Road Champs issues its cars on a semi-regular basis and are available for purchase in many retail stores such as K-Mart, ToysRUs, and Target.
The factory decals(markings) are removed from a regular issue Road Champ car and replaced. The replacement decals are usually computer generated and printed on an ink jet or laser printer. Some custom makers have professional decals made for their custom cars.
Customs require time and patience to produce. My experience has been to spend 6-10 hours creating a decal with a graphics program. Then spend about 20 minutes per car removing the old markings and placing the new decals on the vehicle. Not much money on a per hour basis but it is fun and a challenge.
Because of the minimum order requirement and the cost involved, only fairly large departments or departments that would have a broad appeal will ever have premiers. The rest will be resigned to have customs made.
Premiers are cars produced by Road Champs, often in limited quantities, for local departments. These cars are not sold at retail and are usually purchased directly from the department they are produced for or from an organization of the department.
Customs are cars made by individuals for departments or just for general sale or the enjoyment of the custom maker.
Customs and Premiers can sell for anywhere from $10 to $25 depending on the maker and the market.The quality of a custom will vary greatly. Most I have seen are good enough that I would not be embaressed to include them in my collection.
