Help in identifying a unique Neiman Marcus memorabilia piece

[Bobnoir1]

This is a unique piece (to me, that is) I've not seen in 15 years of collecting memorabilia.
It's a display for a 1/43 Neiman Marcus model, square brushed aluminum case, glass top,
with accent mirror accent around the car.
The car cannot be separated from the base because of a tightly glued felt piece on the bottom.
The only one clue is the different wheel design I've not seen in any other 1/43 models.
No doubt, it was a media presentation piece, but when or where or how many were made remains
a mystery.
If anyone has any clues, don't hesitate to chime in.
IMG_6824.JPG IMG_6820.JPG

[2K2BIRD]

That piece was given to select media at Pebble Beach when the Neiman Marcus model was introduced to the public. It Is pretty rare although they do show up on Ebay from time to time.

The handmade model itself is made of heavier white metal as opposed the usual cheaper diecast metal on lower end models. The name of the company that made it was USA Models. Supposedly 600 of the models were made. I do not know if that number includes the ones in these press kits or just the ones sold individually at retail. Either way it is a very exclusive model in either format.

This is a picture of how the model came if purchased by itself. I believe they retailed for about $119.95 in 2001. Of course it's hard to put a value on them all these years later, especially given the rarity of the press kit.

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[JerriLampon]

With a bit of digging, I found that the parent company of these (and other) 1/43 scale models is Motor City USA that had sub-brands, Motor City Gold, American Models, Design Studio, USA Models, and Sunset Coach that made ambulances and hearses. For more information than anyone could want,
https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces...city-usa-brand

[2K2BIRD]

With a bit of digging, I found that the parent company of these (and other) 1/43 scale models is Motor City USA that had sub-brands, Motor City Gold, American Models, Design Studio, USA Models, and Sunset Coach that made ambulances and hearses. For more information than anyone could want,
https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces...city-usa-brand

Yep, if you look on Ebay you'll find that Motor City USA models can bring some pretty high $. 1:43 scale is the most popular size for detailed scale models worldwide. Of course Hotwheels/Matchbox sell in greater numbers, but they are general marketed as toys and the scales aren't particularly accurate.

[JerriLampon]

Yep, if you look on Ebay you'll find that Motor City USA models can bring some pretty high $. 1:43 scale is the most popular size for detailed scale models worldwide. Of course Hotwheels/Matchbox sell in greater numbers, but they are general marketed as toys and the scales aren't particularly accurate.

I've also noticed the Design Studio models go for a pretty $$, too, although I don't see any Thunderbirds. Who made the model in this example is still a question. The only difference among all 1/43 models made are these unique wheels. The only other example of this wheel design is a Universal Hobbies model, but only the wheels. Obviously, the two models are not from the manufacturer -- the Universal Hobbies version is more crudely executed.
Universal Hobbies.jpg

[2K2BIRD]

I've also noticed the Design Studio models go for a pretty $$, too, although I don't see any Thunderbirds. Who made the model in this example is still a question. The only difference among all 1/43 models made are these unique wheels. The only other example of this wheel design is a Universal Hobbies model, but only the wheels. Obviously, the two models are not from the manufacturer -- the Universal Hobbies version is more crudely executed.
Universal Hobbies.jpg

There is no question that the NM was made by Motor City USA/U.S.A. Models. They made the NM along with the Yellow, Red, and Black w/red interior Thunderbird Concept Cars in both hardtop and top down configurations. They are made from white metal which is very heavy compared to the toy models made by Maisto, Yat Ming, Universal Hobbies and High Speed. The Yellow and Red models have the painted wheels that are nicely detailed and the black one has chrome wheels like the NM. As mentioned the NM has the incorrect 24 spoke wheels, which were carried over from the black concept car as you can see from this picture.

There is a company named NEO that makes some interesting 1:43 resin Thunderbirds. They have made a 60, 69, 72, 79 and 80 that I can remember of the top of my head. They generally bring between $100 - $200 on Ebay, with the 79 doing particularly well. I'm hoping they'll do a retrobird one of these days.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Paul did yo get The Early Bird Magazine?

[2K2BIRD]

Paul did yo get The Early Bird Magazine?

Yes, Greg. I sent you a PM thanking you for it a few days ago. Thanks again. Check your PMs.

[Bobnoir1]

There is no question that the NM was made by Motor City USA/U.S.A. Models. They made the NM along with the Yellow, Red, and Black w/red interior Thunderbird Concept Cars in both hardtop and top down configurations. They are made from white metal which is very heavy compared to the toy models made by Maisto, Yat Ming, Universal Hobbies and High Speed. The Yellow and Red models have the painted wheels that are nicely detailed and the black one has chrome wheels like the NM. As mentioned the NM has the incorrect 24 spoke wheels, which were carried over from the black concept car as you can see from this picture.

There is a company named NEO that makes some interesting 1:43 resin Thunderbirds. They have made a 60, 69, 72, 79 and 80 that I can remember of the top of my head. They generally bring between $100 - $200 on Ebay, with the 79 doing particularly well. I'm hoping they'll do a retrobird one of these days.

You are probably right about the manufacturer of my newly acquired NM display. The only niggly question I have about the NM display I have is in the wheels. Motor City/U.S.A. Models all have detailed 24 spoke wheels designed from the Thunderbird prototypes. These NM wheels are not detailed, but solid 8 spoke wheels. The only manufacturer with the same designed wheel is Universal Hobbies (below), but their model is much less detailed.
So, my question is, where did the NM wheels come from?

IMG_6828.JPG Universal Hobbies.jpg
I REALLY need to stop pounding the OCD key on my computer!

[2K2BIRD]

Bob, your obsession, at least in this particular case is not warranted. I agree that the chrome wheels on the U.S.A. Models Neiman Marcus are less detailed than the ones used on their yellow and red concept cars. However, given that Motor City USA is a high end model maker there is no way they are going to use wheels from another company.

I just took these pictures of my NM that is not part of the press kit. As you can see it has the exact same wheels as the press kit model and the black concept model. For comparison, I took a picture of my yellow concept to show its wheels. They may be different in detail but there is no reason to believe they weren't made by the same company.

I saw that press kit you got on Ebay. You got a good deal on it, despite the issue with the mirror. If I did already have one (that I paid much more for), I would have bought it for sure.

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[JerriLampon]

Bob, your obsession, at least in this particular case is not warranted. I agree that the chrome wheels on the U.S.A. Models Neiman Marcus are less detailed than the ones used on their yellow and red concept cars. However, given that Motor City USA is a high end model maker there is no way they are going to use wheels from another company.

I just took these pictures of my NM that is not part of the press kit. As you can see it has the exact same wheels as the press kit model and the black concept model. For comparison, I took a picture of my yellow concept to show its wheels. They may be different in detail but there is no reason to believe they weren't made by the same company.

I saw that press kit you got on Ebay. You got a good deal on it, despite the issue with the mirror. If I did already have one (that I paid much more for), I would have bought it for sure.

20240520_083640.jpg

20240520_083755.jpg

Always great feedback from those who know and share.
Who made the NM model you included in your comparison photographs?
Mas thanks from others who want to know more, too.

[2K2BIRD]

Always great feedback from those who know and share.
Who made the NM model you included in your comparison photographs?
Mas thanks from others who want to know more, too.

They were made by U.S.A. Models, a division of Motor City USA. They are relatively rare as they were reportedly a limited edition of 600. It is unclear if that is 600 + the press kits or 600 including them. I have no idea if that # is correct, but I do know they did not show up on Ebay for many years and some questioned whether they were truly ever produced. I've been an avid retrobird diecast collector since before car came out and I watch Ebay pretty closely. In the past 10 years or so, I've seen less than a dozen for sale.