Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Hello,
I'm new to the board and I have a question regarding Bill Thomas and licensing rights to the Cheetah. There are very few model kits and diecast and only a handful of slot car bodies of the Cheetah. Why is that? Is there just no interest in making models of this car, or is it impossible to get licensing for it? If I were interested in obtaining licensing for the Cheetah, does anyone here know who I need to contact?

You can either reply to this post or email me direct at [email protected].

Thank you!

Dan

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Dan not sure of rights ...but a person by the name of Auxier ? or something like that was making Cheetahs...I still have my 1/24 and 1/32 Cox Cheetahs and a blue Monogram too !!!

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Dan check here for info and models:
The Cheetah!!!

Bob Auxier is still building cars. He is behind the Continuation Cheetah which is authorized by Bill Thomas. -from what I've read. I guess he had a silver Cheetah at Vettefest a year or so ago. CRC -Cheetah Race Cars (crank the volume before hitting enter)

Here is another site of an original car owner: Cheetahs Always Win

Paul

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Thank you for the information. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Bill Thomas, or the organization that handles his licensing? This is what I really need to know.

Thank you again.

Dan

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

I'm not sure but CRC was/is in touch with him. Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning has 1:64 scale cars. The first site I listed has items for sale from different people. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure but CRC was/is in touch with him. Playing Mantis/Johnny Lightning has 1:64 scale cars. The first site I listed has items for sale from different people. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your help. Regarding Playing Mantis, I looked on the back of a Cheetah blistercard and there is no mention of the Cheetah or Bill Thomas. CRC is literally in my backyard, I'll give them a call. Many of the items for sale on the first website are no longer available. It looks like it hasn't been updated since 2002.

Thanks again for your help! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
Dan

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

how about full size models of cheetahs. ive seen a few companies out there. big fan of them, sounds like they were truly brutal rides

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

If you go to links on our website Cheetahs Always Win then go to Marsh Models you will see a very nice model of a Bill Thomas Cheetah

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Cool website...love Cheetahs....take a second to fill out your profile so we know who we are talking to or we may have to start talking about Ford GT's or Cobras !!!J/K https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Bill Thomas Race Cars went bankrupt in 1970 so why would you worry about licensing? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Even though long gone, the rights to both Bill Thomas and Nickey Chevrolet are held by Little Detroit collectibles.
http://www.littledetroitcollectibles.com/default.asp

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gifWould the rights to the Cheetah be the same as the rights to "Bill Thomas Race Cars" ?
Fred

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Hi
A very good article about The Cheetah in MuscleCar Classic
Collector's Isuue! 1985 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif
Many pages with many pictures like this one. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
I'm not really familar with the Cheetah.

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

I haven't seen that article. Would you be able to scan more pics and/or the whole article to either post or e-mail? I'd like a copy. Let me know.

Thanks, Paul

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

This is an article named Cheetah New GT Prowler
text and photos by Don Francisco
7 pages 15 B&W pictures
But this is not the original article
The original article is probably in a Hot-Rod Magazine. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

SoCal, I just now read this post and to inform you a little about not getting licensing. Bill Thomas still owns the trademarks to the Bill Thomas Race Cars name and logo and also the Bill Thomas Motors name and logo: he also holds the licensing for the Cheetah name and design of the car. You do have to go through him to get any licensing done and right now there are only two companies that have been able to get his permission to make anything with his likeness, name, logo, etc. One is Lane Collectibles via Little Detroit Collectibles (diecast Camaros) and Auxier who builds the replica Cheetahs. Playing Mantis came to him after they had already done the tooling for their 1/64th scale diecast. He told me that he was a little upset with them asking forgiveness than permission but they worked out a deal.

The original Cox Cheetah model/slot car kit was authorized by him in the 60's when it first came out. There are some illegal reproductions being made and most of them are from overseas. I believe his Sons' will keep the trademark or copyrights to whatever is related to these once he passes on. I hope that is not too soon as is one heckuva a man to talk to https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif...........RatPack..........

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

There is a fiberglass body on e bay that says it is a chetah replica!Pretty decent looking work from what I can tell http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...p;category=7251


Bobby Dodson
Bobby Dodson

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

Saw a supposed real Cheetah at World of Wheels Chicago last weekend !!!

Re: Question regarding Bill Thomas and the Cheetah
 

That is a cool looking body,I like them more than the Cobra body!If I was not working on so many projects I would like to make a hot rod out of one of those things.But if I bring anything else home before I get some things completed I am going to get flogged by the Wife!LOL

Bobby Dodson