIVE. (£40 for a full kit with motor, gearbox, chassis, wheels - even pre-coloured!) In the past 3 years I've sold three of them.

NEVER again.

 

Airfix is a BUSINESS.

 

Mind you - there IS a market for modern cars such as the new Jaguars, Astons etc- something BRITISH.

Probably one of the best comments on the forum; there speaks the voice of experienc! I would love to see kits of something like a Hillman Avenger, a Morris Oxford or an Austin Allegro on sale, but I have to agree that for a company the size of Airfix to tool up for them would sadly be bonkers. I think there is mileage in the "British cars" angle and I can see room for say the Aston Martin, Jaguar F Type, Range Rover Evoque, classic Land Rover Defender and so on.... add in a few classics like the XK120, C or D Type Jaguars, the Aston DB3/4/5, the MGA/MGB, Austin Healeys.... we can dream! What I would also like to see would be for Airfix to partner with someone who makes resin models (like the incredibly talented George Turner) to see if they can make a commercial way of doing lower volumes without the vast cost of steel tools and ABS plastic. 

[Captain Triggers]

Let's try to be realistic.

 

There's NO 'sensible' market for the old Airfix classics, so the chance of them being re-released is probably even less than winning the lottery.

 

Yes, people on forums like this want them, and say they's but several of each.

That would probably amount to at least 50 kits being sold.

 

I run a small garden railway model company and about a few years ago, someone on a forum mentioned a particular locomotive, they would love to see as a kit for GR use.There were LOADS of 'Oh, yes!' replies - 'I'll buy one - maybe two'...

 

Like a FOOL I spent an age designing a kit and producing it, deliberately making it INEXPENSIVE. (£40 for a full kit with motor, gearbox, chassis, wheels - even pre-coloured!) In the past 3 years I've sold three of them.

NEVER again.

 

Airfix is a BUSINESS.

 

Mind you - there IS a market for modern cars such as the new Jaguars, Astons etc- something BRITISH.

Probably one of the best comments on the forum; there speaks the voice of experienc! I would love to see kits of something like a Hillman Avenger, a Morris Oxford or an Austin Allegro on sale, but I have to agree that for a company the size of Airfix to tool up for them would sadly be bonkers. I think there is mileage in the "British cars" angle and I can see room for say the Aston Martin, Jaguar F Type, Range Rover Evoque, classic Land Rover Defender and so on.... add in a few classics like the XK120, C or D Type Jaguars, the Aston DB3/4/5, the MGA/MGB, Austin Healeys.... we can dream! What I would also like to see would be for Airfix to partner with someone who makes resin models (like the incredibly talented George Turner) to see if they can make a commercial way of doing lower volumes without the vast cost of steel tools and ABS plastic. 

You forgot about two cars: the new tvr and the jaguar f type r edition (v8 if you please) as they are two amazing looking and performing cars. They could be good sellers but the evoque, please no esp the convertible- yuk!.But defender- yes 90-110-127-130- get in there!

[Ratch]

but I have to agree that for a company the size of Airfix to tool up for them would sadly be bonkers.

I wonder whether folks read the content

[Kenneth ONeill]

Well, I'm presently building an Airfix LandRover (early series 2, 89" wheelbase, tilt top).

[paul-muc]

Well, the title of this thread is "Do you think we should see the old 1/32 cars again?" which is about re-issueing old kits, nothing about new tools. I'm finishing an old Porsche 917 (03409-2), which is a nice kit and it was a pleasure to build it.

[Kenneth ONeill]

Well, the title of this thread is "Do you think we should see the old 1/32 cars again?" which is about re-issueing old kits, nothing about new tools. I'm finishing an old Porsche 917 (03409-2), which is a nice kit and it was a pleasure to build it.

Agreed; the last one of those I built even got accurised a bit to the Le Mans (film) spec, since that doesn't take much more than removing the rear wing end plates except the bits that actually contact the sides of the engine cover tunnel.

[Ratch]

 I bought an MGB and a Triumph in Type 11 boxes on Sunday

[Captain Triggers]

Hey sent an email about it a few days ago and got a reply saying they can't say about any projects so it makes me wonder...

Now you've somthing to talk about.

[Ratch]

 Airfix never talk about what they may or may not do. Its part of the Toy Trade culture: don't give the opposition any clue because they might beat you to the deal.

[paul-muc]

Two weeks ago a Renault Dauphine in a poly bag was sold for 35 euros, this evening a Ford Capri found a new owner for 75 euros (1 euro =0,89 pounds)!

Who are these people who spend so much money for a simple kit? Are they kit collectors or do they really want to build this model?

[peebeep]

Two weeks ago a Renault Dauphine in a poly bag was sold for 35 euros, this evening a Ford Capri found a new owner for 75 euros (1 euro =0,89 pounds)!

Who are these people who spend so much money for a simple kit? Are they kit collectors or do they really want to build this model?

Collectors in all probability. In my experience most builders are very price conscious (tight if you prefer and I include myself), although that doesn't mean to say they might not push the boat out for something they'd really like to build.

[Kenneth ONeill]

Two weeks ago a Renault Dauphine in a poly bag was sold for 35 euros, this evening a Ford Capri found a new owner for 75 euros (1 euro =0,89 pounds)!

Who are these people who spend so much money for a simple kit? Are they kit collectors or do they really want to build this model?

Collectors in all probability. In my experience most builders are very price conscious (tight if you prefer and I include myself), although that doesn't mean to say they might not push the boat out for something they'd really like to build.

Agreed; the referenced Landie is 1/7something scale (89" SWB is 32.something mm in both 1/72 and 1/76 scale, and yes I did measure it) from the old Bristol Bloodhound kit which I bought for £13 including postage.