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The Big Caprice Letdown
Topic Started: Apr 9 2008, 12:28 PM (713 Views)
james_autos
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Minivan
I think we've touched on this model before, but as I didn't own one, I couldn't comment. Now that I do have one, I can.

The biggest letdown of course is its dimensions. It's too small, and way too narrow. I've just compared it to JL's 'Import Heat' '99 Civic, and guess what? The Civic is wider than the Caprice and nearly as big! I also hate the rubbish plastic wheels JL still choose to put on some of their models, that are always wonkey and never roll straight. And the last thing is the glazing; it has a very slight green tint to it if you hold it up to the light. Why, I do not know.

I'd been after one for ages, and after seeing them go for much higher prices than other JL's, I finally got one for a 'reasonable' price. I'm still happy to have it in my collection, but it could be vastly improved.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
In my opinion this casting needs to be completely scrapped and the car started from scratch. Absolutely horrible attempt- their worst new casting in years!

In addition to the problems you mentioned, they basically squashed the rear part of the car to make it fit in the blisterpack. The famous "roundback" wagon is lacking it's most distinctive feature (a round back)!
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Couldn't agree more with Swifty. A JL 76 Olds Cutlass is wider than the chevy. Tell me how a mid size GM car from 1973-1977 is bigger than full size GM wagon based on the 1971-1976 bodystyle.
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Lovemy1971Camaro
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Speed Junkie
Swifty
Apr 10 2008, 02:32 AM

In addition to the problems you mentioned, they basically squashed the rear part of the car to make it fit in the blisterpack.  The famous "roundback" wagon is lacking it's most distinctive feature (a round back)!

Maybe they were hoping we wouldn't notice that. :lol:
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DaWeber
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Station Wagon
Many of the "Mainline " toy manufacturers ( model makers) Make their cars arbitrarily to fit the blister pak! Lledo did this and MB and HWs do this in addition to many other companies. After all, those producers that are not collectors unfortunately consider these as no more than toys!
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

I understand your points that you make DaWebber and respect your pov, but with that said, MB's and HW's cheapest models are not $4+ or come with the detail that JLs do. I realize your not neccesarily defending JL either. JL does not have to shrink their cars to the package especially since they already charge premium prices. As a collector, when I pay $3 or more, generally I expect more detailing, correctly proportioned and have a metal base as well.

Zach :wave:
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Dragnet_Supporter
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SUV
I'd still like to get the Road Trip version, but won't be expecting as much from it after all I've read.
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james_autos
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Minivan
Considering that JL consider them as 'The Collectors Choice', they are clearly not made to be toys like Matchbox and Hotwheels. They shouldn't be shrunk and shoved into clamshells like Matchbox and Hotwheels, which are more aimed at children and cost a quarter of JL's.

They should think more carefully about their castings and put them into proper boxes like Norevs, and not silly clamsheel packets.
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seveland
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Muscle Car Fanatic
they should make the package to fit the car and not vice-versa. even if they have to put the car on the card diagonally, make the car correct and proper scale.
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
I found two of the gold ones on the pegs recently. One had the plastic mags, the other had rubber tires and hubs.

As far as it goes, it works well on my basement diorama. The calculation of dimensions, though, do stinketh to high heaven. I think I discussed that issue before...

How many nails does a coffin need, by the way?
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
This is the reason I don't buy many JL's. I think they are the worst in getting castings of proper proportions. When I see a new JL, the first thing I do is look at it head on or the top view. If I see a "skinny" shape, it goes back on the pegs. Casting makers may call some cars "Collectors" edtions, but they still treat them as toys. It doesn't matter how long they make the casting to fit the blister pack, they need to make the HEIGHT and WIDTH in proportion to the length. Then most people will be happy. It doesn't take any more engineering to get the shape correct as it does to make them look awkward. And it doesn't matter how much they plan to sell the car at retail level, it still should be reasonably correct.

In this day and age of instant plans and photographs available of almost anything online, there simply is no reason to make castings that do not look correct.
When I saw the new casting of the AMC AMX by JL, I thought they were finally headed in the right direction, but some of the comments here and what I've recently seen tells me, "Not yet!!" :o

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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Sak
Apr 13 2008, 11:51 AM
How many nails does a coffin need, by the way?

Evidently still more, since JL is still around? ;)

I'd honestly hate to see JL go under, because most of what they've done recently is very good (Scout, Lincoln MK III, and the upcoming castings like the '75 Corvette, '80 Monza, and '71 Vega estate all look good too) but then you get a casting like this which looks as if it was made in 1996 back when JL was still doing toonish cars in the spirit of Topper's JL cars of '69-'71.

ivantt
Apr 13 2008, 8:24PM
This is the reason I don't buy many JL's. I think they are the worst in getting castings of proper proportions. When I see a new JL, the first thing I do is look at it head on or the top view. If I see a "skinny" shape, it goes back on the pegs. Casting makers may call some cars "Collectors" edtions, but they still treat them as toys. It doesn't matter how long they make the casting to fit the blister pack, they need to make the HEIGHT and WIDTH in proportion to the length. Then most people will be happy. It doesn't take any more engineering to get the shape correct as it does to make them look awkward. And it doesn't matter how much they plan to sell the car at retail level, it still should be reasonably correct.

In this day and age of instant plans and photographs available of almost anything online, there simply is no reason to make castings that do not look correct.
When I saw the new casting of the AMC AMX by JL, I thought they were finally headed in the right direction, but some of the comments here and what I've recently seen tells me, "Not yet!!"


To be fair JL gets most of their cars 'right'. Cars like the Avanti and the Caprice Estate this thread was created for definitely show that sometimes JL rushes through just to get the cars on the pegs. JL is also notorious for messing up the Mustangs- I'm still not fond of their '05 Mustang GT casting. It looks fat, tall, and the nose looks way too square. And let's not forget the '73 Mustang convertible that looks more like a Mustang II droptop than a '73.

And then they put out a winner, like the AMX, or the Gremlin, or the '58-'60 Thunderbird. Always been hit & miss with JL, and likely always will be. They'll do a lot better once they stop recycling old Racing Champions castings into the JL line, and drop the chrome from the first release of their new castings...
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