Auto Barn Models ?? AB models ?? 1/43

The problem wasn't really with BBR, as I couldn't deal directly with them. I HAD to deal through Bal-Car, as BBR would only sell directly to ITALIAN retailers.

Many of the models were packaged before the paint had dried completely, so I had to rub out the roofs myself Some of the roofs actually had breaks in them, as the boxes weren't tall enough!

It was IMPOSSIBLE to get replacement parts, and many of the wire wheels had the stems broken off where they inserted into the axle tube, so they COULDN'T be repaired. Photoetched pieces were missing from some of the cars, and I couldn't get them....

All in all, I had to scrap more than 15% of what Mini Garage had paid for!!...and then had to compete with shops in Italy that were getting models for less money than what we were paying!!

As to AMR; he was one of the best, although some of his models are actually a bit over 1/43rd scale. The absolute pioneer was Rev.Paddy Stanley, who made the first white metal kits in 1/43rd scale, circa 1965...

On the BBRs, our wholesale price was only about 20% less than the Italian RETAIL price!!

 

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