NB Centre Brooklin Collection

Posted by: @kenspear

The price of the 6 improved Brooklin Models of the NB Centre has been released. $320 US each. They do look impressive. I'd say even better than Motorcity models.

A bit more. The Chrysler is 400US and the Cadillac 340US. Very impressive indeed and i got the same reflexion than you. They looks even more superior when you watch the Chrysler Town and country comparetively at the MCUSA for example. I don't know what to do? One model tease me a lot but that would be at the end the model that i will have pay the most to get it. I just imagine the Canadian custom charge to pay and all the Kraft Diners that i will eat during all the holidays.

The new models are spectacular! We'll have a full report soon. Meanwhile, you can see the details and pricing by clicking here. 

They look great!

The Wildcat should not have the rear wheel-opening moldings above the fender skirts. The 1:1 shown that it was apparently modeled after is not factory correct.

@jkuvakas I just placed my order for the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe. I checked the difference in photos between the standard model and the improved model and for the price difference that looks good. No choice I missed the BML Lincoln. I downloaded the NB collection Brochure in PDF and wondering if the brochure will be available in hard copy? I can't wait to see if the model will have the same box because usually I have the choice between the collector box or the luxury box and this time I didn't have it? I also wonder how many models have been made?

There are 50 each of the new models. They are numbered. Several of each were sold at NABCC 1 along with several numbered sets. Things got pretty hectic immediately after the unveiling so I'm not sure how many of each are left.

There is only one box, a retooled luxury box in black with a plexiglass cover for the model. Inside each model will be a card bearing the signatures of all the folks at the factory along with another card numbered and signed by Simon.

You'll be pleased with the Zephyr. Each of the models pops with added detail inside and out. 

@jkuvakas John did a terrific job (is anyone surprised?) as emcee of the NB Center event for the NABCC and several others who are active on this site contributed in a variety of volunteer roles. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this event but it was, in my opinion, a smashing success. Sounds like John or others will be providing a full report so I'll defer to him/them for a more detailed synopsis but I was really impressed by the models, the speakers, the venue, the 1:1 cars and everyone that I had a chance to meet.  And, to top it all off, the weather could not have been better for a November day in Pennsylvania!

As a volunteer participant in this event, I can say that the weekend was spectacular.  Very well organized and presented in a way that made it an extreme pleasure to be involved. The model, the cars and the fellowship with people that share the the love of this hobby was amazing. 

And as far as the models, I can say that as a proud owner of the set, each one is incredible. Anyone's decision to acquire one or more of these gems will not be a disappointment. I am completely blown away by the detail and craftsmanship in every one.

@jcarnutz I can't wait to see pictures of your six models as well as the cars John. I ordered the Lincoln.

Sirs: Congrats on the new models, I have some comments but do not wish to upset anyone. First I have collected Brooklin from the beginning and my experience has been that they do not hold their value when trading/selling, I realize that most of us would not consider selling but it is a possibility as a method to obtain other more desirable models. I find Goldvargs to be a much better value . The new Brooklin models look very good and one wonders why this wasn't the common standard for Brooklin .  And finally for anyone to compare Brooklin even the new ones to Motor City in my opinion would not be correct, clearly I have not seen, felt, the new Brooklins but they would have to go a long way from what they have produced in the past.  Also in my opinion the Zephyr has been over represented by different versions in the Brooklin line up for it to be anything special. There have been comments on the package, display case etc. you will remember that Motor City used to come in cardboard and foam [?] if memory serves and what was inside was more then worth it, perhaps less on the material surrounding the model might have helped to keep the cost down. As I said at the outset do wish to upset anybody but just an opinion. Thanks.

Posted by: @mick

Sirs: Congrats on the new models, I have some comments but do not wish to upset anyone. First I have collected Brooklin from the beginning and my experience has been that they do not hold their value when trading/selling, I realize that most of us would not consider selling but it is a possibility as a method to obtain other more desirable models. I find Goldvargs to be a much better value . The new Brooklin models look very good and one wonders why this wasn't the common standard for Brooklin .  And finally for anyone to compare Brooklin even the new ones to Motor City in my opinion would not be correct, clearly I have not seen, felt, the new Brooklins but they would have to go a long way from what they have produced in the past.  Also in my opinion the Zephyr has been over represented by different versions in the Brooklin line up for it to be anything special. There have been comments on the package, display case etc. you will remember that Motor City used to come in cardboard and foam [?] if memory serves and what was inside was more then worth it, perhaps less on the material surrounding the model might have helped to keep the cost down. As I said at the outset do wish to upset anybody but just an opinion. Thanks.

I'm agree whit You,in my modest opnion I would have preferred other colors for those Special Edition.Anyway Motor City Usa has set the bar very high and it's very hard to overcome the details of this Brand.Maybe most of Us in Europe can't afford this high costs for next Brooklin Models,we have to pay extra Custom charge in addition and the final price would be too expensive....Very sad about the last marketing strategy that exclude a large range of collectors that conceivs collecting in another form.

My suggestion, gents, is to wait to see the models in person before deciding whether they are more or less detailed than Motor Citys. The folks who have them in hand and saw them in Allentown are duly impressed. This new line of models takes Brooklin's most recent offerings, which have been amazing, and brings them to an all-new level with delicate chrome trim details that are scraped and polished, no foil. There's an incredible amount of hand-tooling and assembly and the price reflects that. Still, as they did for those at NABCC 1, they may just change your opinion about what Brooklin can do. 

The NB Center Collection models are all based on the full-sized cars in the NB Center collection. All of the first six models have been previously released by Brooklin. As such and since they are replicas of real cars, the colors have not changed. As you view them, keep in mind that they are miniatures of the cars that sit in the NB collection in Rome and Allentown. 

Brooklin will continue to make its standard line of models. So, for those who balk at the price or are looking for something different than the NB collection, standard-issue Brooklins will continue to be available.

As for the future, the folks who attended NABCC 1 got to see the full-size versions of the next six NB Center Collection models and vote for what they would like to see next. The '63 Riviera is due early next year. If the production schedule holds, we'll see a spectacular 1946 Pontiac Torpedo 8 Sedan Coupe.

We'll also see some new Brooklins next year. 

As for excessively high taxes and customs fees, we can hardly hold Brooklin responsible for those. 

Here is a picture of a Motorcity Chrysler T&C sedan. Clearly, the biggest selling feature of the Chrysler T&C sedan is the woodwork.Comparing apples to apples  ,if you look at the woodgrain of the MOC T&C and then compare it to the video on the Brooklin website , the woodgrain on the Brooklin is hands down superior to the MOC. Brooklin is clearly superior in realism. Yes, all assessments can be subjective, but I have always felt that the woodwork on the MOC Chrysler T&C looked cheap. We must keep in mind that the MOC Chrysler is long in the tooth.

Here's another. Lets stay with apples to apples as with the Chrysler T&Cs. The MOC 1955 Cadillac 4 dr sedan cannot begin to compare in detail and realism with the Brooklin Cadillac 4 dr sedan. I can only give one more example- the Hudson 4 dr sedan. MOC does not make any of the other models in the NB collection. In all fairness, I could argue that the MOC 1952 Hudson Hollywood is on par with the Brooklin Hudson but the Brooklin is superior to the 1949 MOC Hudson 4 dr sedan.

Final word from me on this   checked website Chrysler  T&C from Brooklin $400  adjusted to 1999 prices  $250   Last Motor City I bought in 1999 was $79.00 adjusted for today - $126.40 , this is not of course counting that most of the high end Motor city sells for far more in the aftermarket but what is says is the Brooklins are selling for 3.16 times what a Motor city sold for .  Just some food for thought.  And again I haven't seen the Brooklins in my hand so I can only voice my opinion . But I still wonder if Brooklin was capable of such excellent work as been described why did they not offer it to their loyal longtime buyers.  ???

My basic attitude about Brooklin Models is that as the detail quality improves so increases labor time; hence the price goes up.  I have no problem with that; especially having seen the comprehensive Brooklin factory process on several occasions.  I think it is important to remember that Brooklin was struggling financially before the ownership change and so marketing strategies were put in place and continue to evolve to increase sales and market exposure.  A small part of this is to  offer limited edition "specials" that are even more detailed and more costly which appeal visually and financially to a limited number of collectors; which I think is wonderful.  I am a person of average financial means and also an avid 1:43 model fan and collector.  I realized that with the recent Brooklin quality/price increases I would need to change my collecting habits, so now I only buy Brooklins that I simply must have and buy other less expensive but high quality brands such as Goldvarg, GLM/Stamp, etc. to stay actively involved without feeling that I am missing out on my want list.  Things have changed in the model world, companies have come and gone, Brooklin has survived and is prospering and we are looking forward to some wonderful models in white metal, plus resin, diecast, etc. from other companies.  Given the state of the world these days I would say we as collectors have much to be thankful for.