Racephoto1 Posted January 9 Posted January 9 For me it's about who you know and luck. I had a friend older than me, now deceased. He gave me a lot of old kits. Luck is huge. I went to a shoe early in 2024. I bought one model stock car cheap. Then asked what else he had. A box of Johans. I got a javelin and 70 Comet for $10 each, unassembled. Don't be afraid to ask. 1
Lunajammer Posted January 9 Posted January 9 (edited) On 1/4/2025 at 3:16 PM, StevenGuthmiller said: but luck is the main factor. This. Most of the vintage kits I've acquired found me. Almost all of them builders. Most of the sellers knew full well the value but they were motivated sellers; an antique store going out of business, a flea market, a hobbyist who lost all interest and just wanted them out of the house. All were impulse buys on my part. I don't seek vintage kits, yet there they are. Edited January 9 by Lunajammer 1
Rodent Posted January 10 Posted January 10 34 minutes ago, Lunajammer said: I don't seek vintage kits, yet there they are. "It followed me home, honest Honey." 😁
StevenGuthmiller Posted January 10 Posted January 10 2 hours ago, Lunajammer said: This. Most of the vintage kits I've acquired found me. Almost all of them builders. Most of the sellers knew full well the value but they were motivated sellers; an antique store going out of business, a flea market, a hobbyist who lost all interest and just wanted them out of the house. All were impulse buys on my part. I don't seek vintage kits, yet there they are. Likely story. 😁 Steve 1
Kit Basher Posted January 10 Posted January 10 You can keep an eye on local auctions. At least around here, they will have a few kits once in a while. Occasionally there will be an estate sale that includes someones collection. Most of them are online now, so you don't have to spend the day waiting for something that ends up selling for crazy money. I have been to two estate auctions with hundreds of kits where they were selling cheap. The last one, kits were going for $3-$5 each. I filled up my Focus twice. I can find local auctions on AuctionZip or Hibid. Good luck!
Falcon Ranchero Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 Well guys I finally have a vintage kit that I did actually have on my list of ones to find, this 1959 Lincoln was only $20 and it is complete, very pleased. Planning on restoring it of course. It is officially the oldest kit I have. 5
W-409 Posted January 11 Posted January 11 That's a good deal for the Lincoln! I'd be happy to build one of those as well. That reminds me, a few years ago I remember scrolling through a Finnish site where people sell all kinds of stuff. It's not often when you see someone selling models in there, but this time I noticed a '68 Impala Promo model in perfect condition. The price was $40. I called the seller immediately, and while he lived quite close to me, I jumped to the car and went to pick it up right away. He also had a '67 Pontiac GTO Convertible Promo for also $40 so I bought that too. At home I was looking at both of the promos and they are flawless, like brand new. I thought it was a good deal as I've always wanted to build a '68 Impala. I just checked on eBay quickly, saw only one '68 Impala Promo Model with the price tag of $780. 2
StevenGuthmiller Posted January 11 Posted January 11 2 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said: Well guys I finally have a vintage kit that I did actually have on my list of ones to find, this 1959 Lincoln was only $20 and it is complete, very pleased. Planning on restoring it of course. It is officially the oldest kit I have. That’s a great deal for a ‘59! The ‘60 is more common. The ‘59 can be a little tougher to find. Steve 1
Falcon Ranchero Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 Yeah I was not expecting the price to be that low, but that’s perfectly fine. I noticed on the original price sticker which was still on the box that someone paid a buck 65 at sears in 1959 to buy it
RSchnell Posted January 11 Posted January 11 I took these pics at a local show this morning with this thread in mind. I didn't think the prices were too out of line. 3
stavanzer Posted January 12 Posted January 12 Man, I'd like to find the Ford F-250/350 "Star Truk" that cheap! 1
sfhess Posted January 12 Posted January 12 6 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said: Well guys I finally have a vintage kit that I did actually have on my list of ones to find, this 1959 Lincoln was only $20 and it is complete, very pleased. Planning on restoring it of course. It is officially the oldest kit I have. What are your plans for "restoring" it?
Falcon Ranchero Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 12 hours ago, sfhess said: What are your plans for "restoring" it? I plan on painting it, a two tone blue and just detail the car, change the tires to wider whitewalls; make it look nice.
Falcon Ranchero Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 Did some research and it turns out my Lincoln kit is the 1965 issue, also the last time this kit was released.
StevenGuthmiller Posted January 12 Posted January 12 12 minutes ago, Falcon Ranchero said: Did some research and it turns out my Lincoln kit is the 1965 issue, also the last time this kit was released. Makes no difference. It’s still worth considerably more than $20.00. Steve 1
1972coronet Posted January 12 Posted January 12 FWIW , I just wait for the kit with what I feel's a reasonable price (including shipping - oftentimes that's at least 50% or more of the kit price !). I have a budget in mind, and stick to it (within a reasonable margin). Most I've paid for a vintage kit was 150$ (with shipping) for a mint MPC '78 C10 - the only year of the 2WD issue.
junkyardjeff Posted January 13 Posted January 13 It took me a while to find a unbuilt Monogram 34 Ford kit for a reasonable price to build,the same with the Monogram 36 Ford kits. I ended up buying a few partial 34 kits so I got enough parts to build one the way I wanted the unbuilt kits is still waiting to be built. It took me over a year on the 34 kits
Falcon Ranchero Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 Yeah the price of my Lincoln totally seemed off, considering the completeness, the instructions and decal sheet were in there, but I know the windshield piece was broken in half, intentionally, but still, knowing the place I got it from and the overall rarity and condition $20 was a steal
Falcon Ranchero Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 Just searched up on ebay to see what other 1965 issue 1959 Lincoln kts are going for, and one, exactly like mine, is $100. Mind you the windshield piece is intact and the box is in slightly better shape, but still mine is pretty great for $20. 1
junkyardjeff Posted January 13 Posted January 13 Let your friends know you build,I have a friend that finds models at thrift stores for me and had gotten me a bunch of 60s and newer built ones,guys in the car club also gave me some too and now models are starting to find me.
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