Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

Thanks to a tip off from @155V6, I bought an eBay job lot, mainly for this

I'd not found the blue version before, and I've now noticed the lever on the base to operate the headlights is different 

There were various other Matchbox along for the ride, most will go back on eBay but I might keep the old Tincorner

Not so much the Skybusters 

Nor the Battle Kings that has not seen active duty

[flat4alfa]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

That was a large tin plate. Beetle was similar but too rusty for me. Possibly Bandai

Crikey I was fooled there

That makes it the remote control Marchesini in 1:16

Made in Italy

[flat4alfa]

Anyone got Cargo Carrier releases by Hot Wheels?

[AndyW201]

 Some pre Christmas purchases I dug out of the Merc after giving it a run.

To my delight, Entertainer in Tesco had a stock of ACTUAL. NEW. Matchbox for the first time this year.  You can guess which one of this mix was missing , but I have a red and a green Fiesta now anyway. As a Merc fanboy, I was happy to find a Pagoda though.

Its a lovely thing. I was disappointed to miss out on the white version but I think the gold version is nicer.

The Datsun 510 looks nice in this colour scheme too.

Loving the new artwork on the 2025 cards too.

They also had the new Team Transports on offer too. I was tempted by the Nissan set as shown on here by @Datsuncog, the truck in that is indeed a lovely weighty thing, but in the end, I plumped for this Toyota set. Mainly for that Supra...

So, to have a good look at that lovely Supra, I've had to be a complete savage and open it up!

I got a bit confused with the 4Runner, thought I already had one but turns out its the Matchbox one I've got. This one looks nice in 'front door on a new-build house' sage green, the Real-Rider rims look good and have  some particularly grippy rubber fitted.

Great detail on the front,

And the rear. Should be a handy tow car going by the TRD logos...

Wasnt too keen on the half canopy thing on the trailer, luckily it is detachable.

For a small thing, the trailer is fairly weighty and the winch detail is nice.

As far as I know, the A70 Supra is a casting that hasnt been seen before. It's a little beauty!

Lovely white exterior/burgundy interior combo means it's probably one of the 1989 'White Edition' models.

As a premium, the tampo printed details are all nice,

All goes to make a nice looking set up. 

[danthecapriman]

9 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

 Some pre Christmas purchases I dug out of the Merc after giving it a run.

To my delight, Entertainer in Tesco had a stock of ACTUAL. NEW. Matchbox for the first time this year.  You can guess which one of this mix was missing , but I have a red and a green Fiesta now anyway. As a Merc fanboy, I was happy to find a Pagoda though.

Its a lovely thing. I was disappointed to miss out on the white version but I think the gold version is nicer.

The Datsun 510 looks nice in this colour scheme too.

Loving the new artwork on the 2025 cards too.

They also had the new Team Transports on offer too. I was tempted by the Nissan set as shown on here by @Datsuncog, the truck in that is indeed a lovely weighty thing, but in the end, I plumped for this Toyota set. Mainly for that Supra...

So, to have a good look at that lovely Supra, I've had to be a complete savage and open it up!

I got a bit confused with the 4Runner, thought I already had one but turns out its the Matchbox one I've got. This one looks nice in 'front door on a new-build house' sage green, the Real-Rider rims look good and have  some particularly grippy rubber fitted.

Great detail on the front,

And the rear. Should be a handy tow car going by the TRD logos...

Wasnt too keen on the half canopy thing on the trailer, luckily it is detachable.

For a small thing, the trailer is fairly weighty and the winch detail is nice.

As far as I know, the A70 Supra is a casting that hasnt been seen before. It's a little beauty!

Lovely white exterior/burgundy interior combo means it's probably one of the 1989 'White Edition' models.

As a premium, the tampo printed details are all nice,

All goes to make a nice looking set up. 

Some nice ones there, but that Supra!🥰 absolutely lovely looking casting.

Are they available separately?

[sierraman]

I wonder if this year they’ll keep up to date with the releases in Poundland? Funny how they’ve managed it but the Entertainer made such an indifferent job of it? 

[bunglebus]

On 04/12/2024 at 17:14, FakeConcern said:

Very nice too!

I think the buggy should have a driver though. Mrs Concern has a couple with all the sailing boat parts, but none have a driver

Woohoo, here he is

He was joined by an early Whizzwheels in an odd colour

[AndyW201]

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Some nice ones there, but that Supra!🥰 absolutely lovely looking casting.

Are they available separately?

Not yet, I think the Team Transport release is the first but no doubt it'll become available as a single. I have a feeling it'll be one of those castings that only appears in the premium ranges though.

[junkyarddog]

Found the '66 Buick Riviera today.

Nice😎

[bunglebus]

Final Christmas present just arrived 

I've got to find a different size fitting for the air hose, but it's really quiet and compact, unlike my 25L full size one that I used to have to drag outside and connect up with various moisture traps, pressure valves and hoses if I wanted to use my airbrush. I could use this at 3am and disturb no-one.

Does anyone know what size fitting I need? Measures about 9mm on the thread so 3/8 inch? I haven't got a scooby about stuff like this

[Split_Pin]

The shelves in Smyths were literally bare but they did have the new premium HW range in. There were about 5 Metros, probably my most eagerly anticipated purchase since I saw it in a twin pack a few years ago.

It looks excellent, the 'Computervision' adverts have been replaced by 'HW Rally'.

[AndyW201]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

The shelves in Smyths were literally bare but they did have the new premium HW range in. There were about 5 Metros, probably my most eagerly anticipated purchase since I saw it in a twin pack a few years ago.

It looks excellent, the 'Computervision' adverts have been replaced by 'HW Rally'.

That is ACE! Need to check my local Smyth's as they havent been too bad lately for new releases. A Metro has been on my want list for a while.

Although, I think I might need to rein in the diecast addiction for a while (LOLZ!) as a delivery from the Far East came today, actually earlier than estimated.

Saw this and had to have it, partly as despite being a massive 190 fan and having owned a fair amount of the real thing, miniature ones in the collection are surprisingly few. Having this one seems appropriate too as a good few years ago when I had only recently started collecting Hot Wheels again, I bought the original Modern Classics 190E,

Must admit to being a bit disappointed with this one as I thought it would be in a painted silver finish, like on the card artwork, not in bare Zamac, as I'm not a massive fan of the Zamac editions. Still, its a nice car in any case, the bare finish does show off the EVO II body mods off nicely.

At least on this release, they've added the tiny 'Evolution' wing badges.

Just a shame that Hot Wheels see fit to release shitloads of the Merc W124 in mainline versions, but the W201 has only ever been available as a premium. Ah well, at least I have another.

[FakeConcern]

5 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Woohoo, here he is

He was joined by an early Whizzwheels in an odd colour

Wow! Jealous of that! Still never seen one.

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Final Christmas present just arrived 

I've got to find a different size fitting for the air hose, but it's really quiet and compact, unlike my 25L full size one that I used to have to drag outside and connect up with various moisture traps, pressure valves and hoses if I wanted to use my airbrush. I could use this at 3am and disturb no-one.

Does anyone know what size fitting I need? Measures about 9mm on the thread so 3/8 inch? I haven't got a scooby about stuff like this

That looks great!

[danthecapriman]

I got these little Mini’s today.

Vanguards models, with cosmetic issues and the case missing. Got them for a tenner which I thought not too bad. 
No idea this set of two existed though until seeing it. Both cars have different number plates too.

I bought them for future repaints given the condition, particularly the car with the missing beacon light and mirror. The other isn’t too bad but I’ll just code 3 them both!

Very nice little models though.

[FakeConcern]

Toy fair today

@danthecapriman I spotted this and thought of you...

I made a few purchases starting with another Dinky Vega coach, after I got one for £3 last time Eddy said he'd like one too. I spotted two and the seller wanted £5 each, I managed to get the worst (not so good) one for £3,

After I'd gone around a bit I thought I should have bought the second one, but when I went back it had sold.

The next was these two for £10. I like the Hot Wheels/Mattel 1/43 toys and have a few, but not a 305. I do have a couple of Dinky Mustangs, but they usually don't have the correct wheels and are pricey so here we are

One of the usual sellers had a Dinky Saab 96 shell which I thought was worth the £1 and I had thought Eddy might want (he doesn't). There were also a few other bits including what I was pretty sure were a couple of bonnets and boots for Dinky Mk1 Escorts if anyone needs them I should see the same seller tomorrow.

My fave seller next!

Each of these below were £4

Same seller again and these were £2 each. I found I actually already have a Dinky Merrywheather and two Super KIngs Quattros if anyone wants either.

Also same seller (you can see why he's my fave!) all £1, no idea why the identical Super Kings Audi was a different price

I was tempted by these 1/24 models at £15 each, but decided I really don't have room to start collecting them. The DC2 Type R was really nice! He said he'd be at the toy fair we're going to tomorrow so I can change my mind or if anyone else is interested.

Type R unknown make

Celica

Bburago Capri was lovely too

Sunbeam also lovely

 

Mrs Concern bought an acrylic  display case from the same seller for £5, needed to be cleaned up, but pretty nice, she's going to get a couple more tomorrow, let me know if you'd like us to get one for you

Size is approx 340mm x 150mm x 150mm

When we got home the postman had been and this had arrived

I really love the plastic Norevs with opening everything and this doesn't disappoint

!

[morrisoxide]

Miniature tat Christmas presents.

FAO Schwarz remote control bumper cars. These are very fun if you hit the side buttons the chap flys out of the car. 😄

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, morrisoxide said:

 😄

😄

Still looking for the red version of that Bugs Buggy

[MiniMinorMk3]

3 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

I got these little Mini’s today.

Vanguards models, with cosmetic issues and the case missing. Got them for a tenner which I thought not too bad. 
No idea this set of two existed though until seeing it. Both cars have different number plates too.

I bought them for future repaints given the condition, particularly the car with the missing beacon light and mirror. The other isn’t too bad but I’ll just code 3 them both!

Very nice little models though.

I've had a few of those sets. They were issued to commemorate 75 years of teh Metropolitan Police Traffic Patrol in 2005.

The Surbiton Garage that these Minis were based at was the former building of John Cooper Garages and was leased to the Met by John Cooper. The set comes with a leaflet describing the cars and how they went whilst in service.

It was a limited edition set of 2005.

A picture of the Surbiton garage can be seen inside the box.

And here's a newspaper article that features the two Mini Coopers.

[sheffcortinacentre]

768 lasted to 86, no details for 767.

[MiniMinorMk3]

By the way, has anyone spotted the Vanguards error (laziness)?

The original cars were Mk2 Mini Coopers, but because Vanguards have never bothered to create a Mk2, they just used their well used Mk1 model yet again. And they wonder why they have trouble selling stuff that is not Ford related.

[warch]

I’ve been waiting for this one for ages…

The Oxford Diecast County 1884. These were built by specialist tractor manufacturer County (probably better known on here for 4x4 Transit vans). The 1884 was based on a Ford TW30 but fitted with equal sized wheels and County’s unique transmission system. They arrived just as factory made 4 wheel drive tractors were becoming more common and a combination of the early 80s recession, cheaper alternatives and withdrawal of Ford support killed off the market for these, so only a few were built. 

The model is awesome and captures the proportions and details very well (the long nose carried a massive fuel tank for long days in the field). 

They’ve even taken the trouble to model the characteristic dual shafts that took drive from the transmission to the front hubs. Amazing detail for a 15 quid model at this scale.

[somewhatfoolish]

Was there a special reason for having such a short wheelbase? Having the front stick out so far must have had stability issues.

[warch]

1 hour ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Was there a special reason for having such a short wheelbase? Having the front stick out so far must have had stability issues.

Tractors are usually designed with the idea that they’ll have a rear implement fitted (front mounted implements weren’t that common before the mid 90s. The rear end on most tractors is enormously heavy so most need more weight on the front. The front on these long nose versions contained a sodding great big fuel tank, the engine was well back between the wheels.
 

Countys were widely sold overseas to markets where ability to work safely on hill slopes where four wheel drive, four wheel braking and inherent stability were essential. The short wheelbase was more likely a result of the transmission design, the tractor it was derived from had the front axle further forward even in 4wd form.

Here is a 70s one working in Dorset. 

 

[danthecapriman]

8 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

By the way, has anyone spotted the Vanguards error (laziness)?

The original cars were Mk2 Mini Coopers, but because Vanguards have never bothered to create a Mk2, they just used their well used Mk1 model yet again. And they wonder why they have trouble selling stuff that is not Ford related.

That makes them good for my purposes though as I want to use one to recreate a mk1 I used to see a lot as a kid.

It wasn’t a Cooper but a Morris Mini Minor. It was a lovely original survivor, in faded red and being driven by its original owner still, a lovely old lady. One day me and a mate saw it parked outside some local shops while we were out on our bikes so stopped for a closer look. The lady came back to it while we were looking and we asked her about it. She was a lovely old dear who had it new with her husband and it’d been in daily use ever since. We asked her why she went for a Morris and apparently they simply offered her the best deal! 
That was in the 90’s so it was getting on a bit even then, but it’d clearly proved to be a good buy to last so long in constant use. 
She’ll be long gone by now, bless her. But I often wonder what happened to that Mini. Definitely one that deserved a good home and keeping rather than being scrapped or turned into a junior stock car etc. I can’t remember the registration number though to look.

It was very similar to this (but not half as tidy!)

 

[warch]

41 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

That makes them good for my purposes though as I want to use one to recreate a mk1 I used to see a lot as a kid.

It wasn’t a Cooper but a Morris Mini Minor. It was a lovely original survivor, in faded red and being driven by its original owner still, a lovely old lady. One day me and a mate saw it parked outside some local shops while we were out on our bikes so stopped for a closer look. The lady came back to it while we were looking and we asked her about it. She was a lovely old dear who had it new with her husband and it’d been in daily use ever since. We asked her why she went for a Morris and apparently they simply offered her the best deal! 
That was in the 90’s so it was getting on a bit even then, but it’d clearly proved to be a good buy to last so long in constant use. 
She’ll be long gone by now, bless her. But I often wonder what happened to that Mini. Definitely one that deserved a good home and keeping rather than being scrapped or turned into a junior stock car etc. I can’t remember the registration number though to look.

It was very similar to this (but not half as tidy!)

 

I think the old Minis were rather better made than the later 80s onwards ones. I owned a ten year old Mini in 1996 and it was rusty as hell, the 25 year old one I had in 2001 was way better put together (bear in mind it was registered in 1976 during peak British Leyland).

[Spottedlaurel]

15 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

Toy fair today.......

Now you're making me regret not getting the tidy white transporter trailer I saw at the Norwich toy fair to go with that Transcontinental you bought!

[danthecapriman]

4 minutes ago, warch said:

I think the old Minis were rather better made than the later 80s onwards ones. I owned a ten year old Mini in 1996 and it was rusty as hell, the 25 year old one I had in 2001 was way better put together (bear in mind it was registered in 1976 during peak British Leyland).

I’m sorry to say, as a petrol head and a Brit I’ve never owned a Mini. I’d like one (and a Beetle!) but never actually had one.

Driven quite a few in my mechanic days and worked on them but it’s not the same!

[bunglebus]

At a loose end today so did a job I've had at the back of my mind for a while. I keep the cards from the Hot Wheels I customise or free for whatever reason

So I put them in one of the display cases

[sierraman]

@sheffcortinacentre there’s a toy fair at Donny tomorrow. 
 

 

[sierraman]

4 hours ago, warch said:

Tractors are usually designed with the idea that they’ll have a rear implement fitted (front mounted implements weren’t that common before the mid 90s. The rear end on most tractors is enormously heavy so most need more weight on the front. The front on these long nose versions contained a sodding great big fuel tank, the engine was well back between the wheels.
 

Countys were widely sold overseas to markets where ability to work safely on hill slopes where four wheel drive, four wheel braking and inherent stability were essential. The short wheelbase was more likely a result of the transmission design, the tractor it was derived from had the front axle further forward even in 4wd form.

Here is a 70s one working in Dorset. 

 

Britains did one IIRC. I think most of the standard Ford Tractors were built in Basildon?