Shite in Miniature II

[MarvinsMom]

remember that Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Flat4Alfa posted above? if not here it is-

this is my take on it. As i have done all i am doing to the Spot-On Armstrong Siddeley that i am going to do.

And following Bunglebuses post, i have attacked the glazing with various sheets of wet n' dry. the results are not perfect, BUT the windows look much, much better than they did. you can now see through them, which is one hell of an improvement over what could be seen before hand. and having spent several hours rubbing last night i now have got and aching arm.....

i have though got something worthwhile to show for it!

 

[eddyramrod]

That looks a shedload better than when I had it!  Nice work!

[bunglebus]

That is "Spot On!"

[Datsuncog]

Great work on that Sapphire! I wouldn't have thought such a bold colour would have appeared on such an upmarket motor either, but then it was the 1950s...

Fun fact: colourful nail polish became a thing in the '50s when some US dealers started giving away a small bottle of paint with a brush in the lid in the same colour as a new car ordered, for the owner's wife to match her nails to the car and show off to her friends.

Apparently there was no real difference in the formulation between this nail polish and standard touch-up paint; it was purely that it was given as nail polish.

(According to a podcast MrsDC listened to, anyway.)

I guess that's why nail polish remover does such an effective job when de-painting minishite, too...

[Amishtat]

A poor attempt at recreating Cold War motors' driveway. 

[Amishtat]

Meanwhile with lock down continuing on this beautiful sunny Sunday, the 5-0 are bored and waiting for someone to harass.. 

[Split_Pin]

Those look great. I wish I had kept my Humber Hawk Police car.

[Amishtat]

Yeah, that didn't take long did it?  Sunny day, empty roads, you know the story.. Sadly Lenny Leadfoot ran out of talent taking the tricky left-hander on the edge of the patio. 

[Amishtat]

You've got to feel for the poor bastard though.. Bad enough that he's fucked his Mustang up without the arrival of Dibble and some slack-jawed gawkers. The state of that copper's motor though.. 

"Budget's been slashed m8. Now fuck off home and stay there." 

[Amishtat]

And off it goes to end up where old Fords go to die.. Looks like these boys like their bangers, that Mk. X and Triumph are going to sound sweet going round Mildenhall on the shale. 

[bunglebus]

You lot can play in the garden all you like, I'm going to the beach

[flat4alfa]

So you’re the only surfy in the Village(r)  !

[AndyW201]

Been having a bit of lockdown-boredom rummage in the loft. Mainly to repackage some of the cars that were recently evicted from the display unit. Going through the big box that I keep the empty cases in, I found a few cars I've not seen in a while.

When I dug out the Haynes collection Capri and XR3 a couple of weeks ago, I was sure there was another Capri 2.8i up there! Not seen this one for a while. Bit of an oddball, packaging wise, this is part of the short-lived 'Drive Time' re-packaging of the Vanguards range, (complete with the not-exactly-authentic 1930s background inside the box). In the Drive Time era, everything was split into sections, cars were segregated into Vanguards 'classics' and 'moderns' (at the time they had just launched a moderns range including the L322 Range Rover, Rover 75, X350 Jag and Astra Mk5. It wasn't massively popular...), rally and race cars were the 'motorsport' range and police cars were the 'Emergency' range. 

This Capri itself is a strange one, all the Vanguards Capris I've got have Vanguards on the base plate.

(I know, who knew the MK3 Capri had leaf springs front AND rear?)

This one has the 'Corgi Drive Time' logo. 

(As well as some weird-ass paint crazing going on)

Obviously Corgi soon couldn't be arsed casting different brands on the base plates as I have the MK3 Cortina GXL, also from the Drive Time range  but with the old Vanguards logo on the base,

Back to the Capri, it's a nice model, the few small details between it and the cheaper Haynes version (top) make all the difference,

Nice Caspian Blue/Strato Silver paint job, and the stripes and injection logos are better rendered on this version. The rubbing strips look better picked out in black.

They really did capture the Capri well with this casting.

Another one found,

I was quite shocked to see the year 2004 on the bottom of this. Corgi had just launched the much-awaited MK1 Escort and I was excited like a small child to grab this at the Harrogate model fair. To think that was more than 15 years ago...

I have tended to go for the 'sporty' variants when I've bought the MK1 models so a few Mexico's/RS 2000s in the collection. But it was also nice to unbox a 'cooking' model again, to have a look at,

So this is based on a very early 1300 Super, from the days when Escort trim levels had proper names rather than initials. Back then it was basic (Deluxe), luxury (Super), mildly sporty (GT) and sporty (Twin-Cam). Corgi made a bit of effort to get the Super-spec on this right. Chrome dog-bone grille with rectangular headlights,

bumper overriders, bright trim around the wheel arches and sills.

Particularly pleasing are the wheel embellishers, correct for the Super (and later XL), and the 1.3 Super wing badges.

Keeping up the base theme, I found this loose in the box,

Another of my favourite castings, this one. Again, I have both 2000E and GXL versions of the MK3 on display, but it was nice to have this 1600L to have a look at, and compare to the 2000 GXL.

 

Quite a marked difference in front ends. Single lights or quads? Corgi captured both Dave-the-rep and Colin-the-area-manager's versions very well.

Could be argued that Dave's unadorned L captures the Cortina's coke-bottle lines best. Colin prefers his RoStyles 'n' vinyl roof combo though! Looks better parked outside the Berni Inn...

At least Dave's clean, uncluttered rear end has quite a prominent L badge to let the other reps at the Blue Boar services know that it's not quite the bog-basic model. The GXL though gets a natty aluminium infill on the boot, a GXL badge on the C pillar and Colin reckons the GXL badge on the boot is the last thing those lesser drivers in their Vauxhall Victors and Morris 1800s see...

[bunglebus]

As well as finishing the Villager up there ^ (and making some coffee-stirrer surfboards) I've had a delivery;

 

Royal Flash blackwall Lotus

 

20200419_130509 by RS, on Flickr

 

These Micro-Machines sized Hot Wheels are pretty hard to track down, I like matching the up with the 1:64 equivalent

 

20200419_130536 by RS, on Flickr

 

This is a right oddity - AC Cobra that appears to be some sort of transformer, can't work out how though!

 

20200419_130603 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_130617 by RS, on Flickr

 

Tomica Masarati Merak SS...

 

20200419_130643 by RS, on Flickr

 

...and a 928 that could have gone in the line up the other day

 

20200419_130737 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_130759 by RS, on Flickr

 

Maisto "Ford Econovan"

 

20200419_130825 by RS, on Flickr

 

Corgi Lotus Europa - need to dig the Matchbox ones out for a WDIB?

 

20200419_130852 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_130921 by RS, on Flickr

 

Rockets Jaaaag with a bit too much negative camber. Good job the wheels are easy to remove...

 

20200419_130944 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_130953 by RS, on Flickr

 

This appears to be a blatant HK rip-off of a Darda beach buggy

 

20200419_131005 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_131013 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_131033 by RS, on Flickr

 

Here's my original

 

VW 025_zpswl2neqau by RS, on Flickr

[bunglebus]

As threatened, some more WDIB?

 

Lotus Europas, Matchbox, Corgi, Matchbox

 

20200419_184233 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184254 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184244 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184329 by RS, on Flickr

 

Opening features on both the Superfast and Whizzwheels, naff all for the new Matchbox. All three are rather nice but the bubble arches on the Corgi win it for me

 

I seem to have a lot of Z-cars, starting with the 240Z. Please forgive me if there's a 260 in here, I'm no expert

Majorette, Hot Wheels, Zylmex, Hot Wheels, Tomica, Hot Wheels. Yes the HW are all different

 

20200419_184603 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184608 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184616 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184647 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184702 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184734 by RS, on Flickr

 

Majorette is my favourite, with the Fugu-Z HW (Maroon) a close second

 

I believe these are 280's. Matchbox, Kidco, Matchbox

 

20200419_184751 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184815 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184802 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184836 by RS, on Flickr

 

Normal Matchbox seems to be the best of a tatty bunch, but I do rather like the Lock-Up despite having no tyres

 

Finally, 300ZX. Zylmex, Matchbox, Majorette

 

20200419_184905 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184916 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184924 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_191749 by RS, on Flickr

 

Although the Matchbox has an opening bonnet, there's a large body colour casting visible inside where the hinge is. Majorette not only has a T-top, but opening doors AND working pop-up lights. Win.

 

[Spottedlaurel]

I like the original Matchbox Europa best, just because I've always had one in my toybox. Pink one with wider wheels, minus doors for pretty much all the ime I ever had it, but always the one that went furthest down my Matchbox tracks. Obviously I still have it.

Majorette 260Z  suffers by sitting too high, like a few of their sporty numbers. There is also the Superfast 260Z, a nice casting but no suspension.

[bramz7]

Here's what my cabinet currently looks like. 

And I still could easily fill at least two more. Might have to cut down on the buying. I had a bit of a fit earlier and deleted some saved searches on eBay. I'd quite like to build a collection of the entire Schabak range, this is something I'd been considering for a few years. Shame I sold some off a few years back. 

 

 

[bunglebus]

27 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Majorette 260Z  suffers by sitting too high, like a few of their sporty numbers. 

 

Got to be one of the easier to lower though thanks to the suspension design

[morrisoxide]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

These Micro-Machines sized Hot Wheels are pretty hard to track down, I like matching the up with the 1:64 equivalent

Are those the ones with the light up LED lights? I'm sure I have a Corvette and Bel-Air somewhere. I'm going to have a sift through my Micro-Machines.

P.S. good idea with the surf boards

EDIT: I have found my Micro-Machines. Might take me a while 

Edited April 19, 2020 by morrisoxide
Added picture

[DoctorRetro]

Littlun decided that the next project should be this Renault 11.

I showed him some pictures of @RobT 's one, and he now wants to make it into a replica and send it to him. ?

So we've sourced some similar wheels. 

And put on a coat of a similar* colour. 

Will post up finished results in a couple of days

 

[Spottedlaurel]

Catzilla curious about new Datsun on the driveway.

[DoctorRetro]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

As threatened, some more WDIB?

 

Lotus Europas, Matchbox, Corgi, Matchbox

 

20200419_184233 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184254 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184244 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184329 by RS, on Flickr

 

Opening features on both the Superfast and Whizzwheels, naff all for the new Matchbox. All three are rather nice but the bubble arches on the Corgi win it for me

 

I seem to have a lot of Z-cars, starting with the 240Z. Please forgive me if there's a 260 in here, I'm no expert

Majorette, Hot Wheels, Zylmex, Hot Wheels, Tomica, Hot Wheels. Yes the HW are all different

 

20200419_184603 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184608 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184616 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184647 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184702 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184734 by RS, on Flickr

 

Majorette is my favourite, with the Fugu-Z HW (Maroon) a close second

 

I believe these are 280's. Matchbox, Kidco, Matchbox

 

20200419_184751 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184815 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184802 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184836 by RS, on Flickr

 

Normal Matchbox seems to be the best of a tatty bunch, but I do rather like the Lock-Up despite having no tyres

 

Finally, 300ZX. Zylmex, Matchbox, Majorette

 

20200419_184905 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184916 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_184924 by RS, on Flickr

20200419_191749 by RS, on Flickr

 

Although the Matchbox has an opening bonnet, there's a large body colour casting visible inside where the hinge is. Majorette not only has a T-top, but opening doors AND working pop-up lights. Win.

 

I absolutely adore the Majorette 300zx, need to find one at some point for littlun 

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, morrisoxide said:

Are those the ones with the light up LED lights? I'm sure I have a Corvette and Bel-Air somewhere. I'm going to have a sift through my Micro-Machines

 

Not as far as I know, they're just,,,smaller

 

20190927_105325 by RS, on Flickr

20190927_105335 by RS, on Flickr

20190927_105242 by RS, on Flickr

20190927_105137 by RS, on Flickr

 

[RobT]

1 hour ago, TheDoctor said:

Littlun decided that the next project should be this Renault 11.

I showed him some pictures of @RobT 's one, and he now wants to make it into a replica and send it to him. ?

 

Ah that's nice.  He can have a ride in the real thing one day, next time we're able to do a Kent meet!

[morrisoxide]

@bunglebus That Bel Air looks the same scale but mine is turquoise with flames, and has a switch on the roof for the lights. I'm going to a have a proper look tomorrow.

Edit: Found it

 

[bunglebus]

Excellent, was that sold as a Hot Wheels or a Micro Machine?

[AndyW201]

While rummaging about in the loft earlier, I came across another collection that's not seen the light of day for 15 years or so. Soz,  it's modern Corgi related again...

Still with me? Good.

This collection goes back years, to when I was still working on the taxis, although I was starting to alternate it with the delivery job, eventually packing in the taxi trade altogether. So, early 2000s-ish, I was still getting catalogues sent from Corgi, and I saw a couple of Vanguards models, in period taxi livery. This piqued my interest, and  a small-ish collection built up.

So, from what I remember, the first one I purchased was this,

Note, the Lledo name was still quite prominent on the packaging at this point, although this was after the Corgi takeover. Usual marketing leaflet inside the packaging, but at this time, you didn't get the collector's card/certificate, instead just getting '1 of XXXX pieces' printed on the base.

I don't know if the livery of these Vanguards taxis were based on real companies or faked, however the Manchester licencing sign on the bonnet of this one looks kosher. Don't know why the model is described as from Leicester either, if it was supposed to be licensed in Manchester. 

All the same though, it's a decent model. The Vanguards Marina, despite being from the early days of the range, captures the real thing well. It's a 1.8 Super, so the grille panel is correct, and the Marina Super wheel trims are among the best that Lledo/Corgi ever did. I like the tiny BL badges on the front wings too.

Again, I'm not sure whether the real private hire vehicle would have had a Taxi sign on the roof, as most of the councils I know of only allow Hackney cars and cabs to have roof signs, not p/hire. But the signage is good, the tiny signs in the window informing 'Not insured unless booked through operator' lend it an air of realism.

Next up, a bit of posh (ish) Ford action,

I have to admit, I have picked up a fair few Vanguards models over the years... The MK3 Zephyr is one I've never bothered with though. However, having got this one out today, I may have to get one or two as it's a lovely model really.

Nice to see the lowlier Zephyr being modelled, with it's single headlights, less body bling and plain wheels.

I think they have caught the shape well, I must be the only one to prefer the styling of the Zephyr with the thicker C pillar reminding me of a big MK1 or 2 Cortina, rather than the six light set up of the Zodiac. Being a Zephyr, it's a nice big model, with plenty of weight to it. It's part of the reason I like the Vanguards, the metal bases give them a nice weighty feel.

Sticking with big Fords,

One of my favourite castings of one of my favourite cars. Again, nice to see the povo spec Consul modelled. 

Correct Consul-spec grille and low spec wheels with hubcaps. Don't know if the livery is a genuine one, but it looks good on the Daytona yellow.

I have been looking for ages for the ordinary Daytona yellow version of the Consul, as it would make a nice contrast with the other posher variants in the collection (Consul 3.0 GT, Purple velvet Granada and a few 3.0 Ghias) but people are asking silly money for them on ebay. These taxi versions though are a lot cheaper, mint boxed versions can be had for not much more than a tenner so I have been toying with getting another one of these and reverting it to 'civilian' spec. I don't know if the Tampos could be removed without having to redo the paint job?

Next, a bit of six-pot leather cocooned luxury after your several pints of Watney's Red Barrel and fish supper (all for less than a quid in them days, y'know...)

Always been a fan of the landcrab, especially the Wolesley. It makes a nice taxi model too.

Pretty good treatment of the front end. (Shame the badge doesn't light up tho...)

That legendary landcrab interior space... Nice accurate steering wheel rake too!

And to a slightly more budget-conscious landcrab owning firm,

2005 now, note that Lledo is no longer on the packaging.

Nice colour combo, bet the red vinyl would have been pleasant to do a long shift in, on a hot day.

And who wouldn't want this taking them home from a night on the piss?

Possibly not one for the grammar police though. Note the spelling of the word Taxis on the door signs and on the plinth. Makes me wonder if this might have been a real life livery...

Great front end treatment on this one too.

Unusual to see a PA with a single tone body colour and plain-ish wheels without whitewall tyres. Puts me more in mind of a Velox?

Like the Zephyr, it's not a model I've gone for before, but it captures the PA's lovely shape well, and it's another nice big, weighty model.

So that's it for the Lledo/Corgi crossover clear case era.

After completing this lot, I discovered there had been a few more, done a few years earlier in the good old slidey box pre-Corgi era. These were a lot harder (and more expensive!) to find, but I had to get them!

Again, apostrophe-botherers beware...

So, first cab off the rank (heh!) Is the Farina Cambridge Portugese taxi.

Not an unattractive colour scheme, the Farina's lines look good on it. 

Another Farina next,

An Oxford this time, in Hong Kong colours.

Bit more garish, this one...

The taxi plates front and rear are a nice touch though.

And finally, the one that took the most finding,

Another PA Cresta, In Legion Taxis (Australia) livery.

Sadly the paint has gone a bit shite on this one, the blue bits have crazed pretty badly,

Must be that hot Australian sunshine...

[bunglebus]

6 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

I don't know if the Tampos could be removed without having to redo the paint job?

There are a few methods out there, acetone (nail polish remover) and dry wipe markers are some of them, I've tried acetone and it does work but can start to wear the paint off if you're not careful. T-cut or the like might work too. Hardest part is where the tampo goes into the door shut lines

[Split_Pin]

Nail varnish remover worked for me when converting a 1/18 police Escort to civvy spec.

[MorrisItalSLX]

11 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

And finally, the one that took the most finding,

Another PA Cresta, In Legion Taxis (Australia) livery.

Sadly the paint has gone a bit shite on this one, the blue bits have crazed pretty badly,

Must be that hot Australian sunshine...

Good to see an authentic New South Wales taxi number plate fitted, nice touch there. Trax did a Ford XK Falcon in the same livery.

Fun fact about Legion Cabs, their current head office is located in a former Leyland dealership, Purnell Motors of Arncliffe, Sydney.