I'm familiar with Ace Models and have been in touch with the owner of the brand, John Hanna, in the past. He is a modelmaker who has worked (on and off) for Trax as a pattern-maker but also does his own unique models, at least some of which are conversions of existing models.
He did a nice 1959 Ford which was originally marketed under his own name but it was then apparently "adopted" by Trax and sold under their name.
He also did a very smart Australian Ford Landau
I've been keeping an eye on his output over the years but there didn't seem to be much going on for quite a while and I assumed he had maybe given up on his own productions and gone back to pattern making for other people (since he did admit on his website that materials were getting very expensive, and producing on a small scale meant that people like Trax could issue models much cheaper than he could) so it's nice to see he has come up with this Barracuda under his own brand name. But I wonder if it will maybe also appear as a Trax in due course?
I think I'll go for the white one, assuming shipping from Oz isn't too exorbitant (Trax shipping charges are pretty hefty these days). You folks in the US will of course be able to get it from Toycargeek, but I had a look and they aren't showing prices yet. I suppose I could try ordering one for the indicated £0.00 GBP but I probably wouldn't get away with it.
LOL...you never know...$0 might be the introductory price!! I am still waiting on pricing, and will update my website as soon as I know. Here is a sampling of what I have on order, and I confirmed that they are all LHD:
It's nice to see the 1965 Barracuda (1st year for this car) finally get some recognition by a model manufacturer. This brings me to another question:has the 1966 Dodge Charger (1st year for the Charger) ever been made in a high quality model ?
@daveg I've just tried to order the Barracuda (in white) from Ace Models and found the only payment option is a bank transfer. Online banking wouldn't accept the bank code and account number supplied so I rang my bank and they wanted GBP 30 to make the overseas transfer! (an electronic process which takes a thousandth of a second and probably costs them in the region of 0.002 pence). Unfortunately, much as I like the model, that makes the total cost (including AUD 30 shipping) more than I am willing to pay. Maybe I will have to see what Toycargeek can do for me in due course.
@daveg I've just tried to order the Barracuda (in white) from Ace Models and found the only payment option is a bank transfer. Online banking wouldn't accept the bank code and account number supplied so I rang my bank and they wanted GBP 30 to make the overseas transfer! (an electronic process which takes a thousandth of a second and probably costs them in the region of 0.002 pence). Unfortunately, much as I like the model, that makes the total cost (including AUD 30 shipping) more than I am willing to pay. Maybe I will have to see what Toycargeek can do for me in due course.
I hope I can help you, Graeme! The expense and logistics of obtaining these models is what I am currently working through with ACE. Communication is painfully slow given the time difference. I am hopeful that I am able to import enough models at once to be able to offer them to collectors at a reasonable price and using standard payment methods. As of this writing, I have still not been able to pin down a shipped cost for these, but am doing my best to get some answers!
As far as I know it is independent but as I mentioned earlier in this post the guy who owns the company has done work for Trax and one or two of his models which he originally marketed under his own Ace Models name were later sold as Trax models - presumably as they had the resources to market it more widely. The Barracuda is being sold as an Ace Model cars product at the moment but there is always the possibility (only guessing) that it could later be marketed as a Trax model.
@kenspear Given the lack of response to your question, Ken, I'm guessing the answer is "no" - but perhaps someone will step forward with a '66 Charger. I'd jump on it if one is ever issued - have always had an affinity for first-year muscle cars (among others!!).
And I've suggest to ACE they consider a 1959-60 Studebaker Lark 2 door station wagon since I understand these were manufactured and sold in Australia. But not necessarily in this color.
I am still waiting on pricing, and will update my website as soon as I know. Here is a sampling of what I have on order, and I confirmed that they are all LHD:
