Chevrolet's "Sleeper Wagon"... [PIC]

@kevins I do not ever remember paying more than $120 for DM or FM 1/24 scale model.  And with M2 still making 1/24 models with operating features, maybe not to the scale of DM/FM, I feel that one of these companies could step up and make what we really want at a reasonable cost, especially if you are making a few thousand of them.  It is hard to believe that 1/43 and 1/18 scale models are still being produced with more new models everyday.  Why is it that 1/24 does not get the same consideration.  There are plenty of 1/24-1/25 plastic models being made everyday and people are buying them up.  I walk into a Hobby Lobby and go to their model section and a lot of times they are missing many models waiting for a shipment to come in.  I wish there was a company that we can lobby to make 1/24 more accessible.

Whatever floats ones boat...The FM and DM details and operating features were the bait to reel us in. It didn't take long for me to realize these models are much too delicate to be handled. No way would I ever remove a model from its case to show off the working features or the details. STUFF happens just being displayed. Sure these features are cool but for me they are totally impractical and waste of time, money and effort.     

@kevins AUTOart, which is a higher end mostly 1/18, struggled with the diecast versus resin conundrum desperately trying to keep prices under $300. They experimented with diecast bodies and plastic chassis and vice versa. But they, like everyone else, also ran into labor costs with skilled and semi-skilled labor leaving for China's exploding automobile industry. Ultimately they had to enter the $300+ range to get any return on their capital investments. The top of the line manufacturers like CMC with their beautiful multi-media replicas are now in the &600-$700 range. And these companies must be careful with the images they offer because they need to sell runs of thousands to at least amortize their investment. That's why the less mainstream images exist as curbside resins. For images like American station wagons don't really have international appeal to warrant that kind of investment. Ultimately companies have moved their plants to Malaysia and Thailand but globalization is upping labor costs there too. Such is the market.

Interesting discussion gents. I have the yellow Kingswood and love it. As well I have at least one color of most other Automodello 1/24s (and quite a few 1/43s). And I have around 60 or so Hachette/Leomodels/Whitebox/Salvat/M2 1/24s, bought for $25 to $50. Like all of us I cannot understand why no U.S or global model car maker is producing quality 1/24 at a price point in between. Especially when our Australian DDA is doing just that.

@carsman1958 I've tried that with M2 on several occasions, they used to respond, but not anymore.😟

@carsman1958 I’ve said it before in this forum that I came into collecting ‘Mint’ models very late in the game. I’m just a regular retired blue collar guy with a very limited amount of discretionary income for my ‘toys’ as my wife calls them. I have set strict boundary’s in my collecting, I only buy models that I really love, I greatly prefer Danbury’s to Franklin’s, and don’t double up for re-paints. Unlike members who were in the Mint’ game while they were active paying roughly 100- for a model no matter what it was, in today’s market certain models become popular, people hang onto them, and they become very hard to come by and pricey. A couple of good examples are the DM green ‘58 Bonneville Coupe. About 150- when new, now I see them for upwards of 400- and more. If you really want one you have to pay. I haven’t been able to get that one but I’m happy that I got the ‘58 Bonnie red convertible before it started spiraling. There are many more models that have doubled or tripled over a roughly twenty year span, so 200-, 250-, 300-, and up is kind of the norm for popular models with box and docs. These are just my observations from being in the hobby for only about five or six years.