Lemke Vehicles Now Available from Model Train Stuff

[cfritschle]

Most of the line of Lemke N scale vehicle models are now available at Model Train Stuff.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-Vehicles-s/1447.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1447&show=30&page=1&brand=Lemke

Carter

[tehachapifan]

I saw that. Are these 1/160 or closer to 1/150?

[peteski]

I saw that. Are these 1/160 or closer to 1/150?

Those Lemke models are true 1:160 scale vehicles. Most of Japanese-made models (for Japanese market) are 1:150, and British-made (Oxford Diecast) models are I believe 1:148 scale.

Looks like the most American-lookign models (the 2 VW buses) are already gone. Most of the German prototypes are still in stock. Not surprising.

[Mark5]

As of last night they had the VW 1600 Squareback, Fastback, and Notchback (Type 3, 1961-1973), VW Bus (1967-1979) and VW Vanagan (T3).

IIRC the Notchback was not sold in the USA.

[C855B]

... IIRC the Notchback was not sold in the USA.

There were a few on the roads in Southern California, so it wouldn't be a stretch. I don't know if they were officially imported or were personal imports resulting from VW's "European Tourer" program, which ended in the early '70s. This was where you could reserve/buy a VW to have wheels for a European vacation and VW would then bring it into the States for you. We had a Deluxe (T1 Bus) brought in this way, and a neighbor did the same with a Karmann Ghia.

[ljudice]

Makes me think of a layout scene like "Hans' Foreign Car Service"

[cfritschle]

As of last night they had the VW 1600 Squareback, Fastback, and Notchback (Type 3, 1961-1973), VW Bus (1967-1979) and VW Vanagan (T3).

IIRC the Notchback was not sold in the USA.

Many of the VW Type 3 notchbacks did make it into the US as "gray market" cars.  The taillights on the prototype VW Type 3 were changed between the 1969 and 1970 model years.  The Lemke models are appropriate for the VWs marketed for the 1960s model years.  The official US imports would be the fastback and squareback for the 1966-1969 model years.

The Lemke T3 Vanagon is appropriate for US imports for the 1980-85 model years in the US.  I have been told that Lemke plans to make the Vanagon with the rectangular headlights, which would be correct for the 1986-91 model years in the US.

Carter

Edit:  I should add that the Mercedes L Series trucks were also marketed in the US, both before and after Daimler-Benz acquired Freightliner.  The link below shows one in New York in 2009.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/southerncalifornian/3488191902/in/photolist-6jeTVG-qtmUBY-boiA6u-MjAY4-dpQ3a4-5eB4Et-8SK2z7-6uv2Fp-9PdwSy-jTGo43-evy5TL-8367w1-ewyENK-8Msa7Q-81JCL1-5jR7Xm-8369Jd-8Mp6bc-ew47av-ev6pfC-81FtLe-8P4L-ew477Z-8Mscfj-fgNkRK-fvywZu-ewZQx5-8Mp4Z8-5xAJH-81JA6w-ewZQP3-8sw2aH-8Mp4ja-evDfXq-evRDGj-ewGyjR-ev5XqU-ex7vE4-2Y4eWU-j6uFp7-evRDBd-6qqXi7-fej7y5-8dPPaQ-k78kL5-2Rs2mg-djg9Y-qLkBPt-LBNQo-hwmkZN

 

[Mark5]

The Lemke T3 Vanagon is appropriate for US imports for the 1980-85 model years in the US.  I have been told that Lemke plans to make the Vanagon with the rectangular headlights, which would be correct for the 1986-91 model years in the US.

Note that some of the Lemke Vanagans represent watercooled, some aircooled. VW went water cooled on these in 1983+.


The VW Squareback and Fastback were sold in the USA through the 1973 model year. But as Carter says 66-69 match. (will have to lose the euro tags on mine!)

[C855B]

... The Lemke models are appropriate for the VWs marketed for the 1960s model years.  The official US imports would be the fastback and squareback for the 1966-1969 model years. ...

Every picture of the Lemke Type 3 models I can find seem to portray the post-1969 versions. Front turn signals and rear lights were much larger than <1970; the wrap-around front turn signals are definitely 1970-on. Another giveaway is amber on top of the rear light clusters. Type 1 (Beetle) also suffered the same large-taillight fate in 1970 and just didn't look right. Is Lemke planning on a Type 1 somewhere along the line? Correct me if otherwise, but I'm under the impression that the available Type 1 models are not 1:160.

VWs were a hobby from '70-'82. Had the fastest Type 1 in town - big carb and big "jugs" (1900cc). Rebuilt three-and-a-half engines... walked away from helping father-in-law royally screw-up a Type 3 pancake. Putz.

[Mark5]

Is Lemke planning on a Type 1 somewhere along the line? Correct me if otherwise, but I'm under the impression that the available Type 1 models are not 1:160.

There have been many Type 1 models in N scale (1:160).

The only non-N Scale one I can think of is the Oxford, which is 1:148.

[C855B]

Thanks. I knew there were several produced, but for some reason thought they were all or mostly for non-US markets, at 1:148 or 1:150.

EDIT: Ah... found the Wiking version.

[peteski]

Yes, Wiking makes a model of the older VW Type 1.  There was also a hand-painted diecast version, but it was rather pricey. I think that one had a small oval rear window or even a split rear window.  I have it somewhere in my stash (I bought it back in the early '90s).

Weren't the large taillights on the later models T1s called "elephant feet"?

[cfritschle]

Yes, Wiking makes a model of the older VW Type 1.  There was also a hand-painted diecast version, but it was rather pricey. I think that one had a small oval rear window or even a split rear window.  I have it somewhere in my stash (I bought it back in the early '90s).

Peter,

Both Marks (metal) and IMU (plastic and metal) had/have Type 1 VWs. 

http://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1940-1949.php

http://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1950-1959.php

Every picture of the Lemke Type 3 models I can find seem to portray the post-1969 versions. Front turn signals and rear lights were much larger than <1970; the wrap-around front turn signals are definitely 1970-on.

Mike,

As for the pre or post 1970 version of the Lemke Type 3, I relied on Lemke's description of the models, which said they were the Type 3 VWs produced during the 1960s.

However, a side by side comparison of the Lemke Squareback with the Wiking Squareback reveals they have the same size taillights.  I will update the N Scale Vehicle Association handout to indicate the Lemke models represent the 1970-73 VW Type 3.  Thank you for pointing this out!

Carter   

Edit:  The Lemke artwork from 2013 for the Type 3 models definitely shows a smaller taillight than what the production models have!

[peteski]

That website is a great resource Carter - I forget about it. Thanks for the links.

[cfritschle]

That website is a great resource Carter - I forget about it. Thanks for the links.

Peter,

Thank you, but I have not had the time to update it recently.  Maybe when I retire.   

Carter