CMW 55 Fords

[montanan]

The new Classic Metal Works 55 Fords are out and they out did themselves.

I have been collecting HO scale vehicles for over 25 years trying to get the most accurate vehicles for the transition period available. When I started, Alloy Forms had probably the best at the time. As time passed other manufacturers stepped up to the plate and more became available. Them Classic Metal Works came on the scene. At first they weren't the best, but over the years they steadily improved and now probably produce some of the best vehicles for the transition era. What I like about them is that they are producing more of what John Q would have been driving at the time. 4 door sedans, station wagons instead of the 2 door hard tops that would have been the more upscale cars. I probably have over 200 vehicles and need more like a hole in the head, but I couldn't pass them up and have more on the way.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

I took delivery of some new 1955 Fords in as well.

 

[tootnkumin]

That guy in the suit, standing by his Chev, looks like he's expecting someone to come out and pump his gas for him ???

 

[montanan]

I took delivery of some new 1955 Fords in as well.
View attachment 46902

Like the car carrier. I have the kit put away somewhere (?) Want to use it for my Chevy dealership, but can't find where I stashed it away.

I just came across a bunch of unbuilt freight cars kits and hope further hunting will turn the kit up. Looks like you are an avid collector also. I probably have over 200 vehicles for the transition era and for some reason just keep getting more. They sure did a great job on the 55's.

 

[Bruette]

Great pictures of great cars, thanks for posting them!

I have to wonder where the black ford is?

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I'm impressed!
That auto carrier would really look good with a little road grime on it. Those things used to clog the highways where I grew up - both full and empty.

 

[Gary B]

Good pictures guys. I've got a few CMW vehicles and I must say they are really nice.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

I have to wonder where the black ford is?

The plain black 55 Ford is in the next group scheduled for release this winter. You can find them on Walthers website. The Auto transport trailer is a Revell kit from the early 1960's. It was re-released by Con-Cor and Heljan in the 80's or 90's. There is Always at least one or two on E-bay at any given time.

 

[montanan]

I saw some photos of the next group, including a police car which interests me. The Con Cor re-release is the carrier kit I have, somewhere. When I decided to put in the car dealership I picked up the car carrier kit. Damn, it sucks getting old, can't remember where I stashed stuff away at.

I have picked up quite a few CMW vehicles on Amazon. I get amazon gift cars from a few surveys that I complete and that's how I can afford to get so many. There is some discount off of retail on them.

 

[catt]

Having owned and still owning the real thing one I will not be wasting my money on any of these cars. CMW is getting as bad with their HO product as they have with the N scale vehicles they produce.

 

[AmericaWestLines]

'55 is close enough for me but a '57 2 door is what the founder drove in my lifetime. Have you seen 2 doors?

 

[Alan Curtis]

Having owned and still owning the real thing one I will not be wasting my money on any of these cars. CMW is getting as bad with their HO product as they have with the N scale vehicles they produce.

What is the problem with these Jonathan - quality or price?

 

[logandsawman]

The new Classic Metal Works 55 Fords are out and they out did themselves.

I have been collecting HO scale vehicles for over 25 years trying to get the most accurate vehicles for the transition period available. ]

Explains how you have so many on your layout!! I am buying them too, I think you get a lot of bang for your buck.

 

[montanan]

Now that I have the last town on my layout, I may need more. I see nothing wrong with their vehicles at all. They may be a bit pricey, but places like MB Klein do sell at a discount and I have also been able to find some at Amazon also at a discount.

I probable have at least a few of every vehicle they have come out with, getting tham in different colors and I will say that with each new release I see an improvement in the detail. I can't complain at all.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

'55 is close enough for me but a '57 2 door is what the founder drove in my lifetime. Have you seen 2 doors?

Discontinued now, but a few years ago Williams Brothers made a clear plastic kit of a 1957 Fairlane 2 door hardtop. The body is clear with the windows molded in, but if you are good at masking and painting, they could make pretty nice models. The only other 57 Ford ever mass produced in 1/87 scale was a 1957 Country Squire station wagon. The wagon was made by Marx in the late 50's or early 60's as part of a two automobile load (the second car was a 57 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham) for a flat car. You can find the Williams Bros. hardtops and the Marx wagons on E-bay from time to time. The Marx 57 Ford wagons are actually pretty nice if you strip and repaint the woody side and tailgate trim.

MB Kleins (Modeltrainstuff.com) and Walthers, have the newest colors of the 55 Fords in stock. That includes the black ones mentioned and I believe the police version too.

If you order the 1955 Fords from Modeltrainstuff.com, you may also want to order some of the diecast 1/87 scale autos by Oxford if you haven't already. The Oxford cars are inexpensive and well done and would complement the CMW Fords nicely. The Oxford line includes a 1950 Mercury, 1941 Lincoln Continental, 1956 T'bird and 1958 Edsel (most available in 4 colors each). More colors of the Oxford cars have been announced as well as some additional future releases. Not yet released are Oxford's 57 Mercury, 61 Lincoln "Kennedy" Presidential Limo, 56 Lincoln Continental, and 65 Mustang convertible.

 

[logandsawman]

I bought one of the Oxford 1941 Lincold Continentals and it goes well on the layout with the CMW cars. They come in a nicer case, although two small screws attach the automobile to the package, so it won't look scale if you have it rolled over.

Luckily, I wasn't planning on rolling mine over.

 

[montanan]

I do have a couple of the '57 Fords. Needless to say, they're not as accurate as the CMW vehicles, and take a bit of work to complete, but I do like them. You can see one in this picture parked behind the REA panel truck. I knew years ago that 1957 was going to be the year I was modeling and I have looked for everything I could find that would fit the era.

In the next picture you can see an Oxford Mercury in the photo. They are decent representations. I also have their '41 Lincoln. Nice car.

In the last picture you can see the '41 Lincoln, and I also found a couple of Nash vehicles like the one parked in front of the market. I also have a little Nash Metropolitan somewhere on the layout. I am always on the look out for vehicles that will fit my time period. I have seen some resin offerings, and have built a few but really don't cars for them as it takes a real steady hand to get them done right. You'll also see a Chrysler Airflow in the picture.

 

[AmericaWestLines]

Now you've done it! Also in the family: 50 merc, 41 linclon , what looks like the nose of 59 ford, And 60's lincoln, not quite a limo but it felt like it. This could get expensive.

 

[Jim 68cuda]

Now you've done it! Also in the family: 50 merc, 41 linclon , what looks like the nose of 59 ford, And 60's lincoln, not quite a limo but it felt like it. This could get expensive.

59 Ford is by CMW (same company that made the 55 Fords) and the Lincoln in the photo is a 56 Continental by Model Power. Ricko made a highly detailed 1/87 scale 1963 Lincoln convertible in both top down and top up versions. You may still be able to find some vendors that still have it in stock.

 

[Alan Curtis]

Discontinued now, but a few years ago Williams Brothers made a clear plastic kit of a 1957 Fairlane 2 door hardtop. The body is clear with the windows molded in, but if you are good at masking and painting, they could make pretty nice models. The only other 57 Ford ever mass produced in 1/87 scale was a 1957 Country Squire station wagon. The wagon was made by Marx in the late 50's or early 60's as part of a two automobile load (the second car was a 57 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham) for a flat car. You can find the Williams Bros. hardtops and the Marx wagons on E-bay from time to time. The Marx 57 Ford wagons are actually pretty nice if you strip and repaint the woody side and tailgate trim.

MB Kleins (Modeltrainstuff.com) and Walthers, have the newest colors of the 55 Fords in stock. That includes the black ones mentioned and I believe the police version too.

If you order the 1955 Fords from Modeltrainstuff.com, you may also want to order some of the diecast 1/87 scale autos by Oxford if you haven't already. The Oxford cars are inexpensive and well done and would complement the CMW Fords nicely. The Oxford line includes a 1950 Mercury, 1941 Lincoln Continental, 1956 T'bird and 1958 Edsel (most available in 4 colors each). More colors of the Oxford cars have been announced as well as some additional future releases. Not yet released are Oxford's 57 Mercury, 61 Lincoln "Kennedy" Presidential Limo, 56 Lincoln Continental, and 65 Mustang convertible.

Of all those, I guess the only suitable one for my mid-seventies layout would be the 65 Mustang