Japanese road vehicles in Z scale?

[FSHBWL]

Hello everyone,

 

I've been looking around for Z scale models of typical Japanese road vehicles - taxis, small open vans,  compact cars, buses etc. - but there does not seem to be anything on the market, unlike N scale or even T-Gauge, for which there exist some quite useful sets (https://www.tgauge.com/section/4/3/accessories). I know that the choice of European and American style Z scale cars is already quite limited, but still, nothing that could be used on a Japanese themed layout?

 

Is there perhaps someone who is aware of anything out there (apart from paper cut outs)?

 

Thanks!

 

Chris

[MichiK]

The only ones I'm aware of are A2 Models' Renault 4CV, which were also license built in Japan by Hino...

[FSHBWL]

Thanks for the info! I was not aware of this manufacturer. Some interesting European and American car models.

 

It’s somewhat mystifying to me that none of the Japanese Z scale manufacturers seems to produce any road vehicles. Rokuhan is doing level crossings, traffic lights and guard rails, but no cars to put on the streets...

[MichiK]

Well, there are quite a lot of 1/200 cars (for architectural models) on the market, which might be used instead of decided z-scale models?

[kevsmiththai]

Here is a picture of the Hino with the only two Japanese models Laszlo in Hungary makes. The Mitsubishi Pajero and a Datsun 240Z. he lists these occasionally on ebay but mainly does American and European vehicles.

 

He hasn't got anything listed at the moment but searching for csikape normally finds him when he does

 

 

Kev

[FSHBWL]

@ Michi and Kev: thanks for the info, will look into this!

 

 

[Kamome442]

Hello Chris,

 

I am currently drawing up a set of 10 cars for my sisters partner. He owns a business making architectural models and is always looking for realistic modern cars. I said I would draw up a selection of cars in return for him cutting the baseboards for my layout on his laser cutter. He plans to 3D print them in the scales he needs then cast them in white metal. I will also be having a go at a Hino bus in Z once I have finished the cars. 

 

I am happy to see if I can get some Z scale cars cast. I have no idea how much it would cost but if you are interested I can keep you up to date on the progress of the project.

 

Joe

[cteno4]

Oooh good bil to suck up to!

[kevsmiththai]

I would really be interested if he did them in Z

 

Kev

[Kamome442]

Ok, next time I see him I will ask what scales he is planning to do. I know he has made models in 1:220 before but I don't know if it's a common architectural scale. 

Joe

Edited July 8, 2020 by Kamome442

[MrZtrax]

On 6/23/2020 at 8:57 AM, FSHBWL said:

Hello everyone,

 

I've been looking around for Z scale models of typical Japanese road vehicles - taxis, small open vans,  compact cars, buses etc. - but there does not seem to be anything on the market, unlike N scale or even T-Gauge, for which there exist some quite useful sets (https://www.tgauge.com/section/4/3/accessories). I know that the choice of European and American style Z scale cars is already quite limited, but still, nothing that could be used on a Japanese themed layout?

 

Is there perhaps someone who is aware of anything out there (apart from paper cut outs)?

 

Thanks!

 

Chris

Hi Chris, in case you were still interested in Z scale Japanese cars, I can tell you that I built by myself some of them to place on my Doraemon's layout.

I attach here some examples.

Please note these cars were from a first production. Now I upgraded the production and I print them all with clear transparent windows. I think they are even more realistic.

Models can have front and rear lights using an optic fibers system.

You can have a look at my Doraemon's layout here. I have a list of cars I'm actually selling (not Japanese ones, but this not a problem), but I don't know if it's possible to put here links to commercial websites. In case you're interested, I can send a PM to you.

Last pictures are from my actual production, so you can se the differences from the first ones. 

Hope you like.

CIAO

Raf

 

 

Edited January 4, 2021 by MrZtrax

[MrZtrax]

I like the tiny T360, here is without lights, but yes they are possible to achieve

[kevsmiththai]

These appeared on ebay in the UK recently

 

3 x KEI  pick up trucks. 3D printed by Spinneyworld. one is sheeted, one has boxes and the third has Gas bottles

 

 

£6.99 for three. painted them last night and the only flaw is some layer lines on the windscreen. I'll clean them up after i have done Manchester show with Hakuho this weekend

 

I'm going to ask them to do a van version as well

 

Kev

[kevsmiththai]

Guess what? The guy from Spinneyworld lives in Manchester and is coming to see us at the show. And he is thinking of doing a van version

 

He does a Toyota Land Cruiser as well in Z

 

More soon

 

Kev

[kevsmiththai]

Just ordered the new Kei vans and also a couple of 'modern vans' look like Ford Transits

 

Pictures and review to follow

 

Kev

[kevsmiththai]

The 3D models arrived from Spinneyworld. Won't be doing antything with them straight away as the office is full of big lumps of 1/32 scale Thai railway wagons and the Keis could easily get lost. The Kei vans look as if the windscreens will need a bit of cleaning up the big van (Transit/Sprinter) looks really nice.

 

Actually the picture nicely shows the contrast between gauge 1 and Z

 

 

More soon

 

Kev

[kevsmiththai]

Update on the latest from Spinneyworld in Z

 

Sprinter vans (Two per pack)

 

 

Kei vans (pack of three)

 

 

Kei Pickups (Pack of three)

 

 

Kei Boxvans (Pack of three)

 

Toyota Landcruiser ( Pack of two)

 

 

Phil can be found at 

 

https://spinneyworld.com/

[nscaler711]

@kevsmiththai Thank you for the Info on them, I have been searching high and low for japanese vehicles. I ended up with some Kibri trucks and trailers which i am going to have to modify a bit but I am ok with that. I definitely needed some Kei vehicles though so it helps tremendously!