Classic Metal Works vehicles - here is your chance to make a difference

[C855B]

I wish they had more modern vehicles.

Doing a pike set in 1970, I can justify a few vehicles of the vintage they specialize in but not many.

I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating - the problem is brand image licensing. I'm sure CMW would like to produce more modern cars. There is a magic cutoff in the mid-'50s, and models of vehicles produced after that time require a license agreement, with a significant up-front cost in addition to per-unit fees.

Ford must be reasonable, as illustrated by Atlas' production of models. GM's and Chrysler's fees (I'm extrapolating here) or approval process must be outrageous, or simply not reasonable enough to be absorbed by the somewhat limited demand of N models. HO must be on the borderline, with enough volume to offset licensing for renditions of popular or common models. CMW's HO '78 Impala is a case in point, with no N equivalent because it probably has to be separately licensed.

[Nato]

            I have to agree their decorating quality has been going down. As a result of their last survey they are however,going back to selling vehicles in two colors in packs like the olden days of yore. I put in a huge plug for Grayhound buses (it will fall on deaf ears). Also where are those  1930's cars offered in their HO line. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[kelticsylk]

Wow! The '53 ford looks like it was painted by a 9 year old who then picked it up before the paint dried.

Some of the ones I own look good, but they are a few years older and purchased on clearance. I also have some of those 1:144 scale cars that disappeared off the market years ago. Nice replicas, but out of scale. Wish that company had made 1:160. Some of the big manufacturers have finally realized that hardly anybody models in 1:64 anymore and have released 1:87 versions. Would be nice if they went to N scale too.

I myself model the transition era but to me it seems there is still a dearth of choices. Not everyone purchased a Dodge Meadowbrook in 1950 and White wasn't the only COE truck available. Should be more GM, Studebakers, Nash/Rambler, and Kaiser products. Oh yeah, something earlier than the '54 International would also be appreciated.

On my way to take the survey and tell them their quality has dropped.

FWIW
Frank Musick

[kelticsylk]

           I have to agree their decorating quality has been going down. As a result of their last survey they are however,going back to selling vehicles in two colors in packs like the olden days of yore. I put in a huge plug for Grayhound buses (it will fall on deaf ears). Also where are those  1930's cars offered in their HO line. Nate Goodman (Nato).

Oh hell, I forgot about the busses!

Frank

[Loren Perry]

One thing CMW should do to improve the look of their vehicles is to discontinue the use of glossy paints and use only satin or flat paints. This reduces glare which tends to highlight imperfections. I also noticed a lack of uniformity in casting of the Country Squire wagons. I bought two of every color they make and when I lined them up for inspection, I saw that some had rear windows that were slightly distorted and slightly slanted while most of the rest were pretty good. Their plastic bodies had apparently been handled too soon after casting while they were still soft. Not bad enough for me to scrap them, but I positioned them on the layout so as to not show those angles. I also bought a huge quantity of Dodge Meadowbrooks because their generic shape made them useful everywhere. I believe these cars were the best automobiles CMW has made to date. And their Ford tank trucks are outstanding.

I'm still supporting their efforts - they do seem to be listening and responding to our comments and I like that a lot.

Product images are either HO models and/or heavily shopped. Their earlier models were nicely made; lately, however, the fit and finish is really deteriorating. On some of the automobiles, the wheels are misshapen and recessed into the car so far it sits on its chassis (perfect for lowriders). By contrast, some of the trucks appear to be riding on stilts--all they need are fat tires and they become monster trucks. Here is a comparison between the official product image and reality:





I would not even use this as a background model.

[DKS]

I truly wish they'd apply all of their R&D to plastic--I think the outcome could be stellar.

That Ford station wagon shown is in fact a plastic body.

So much for that idea...

[up1950s]

Feather River Trains now has them on his site .

[sirenwerks]

I agree about the quality.  I'm preparing to strip them and repaint them and see how I fair that way.  CMW is one of a handful of manufacturers trying and while I won't buy a product I don't want simply to support a manufacturer, they offer something to start with.  Willmodels (or whatever it's called) offers a good product, though they're solid cast.  He offered to cast in clear plastic but seems to have backed away from that last time I inquired.  There's also Sylvan, kinda.  My dilemma with the painted windshield thing has gone from keeping away from it to thinking I'll roll with it but see myself painting the windshields of CMW products to keep continuity.  CMW's trucks are nice, there's just no variety.

[peteski]

I see lots of griping here and while I agree that the quality is not as good as what I would like to see in currently produced vehicles, they are IMO better than nothing.  But if you guys don't take the survey then CMW will not consider your requests (for modern vehicles for example). You can also mention in the comments sections of the survey that you are unhappy with the overall quality.

Going back to quality, you can have it from manufacturers such as Athearn (their Mack trucks) or many modern Wiking or Busch vehicles. But then you are paying $10-$18 per vehicle!  That is doable if you only need few for a small diorama but the cost would be insane when you need dozens of them for your layout!  For me CMW vehicles have their place on a layout t(just not right at the front).

That the survey! 

[kelticsylk]

My dilemma with the painted windshield thing has gone from keeping away from it to thinking I'll roll with it but see myself painting the windshields of CMW products to keep continuity.

Just a thought I've been toying with for vehicles when I get that far on my layout. I'm not crazy about the windows painted silver and or gray or whatever. It occurred to me to use small photos or decals that look like car interiors instead. Don't know if it's possible to get pictures like that...The other thought I had is something we developed for cars and trucks we made for Microsoft Train Sim...

The truck is a virtual model of a White WH-4 built during the '40s. The windows are part of a texture made to "skin" the model...

All I did was create a gradient effect in Paint Shop Pro. The colors of the gradient can be changed to whatever you want, even grayscale. I'm thinking it would look better than paint.

FWIW
Frank Musick

[DKS]

Just a thought I've been toying with for vehicles when I get that far on my layout. I'm not crazy about the windows painted silver and or gray or whatever. It occurred to me to use small photos or decals that look like car interiors instead. Don't know if it's possible to get pictures like that...

Doug Nelson did this to great effect for his PRR Middle Division--check out images 3, 4 and 6 here. The catch is that it only works from certain angles, but it works brilliantly.

[GimpLizard]

I'd like to see someone make vehicle kits in the same manner as the Wiking/Busch/Kato cars & trucks. Simply a body shell, chassis w/cast-on wheels, & clear block windows. Like the Wiking Chevelle. Or the Busch 50's era Buick. (Though Busch does have seperate, rolling wheels. But do we really need that?) These look quite good once they're painted & detailed a bit.

If the kits were left "undecorated", I would think this could be done rather inexpensively. Mold the bodies/chassis out of a neutral gray. Like undercarated loco shells. And leave the rest to us. Trouble is, most manufacturers are geared more towards the RTR crowd. So I'm not holding my breath.

Oh, and one quick, final note. I'd also suggest doing the windows in a very light blue/green tint. I don't think auto manufacturers have used truly clear glass in decades. (Does anyone know for sure when tinting became common?)

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Solar tint was on 90% of all vehicles be the early 80's. It has more to do with a change in the plastic laminents than a "feature". I think the tint was to combat UV degradation of the laminent itself, along with headrests and dashboard material.

I think it may be required with anything equiped with an airbag.

[DKS]

It has more to do with a change in the plastic laminents than a "feature". I think the tint was to combat UV degradation of the laminent itself, along with headrests and dashboard material.

I vividly recall watching 60s-vintage padded dashboards split apart, turn inside out, fade to brown, then disintegrate. Funny how they turned damage control into a feature.

[Packer]

Maybe they'll make something I could use if I take the survey. LOL

I'm wondering if the picture that CMW has on their site is of the HO model.

I think it may be required with anything equiped with an airbag.

I don't think so. Reason being when I bought my all-original* 1994 Mustang GT**, it didn't have tint. It is possible it was removed, but I doubt that being a car that was bought new in Georgia (carfaxed) and being in the south it's whole life.
* it even had the original clutch at 213K miles
** 1990 was the first year of airbags in the Mustang.