So where are the 70s/80s cars?

[Cooper]

Some Shapeways 3D printed cars suitable for the 1970s or '80s (work in progress).  Not cheap but there is a good selection and they come in 1:148 scale.

These look great, and your modelmaking is fantastic. But you're right -- not cheap! Seem to be 2-3 times the cost of the Oxford ones, and unpainted and unglazed to boot. So probably not an option for me. Not the cost so much as the fact I'm unlikely to do them justice.

Cheers, NeMo

I've seen your work Nemo. Cost aside I'm sure you could do these justice! 

[gc4946]

I've looked through Oxford Diecast's current 1:148 cars listing http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-148?constraint=oxford-automobile

For example, looking through their list for modelling the 1974-77 period, my layout would require the following cars to match proportions of makes seen on the roads at the time:
one each of Morris Traveller and Morris Minor,
several Minis and Ford Anglias,
one or two Citroen 2CVs,
some Ford Cortina Mk3s, and finally,
a few VW Beetles.

Even so, there are still huge gaps - no MGs, Rovers, early Cortinas, Austin Allegros, and various Vauxhall makes as RTP models.

[NeMo]

Yes, came to the same conclusion while perusing their website yesterday. The Cortina is not available yet, but definitely a Cortina Mk3 is a must-have -- not least of all because my dad had a sahara beige XL in the mid 70s.

But beyond the Cortina, where are the Escorts? Capris? Golfs? Cavaliers? Sierras? Metros? Basically, virtually all the ten-a-penny cars of the era are missing.

I still don't get why Oxford produce the niche models (like Daimlers) in this scale but not the ones we'd need in bulk. I can sort of understand in the larger scales where car collectors want models of the nicer cars as much as the run of the mill stuff. But surely there aren't car collectors collecting 1:148 instead of 1:76 or larger???

Cheers, NeMo

I've looked through Oxford Diecast's current 1:148 cars listing http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/1-148?constraint=oxford-automobile

For example, looking through their list for modelling the 1974-77 period, my layout would require the following cars to match proportions of makes seen on the roads at the time:
one each of Morris Traveller and Morris Minor,
several Minis and Ford Anglias,
one or two Citroen 2CVs,
some Ford Cortina Mk3s, and finally,
a few VW Beetles.

Even so, there are still huge gaps - no MGs, Rovers, early Cortinas, Austin Allegros, and various Vauxhall makes as RTP models.

[trkilliman]

I model the early - mid 1950s, but having been in my late teens in the early 70s I know where you are coming from. Before the influx of cars from Japan our roads were full of the British made cars you mention.
We all of course have wish lists, but in keeping with many I am at odds to understand several of the Oxford releases. They miss many of the "core" vehicles we could do with on our layouts.

[johnlambert]

I can't resist sharing some more photos of my 3D printed 1970s cars.

The Range Rover was introduced in 1970 but I'm not sure how long the version depicted remained in production. The Renault 5 lasted from 1972-84, Vauxhall Cavalier 1975-81 and the Transit launched in 1965 lasted to 1978.

They don't look too bad with a bit of paint.







The R Parker range of cast whitemetal cars includes a Rover P6 that would do for 1963 onward (lasted in production until 1977) and a Mk1 Ford Transit.

But I agree the number of ordinary 'bread and butter' cars available in 1:148.

[javlinfaw7]

The mk1 Range Rover lasted to 1996 due to its popularity though the mk2 arrived in 1994

[Chetcombe]

If you can find any of the old Graham Farish range of vehicles, then I think the 70s are reasonably covered. Granted they are plastic rather than die cast, but I think they do a fair job.

I have minis, Mk1 Cortinas, Austin Cambridges, Capris, Morris Minors, Humber Snipes, Ford Populars, Anglias and Prefects - here is a scene from the parking lot on my layout - there is even a Lotus Mk1 Cortina in the foreground


I agree though about the 80s - there is a distinct lack of Sierras, Escorts and Cavaliers

[javlinfaw7]

My main problem with the GrahamFarish range is that  they at best only have a passing resemblance to what they are supposed to be.You would not by locomotives or rolling stock with this level of accuracy.The Oxford ,Capri and Cortina are roughly the right shape,the lotus cortina should be a two door, but the mini looks as though it has been crossed with an A40 Farina

[Bingley Hall]

As a far as Oxford are concerned it's their business and their money.

If some of these omissions are such sure fire money spinners, I find it amazing no-one has set up their own business to capitalise upon this

[railsquid]

Oxford are on record (somewhere) as saying they'll produce anything if the demand can be proven (or accept commissions), evidently they have buyers for the (for me) mostly obscure stuff they produce, the question is how can we prove the demand?

[woodbury22uk]

Oxford are on record (somewhere) as saying they'll produce anything if the demand can be proven (or accept commissions), evidently they have buyers for the (for me) mostly obscure stuff they produce, the question is how can we prove the demand?

I think that the solution is to make the Cortina a sell out on day 1. Demonstrate the demand is there. Oxford have numerous cars from the era in 1/76 that they could shrink down then. I do not think anyone mentioned the Wiking Sierra which looks good with a bit of paint on the trim. Tomytec are now doing American buses in 1/160 scale for Walthers in what is called the World Bus Collection. Could they be looking at the World Car Collection? They already have a number of 1/64 cars of British and Continental European origin which might fit the bill.

Worth finding some cars from the era in Eddie Stobart livery. They will sell to every Eddie fan. Oxford have a good relationship with Stobart.

For anyone with a more modern interest, campaign for a Stobart car transporter in N like the 00 one about to be released. That might persuade them to do some modern 2005+ cars too.

[47033]

The availability of n scale road vehicles for the 70's/80's is dire. Considering how much BR Blue stock/locomotives Graham Farish/Dapol sell I really don't get where all the cars and lorries for that era are.  I'm pleased to see that Oxford are making the MK3 Cortina, that's a step in the right direction for me anyway. I'll be needing at least 100 vehicles from the 70's/80's to cover my layout.   R.Parker have the Ford Transit covered and Oxford have the Commer and VW vans covered along with a few cars, Mini, Citroen 2cv etc.

However, there are a ton more vehicles to choose from in that era.

Ford - Escort Mk1/2/3/4, Cortina MK2, Granada/Consul, Corsair, Sierra MK1,2,3,  Fiesta and the Zephyr/Zodiac who just squeeked into the 70's

Vauxhall -  Astra,  Carlton,  Cavalier,  Chevette,  Firenza,  Magnum,  Nova,  Victor/VX490/Ventora

British Leyland/Jaguar/Rover/Triumph-  Rover P6/SD1/200/800,  Jaguar XJ6/XJS,  Austin Maxi/Allegro/Princess/Metro/Ambassador/Maestro/Montego,  Morris 1100/Marina/Ital, Triumph 2000/Spitfire/Dolomite/Toledo/Stag/TR7/Acclaim,  Range Rover,  MG Midget/MGB.

There are also the European manufacturers back then especially in the 80's with Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, VW, BMW etc. 

I can't believe this market hasn't been tapped into yet, maybe I'm missing something.

Jamie     

[Lazy-Ferret]

You forgot Volvo's, there were tons and tons of Volvo Estates back then. 

[railsquid]

Oxford are on record (somewhere) as saying they'll produce anything if the demand can be proven (or accept commissions), evidently they have buyers for the (for me) mostly obscure stuff they produce, the question is how can we prove the demand?

I think that the solution is to make the Cortina a sell out on day 1.

Good point, somewhere I missed they were doing that. I'll be sure to get a couple!

[johnlambert]

Full list of "Modern" RailNScale vehicles in 1:148 British N:

http://railnscale.com/modern-vehicles-british-n/