[Closed] motor city

Tim, the MCUSA models were never inexpensive.

They were always at the high end of the price range, for comparison they were about three times the price of a Brooklin although, arguably, well worth it. Where they were made was always somewhat of a mystery but it was believed to be in California. The last MCUSA, the 1956 Dodge, was produced for them by Brooklin in the UK. Will the new Motor City get off the ground? Collectors fervently hope so although as the months slip by, it becomes somewhat questionable. The Ilario models do compare closely to MCUSA's detail.

Motor City on Saticoy

I was at their "factory" twice, once when Gene Parrill was still the owner and once when Alan Novak was the owner. Neither would let me see anything. So I am sure the models where made somewhere else.

Alan Novak's business

When I was first getting interested in 1/43, around Y2K, I naively called up Alan
Novak on the phone. I asked how many models he made in a "run" (about 100
to 200, he said), & how many employees he had (7, he said). I asked him if he
made the models there in CA & he said "Yes". He was not expansive in his
answers. He seemed suspicious to a surprising degree.

I would say Tim that they were amongst the best .....

in the business for the mid/late 1990's. Plus I would only apply that tag to
their top end range.

Model car manufacturing has gone on in leaps and bounds in the last 15
years.

However, they were certainly the best in their field when it came to US 1950's
period 1:43rd scale model cars.

But when one is discussing all types I can name at least a dozen
manufacturers that were equal and in some cases better than Motor City. I
can safely state this because I went to many ModeleX shows and was able to
see an extraordinary range of handbuilt model cars. I am not using other
sources to fog my claim.

I wish you luck in your endeavours.

Cheers Chris

Surely someone on our expert forum knows who made these models

I too was at their Salicoy location a couple of different times.

Gene showed me around and was most cordial. They were assembling at that location at that time.

Clearly, they were assembled by aliens at 'area 51' slow day, eh?

Motor City

MC models were made on the premises in North Hollywood. I visited there several times back in the 90's. He had several skilled assemblers who made those jewels. I think losing them was the main factor in MC ceasing production.

Put down the crackpipe, Pete!

Dick, you previously deleted Joe Libricz's post on the topic of where the Motor City Dodges were manufactured. I will point you to the link below. Why was it not OK for Joe to talk about it then but it's OK for you to talk about it now? Has either the new owner of Motor City or Brooklin gone public with the information?

http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/forums/forum43/viewMessage.asp?id=40373&start=40346

Barry, I deleted that post 21 months ago for the reasons given.

Since then it has become common knowledge and has been mentioned many times on this forum by myself and others. Furthermore Alan Novak's MCUSA is no longer in business as a 1:43 model manufacturer.

Actually I built them, I BUILT THEM ALL, It was me, just me, ALL ME. Well I feel better !

Dick - I've heard from two very knowledgeable collectors that while Brooklin did most of the work on the Dodge, final assembly took place in California.

All I know is, when I bought mine, it had a Made in USA label just like the other MCs.