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Topic starter
13/08/2002 6:31 pm
Reason for "BIG FOOTS" wheels not being steerable ..........
I read the posts below and what I believe is the reason that the wheels don't steer are the following: For one I don't think the doors open on this do they? That said, you'd have to remove the body everytime you wanted to "pose" the front wheels, OR try to stick you fingers through the small window opening to accomplish this. 2nd and more important, is that if the wheels are to all turn together then the front wheels would have to have some type of CV joint at the pivoting location to accomplish this (picture a front wheel drive car if it would have posi-traction and what I am saying here will make sense). More then likely they thought having all 4 wheels turn in sync would be a greater accomplishment then having the usual "free" spinning wheels that are able to steer. Of course perfectionists like us here would like it all, steerable and in sync, but for $90 I think they had to have a cut-off point somewhere. I am not into this sort of vehicle, so I am not getting one, but I can surely appreciate the time and effort that TFM has put into it. Sometimes a little diversity is good. I'm equally sure that this model is more geared towards the "average person" then to true car enthusiasts and classic car collectors. After all, TFM IS a business and it does have to create items that they think are marketable and generate nice profits. All I can say is I hope this works if that was their intentions as I'd like to see TFM raise once again and give us somemore 5 star winners like the '39 Ford, Confed Chevy, allum Cobra, etc... As I recently said, I'll continue to support TFM by buying models that appeal to me. If they do come out with some that aren't to my liking I simply won't buy them. And if they create one that is highly criticized ('64 GTO ring a bell?) I will even buy one and judge it for myself. In summary I'll give them a chance as I am a true car collector and enthusiast/nut/addict/??? LOL
14/08/2002 4:09 am
Phil, your explanation sounds right on....
I'm sure that TFM could have made the wheels turn with the steering wheel, but as you say - at what price. I also agree with your comments concerning the target audience for Big Foot, the Humvee and a few others. I, for one, purchased Big Foot and the Humvee because I enjoy just about anything on wheels. Each represents a footnote in automotive history.
I've said it here before and I'll say it again. I applaud TFM for some diversity in their offerings of late. I also hope that they continue to focus their attention on improving quality and customer service. I know those two issues irk many on this forum (I've been luckier than most in both areas).
My motto - buy what you like and pass on the stuff that doesn't interest you.
Topic starter
14/08/2002 5:36 am
AMEN Rick! : )
14/08/2002 6:23 am
Phil, I generally agree with you. But this does not appear to be all that high-tech a model to me. The
wheels, such as they are, do not turn very much either. I
have no idea if this was true on the 1:1. But then, I am
into images and details. The plastic body just looks
cheap to me. It seems that all the concentration of cost
would then be in what lies beneath. So if you subtract
the $55.00 they are charging for each accessory body
from the $120.00 regular price, the undercarriage price
is $65.00 or from $90.00 it is only $35.00. And therefore
the undercarriage price seems not unreasonable. But
the body? No way is that worth $55.00...maybe $15. or
$20. So maybe it should retail at about $50.00 to a high
of $80.00...
Someone suggested that the fact that the real one is
Fiberglas is why this is plastic... Well, for me that is a
stretch...how many die-cast Corvettes were made in
metal? I would also be concerned that long term this
could warp; particularly if you have lighting in your
display cases.
I don't know what they cost, (I am guessing not all that
much because of where I have seen them), but you can
buy monster trucks that are radio-controlled and I think
If I were into these things 1:1, they would attract my
attention over this one... Just my 2?...it is going back,
pronto.
14/08/2002 6:52 am
The body may be the same material as that...
used in the fiberglass Vette bodies. Which hasn't warped yet on my models.
14/08/2002 7:13 am
Not mine either, Michael. I don't know how many attachment points the 'vettes have and they also have
an interior attached. This is all one mould and has the
four little contacts. And if you buy extra bodies, some
are sitting as shells... My concern relates to the fact that
it would necessarily sit closer to your lighting, ht. wise.
:-B
It may not be a problem at all, but I have heard damage
can be done to the die-cast metal ones if they are too
close to halogen lights like the hockey-pucks,
particularly in well sealed cases where the heat really
builds up.
B-)
Topic starter
14/08/2002 8:04 am
T I didn't praise the monster truck by any means .......
I am simply stating what I think are the reasons that the front wheels don't steer. I never said it was a high tech model as I've never even seen the model or a picture of it. I am simply stating my thoughts as to why it is the way it is and I commended TFM for its diversity by doing this project NOT the way it's done as I know nothing about this model. Their effort to create and market a completely new model is refreshing, but its not my thing so I am not ordering one. Now back to waxing the Toronado ........ : O
14/08/2002 8:18 am
Phil...I was agreeing with you. I just am not impressed with the effort at the price...very toylike.:D In fact, I rarely
disagree with you! We tend to be in the same church
and pew on most of this 1:24 stuff!
14/08/2002 8:24 am
What Phil and Rick say sure makes sense to me.