Do you think building model cars is becoming a lost art?

[Ghoste]

Do you think the diecast industry has killed the plastic kit industry?  It seems like the model cars I see have had the level of detail go waaaay up over the past but the overall number of them is going down.  Or is it just me?

[RallyeMike]

Not die-cast that killed it. Computer games.

[Aero426]

Plastic is probably holding its own with the die had grey beards that are still building as much as ever.    Not much action from the youth side due to the reason stated above.    I think the hobby will ultimately have a finite shelf life.   For the time being, our local NNL model show has a banquet room that is absolutely PACKED with builders and cars. 

Diecast is oversaturated on the common subjects.    On the adult collector side, the prices continue to rise.   The latest Spark 1/43 cars (Can-Am, Trans-Am and Lemans type cars) are now pushing $67 retail here in the USA.  They used to be under $50, which wasn't cheap.    But they are really nice.

[Ghoste]

Oh, never even consider electronic games.  They have altered the field for a lot of hobbies.

[Indygenerallee]

Yes, time for me... I remember as a kid building many but I believe the video games have hurt the hobby, Just like RC airplanes now most are all foam and RTF (ready to fly) you don't have to build the airplanes like you did years ago.. Most everyone now is instant gratification, I want it now! now! now! Which is sad because the fun is building it.

[resq302]

Yes, time for me... I remember as a kid building many but I believe the video games have hurt the hobby, Just like RC airplanes now most are all foam and RTF (ready to fly) you don't have to build the airplanes like you did years ago.. Most everyone now is instant gratification, I want it now! now! now! Which is sad because the fun is building it.

I agree.  (except when the paint runs or does not dry and is still tacky for going on a week!)  see my other post where I built a replica of my life size charger with my 5 yr old daughter.  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=94244.new;topicseen#new

[Chryco Psycho]

When I was younger I had time to kill , no $$ etc , I got stupid building models , interior lights with mini mag door switches , removable wheels with lug nuts ,wired everything visable ran brake & fuel lines etc . it got to the point where the next had to be better than the last one & it would consume months to finish just one . I won a couple of shows as well , thought I had been passed over at one & then was awarded the overall winner  The anticipation of all the work killed it for me just stopped building period & started to build real cars instead . Still have no $$ though

[TheGhost]

I have over a dozen model kits waiting for me to get the free time and ambition to put together.  71 GTX half put together, 67 Coronet with the engine painted and assembled...  one of these days I'll finish them.

[wingcar]

Model building declined over the years due to many of the reasons already stated.   Video Gaming, and Computers, being two of the main reasons, but I think the younger generation's need for instant gratification is perhaps as much to blame as well.   They don't seem willing to put the time necessary into a project to complete it (not all young people...just speaking in general terms).   I remember working on a model project for weeks or even a month before I got the results I wanted.  Not many young ones are willing to devote this much time towards one project.  But, I remember how rewarding it was when I could place my completed model on the self and just study it....knowing that I had created it....satisfaction.
Perhaps, we also need to place a bit of blame on the older generation for not "introducing "the hobby" of model making to the younger generation.  There was a story a month or two ago in the EAA magazine (Experimental Aircraft Association) in which a member found an old model in his basement and decided to do a grandfather/grandson project.  Surprisingly, it became a life enriching experience for both of them...and the grandson decided to build more models after his introduction.... Had it not been for granddad, he would have never build models.....think about what a wonderful learning experience you could have with your son or daughter....teaching reading, following instructions, and using their hands, as well as their minds...many skills they can use down the road.
(Just my two cents....)   

[Mytur Binsdirti]

If any of you model guys have old models collecting dust on the shelf, I can get you some quarter sticks.   

[Ghoste]

Hey wingcar, I would think the instant gratification thing would be what the diecast industry has cashed in on big time.  Why build it when we already offer a highly detailed version?

[nvrbdn]

i still build them. have about 30 unbuilt kits waiting, but to me its a winter project thing. i will build a few over the winter when its too cold out.

[wingcar]

Hey wingcar, I would think the instant gratification thing would be what the diecast industry has cashed in on big time.  Why build it when we already offer a highly detailed version?

You are correct, and to be honest with you, I have purchased my share of die-cast in the past.  But, the point with building models is not just having a finished model/toy to put on the shelf.  It's all about the satisfaction that comes from building it yourself.  Wow, that sort of sounds like building a 1:1 scale car doesn't it?   A die-cast only represents the dollars spent on it, were as a model you build represents your time, skill, and your ability to actually finish what you start.  And, if you are were like me, you find ways to customize your models, making them one of a kind.  I am willing to bet that a lot of those on this site started building models before moving on to full size examples.......

[Mike DC]

The percentage of kids building cars has probably decreased in recent generations.  But the abilities of the remaining builders have probably increased.  There are some VERY good young modelers these days. 

The price of the hobby has also gone up.  It's not difficult to sink a couple hundred bucks worth of materials into a seriously detailed model car these days. 



I've always wished there was a single popular agreed-upon larger scale.  1:24th/25th is too small IMHO.  When 1:18th die-cast boom happened a decade ago I was hoping the companies would start releasing new styrene car kits that scale too. 

[resq302]

Yup, I must have built about two dozen models with my dad before moving onto RC cars that we built.  We did about 3 or so of them together also.  Then we got into Lionel Trains with making a scratch built two level layout with one level going up to the other and back down.  We then designed and made our own functional recessed turn table and engine yard.  When we got tired of them, we sold off all of them and bought our first antique car..... a 1971 Buick Skylark GS convertible.  Since then we have been into nothing but the big toys!    The bigger stuff is a LOT easier to work on compared to the smaller 1:18 scale.  

I agree with the cost of the modeling hobby now.  I was almost in sticker shock when my daughter and I were at the hobby store picking up the paint, glue, etc.  I spent $86 on material alone and that is not including the cost of the model that I got out at Carlisle.  Model itself was $17.  I remember when the small glass bottles of Testors paint was 50 cents each.  My dad actually has some that says 10 cents on the cap!

[John_Kunkel]

The price of the hobby has also gone up.  It's not difficult to sink a couple hundred bucks worth of materials into a seriously detailed model car these days.

Yep, there's a 1/48 model aircraft (Tamiya DO-335) I'm dying to build but the kit literature recommends 21 different color paints and special glue that I'd never use again

I did but a diecast of it but it's about one-third the size.

[440]

I think hobbies that require effort are suffering due to the "instant gratification" generation of today. I enjoy building the odd model every now and again but my main staple is RC cars, I've been doing it for 20+ years and have seen a major shift in the hobby. Nobody wants to build kits anymore, everyone seems to want cheap ready to run cars. When I grew up in the hobby you could only get kits. Buying all the components separately and assembling a car that worked was really gratifying. Plus you knew how to fix it if something broke. Now people just bring cars in and say "fix it" without even attempting to try, and are happy to pay $30hr.

I quite enjoyed the father/son aspect of it, but it appears kids are more "independent" these days.

[odcics2]

All good answers above...

Did you know that kids are not even bothering to get a driver's license now??   

Remember the anticipation of owning your first car???   Cruising to see other folks WAY over on the other side of town!!!   Blasting the tunes on a crappy AM radio, but we all loved it!!

HA!!! Now it's text and Skype!  No need for a car... =(((       Sad....

[A383Wing]

MoparmanJim builds them all the time....

Bryan  (speaking of Jim.....  )

[XH29N0G]

My kid, models no, but RC cars yes.  He started with a fully built kit.  I just asked him and he said it used to be the idler gear but now there is nothing, nothing from the original kit.  The past two days he has been building a new sway bar set up for it with a parts that he has made or adapted.  So some still get the satisfaction. 

He is 14 now and wants to start to build/restore a car to drive that he can use when he is old enough.  I will probably ask in a new thread as well, but his question to me this evening was what type of car would I recommend.  The cars he likes are going to be difficult (I think) and also touches on the issue of too much power for a kid.  Latest things to catch his eye have been AMC Javelins and Aussie fords from the 1970's.  Both unlikely since we live in the US.

[440]

That would be the coolest, cruising the streets in Mad Max Intercept as a kid. Highly doubtful though do to price of Aussie cars going through the roof. I wonder how one would go importing one to the US.

I suppose building a real car is similar to building an RC car, but a lot more expensive and on a larger scale. Sounds like your kid has expensive tastes. 

Funny before you get your license and car you want to go everywhere, but when your finally able to drive and have a car you don't know where to go.

[A383Wing]

That would be the coolest, cruising the streets in Mad Max Intercept as a kid. Highly doubtful though do to price of Aussie cars going through the roof. I wonder how one would go importing one to the US.

there are probably some already here, there are a lot of importers that bring them over and pay the shipping fees...I was looking for RHD Mini Coopers a while back.....there are a lot out there for sale through brokers

Bryan

[Ghoste]

Did you find what you were looking for in a Mini?

[TK73]

That would be the coolest, cruising the streets in Mad Max Intercept as a kid. Highly doubtful though do to price of Aussie cars going through the roof. I wonder how one would go importing one to the US.

I suppose building a real car is similar to building an RC car, but a lot more expensive and on a larger scale. Sounds like your kid has expensive tastes. 

Funny before you get your license and car you want to go everywhere, but when your finally able to drive and have a car you don't know where to go.

Do a "theme" car using a 3rd gen Charger?

[bill440rt]

Growing up I must have built hundreds of models, it was by far my favorite hobby. I stopped building years ago, just the changes of life. My unbuilt kit collection has grown & just collecting dust, I kept them saying to myself that maybe I'll get to them "someday". I'd have to almost start over again, buying all new materials, tools, etc. Like Brian I've felt the "sticker shock" with the prices of modelling supplies these days, maybe that's a part of why I haven't jumped back into it.
My kids have done a few models, of course with me "helping" them. Snap kits work well for them, at least at this age. Getting my oldest just to do them is tough, there are so many other things these days that they are into (yes, games have played a role in diminishing the hobby). But, he's in a Lego phase, & can crank out a teen-oriented Lego kit in one sitting & he's half the age for which it was designed. I can't complain, at least he's building something & doing something constructive.
Adding to the diminishing model hobby is that none of the friends of my children are into it, either. I remember doing models as a group with my friends. Learning/teaching each other new modelling tricks was cool. We were all into cars. Lots of my son's friends are into Lego's as well, so it is similar in a way. And, of course, video games. 

[A383Wing]

Did you find what you were looking for in a Mini?

well, yes and no....I found a lot of RHD Mini's already in the States....all were 60's & 70's versions, which I really like, but the wife doesn't....

which brought me to the "no" portion...she thinks they are too small

but we own a Metropolitan...show me the logic

Bryan

[derailed]

I think a lot has to do with the parents these days and developing the kids interest in these types of things at a young age. Its tough to do sometimes with 2 parents working longer and odd hours. My son is 10 and he enjoys building car models, lego technic just tearing stuff apart. Right now he has no interest in social networking on the computer or even answer a phone at home and im happy with that. Kids his age are already walking around with a cell glued to there side.

[elacruze]

Not die-cast that killed it. Computer games.

+1

[GOTWING]

in my case it has not, i'm 43 years old and have never stopped, i have hundreds of of them hanging on my walls in display cabinets. My son is 11 and he loves building them. We work on them side by side in our hobby room. As far as most kids, teenagers yes it's over.  just look around everyone has their face buried into a electronic device, i'm guilty of it too. I have to admit i'm addicted to my damn i-phone

[A383Wing]

I have boxes of unopened and other model kits still in the original plastic...I gotta get rid of 'em....I'm never gonna build them all..guess it's on to Craigslist with them

Bryan

[GOTWING]

A383WING , post pics of them with prices!

[A383Wing]

A383WING , post pics of them with prices!

yea..I gotta dig them out and take pics...might do that on Labor Day weekend...I'm going back to hospital for round 2 of cortisone shots in my back next Thursday....

Bryan

[Chryco Psycho]

I have a bunch to if anyone is interested Darts , Chargers , Superbirds including the rare 71 prototype . Challs etc

[aussiemuscle]

They don't seem willing to put the time necessary into a project to complete it

nonsense, i've put months into finishing Forza 4.

Another reason for decline in model cars is lack of auto manufacturer support. in the 'golden years' of the sixties, they'd have the cars at the dealerships, now they charge modelling companies exorbitant licensing fees, so many subjects go unreleased.

[tan top]

Not die-cast that killed it. Computer games.

+1

   internet too ,