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Editorial June 2002
Quo Vadis, HO ?
Rietze Automodelle has decided to put the announced model of the 2002 Opel Vectra on ice because of licensing fees. It appears that Opel / GM has sold the rights to manufacture scale models to a US-based company. Since Rietze Automodelle wanted to make the Opel models for their own account (without industrial order) the license fees required were not justifiable because they would make the models considerably more expensive.
Personally, I feel that the decision to sell the rights to a US-based marketing company isn't a wise one, 1/87 isn't a very large market in the US and if Rietze doesn't reach an agreement with the license holder we will not only never see the Vectra in 1/87 but we may never see another Opel model in 1/87 again.
Selling manufacturing rights seems to become more and more common and that worries me. I think high quality scale models are an asset, not only because collectors and modellers buy them, but also because they are a marketing tool. Maybe Opel should have had a look in the showroom of the nearest Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi dealer first before they decided to sell the rights.....
Eric Kersbergen / editor
Rietze
managed to sort out their licensing fee difficulties with GM and has announced
that the Vectra will be made in 2003.
Editorial August 2002
Bravo Nissan !
Unlike Opel, Nissan seems to know how to gain popularity. Widely unnoticed by
the collectors and the press Nissan has released three 1/87 scale miniatures of
their Almera Tino, Primera and Patrol. No toys, but accurately realized
collectors items.
Of course, as they have issued the models on their own, they are made in China
and obviously that goes along with compromises regarding the quality. While the
proportions are generally well caught, the details would still need some work.
The interiors are crude and the wheels do in fact look cheap.
But should we blame Nissan for the evident shortcomings? I don't think so,
because they have put a reasonable effort into things which are often not even
considered by other manufacturers. It's Nissan's right to keep the costs low,
and it's our decision to get one of these, find new wheels and let them know
that we appreciate what they are doing!
Christian Grottendieck / editor
have a look: Nissan
models.
Editorial September 2002
A sensitive issue…
"Any kind of processing – especially the production and sale of
copies, imitated castings as well as conversions […] is prohibited and will be
prosecuted in the case of contravention." This one and similar texts
can be found in the catalogues of the big manufacturers, and it is of course a
good thing to set a legal frame. However, one should examine the reality a bit
closer.
Actually, most small series producers rely heavily on kitbashing, i. e. they
take existing models, modify them more or less extensively and make castings. At
least half the Focus range was created this way. From the nine Citroen XM models
that have been done in 87th scale, only one was an original.
Is that a bad thing? – Not at all!
We definitely need copies. Otherwise our hobby would be dull, limited to
injection moulded miniatures. Of course, we don’t need
Christian Grottendieck / editor
Editorial November 2002
Just some thoughts....
Let me start by stating the obvious, and I am not trying to spoil your fun here, but collecting every 87th scale model that was ever made is nearly impossible. Even if money isn't an issue, 87th scale models have been around for more then 50 years now and the number of models available is huge and still growing daily. Most collectors will therefor already have decided to limit themselves, and for instance collect only models made by one manufacturer or maybe collect by a theme. (like collecting models of policecars only for instance).
Ofcourse, even when you have limited yourself to a theme, you can build up a huge collection by going to the nearest shop and buy every model you see there, but is that really what collecting is about ? Isn't collecting about swapping models ? About visiting (trade-)shows ? About meeting with and talking to other 87th scale afficionados ?
So get away from those showcases at home, don't stop at that shop this time but visit a show or swapmeet ! There is so much more to enjoy !
Eric Kersbergen / editor
Collecting by
theme is an option... have a look at the 'special'
!