O Scale Motor Chronicle

Thanks.  I agree this is a wonderful idea to make this a recurring thread, etc.  

I'll add this to get this thread moving.  I recently posted work on my "next gen" superstreets tractor trailers.  Someone asked about "What is gen 2?" that you are trying to improve on.    Here is one.  The tractor is a standard SS "school bus" shortened but otherwise unmodified, and with a trailing, pivoting third axle that just rides beneath the trailer to give the impression of two axles back there.  The trailer has a two-axle (truck) that pivots for tight turns (it will go around a standard SS 16" curve.  All wheels pick up power including those in the trailer which also has a center pickup (small wires to tractor).  As a result it runs smoother than stock SS vehicles (better electrical pickup) but has marginal power and traction for its weight and does not like to run really slow, smoothly.  This is 1:48 BTW, not 1:43

Hopefully, this thread will not turn into a debate on the shortcomings of 1:43 models. I've gotten tired of statements like, "1:43 cars make my trains look small". Like the York topic, I hope people who want to bash stuff will just stay away.

That being said, thanks to this "O" train hobby, 1:43 cars are now another hobby. I have about 300, ranging in price from $6. to $275. each (average about $35.). I mainly collect cars ranging from 1946 to 1959. I was a "car nut" growing up in the '50s.

I have a number of 1:43 car model reference books to help answer questions you may have.

The good citizens of my town sorely needed some garbage collection. I had been searching for a good 50's - 60's garbage truck, but nothing could be found. While perusing Toys R Us one evening with my little guy, I spotted a Kenworth Trash Truck. The cab & chassis were somewhat too large it seemed. I remembered i had an Athearn Ford C stake bed truck that was sitting in my 'to be used' box. I imagined placing the trash body on the Ford C chassis. Picked up the Kenworth truck began the transformation. Worked out pretty good. I think I may need to add another set of axels underneath to make the truck a little more believable.

I'm home from work and got some more photos to add.  1:43 cars are habit forming- originally I bought them for and because of the layout but I ended up collecting cars of the 1950s, the better ones placed on my layout, and I have bought way to many sports cars of any era (the '50s ones go on the layout, too - except I have too many).  Here is my collection of sports cars, sans the eight TR3, Healeys, Jags and Porsches on the layout.  As you can see I have a thing for Ferrari.

I have converted gobs of 1950s diecast 1:43 to Superstreets, and the two Corgi buses (shortened) shown below.  The two convertibles are my favorites.  Two of these of some others ('55 300C, etc.) are always running on my layout whenever I'm running anything.  

Below: I only wish . . . to me the holy grail of Superstreets conversion would be getting these three puppies to run on it.  I can't figure out how to power them, etc., they are too small to shorten/cut down any "Streets chassic to fit inside them.  The car on the right is a'52 166 coupe and would be period correct for my early '50s layout. The '66 275 GTB in the middle I'd make an exception for because I think it is the most romantic fantastic sports car ever made.  The '09 F430 on the right might be able to just fit a 'streets chassis inside if I cut it down a lot s: the only model Ferrari I have that might work out.

Joe
I also grew up in the ‘50s and a certified car nut and I have a collection of more than 600 models. Price range is from $4 to $250. An O gauge layout is an excellent to display many of them. 1/43 scale is about 10% too large and 1/50 scale is about 4% too small. It would be nice if 1/48 models were the dominant scale but 1/43 (British O scale) is the preferred scale for collectors. Considering the quality and verity available in 1/43, It’s something most of us are willing to live with. After all O gauge track scales out to 5ft. That’s also about 10% too large.

As I have said on other threads, I prefer the 1:43 scale for cars. They look a little better around scale locos and such - not realistic I know but the locos as sooooo big that the cars stand out a bit more when larger than life and I like that. If I ran a lot of traditional size locos I might think differently.  As to trucks, for the really big 18-wheelers and military stuff I like the 1:50 - at 1:43 they just get tooooo big.  

How many Studebakers do you have (1:43)? - I see you have what looks like a nice 1:1 model! 

Richard, Since I lived in Northern NJ, and NYC was only a 45 minute train ride away, I was able to attend the GM Motorama in 1955 and 56. It was like going to heaven for me at age 13 and 14.

Lee:
 I have 22 1/43 Studebakers My model car collection isn’t limited to 1/43 only. I have a 1/24 collection as well. Although it’s not as large, it contains 6 Studebakers. My Automobile interests are eclectic. I especially favor cars from the 1950s and I find Studebakers particularly interesting. Over the years I owned 5 real Studebakers along with a few other interesting cars.

Joe:
The 1955 Motorama, I’m envious, but I did get to go through the GM Aerotrain back in the ‘50s
My 1952 Commander V8

1952 Was Studebaker’s 100th year in business

Jim M - nice headlights!  I love old VWs too.  Many fond memories,

Richard E - very nice car!  Wow.  Our neighbor had one in '54.  I rode in it several times. 

A Ford pick up I weathered, and added a driver and load.

That's nice weqathering, particularly the just traces of rust around the wheel wells and on the bumper

Ross:
I like your weathered truck. I have a few weathered vehicles on my layout, but I do not have any good pictures at this time, I’ll post some in the future. That modified Plasticville gas station in the background is interesting.

I've weathered a few old trucks, too.  It's a lot of fun and nothing has as much eye appeal as an old truck showing its many years of hard service.  Plus, if you think about it, a working truck, even fairly new, is going to be dirty.  It's alot of fun . . .

Richard,

The Plasticville gas station was a fun project. I originally included a  half round section of plastic pipe between the upright disks to fill the space, but didn't like it so eliminated it.  The island is masonite, with Berkshire Valley pumps. The lights (non working in this case) are brass square tubes on the bottom, then brass tube on top. The light shades are spouts from a contact lens solution container.

Ross
There is a former Citgo Station in the southwest Rochester that is very similar to the Plasticville gas station. That’s a future project I’ve been contemplating for a wile now. I’ll probably back date it to a Cities Service

This is a Calso station I kitbashed from an Ameri-town flagstop depot.

Since I have a number of 1:43 reference books, I can, from time to time, give some info about some of the makers.

Collectors' Classics by Buby:

These were made in Argentina in the 1980s. These models were die-cast but hand assembled, with each model having a tag hand-signed with the assembler's first name.The models have authentic color combinations, and were priced in the mid $30.s (about the same as current eBay prices). About 20,000 of each model was made.

Cars produced were a "55 Chevy, '56 DeSoto, '53 Ford, '54 Mercury, '56 Packard, '46 Continental, and '64 Avanti. Most of these came as a hardtop, top-down, top-up, and Indy pace car. Except for the pace cars, each body style came in a number of color combos (usually about 4 of each). Buby stopped production because the labor was too costly to make a reasonably priced model. The Mercury, DeSoto, and Ford are the most sought after, the Chevy the least (mainly because it is too wide, and other/better inexpensive models are available). I have over 30 of these models, but no top-downs or pace cars. There are usually a good selection available on eBay (search "collectors classics"), so you can hold out to get prices in the $30.-$40. range, or less.

That's a nice cab for sure . . .  Who made it?

Rextoys.

Thanks . . .

Here's another:

Franklin Mint

FM, started near Phila.,PA in 1964, began with the making of commemorative coins. They later offered "collectables" such as Rockwell plates, dolls, and other items. After Warner Communications bought FM in 1983, die-cast vehicles, namely cars, cycles, trucks, and tractors were added to the line.

The 1:43 cars started out as a set of 12 models of 1950s autos. These were sent to subscribers every month at the cost of about $62. each. This set was made up of a '58 Edsel convert., '53 Packard convert., '51 Mercury sedan, '53 Buick Skylark, '56 T-Bird, '50 Chrysler T&C, '53 Studebaker Starliner, '57 Corvette, '50 Ford wagon, '56 Continental, '59 Cadillac convert., and a '55 Chevy convert. A wall display unit was offered for the group. These 12 models vary in quality because they were made by more than one outside supplier. None of these 12 are at the top of most collectors' "wish list", with the '55 Chevy considered the worse of the batch (I do, however, own most of these).

At a later date, additional 1:43 cars of the '50s were produced. They are, for the most part, a higher quality than the first group. They are a '56 Chevy wagon, '57 Chevy convert. as well as a HT, '54 Corvette, '58 Corvette, '52 DeSoto sedan, '55 Ford Crown Victoria, '59 Ford retractable HT, '51 Hudson coupe, '50 Nash Rambler, '56 Olds convert., '55 Packard Caribbean, '57 Plymouth Fury, and a'58 T-Bird. The cars from this group tend to sell for higher prices on eBay because of better quality and less cars in circulation (I have at least one each of these). The "prize" of this group is the '59 Ford, whose hardtop actually can be retracted into the rear deck.

FM also made cars from other decades (7 earlier and 14 from the '60s).

FM models are distinct in that they have doors and hoods that open. The plus is that they can be put into "action" situations with figures on your layout (like someone checking the oil). The negative is that most models show noticeable lines around the doors and hood (called "shut lines") which many collectors don't like.

FM no longer makes 1:43 models, and to my knowledge, now offers only 1:24 cars.

Joe:
Thanks for the historical information. I have some of the later offering and they are very nice. You’re correct about the shut lines, they are a distraction.

does any one know if some one makes a diamond T truck 1/43 scale?  

I believe Ertl made some 1/43 trucks (cab and frame only) back in the late 90s. Unfortunately my collection has been in storage for the past 6 years. I'll try to find my records.

Traindork;
Ertl made a 1948 Diamond T semi tractor in 1/48 and Corgi made a mid 50s Diamond T with a verity of bodies.

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Cocoloco:
Ertl made a 1948 Diamond, a 37 Ford, a 50 Chevy COE a 47 International and a 60 Chevy  They were offered as semi tractors and some were offered with a verity of bodies and trailers.

Thanks Richard, I think I have all but the '37. I didn't rember they are 1/48, that's great.

Attention: member "Richard E"

please contact member "sawdust43" off the forum...my email address is on my profile page...thanks...

Howard L

http://www.amazon.com/Corgi-Heavy-Haulers-DIAMOND-CHICAGO/dp/B005480TMC/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1358512438&sr=1-2&keywords=1%3A50+truck+diamond

I swear I saw another one, a tractor trailer, on there last Wednesday but I just used the serach feature (1:50 truck Diamond) rather than went through all pages of 1:50 truck

I have a Ertl ad dated 1988. It shows they offered these cabs: 1947 International, 1950 Chevy, and a 1960 Chevy. They do not specify scale, but I have 3 of the '47s, and use them with automobile transporters for 1:43 cars.

Joe:
I misspoke in a previous post, the Ertl trucks are indeed 1/43 scale. Ertl offered all but the ’37 Ford semi tractors as a separate sale retail item Also few were offered with bodies for the retail market. The rest were custom decorated for promotionals or premiums. Most are commonly available on the secondary market.

Rextoys made some excellent models Here are some examples from left to right 1940 Packard Super 8 sedans,  a1935 Chrysler Airflow sedans, a1940 Packard Super 8 sedan a1935 Ford Coupe, a1938 Cadillac Model 90 V16 Coupe DeVille (Town Car). They also made sedans, station wagons, and sedan deliveries in the Fords. And a Cadillac formal sedan, coupes and convertible sedan. They have been out of production for a wile but occasionally Die Cast Direct will offer them and they can usually be found on e-bay.

That scene is very nice.  I like it a lot. Since you mention them, I have an Airflow on my layout.  I like the Packard alot.  I have only a few cars from this era on my layout because it is the early '50s, and by then only about 10% or so of cars would be from this earlier, pre-War era.  Cars were very good looking then, though.

Lee:
After WWII most prewar cars that survived the wartime metal drives were pretty tired. But I remember they were not uncommon. The US Mail was using Model AA Fords until the early 50s
During WWII my dad gave up his car. The first car he owned after the war was a 1938 Buick. Our next door neighbor had a car just like his. He drove that Buick for about a year until he purchased a new Oldsmobile.

Lee you need an old TR3 for your superstreet roadway!

Well, I have two 1:43 diecast TR3s on the layout and love them.  They are each part of my two favorite vignettes on the layout (left side, below).

I would love to modify one so that it runs on "Streets, but there is both a difficult problem and an apparently insurmountable problem to solve first.

• Difficult - I have been unable to get a motor, gears, and flanges wheels inside anything even approaching the size of a TR-3.  I can't even get them in a '55 T-bird.
• Insurmountable - look at the photo on the right side below - the TR3s right side tires are right on the rail, where they would be if a flange just to the inside were on the inside of that rail.  Note the car isn't even as wide as width between the rails!

Lee, I have a TR3 as well. It's green with a brown canvas top and was made by Llado. I love the luggage rack in back.

BROOKLIN

The first home of Brooklin models was the Canadian village of Brooklin, Ontario...hence, the name. The company was started in 1974 by John Hall, a former engineer and college teacher. In 1979, John and his wife moved the company back to their native England. In 1998, a group of Brooklin employees bought the company, and it continues as the largest manufacturer of handbuilt white metal models in the world.

In some of the early models, proportions and details were somewhat lacking. Later, models had more detail and were very well proportioned. They represent a good value among the handbuilt catagory (which generally runs from $125. to $275.+).

Over 200 different cars, trucks, trailers, and sevice vehicles (ambulances, etc.) have been produced. A new one comes out about once a month. Usual production is a run of 1,000.

Many of the Brooklin cars have not been done by anyone else. Most notable, IMO, are the wide range of station wagons (14 American models from the '40s and '50s). They also make a large number of "everyday drivers" (such as a mid-price Dodge sedan) as opposed to "wish list" cars like the '53 Eldorado.

Some, like myself, find the lack of silver (chrome) trim around the windows on most Brooklin models a negative, especially considering the $125. price. I have paid someone to detail 4 of my 8 Brooklin models. Brooklin has a large number of devoted followers, and active collector clubs are located in the US and UK. The prices on the secondary market tend not to increase over the retail price, most likely because of the relatively high production runs (1,000 vs 50 or 100 of some of the other handbuilts).

This arrived today.  I ordered it a week or so ago during my weekly sweep through all Amazon's 1:43 '50s offerings.  This is one very sweet model car.  American Excellence, although it says "Neo Scale Models" on the bottom of the chassis.  I really like this brand.  Very detailed, very fine paint and emblems.  I have tried, with difficultly, to get some pictures of the interior, it too is detailed!  I have several of this brand and although mid pricey (about half Brooklin), they are the best looking models in 1:43 I have.

Lee, I totally agree that the NEO American Excellence line is a better model than most costing twice the price. I have 6 so far, the latest being a real jewel, the '41 Packard wagon. I bought it from a Hong Kong seller on eBay because this one will sell out fast.

Up until a short while ago, NEO only produced European cars. I bought 2 Mercedes from them a few years ago, and wished they made American cars. Lucky that my cut-off date for car models is 1959 or I'd be going broke buying their '60s and '70s models (hardly anyone else makes these years in 1:43).