Shite in Miniature II

[sierraman]

Kojak had one? 

[egg]

I'd give that Futura a home DC, but only because it's there and I fancy painting it purple. However, If anyone else wants to snatch it from me in the playground, I won't grass to the Dinner Ladies. 

 

[Datsuncog]

So, Matchbox Superfast time... a nice seventies haul here.

I'm not really a Porsche fan, but the MB03 Porsche Turbo was a really nicely done casting that did justice to the 911 Turbo's sculpted flanks, doing a much neater job than the bloated Corgi Juniors Porsche Carrera.

Mmm. All the neater for not being covered in stickers and big graphics, which Universal Toys tended to add once they took over.

Also these:

A MB03 Monteverdi Hai - quite the exclusive 70s supercar, with only two real-life prototypes ever built - and the MB08 Wildcat Dragster, the Superfast era update the earlier Ford Mustang. The Ford is missing its engine and its stickers...

...but still has its towbar, which is quite an important thing for a dragster.

 

The MB41 Siva Spyder, then...

For years, I erroneously believed this to be just another fantasy vehicle. But it's actually an accurate model of a Beetle-based kit car, built in Bournemouth.

This one's just in quite good condition, all thigs considered, with straight axles and minimal chipping.

 

As requested by Mr. Bunglebus last week...

A concours* repaint of MB01 Mod Rod.

I know that some of these came with red wheels for the 1973 catalogue year, but then went back to black again for the following years.

Still don't know why, or if Matchbox did any other models with brightly coloured wheels until the 'My First Matchbox' range in the 1980s?

 

It's also interesting to note how Matchbox had a brief stab at detailing the bases of some of their toys in 1970 and 1971, with both the Mod Rod and Wildcat Dragster featuring stylised representations of front suspension, propshaft and diff, but then seemingly abandoned it for a generic checkerplate pattern from 1972 on.

 

Two for the DC box of wonders then...

The Model A Ford van is an upgrade to my original Cornflakes freebie van, in shocking condition.

The MB60 Holden Pickup is another that delighted me as a kid, as it looked so normal - I already have a very ropey one of these, and hopefully will manage to find a really good example one day.

I'll do another comparative photoshoot of both of these very soon.

 

Into the '80s, then:

I had the Escort Cabrio in both white and this very nice metallic blue. Although the XR3i graphics are non-correct, it's a lovely rendering.

The Corvette is one I owned as a Laser wheels example, and as such I never really played with it as it looked wrong. This is the cooking version.

It's also suffered windscreen damage from whatever junior psychopath stabbed the others.

 

All available to minishiters bar the Mod Rod, the Model A Van and the Holden Pickup!

 

Onto the last lap now...

The weirdies.

[bunglebus]

3 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

 

As requested by Mr. Bunglebus last week...

A concours* repaint of MB01 Mod Rod.

I know that some of these came with red wheels for the 1973 catalogue year, but then went back to black again for the following years.

Still don't know why, or if Matchbox did any other models with brightly coloured wheels until the 'My First Matchbox' range in the 1980s?

 

 

Mod Rod is the only Superfast ever to have coloured wheels, according to the 50 years of Superfast bookazine thing that came out the other week

 

20190824_105642 by RS, on Flickr

 

I have the red wheel one already

[Amishtat]

I had that Escort cabrio in that blue! It came from Langleys in Norwich some time around 1988 and I'd completely forgotten its very existence until two minutes ago 

[sierraman]

Go on I’ll have the green Porsche and the pink mustang to add to my list. 

[sierraman]

Could be wrong but I think I have a spare engine for the Mustang in my ‘scrapyard’ of terminally broken Matchbox cars. I’ve a bit of a sanctuary where they live in the loft, stacked in the fashion of a scrapyard waiting for the day that I need a Lotus Europa door. Every now and then you get a really good example that mysteriously is missing something like a bonnet, to have a few spares then is handy. 

[Datsuncog]

Well, weirdies is maybe a strong word.

The Dodge Omni is a Hot Wheels from the early 80s, and is a crisply detailed wee thing:

A bit of axle twist and very grubby, but maybe useful to someone on here?

 

I never had a Majorette XM, for some reason.

Although the suspension is evidently set to 'high clearance', and the pillars are a bit thick, it's not a bad crack at the Big Cit.

Nice to have an engine under the bonnet, too - even though it's nowhere near the craftsmanship of egg's Lesney Jaaaag.

Base is perfunctory...

But the insistence of Majorette casting badges on the boot is appreciated.

 

Whoa!

What have we here...

Well, this is a new one on me too:

'Lintoy' - anyone?

Looking at the baseplate, it appears that a previous manufacturer may have been scrubbed from this casting.

Also note the characteristic features of the classic Porsche 917 - a front-mount engine, and cart-springs all round.

Hey, they tried.

I found the broken engine cover in the bottom of the box first, then later uncovered the rest: there's a single hinge just near the roof, and this has given way.

Bit of an oddity, nonetheless. I didn't like to leave it, for some weird reason.

 

And this...

Yup, with my appetite whetted by @Jon (who's been very quiet of late; hope all's well chap), it's my first Playart model.

I'm not sure what it's meant to be, other then 'generic 1970s truck', but despite the dreadful wheels it's still a nice little thing.

I especially like the delicate little footplates suspended below the bumper - how they've survived the toybox rough and tumble, I've no idea...

 

And lastly:

Now, I'm quite sure we've seen one of these fairly recently, but I could be mistaken. It appears to be a plastic pirate casting of the Lesney Superfast Renault 17TL, modified to work as a key car.

Axles are shonky and stickers have worn away, but it's an oddity alright.

No manufacturer stated - but crosshead screw fastening for EASY RESTORASHUN.

 

All of the above available for 50p a pop!

 

Whew! Nearly there.

[sierraman]

Ooh like the dodge Omni as well!

[Split_Pin]

Really interesting write up DC, I'm going to have to have a rammle at my old Superfast stuff as they're currently long, long forgotten.

The truck is a Scania 1 Series by the way, and I'd happily give the Omni a home beside my other US domestics if Sierraman hasn't claimed it!

 

[Datsuncog]

So, having gone back over to see if I could get something Volvo-shaped...

I couldn't resist another poke in the tat boxes.

A triumvirate of Woosh 'n' Pushes, plus more hot Volvo action. Super GT Carabo and Buick Regal police galore also.

Corgi Porsche 911 proving my point about how Matchbox did it rather better, I feel. Also a tatty red Vauxhall Guildsman, and Lotus Super Seven with windshield bent but still attached.

 

I'd like to think that I could now restore my diecast cars better than this...

...but I fear that deep down, that's untrue.

This oddity also sprang to light:

Seeing the peculiar retractable 'fifth wheel' brought back a car to mind which I had when I was very small - it involved a pull-back motor that then made the car do wheelies.

I think mine might have been a De Tomaso Pantera or something, though, not a BMW.

 

I did find the corroded Merc W210 estate - which turned out to be a Police version.

Is it worth 50p for a cheap laugh about the E-class's well-publicised corrosion problems?

Hey, I'm cheap.

Art imitating life.

Heheheheheheheheheh.

 

In fact, looking through the box it seems that rock salt has been spilled into some of the models, causing the corrosion to quite a few of them.

Including this one, sadly.

Otherwise in very nice condition indeed; it seems that where it's come onto contact with the salt, it's become damaged.

Even underneath, it's stripped the chrome-effect from the plastic very effectively.

Salt: not just a danger to full-size tat, then.

 

Righty-ho, folks - thanks once again for your company this afternoon, and I shall allocate these bits of minishite into the various boxes as directed.

I'm not sure what I'll be at next week - I'm off work so maybe market, maybe not depending on other plans - but the following week I definitely won't be there unless something's gone very badly wrong, as we're meant to be away in Edinburgh.

But there'll certainly be more tiny tat towards the end of the month.

Additionally, while I'm off I'll be attempting to clear out some of the boxes of acquired market tat - and other duplicate diecast - which have built up from earlier in the year, so opportunities to snap up badly scratched rubbish will still be there, never fear!

Til next time!

[BL Bloke]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Well, this is a new one on me too:

'Lintoy' - anyone?

Looking at the baseplate, it appears that a previous manufacturer may have been scrubbed from this casting.

Also note the characteristic features of the classic Porsche 917 - a front-mount engine, and cart-springs all round.

Hey, they tried.

I found the broken engine cover in the bottom of the box first, then later uncovered the rest: there's a single hinge just near the roof, and this has given way.

Bit of an oddity, nonetheless. I didn't like to leave it, for some weird reason.

 

Looks like it's a repop of an Ertl model.

https://www.swiftysgarage.org/porsche-917-lintoy-t43131.html

Having spent the last week watching YouTube videos of Hot Wheels racing tournaments (yes, that's a thing) and Matchbox car restorations as well as reading this thread led me to go out looking for charity shop chod. I did find a few and will post pics when my camera battery has charged up. I also uncovered my box of cars from when I was a kid the other day, some of which were restored* a few decades ago.  

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

 

Well, this is a new one on me too:

'Lintoy' - anyone?

Looking at the baseplate, it appears that a previous manufacturer may have been scrubbed from this casting.

 

And lastly:

Now, I'm quite sure we've seen one of these fairly recently, but I could be mistaken. It appears to be a plastic pirate casting of the Lesney Superfast Renault 17TL, modified to work as a key car.

Axles are shonky and stickers have worn away, but it's an oddity alright.

No manufacturer stated - but crosshead screw fastening for EASY RESTORASHUN.

 

All of the above available for 50p a pop!

 

Whew! Nearly there.

That Lintoy is nice - another MB copy?

I'm still trying to find a plastic copy of the MB Sand Digger with a hole like that, as if for a key or firing mechanism, same opaque black windows too - might be the same (no) make

 

[155V6]

Great info as always DC.

Seeing the Matchbox Porsche 911 reminded me,I've been playing Grand Theft Auto on my old PS1 console this week,2 of the cars look exactly like the brown 911,& the pinky 57 Chevy with the flames on the roof.Anyone else know what I'm talking about? 

[Bren]

Sure lintoy were made in HK. In the 1970's they made diecast aircraft that were also branded as corgi.

[Bren]

1 minute ago, Bren said:

Sure lintoy were made in HK. In the 1970's they made diecast aircraft that were also branded as corgi.

 

[Amishtat]

Once again, my thanks DC! It's featured here before but I already have a Corgi 740 bought for me by my dad in 1987 from the first big local Tesco the week it opened. I wasn't a big fan of the styling at the time, something about the C-pillar styling sort of jarred with me as being too obviously aimed towards the American market. However, as we often find, time mellows things and for the last five years I've found the full scale example (bought blind, over the phone and whilst as pissed as Grandma's mattress) to be a perfectly adequate means of transport. I didn't even know Corgi did them in pale blue until earlier this year when you showed us yours. Thanks for finding a replica of my faithful steed! 

[BL Bloke]

I went to a few charity shops today looking for miniature chod. I had no luck until the last one and and after rummaging through a box of generic plastic tat I got these four for 50p each.

DSCF0901 by timothy jones, on Flickr

As the thread is in Volvo mode at the moment I'll start with the Corgi Juniors Volvo 760. Apart from a few paint chips it's in very good condition and will be a nice addition to the collection.

 DSCF0902 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0903 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0904 by timothy jones, on Flickr

Next, a Realtoy Mazda RX-8. I haven't heard of Realtoy before but the casting looks good with some nice detail, even on the underside. Nice wheels too.  

 DSCF0911 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0912 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0913 by timothy jones, on Flickr

Back to the seventies for the first Matchbox buy, the Fire Chief. This one has the worst paint but is otherwise undamaged apart from the roof light which is rattling around inside. I'll be restoring this one.

 DSCF0908 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0909 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0910 by timothy jones, on Flickr

Last is a Matchbox Chrysler Panel Cruiser. I know the PT Cruiser isn't everyone's cup of tea but I've always liked them. This one has a few paint chips and the axles are a bit wonky but apart from that it's in good condition.

DSCF0905 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0906 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF0907 by timothy jones, on Flickr

 

[Split_Pin]

I have quite a few Realtoy models including an Audi TT which says 'Corgi' on the base. As you say they are well detailed with tampo printed badges on the back. They chose some interesting subjects too such as the MK1 Ford Galaxy and early 2000s Toyota Celica.

[Datsuncog]

On 10/4/2019 at 5:52 PM, BL Bloke said:

Looks like it's a repop of an Ertl model.

https://www.swiftysgarage.org/porsche-917-lintoy-t43131.html

Aha - thanks for tracking that down!

Yup, that's the very one. Interesting that the Ertl original has the erroneous baseplate too, showing the wrong drivetrain layout.

Ertl's a company I know shockingly little about, other than through their TV-related model vehicles which I adored.

In fact, I wonder whether Corgi licenced their Simon & Simon Chevy in sheer desperation, as by the early 80s Ertl seemed to hold all the rights to models based on popular US TV shows: Knight Rider, The Dukes of Hazzard, The A Team, Air Wolf, and The Fall Guy are ones from my childhood that spring to mind.

They also apparently did Smokey and The Bandit themed sets, though all I had was a van marked 'The Snowman' which wasn't in any of the films. I also picked up some other random Ertl cars over the years, but have no idea what their range looked like.

I also remember Ertl doing Batman models when the Tim Burton film was released in the late 80s - which must have been one in the eye for Corgi who had made their Batmobile into such a money spinner in the 60s and 70s, along with other DC Comics themed vehicles featuring Superman and The Incredible Hulk.

But when these shows were cancelled, I can see how it left a gap... and while British TV shows like The Professionals might have had some domestic popularity (with the tie-in Capri),  I imagine models like the S&S Chevy were aimed at the export market. Especially since the show hadn't even been screened on UK networks at the point the model appeared in the 1982 Corgi catalogue.

What else could Corgi have used instead, given that UK detective shows tended to be rather less glam than their American counterparts? Eddie Shoestring's battered Mk3 Cortina estate? I would have appreciated that, but maybe the general public wouldn't...

Actually, I have a dim recollection of a Dempsey & Makepeace diecast set featuring an Escort cabrio, Mk2 Granada, Mercedes coupe and a Merc panel van... but weren't they made by Rainbow Toys or another far-eastern outfit?

[Split_Pin]

They did all right I think. Don't forget they produced a fair few James Bond models in the 60s, 70s and 80s. 

Together with their Starsky and Hutch car, Kojak Buick and others.

[155V6]

There were a couple of Spiderman vehicles too,also the Tom & Jerry cars,and wasn't there a Bugs Bunny beach buggy?.I seem to remember a Woody Woodpecker car too,but maybe I imagined it? ?

[sierraman]

When I was a kid I had the the big 1/18 size toy metallic brown pick up from the Fall Guy, used to keep it at my grandmas house can remember playing with it in the garden. Anyway years later despite it being ‘careworn’ it went for some crazy amount on eBay. 

They did the A team van in a similar size, a kid on our street had one. I had the silver Corvette, which my kids have now got. 

[Split_Pin]

I wanted one of those, Dukes of Hazzard, A Team or Fall Guy but just had the 1/25 example. I eventually got the Knight Rider one uears later but by then the notion had passed.

[bunglebus]

This thread has got me looking into lots of makes I wasn't aware of and given me a fascination with copies, rip-offs and re-used castings. Playart seem to have made the larger scale Mazda pickup so presumably Corgi sold them the rights?

 

[sierraman]

I’ve got one of those! Only discovered it wasn’t actually a Corgi when I’d got it home. 

[sierraman]

16 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I wanted one of those, Dukes of Hazzard, A Team or Fall Guy but just had the 1/25 example. I eventually got the Knight Rider one uears later but by then the notion had passed.

Mine could have actually been the 1/25 scale one. I was a lot smaller in 1989 you see. 

[Split_Pin]

Finally got one in Tesco! Love it!

[sierraman]

Can’t find one of those for love nor money. Someone must be buying every single on they see. 

[Sudsprint]

This morning's spend up at the Toy Fair at Maidstone. The Volvo was perfect so pricey, others fairly reasonable