Soooooooo....I have a bunch of pickups...service trucks...police trucks....semi trucks...trucks...trucks...trucks ! THE WIFE just asked when I am going to buy CARS to put on THERR Layout ! Where do you guys buy GOOD QUALITY N Scale modern era American style autos?? Something in the quality range of the RPS trucks would be great ! I don't need streets full of compact Toyotas !! TIA
I was also looking for modern (2000 to the present) N scale cars but there doesn’t seem to be very many available. There are lots of cars from the 1950s and 60s. The only somewhat modern cars I’ve found are Kato’s 80s and 90s Toyotas.
You might need to look at 3D printed ones. FDM printers will not give you the needed detail, but resin ones are very good.
If you are looking for ready to use automobiles that have been produced in 1:160 scale, you can start here https://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1990-1999.php and here https://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_2000-2009.php But as you can see, if you want GM or Chrysler prototypes, there isn't much out there. If you want to join the N Scale Vehicle Association's Group.io, you will find these documents are a little more up to date. https://groups.io/g/NScaleVehicleAssociation/files/Models for Your Era Carter
most all are made after auto across the pond. nothing AMERICAN and nothing in cast metal any more unless you go buy match box cars from wally world , but there out of scale
Depending on how many you need, it might be wise to invest in a resin 3D printer. Lots of other uses too.
You are welcome. The only modern "American" prototype automobile that is equivalent to the RPS Fords is the Atlas Ford Taurus. These were everywhere in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, even that model requires some tweaking. The headlights and front turn signal lights look a lot better if you replace them with Kristal Klear, as shown here. https://nscalevehicles.org/tips_n_tricks/atlas_taurus.php Also, some of the prototype "European brands" that we have models of were built in North America, such as the Mercedes-Benz ML Class SUV offered by Busch. Carter
Looking around online it looks like I may have to buy cars that have an 'American feel' to them. Seeings that cars aren't really an individual scene stealer but more of a scene 'filler'...to me anyways... I am going to try to find sellers with 'bulk packs' of cars that don't look to 'cheap'. I do have a few cars/trucks that are on the layout for their visual appeal so the rest can just be 'traffic'.
I often find myself envious of HO scalers and the selection they have for this modeling subject. As bad as we have it though think about the Z folks.
There are some well detailed 1:150 scale vehicle models that do work well with 1:160 scale models. Generally, the prototypes are small (sub-compacts), and they are NOT imported into the U.S. I put the lineup shown below together as an example. From left to right: RPS Ford F-250, TomyTec Nissan X-Trail, Atlas Ford F-150, TomyTec Nissan AD, Busch Mercedes-Benz ML Class, Kato Toyota Probox, and Atlas Ford Taurus. You can see more comparisons between 1:150 scale models and 1:160 scale models here: https://nscalevehicles.org/resources/tomytec_collection_p1.php Carter
Sigh ......... no 81 Dodge Diplomat coupes then ??????? I owned one for a few months ... it must have had a very happy vibe to it .... people would often look at it and smile ... some even burst out laughing !
Hey I owned an 84 Dodge Omni 4 door with an engine made by Briggs and Stratton! Used to get the same kind of smiles...
https://www.shapeways.com/product/45BKZQ5CB/1-160-2x-1980-83-dodge-diplomat-sedan That's a close as I've seen anyone come.
The big items around here lately are large crew cab 4x4 pickups and large SUVs. After that it's many very noisy Harleys and rusted out clunkers.
LOL , B&S engine , well put. I always felt that the design team from Tecumseh had something to do with the Diplomat.
