HPI models

[NISMO 23]

That Lancia is simply amazing. I've seen overhead shots of the rear hatch where the engine is displayed in it full glory, and has got me itching now to get one. But what species or sub-species to collect this under? Perhaps "Italian cars that I can't afford to buy in full scale?" or the ubiquitous "Because I felt like it" category?

[philsaunders]

I recently called up the HPI Racing U.S. corporate office (not too far from me in Orange County California) to try to track down some models I've been looking for and they informed me that they are no longer selling diecasts in the U.S. This was just a customer service guy, so maybe he doesn't have all the info, but... Anyone have any other information on that?

Looks like it's eBay all the way for my HPI fix...

[NISMO 23]

My local dealer tells me that the only retailer carrying the HPI diecast in the U.S. is Replicarz; that everyone else has discontinued.

I wonder if the high prices killed the market for these models here in the U.S.

[JSB33]

I am sure there are limitations as to just how many people are willing to pay top dollar for these.
Makes me wonder when I see guys picking them up at TK Maxx for IXO money.

[k1w1taxi]

I suspect also that the product range may not be conducive to large sale quantities in the US. Maybe HPI need to make some NASCAR or Indycars if they want to generate sles in the US?

Cheers
Lee

[dbonser]

My local dealer tells me that the only retailer carrying the HPI diecast in the U.S. is Replicarz; that everyone else has discontinued.

I wonder if the high prices killed the market for these models here in the U.S.

Replicarz is carrying some non-rally HPI models. I contacted Mark @ Replicarz a while ago and he confirmed that they are no longer carrying them. He said there's not much of a market for 1:43 rally cars. So, no US retailers for HPI rally cars.

[philsaunders]

I am sure there are limitations as to just how many people are willing to pay top dollar for these.
Makes me wonder when I see guys picking them up at TK Maxx for IXO money.

HPIs at TJ Maxx? Really? How long ago was this?? I'll run out today and go look!

I would think there would be a decent market here for the "fast & furious" cars like the GTRs and Silvias.

[GBOAC002]

On a recent excursion to Croydon I ventured into TKMAXX and could see nothing resembling a collectable 1:43 diecast of any kind. Perhaps I was just unlucky.

[CraigyGT]

I am sure there are limitations as to just how many people are willing to pay top dollar for these.
Makes me wonder when I see guys picking them up at TK Maxx for IXO money.

HPIs at TJ Maxx? Really? How long ago was this?? I'll run out today and go look!

I would think there would be a decent market here for the "fast & furious" cars like the GTRs and Silvias.

Only in the UK i'm afraid. It's called TK Maxx over here. Not uncommon to find models there. Last lot were Minichamps DE Porsches and Alfa Partsworks cars.

http://www.scale143.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1521

[NISMO 23]

Not uncommon to find models there. Last lot were Minichamps DE Porsches and Alfa Partsworks cars.

What are "partsworks cars"? I've seen that phrase elsewhere on this site, and was presuming it referred to home-modified models using disparate parts from other models.

[scalainj]

Only in the UK i'm afraid. It's called TK Maxx over here. Not uncommon to find models there. Last lot were Minichamps DE Porsches and Alfa Partsworks cars.

Last week they had a whole stack of those orange Porsche Slugs. Luckily i had a kilo of salt to hand

Andy

[JSB33]

Not uncommon to find models there. Last lot were Minichamps DE Porsches and Alfa Partsworks cars.

What are "partsworks cars"? I've seen that phrase elsewhere on this site, and was presuming it referred to home-modified models using disparate parts from other models.

They are cars that come like a subscription and usually come with a magazine every 2 weeks or so.
Series like the Alfa Romeo racing sets, The James Bond Car Collection, Michelin Trucks, anythinb really.
They are usually a lower end car. Big in Europe but unheard of in the states.

[NISMO 23]

Thanks for the explanation. I subscribe to a few UK car mags, but they've never included a model. I'll have to ask them next time.

[dbonser]

Thanks for the explanation. I subscribe to a few UK car mags, but they've never included a model. I'll have to ask them next time.

They don't come with the 'normal' kinds of magazines you can subscribe to here in the states. I've never found one yet that I could subscribe to here in the states. The 'magazines' are limited run series & usually about 20 pages, each 'issue' specific to the model. They're released by publishers like DeAgostini (www.deagostini.co.uk) & Altaya (www.altaya.es, www.altaya.pt, www.altaya.fr).

[GBOAC002]

If you put Altaya 43 into the ebay search box you will see hundreds of these cheap(ish) partworks models.

[philsaunders]

eBay is literally flooded with the Norev Dakar partswork models right now for dirt cheap.

[dbonser]

Back to some new HPI/Mirage releases. Release dates are based on my interpretation of Google's translation so take them with a grain of salt.

There was also some information about the difference between HPI & Mirage releases (in Google Japanglish):
By the way, MIRAGE and hp brands often receive questions about the differences between the brands, Resin is now concentrated to MIRAGE. Models are produced in small lots at the same time Diecast be MIRAGE. Diecast MIRAGE is for small lots, marking a higher percentage use decals. On the other hand, hpi Diecast brands will be the main, relatively large number of production, the main tampo printing (printing ratio is high) is produced. Depending on the shape the body is unable to reproduce in print technology in some cases to use some decals. If you have a large share of the brand at the cost of production, small lot production MIRAGE model and brand of quotation. Reference.


Subaru Legacy RS (# 6) 1991 Manx July - no tobacco logos on final model


Subaru Legacy RS (#2) 1991 Manx July - no tobacco logos on final model


Lancia Stratos HF (# 3) 1975 Safari September


Lancia Stratos HF (# 2) 1981 Tour de France July


CALSONIC SKYLINE GT-R (# 2) 1993 October


Nissan GT-R (R35) TR35 GT800-R July

[guitardave_1]

I clearly need to brush up on my Japanglish

[Rat]

I'm not sure if this is the final production sample but to me, it doesn't look all that good...



It should be available on March 22nd.

[dbonser]

I'm not sure if this is the final production sample but to me, it doesn't look all that good...



It should be available on March 22nd.

That's a 1:64 from CM's. I have it and it's pretty good for 1:64.

[Rat]

That's a 1:64 from CM's. I have it and it's pretty good for 1:64.

I see, so the seller used this pic to pre-sell the HPI model. That makes sense I guess. I agree, the model looks very good for 1/64 but not for what we're used to from HPI.

[philsaunders]

Lancia Stratos HF (# 3) 1975 Safari September
Image Image

Well I know what I'm buying in September... Though I won't hold my breath. Safari rally models of the Delta HF were originally scheduled for March of this year too (with a sku number and everything) and we have yet to see a prototype.

Interesting that they originally announced the '76 Stratos (with the Alitalia stripes livery) and now they're presumably leading with this one.

[philsaunders]

HPI has an official press release up on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HPI-Racing-models/109282702445654#!/photo.php?fbid=190461044327819&set=a.114474578593133.6167.109282702445654&theater

Of course as history has shown, that really means nothing...

[philsaunders]

..and the latest news, I just had a Facebook exchange with the guy from HPI, and it looks like the Safari rally Lancia Delta HF Integrales are due out this summer. He also said they're definitely going to produce the '77 Safari Stratos as well.