1936 Terraplane scale model on eBay

Park W wrote:

Great job of detailing that model. I'd like to find whoever did it and have them repaint my Franklin Mint '36 convertible in a proper color.

From the auction:



Additional work performed by John Arnold:

• The original "Vineyard Green" paint (incorrectly labeled "Montana Green" by Brooklin) has been professionally stripped and refinished in "Sage Green".
  
• All appropriate exterior trim has been carefully detailed with chrome foil. No silver paint was used.
  
• Separate headlight lenses, rear-view mirror and a spotlight were added.
  
• Factory-correct rear fender skirts were fabricated and installed.
  
• License plate and emblem decals were added.
  
• The bumpers, hood ornament, dashboard and steering wheel have been detailed with paint.
  
• The original Brooklin tires have been upgraded to period-correct whitewalls manufactured by Bruce Arnold Models (BAM).
  

I'd love to see what he does with the upcoming convertible. I also dig that "Terraplane Blues" track playing in the background. Long live Robert Johnson!

hudsontech wrote:

nd there-in lies one of the reasons this hobby has become so expensive. There's a good chance somebody will break their elbow getting out the credit card to pay $300+ on ebay, when with a little research he could buy it from a reputable dealer for far less.

I try not to knock models I can't afford but sometimes the temptation is too hard to overcome.



However, I think you've missed a couple of things. Firstly, $115 is the price set by Brooklin Models, which is actually considered an entry-level manufacturer in the true hand-built scale model industry. Go back 20 years and Brooklins were still about $75 each. In the hobby, they are actually widely praised for managing to keep their prices down, while each year improving quality and detail.



Secondly, the "Sage Green" model on eBay has been dramatically improved or did you not read the description? I know few detailers (let alone collectors) who have the nerve to strip and completely refinish one of these gems. Then you add the chrome foiling, paint detail, fender skirt fabrication and you have a model on the level of a Motor City USA or EMC.



I see that last month the same seller managed to get $475 for this detailed Brooklin '40 Cadillac. My guess is the "Sage Green" Hudson may command the same high figure.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320468380784







Most 1:24 and 1:18 scale collectors have trouble justifying the prices for a model that is only 5" long, while 1:43 scale collectors scoff at the larger model's toy-ish opening doors and clunky features. I must admit most of the larger stuff looks pretty silly and the sheer size takes up three times the space of 1:43. Personally, I'd prefer a complete collection of pre and post-war Hudsons on my shelf to four or five cheap diecast cars with huge unsightly panel gaps.