[Closed] M2 Diecast Models at Walmart

A very interesting point. I have wondered the same thing. I have fifteen of the M2 models...

in my collection. Each one is nice, and displays great. Maybe with ACME reintroducing the Hwy61 models we will finally some other players step in as well.

I have a dozen or so M2 models and people that don't know any better don't realize they are the cheaper models in my collection. I've BMF'd mine and done some other minor detailing and they look every bit as good as some of the older DM/FM models. And better than some.

I've been wondering the same thing for years.

If ACME were to produce 1.24 models in the $20 to $100 range, would everyone here seriously buy them? And would they buy them without bitching about what working parts the car doesn't have, could have, or should have?

When FM and DM were going strong, there were many that would complain about each car not having this or that working part that a previous release had.

Those who have been on this Forum for a long time will recall that I always stated my opinion of all the many working parts that were on some cars were just jacking up the price, and in the scheme of things such working parts were not needed on the cars.

Though I can't speak for everyone here, but my cars are NOT played with. Meaning, I don't regularly open and close the doors, or lift the hoods and trunks, and that goes for the operating gas caps too. Not to mention the working suspension on many DM cars. And last but not least, the turning front wheels.

All of the above were nice to see on a car, but reality is, after we buy them, they are displayed on our respective shelves, usually in protective display cases. At least this is the situation with all my cars. And be honest, does having a gas cap that opens on these little cars really make the car better? Can we put gas in it?

So having all those working parts, has always been something I've never comprehended as being worth the extra cost involved in adding them. Not to mention, the added risk of breakage with having them on the cars.

With ACME now coming out with a 1970 Challenger (which I did place my order for), most folks are saying here on the Forum that their friends can't tell the difference between these less costly cars and the mint cars when they are displayed.

And for me, how they look and display is what really matters. I want any 1.24 produced to be shaped right, and replicated from bumper to bumper, and top to bottom as close to the real 1.1s as possible. For example, I want a '57 Chevy 1.24 diecast to be replicated as closely to the 1.1. I want the shape of the top, the fenders, and height to be spot on.

If producing such a car can be done this way, and the price is in the $20 to $100 range, my pocket book is open and ready to buy.

George, when it comes to operating features we’re pretty much on the same track.

I think the working features add some realism to the models.

That being said, I don't really care about operating suspension or opening gas filler doors, but I think these models should have opening doors, hoods, and trunks, and steerable front wheels, even if they're just sitting in a display case. That's part of the fun in owning them and what attracted me to them in the first place. It's very frustrating to pick up my $400 Automodello Mark III and not be able to operate any of these things...but that's just me.

Pete, we disagree on the working parts you mention, but AGREE on Automdello's at $400.

Going back to the opening doors, hoods, trunks, etc., it's not that I don't like them, it's that I don't see the need for them when they just sit on a shelf.

And I've had instances when I've attempted to show someone how a door opens for example, and then the door won't close properly and hangs loosely. As I said in my previous post, working parts cost money and they are just something that can break.

But we are all different. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Re: Working features

Some working features are a MUST HAVE for me, but not all. I don't care about opening fuel doors, opening glove box doors or working suspensions. But if I were still collecting diecast cars, opening doors, hoods & trunks and turnable wheels are a necessity for me to plunk down my hard earned dollars for these little toys. I don't (didn't) play with mine either, but I did display them with the hoods & trunks open, and usually positioned the wheels turned to one side or the other.

PICS - In the 1:18 world, more and more manufacturers are releasing resin static models...

... with no working features. The prices are ranging from $250 to $500. It will be interesting to see if the movement to de-contented models will survive.

An interesting situation is existing with BBR models and CMC. Both of them have (or will have) a Ferrari GTO model. The BBR is static resin and the CMC is adorned with over 1800+ parts and all of the standard working features of hood, trunk, doors, removable wheels, and articulating suspension. They both will retail for $500.00. The question begs to be asked if an advocate of non-working features would select the static BBR over the enormously detailed CMC?

BBR Version
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