FRR TAHOE & IMPALA UPDATE

[FRR INFO]

I've received a great many inquiries asking if these were still going to be done and if they would be current body styles. The answer is yes they are and in the new body styles as it makes no sense to offer something outdated. Most all of the Impala's I see in service around the country are the new body style. To answer further questions they will both be police spec designs. They are being created directly from GM's fleet information, not civilian designs. No roof racks or door moldings either.

I purposely slowed down on development until my determined efforts to secure a vendor that met my manufacturing standards was achieved. Now that I'm confident of future build quality development is continuing.

The Tahoe will be released first followed by the Impala. Currently, the new body style Tahoe is rapidly becoming the SUV of choice for law enforcement for a  number of reasons. In two wheel drive configuration it's the only SUV that's pursuit certified. It also cost less than an Expedition and it delivers better fuel mileage.

There will be a series of each offered along with blanks for custom builders. Although proportions and detailing will be equal to our Charger and Crown Vic, an effort is being made to simplify assembly and cetain part features so they are more custom builder friendly when disassembly for painting is required. And, individual parts such as spare glass head and tail ligts etc. will be available just as we do for our other models.

During May I'll be in China and will carefully evaluate the hand samples to assure the aforementioned criteria are being achieved. Once I have more information and a definitive schedule it will be shared.

Dennis Deal
Product Development Manager
First Response Replicas

[CoreysCruisers]

AWESOME....thanks Dennis.

[cops119]

Yes, excellent choice and i'm really looking forward to seeing this Tahoe new body 

[Turbocharger]

Awesome! Just saw an unmarked new Tahoe yesterday and would love to make a custom of it. Looks like I'll be able to before too long.

[Troy]

Thanks for the updates Dennis.  It's information like this that keeps us customers coming back, and confident in your commitment to keeping the 1/43 police hobby line alive and looking forward.

[Mark B]

All I need to do is find the room for all of these great little police cars. It is a problem I am quite happy to deal with;D. Thanks for the updates Dennis.

[techcomm]

Any time lines on this yet Dennis?

[FRR INFO]

Any time lines on this yet Dennis?

Development is continuing and I've got an approximate estimate but, if I indicate such, it will be wrong so I'd prefer not to speculate at this time. The Impala is coming first followed by the Tahoe. Right now I'm working on additional accessories to include such as new lightbars and a wider variety of interior lighting options that could be used across the FRR line or on most any 1/43 police model. It's a time consuming process.   

   

[techcomm]

Thanks Dennis for the update.   

[NYPD1009]

I'm working on additional accessories to include such as new lightbars    

Dennis,

That sounds very intersting!! Can we hope for a Code 3 LB for California PD's (they use it very often)??

Tom

[FRR INFO]

I'm working on additional accessories to include such as new lightbars    

Dennis,

That sounds very intersting!! Can we hope for a Code 3 LB for California PD's (they use it very often)??

Which exact light bar are you referring to? Code 3 covers a wide spectrum of roof lighting equipment.
They have many models and variations among each. That's part of the process, determining which bars are used the most throughout the country. It's impossible to make them all.

Tom

[NYPD1009]

I think it's the MX7000 used for example on the older LAPD units. This LB you can find nationwide.

[FRR INFO]

Thank you for your input, the MX 7000 is one that I know is widely used.   

[vpfire]

Sorry for bringing back an old topic, but this is great news. I have seen the protoype for the Tahoe, but nothing about the Impala. Do we have any updates?

[FRR INFO]

Sorry for bringing back an old topic, but this is great news. I have seen the protoype for the Tahoe, but nothing about the Impala. Do we have any updates?

Since this thread relates specifcially to FRR products, this post could be interpreted that the individual making it has seen the FRR Tahoe prototype. Even if that was not the intent, and referred to something else, it could easily be taken as such. To clarify, no one other than myself has any information on the development of these two projects and none of that information has been disiminated and won't be until I have definitive information to share. Misinformation and constant requests for updates doesn't benefit anyone.

[vpfire]

I apologize for saying ive seen the FRR Tahoe. When I saw this topic, I was thinking of a diecast Tahoe that is in the construction process by another manufacturer. Again I apologize for the mix up.

[techcomm]

Hi Dennis:

Any further news on the Tahoe and Impala that you can share with us? I know I have customers lined up for when these are released. If you can share anything with us, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

[FRR INFO]

I don't have a definitive date. When I do I'll be sure to post it.

However, I will share this. They will be one piece bodies with straight axles front and rear. Several months ago there was a long thread here about the pros and cons of opening doors, hoods and poseable wheels vs. a straight body. The majority didn't mind omitting these features if the basic model was well proportioned with excellent details.

In brief, the reasons are many and well based from my perspective. Our models serve two distinct segments, the collector who buys a finished model and the custom builder. This second segment shares many different skill levels and many would prefer a simpler body to work with.   

Plus, most of the 1/43 collector market offerings are one piece bodies. They are easier to produce and eliminate the problems associated with ill-fiting doors and changing wheels out. Given the ever increasing cost associated with tooling development and the multitude of other cost factors this approach helps maintain reasonable prices.

Plus, whether we want to recognize it or not, the police market is rather small. To continue to serve this market after the rest of the 1/43 providers have dried up requires a reasonable approach so we can continue to offer models without over investing.

Additionally, with the recently announced new Ford, Caprice PPV and a reskinned Charger, it appears there may be a need to make additional models in the future. Just doing these in a one piece body is a significant investment.

Alot of the cost that would have gone into tooling the additional parts required for opening features and poseable wheels is being directed to tooling additional parts such as light bars so everythings a trade off. These models will be well proportioned and detailed with a variety of accessory parts that should well received.

           
 

[Troy]

Thanks for the information Dennis.  That is GREAT news about the one piece body for the Impala and Tahoe.  Your decision gets a "thumbs up" here.  I would much rather you spend the overall cost in parts and accessories vs. doors and trunks that open.  As most can tell from my posted photos of customs, I display all of my cars in their display cases, so I could care less if the doors open.

From personal experience, having built almost 15 custom Magnums now...The one piece body makes decal application a snap, and I think they produce a very professional looking model when all of the decals stripes line up perfect.

I'm sure a few folks will jump on the soap box when they read your news, but lets be honest.  Would we rather see the money spent on say 20 different light bar options and 5 different push bumper options, or a trunk that opens?

I think the answer goes without question  

Keep up the great work!  

[CoreysCruisers]

Thanks Dennis for the update, looking forward to seeing the new products and accessories.

[CFDBASHER]

When I repainted models to FHP, opening doors were a great help without the task of masking the tan from the black. But as FR models are now available in various colors and even B/W combinations, those opening doors, hoods with engines, trunks, and working steering, just add to the manufacturer cost. Better R&D and final presentation always gets my vote (and dollar) over moving parts.

[FRR INFO]

Sorry, I keep getting asked and it is time for an update on these. We hope to have at least some blank white versions of each out before the end of the year. As I've mentioned here previously, these will be one piece bodies with straight axles on both ends. I sat at length with the factory and stressed my suggestions to make assembly as straightforward as possible, especially the glass thus making disassembly if need be fairly easy.

The interiors of both will still be detailed, especially the consoles. Front doors will not have glass. The Impala will have the thin door moldings while the Tahoe won't have any. Important "make or break features" such as head/tail lights,tires and wheels were specified for detail as if on a 1/25th scale model. There will be only one set of wheels for the Impala. Although some Tahoes in police service have been observed to use alloy wheels, my information indicates these are actually civilian versions. The actual police spec Tahoe has one basic wheel which is all that we will offer. For 2wd they are black,for 4wd they are painted silver. A distinction we will make depending on the version being made. 

Some light bars and antennas are carrying over because they remain popular in fleet service while other new ones are being created. With a move to a computer aided dispatch resulting in newer, smaller styles of antennas several of these are being added.

Blanks will still feature the bag of accessory parts. Individual parts such as glass and other bits and pieces will also be available for custom builders who might break or loose them. The new lightbars and antennas will make their way into our "parts department".

[CoreysCruisers]

AWESOME!!! Can't wait...my list of new models to make is growing...gotta try and start saving...lol.

Thanks Dennis.

[Troy]

Thank you for the updates Dennis.  I'm sure it's a never ending challenge for you dealing with a factory half a world away, but we really do appreciate all that you do for us and this hobby.

[cops119]

Thanks for keeping us informed ! We appreciate what you do !

[FRR INFO]

In this and the following posts, are photos of the Tahoe models evolution. The first is referred to as the hard pattern. From there it evolves to a mock up which is shown in the remainder of the photos.

A few things to note, the tires and wheels are always done last. Both versions of the Tahoe, 2WD & 4WD,  use 265/60 or 70 low profile tires which, are considerably less in diameter than the civilian versions. What you see here are scaled properly but without detail.

Also, because this is a mock up, there are different pieces of accessory equipment on it simply for development purposes. I know, the Michigan hood sign doesn't go with the Code 3 Excaliber lightbar. The two small lights on the tailgate are used by the Michigan S.P. in addition to other departments. They'll be installed when necessary.

Anything not gray are separate parts. Although difficult to see, the front fog lights are separate lenses. Also not visible are side lights on the push bumper. They can be painted to replicate light colors when necessary.

 The glass is one piece. The head and tail lights are not mounted with the typical pin in the middle which often ruins their appearence. They're secured by small slots at their edges. Both the glass and lights will be available as individual parts in the event they are broken during disassembly. Same with mirrors etc.

The interior is police spec with the identical pattern in the upholstery. The MDT is in two pieces and replicates the current evolution in their design. You'll note on this model it is correctly angled towards the driver. It too, will be later offered as a separate part.

I noted only a few items for attention, among them to add an individual front license plate which, they forgot.  The final photos show it next to our existing Ford and Charger for comparison.
  

[FRR INFO]

And more-

[FRR INFO]

Last group-

[Troy]

Thanks for keeping us updated, and for all of the photos through the process!  The spare parts alone are a great thing.  You've really got a lock on the market with this Tahoe.  I hope you know that your first round of blank Tahoes are going to sell out in record time 

[Mannys DieCast]

Thank you for the update!  The photos look awesome.

Manny
www.mannysdiecast.com