Market research about street cars

[proxieken]

I have noticed that the selection of street cars has diminished greatly in the 5 years or so that I have been in the hobby. At one time Carrera made several street muscle cars in 1/32 scale. Chevelle, Cuda, Charger, Road Runner, GTO, Camaro, Mustang, Firebird, Thunderbird, Corvette, and probably a few more that I can not remember.

I wanted to ask if this is because there is no interest? Perhaps I am an oddball in wanting these types of cars.

Personally I loved collecting them and would buy more if available. They are actually perfect when non-hobby types come over to the house and want to try out a race. I can throw a batch of these on the track and we re-enact Fast and Furious movies. Everyone instantly recognizes the cars.

It seems like most available cars now are replicas of famous race cars, which is great for hard core race fans. But it is kind of hard to explain to someone who is not so informed what exactly they are running. I say, "This is the Porsche 917 that raced at Watkins Glen during the 1969 endurance race". This is usually followed by a blank stare as the person most likely has never heard of or seen a 917.

If I simply hold up a Road Runner, they invariably grin and begin telling me about someone they know how used to have one back in the day.

And the race is then on. :banana-dance:

I am going to be picking up the General Lee, and everyone will be fighting over that car for sure. Trouble is I have to chip it and add lights, but worth it for me.

And I do collect a lot of race cars also. It is just the street cars are a lot more familiar to the guys who come over for family gatherings.

I am going to assume the companies stopped making them because they do not sell, which means I am an oddball.

[dw5555]

For the most part I agree with you. I came back to the hobby when Carrera's street cars were in full swing. I never really cared for the race cars. That is what actually pushed me over towards Carrera in the 1st place. When they dried up I basically stopped buying new cars and hunted for older ones. Unfortunately since I swung to 1/24 cars that is obviously out of the question now. I've since learned to accept my Gt cars. It is what it is.

Dave

[HomeRacingWorld]

The poll numbers I collected for 4 years in a row differ greatly. From shows at NYC, Chicago, Memphis and St Louis for the most part. Other numbers were collected from partners of mine at the time from other various parts of the Country. Then I ran 2 consecutive polls online. Not to mention the numbers given to me from the greater UK.

Street cars are cool and it's important to have a few. I like a nice street run once in awhile too. And I really liked the original Carrera when they released them many moons ago.

But the majority of folks said they would rather have race versions.

I'm guilty as well. I would much rather have the NASCAR versions of the Fairlane, Charger, etc, such as Monogram released than a street version any day. Same goes for the upcoming Torino re-release from Carrera. I'll take Wendell and Benny LONG before a plain version. It's what I built the oval for after all. I may not be racing "seriously", but I still want to have as much realism in my playtime as possible.

I hear the same comments such as "Cool a Charger" when I break out the Winged Warriors. It's still recognizable. Same goes for all the Trans-Am series models.

Taking a look at one site, there are several Carrera street versions of the new Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche 911 and even the concept Camaro. There are still some being produced, but not as many as before.

[2FER SLOTS]

[proxieken]

I should have specified that I was talking about the older cars.

And not limiting this to Carrera. Scaley made a few street versions of the Boss 302, but seems to make a huge number of race versions. I guess they made a street Charger and maybe a street Cougar? Did they make a street Challenger as well?

I was just trying to figure out if there is simply not a market for this type of race car, as evidenced by the majority of cars being race versions.

[Nor Cal Mike]

Count me as a race fan. I have purchased only a handful of street cars in my 10 years back in the hobby. All were purchased to be rebuilt into race car models that couldn't be had at the time. So I guess you might say that my need for street cars is pretty minimal. Last week I bought two more of the modern Stingrays that are badged as race cars but have a blond and brunette surfer dude in the drivers seat. They will soon go to be replaced by a properly attired race drivers.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I keep both, but more race versions by far.

What has always surprised me is that in Aurora TJet HO stuff, I tended to have very few race versions. I sold all that a few years ago, but at one time I had close to 1000 cars and less than a dozen of them were racers. My favorite racer was the Alfa Romeo LeMans car. I must have had 6 or 8 of those. The Maserati Coupe had a stripe, but no numbers. Lots of them, too.

[RichD]

Personally I am not interested in street cars, however it would be a shame if they were not available for the people that like them. Unfortunately the market for 1/32nd cars has shrunk over the past few years. If a company comes out with a racing version they can release it with an unlimited number of liveries at little extra cost and spread out the tooling costs. I suppose that street versions could be released in different colors or with stripes, etc. Would people who like street cars buy more cars if the only difference was the color?
People that like street cars do have an alternative if they can find a model kit body and mount it on a Slot-it HRS or printed chassis.

[Ky.Slot Racer]

Although I do like the racers more, I do also collect a few AMERICAN"street cars from all manufacturers. I think the draw for me is that for the most part, they from my early driving days when horse power ruled, and every "AMERICAN" car company had a hot rod you could buy from the show room floor. Another reason is the Carrera white T-bird and green GTO were what re-attracted me back into this hobby. I thought they were a new diecast car. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprized.
Personally I would like to see a few more from Carrera, A Torino Cobra Jet comes to mind right off the bat. WOOT WOOT :banana-dance:

[Modlerbob]

I'd say that less than 10% of my somewhat large 1/32 slot car collection consists of street cars. To me slot cars = race cars. It's that simple. I've never really thought much of putting a non racing machine on my track.

[DaveKennedy]

When you talk with the largest dealers in the hobby you get a clear picture of what sells well and what does not.

when I look at what guys have in their slot boxes when I visit groups of racers, overwhelmingly the cars in their boxes have numbers on them, sponsors, etc.... to the point where I don't know when I've seen someone with more than 1 out of a whole box of cars that is a numberless street car.

[Ky.Slot Racer]

I agree with that perspective Bob, but I have to say also, when a (not) slot car, car guy comes in my basement. Say for instance my ORKIN man, and my home security man for example. They both have been all over my home, when they seen my slot cars, they were in awe. But when they seen street version Chevelles, Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers.. well that when they really got excited, and they actually raced cars more than once on their companies dime. :naughty: Even puchased sets sinse !! So there is a draw for all versions.

[Ky.Slot Racer]

Understand that Dave, and in reality, you guys have already done the hard part by producing the unit in race form (Torino) So if a fella really wanted say a Torino Cobra Jet... he could dumb down a race version.

[DaveKennedy]

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