Thoughts On Lionel Producing NASCAR collectibles

I have no problem with it. Like all companies they are just looking to expand the bottom line.

 

True, but it reminds me of the 1960s when Lionel tried to expand into other things like cameras, cars, science sets, etc. and were largely unsuccessful with it. Plus, to me, it just doesn't seem right that a company that has made high quality model trains for over 100 years, suddenly decides to make something they have no experience with or have ever made before. And yet, they expect to be successful with it. And if Im not mistaken, I think I heard that Lionel just partnered with another company that has made die-castc cars for years just to make people go...Hey look! Lionel is making NASCAR die-casts now! If they can make great trains, why not a great car? Just to increase sales for the company that they partnered with. But I could be wrong.

You never know, it could help spread the Lionel name to a new market or a market that didn't realize it was still around.

They are complimentary products.  Now I wish Lionel would use some of the diecast experitise to replace the gap left by Danbury Mint and Franklin Mint and give us some scale models of classic cars.

If Lionel can expand its franchise, its a good thing. NASCAR has an incredibly successful franchise itself, and is one of the most watched spectator events. CEO Jerry C. is a toy guy, and understands the appeal of such action. Lionel's main focus will still be the trains.

As Jay Jay says, it is a good thing if Lionel can broaden its product line profitably.  NASCAR collectibles will both do that and create some product line pull-through: people who buy the coolectibles, note the Lionel name, and petrhaps move on to more trains, and vice versa.  So it makes sense as a sound business move for the company.

 

That said, my experience is that usually when a company makes moves like this it is because one person really was committed to the idea and made it happen - and that usually that person has a personal enthusiasm for or interest in that particular new product line. Probably the idea got its start because someone within the inner four to six people who realy run Lionel liked NASCAR or knew someone in NASCAR's marketing/franchising office, etc.

 

I won't be much of a market for NASCAR collectibles (actually, I won't be any of a market) but I hope it goes well - it will help cover the overhead and fixed costs of running their train business  . . .

IMHO, companies with a reputation for quality, such as Lionel, would do well to stick to putting their name on quality products. All too often these companies lend their name to low end junk.
If the NASCAR product is high quality, then I see nothing wrong with branding it Lionel.

If you have seen NASCAR items they are not low end items. And as far as die cast go  the are also not low priced, there are folks out there that collect these just like we collect trains. I am positive that somewhere off the shores of our great country there is a factory that have Lionel trains stacked on skids on one side of the warehouse and NASCAR collectables stacked on the other side. If it make them a strong more versatile company I am all for it.

Unless a train looks like a real train that ran on a real railroad, I have no interest. And as a wise man once said (and I probably should have listened to him), "...anything made as a collectible, isn't."

I have that set, and quite a few of the cars, all NOS.

I also gave one of the sets and bunch of the cars to my kids to use.
IMHO, they were not very well designed. The cars were heavy, and didn't roll well when compared to superfast cars. Also, on some of the cars, the spring that held the hinged center in place was too weak, and the piece facing the bottom would drag.

 

I see the set and cars listed on Ebay from time to time. Prices vary

I have one of the 1:64 cars that Lionel gave out in a goody bag at York, and it is pretty nice.

 

Let's not forget that if Lionel is successful with the NASCAR line, some of those profits could be used for new tooling for new train items (expansion benefits everyone).  Who knows, it may even give them the capital needed to start making things themselves someday again here in the U.S. rather than subcontracting.

 

Andy

Just remember, anything labeled "collectable" really isn't.

You mean those gold-plated reproduction $50 gold coins they're offering on TV for $20 with "certificates of authenticity" aren't worth anything?

 

I'm shocked, shocked I say...

 

Good thing I invested in Beenie Babies.

 

Rusty

Lionel moved their headquarters down to Concord. 

This move makes them a whole lot closer to the Nascar's hub in the south.

Makes a whole lot of sense to me...

 

http://www.lionelnascarcollectables.com

 

http://www.lionelnascarcollect...-NASCAR-Collectables

 

Actually, something is made collectible by the fact that someone collects it.  The mistake that far too many people make, and that manufacturers of "collectibles" bank on, is that they think that collectible = valuable or potentially valuable in the future, and that is simply not the case.

 

A better statement would be:  Remember that anything labelled "collectible" probably will never be worth more than you paid for it (and if they made too many, will probably be worth less than you paid for it).

 

Andy

I see no problem with it. Lionel bought an already well established company so they didn't take away from the trains to start up a new enterprise that requires loads of investing on a gamble.

Early on during the warehouse sale on December 1st there was almost as many NASCAR fans as train fans. After my train shopping was finished I went over to the NASCAR section to have a look. The cars are very nice and can be very expensive. My cousin collects them and has dozens of 1:24 scale cars and has paid over $200 for some. The fans can be just as demanding as train collectors. As some drivers will have several paint schemes on their cars every season, Lionel is all to happy to provide them to the collectors and they are all to happy to buy.

this link http://www.lionelnascarcollectables.com/

 at the bottom of the page shows it is not just nascar diecast that lionel is doing.

 

 

Don't foget to include Kincade "artwork" into your portfolio.

Making Die-cast Automobiles is a good thing because it will hopefully lead to 1:48th scale automobile models for use with the Auto Carriers and to put on the roads on train layouts.

 

One thing that Lionel can make is a NASCAR set with the KODAK theme because a lot of railfans used to shoot on KODAK slide film and there used to be a Kodak racing team. Now both are memories that can be brought back with a Kodak NASCAR train set.

 

Andrew

It's fine with me as long as it helps Lionel make money.  I don't follow NASCAR though, so I wouldn't be any help to their bottom line.

Another BOMB

One of the reasons Lionel starting selling NASCAR collectables is fan loyalty to buying products from companies that support and/or sponsor NASCAR. Many companies in the Fortune 500 sponsor drivers, teams, or products in NASCAR because research has shown that consumers that are NASCAR fans are one of the highest percentage groups to buy products from companies involved in NASCAR, even if you're not a NASCAR fan, just turn on a race on TV and take a good look at a race car, drivers uniform, or signs around the racetrack, not to mention the commercials, they are all sponsor billboards for those companies, and it's not just guys watching, 40% of NASCAR fans are female. Jerry is no dummy, he knows that if you buy a NASCAR Collectible Race Car by Lionel, you might just remember having that Lionel Train when you were a kid, guess what? You might just get a new O Gauge Train collector and operator that might just show up here on the forum. I know for the most part the NASCAR O Gauge Train Set by Lionel was a bust but it worked to get me back to trains after being away for 35 years. It was the first set I bought when I got back into trains. Now I'm a NASCARholic and Trainoholic both!

It is a real $$$$ MAKER for them. NASCAR fans put big bucks for small toys....they are worse than we are. I hope they are laughing all the way to the bank. The more $$$ they make, the better LIONEL is, and therefore the better our hobby is.

 

More power to them and I hope they have a great venture in the NASCAR thingie.

I have been a big NASCAR fan and train operator/collector since the 1980's.  So, Lionel's acquisition of the NASCAR diecast car company (RCCA/Action Racing) certainly aligned with my interests.  Plus, now that I have retired to NC, I live close to Lionel.

 

I own well over 100 1/24 scale diecast NASCAR cars.  As other posters have said, these cars are very detailed and can be quite expensive.  IMHO by making this acquisition, Lionel has associated their name with a premium product which should help expand Lionel brand recognition to a customer base which is very brand loyal.

 

Hopefully, there will be no more fiascoes like the first NASCAR train set.  I have not heard anything about the quality of the new NASCAR train sets.

Look, Jerry Calabrese came to Lionel from NASCAR in the first place and tried to introduce NASCAR train sets (with very poor sales results) about ten years ago. Dealers were blowing out excess NASCAR inventory for YEARS afterward at ridiculously low prices.

 

Maybe Lionel knows something I don't or maybe times have changed or maybe Lionel now has a better handle on what will sell, but I am very doubtful about all I mention here except their knowing more about their business than I do 

I'm fine with Lionel making whatever it wants as long as it keeps making mid range ($500 - $1200) locos that are so good as those in the last two to three years. I'm not really into NASCAR as much as Formula 1 and road racing so it's not a high interest to me.  I might like a couple of 1:48 team transporters to convert to 'Streets though - that would be fun.

They might as well make NASCAR stuff since they're right in the back yard of the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Besides, who am I--or who is anyone else for that matter--to tell them how to operate their business?

 

I have to say then, I disagree with the part where cars are considered collectibles.  If you have ever held or personally saw one of the NASCAR diecast, then maybe this assumption would be correct.  But... these cars are highly detailed from roof flaps down to the smallest sponsor decal.  

However..... what they make now, color chrome, this color, that color, those I'd agree with your comment, are collectibles and in my case, I'd have no interest in buying.