I've looked almost everywhere (ok, so that's an exaggeration) for N scale autos (NO kits!) suitable for the 1970s. I found several Oxford autos, some Wiking VW beetles, and a number of Woodland scenics autos. Can anyone recommend some other ready to run autos for the 1970s that I've overlooked? Thanks for any leads.
Kiz, One of the best ready to use model of a 1970s vehicle is the Atlas Ford Fairmont. They were available in both sedan and station wagon configuration. They are good for the 1978-80 model years This page has a photo of the sedan, with some tips for detailing it. https://nscalevehicles.org/tips_n_tricks/atlas_fairmont.php And here is a photo of the Fairmont station wagon with the CMW Buick Estate Wagon. Atlas also has a Ford F-100 pickup good for the 1973-75 models years. If an exact prototype is not required, the 1:150 scale 1978 Kato Toyota Crown looks a lot like some of the mid-1970s Chrysler products. CMW "promised" they would offer short bed Chevy pickups in N scale for the 1973-74, 1975-76 and 1977-79 model years, but I have yet to see an official announcement or any photos of pre-production models. Herpa has a 1967-72 Opel Kadett B, which works for North American themed layouts because the prototype was sold by Buick dealers. Here is a photo of the Opel Kadett B (on the right) with an Oxford 1:148 scale Ford Anglia. Wiking has several additional models suitable for the 1970s besides the Beetles. Those models include a 1975-78 VW Rabbit (Golf I), a 1973-81 VW Dasher (Passat), a 1970-73 VW 1600 Type 3 Squareback, a 1968-79 VW T2 bus, and a 1966-72 Mercedes 280S. Plus, the models in this Wiking set shown below would all be appropriate for the 1970s. From left to right: 1970-74 Ford Capri I, 1965-72 Porsche 911, 1970-74 Audi 100, 1968-72 VW 411. While somewhat hard to find in U.S. hobby shops, the Lemke 1968-79 VW T2 is available in multiple configurations. This camper version is one of my favorites. I know I have not covered everything, and if you can find the Fleischmann vehicle models from the 1970s, those were similar to the early Wiking models. And most of those would be appropriate for a North American themed layout. Carter
check https://midwestmodelrr.com/ Not sure about passenger autos but remember they have a lot of era-specific work trucks/COEs/tractor trailers, etc. will keep an eye out. Possibly even two
It seems to be hard to find early to mid '70s cars. There are millions of trucks out there, but Grandma didn't drive a cement mixer to get a loaf of bread !!!
I must of been having a senior moment last night, and I forgot I had photos of the Fleischmann vehicles in the N Scale Vehicle Association's pages "N Scale Vehicles by Era." These pages date back to March of 2013, and have not been updated to add any of the models released after 2013. Also, they only show ready to use models, and no kits as Kiz originally requested. So, better late than never, here the links: 1970-79 N Scale Autos, Light Trucks and Vans. https://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1970-1979.php And since there were still a lot of 1960's vintage vehicles in use in the 1970's, here is the link to 1960-69 N Scale Autos, Light Trucks and Vans. https://nscalevehicles.org/resources/era_1960-1969.php Of course, many of the models shown have been discontinued by the manufacturers for many years, but the models still exist, and occasionally they show up on the "N scale used car lots" at train shows and online. Carter
I also forgot I had this photo of the Atlas 1973-75 F-100 pickups in my Railwire gallery, and I should have inserted it in my original post where it belongs. Carter
I have been to this vendor super cool guy has a great store and most N scale I have seen in one place