Jump to content

Shite in Miniature II


Split_Pin

Recommended Posts

Unboxed the Escort, ready to put on display. Didn't like the ride height, the problem with the Vanguards casting is that it also includes cooking and Ghia models and the chassis is the same on them all, so the sporting versions all sit well up at the rear. The front already sat a bit low on this one, so just a slight tweak at the rear was done. Sits more like a sport now.

IMG_20200726_143834.thumb.jpg.8de8e3ad0536dc3b28b5e05770dfe61e.jpg

IMG_20200726_144213.thumb.jpg.999e8dffd019ddc7b8089ce5051db985.jpg

IMG_20200726_144155.thumb.jpg.b4f6e76dc473cc6b5a7f4d64305eac9a.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gaah! I had that in bronze, bought in Palma Nova in 1983. Didn't take long for the key to get lost, sadly.

Always thought it odd that most key cars of that time were exotic, sporty cars, and the Spaniards chose a large wafty 4 door saloon....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More poking about in the loft earlier, 

Having ticked the Sierra and Merc 240D off the Corgi 1/36 list, I've been looking around for a Capri S, another one that passed me by when younger. No bargains to be had at the moment though. Then in the loft I found this,

IMG_20200726_163556.thumb.jpg.37b9672ad389ed2be7e353d42286a297.jpg

Sadly not the original '70s release, this was bought at the much missed Modelzone in the Metro Centre. Don't think I paid much for it really, every time I went to that Modelzone, I managed to grab a few bargains!

IMG_20200726_163405.thumb.jpg.35a6c68d414dde33e5a21094a37b78cf.jpg

This one is dated 2001. On eBay even these re-releases command high asking prices, this is the boggo one with the cardboard cut-out Bodie and Doyle. Even so, they seem to hover around the £40-£50 mark and about £60-£70 for the one with the proper figures. The original 70s release can get into three figures...

IMG_20200726_163152.thumb.jpg.c0bf630da31f4c5d387603ed55d049a4.jpg

The diorama inner plinth looks pretty good.

IMG_20200726_162537.thumb.jpg.120fdda95c7d1a98911a886d494078ea.jpg

The model itself is true to to the 70's original (don't think the original had the number plates printed though). Obviously stood next to a modern day Minichamps or Vanguards version it looks a bit wonky, but it's just chock-full of charm. When I was a kid, this was one of THE toys to have (though for my 5th birthday I distinctly remember choosing the Jaguar XJ-C 5.3 over the Capri!)

IMG_20200726_162548.thumb.jpg.df27d2c51cc023ff22e27fdec54d7746.jpg

IMG_20200726_162625.thumb.jpg.6dab288410b6dbad9ec82fc65396a7e8.jpg

Still looks good though,  it has plenty of Capri-ness. Again this differs slightly from the original by the wheels, although these wheels are a lot more Ford-like, looking a lot like a set of RS 7-spokes.

IMG_20200726_162602.thumb.jpg.c3529222a1a09f37ac6dc71b9cdf74a0.jpg

The S decals, and Matt black window frames and handles are nicely done, and the Recaro 'fishnet' seats are well captured for the time.

IMG_20200726_162502.thumb.jpg.1078132f5db957d19b7339fdbfb6486d.jpg

Even the underbonnet detail stands up well, for a model with its origins in the '70s.

IMG_20200726_162657.thumb.jpg.7b9315a99893eb1d71b27ab35182667a.jpg

I think I've mentioned before, but back in the day, a toy car with an opening hatch and a tipping parcel shelf was a thing to get excited about. 

That might have been just me though...

Speaking of Corgis in 1/36,

IMG_20200726_165831.thumb.jpg.590fbc5bf405daf1112bc6d23d42539e.jpg 

Not sure how I came by these, I think it was an offer through the mail from Corgi (I actually used to send off the little coupons that came with the models and used to get little catalogues sent, often with special offers). I had a fleeting interest in the new MINI at the time, so got these. They came as a set, along with a little mahogany shelf to display them on. However they went straight in the loft, they've never really been looked at. Until now...

IMG_20200726_165930.thumb.jpg.1cf4a9e0686c08e89cda667d43db3d75.jpg

IMG_20200726_170005.thumb.jpg.c1bd283e359b048aaa863fb3cd18f80c.jpg

IMG_20200726_170036.thumb.jpg.f5dfa8231444a96961485e19e1c008d7.jpg

Nice to see these representing the early Cooper in it's 'pure' form, even down to the standard Cooper wheels. Nice packaging too.

IMG_20200726_170148.thumb.jpg.bf7c9db1f0deeaed994dfb64d0ec56d2.jpg

These models kind of show the slight identity crisis Corgi were still in at the time, regarding scales. 1/43 was big at that time with collector's (2001 when these were produced) and I would have expected these to be in that scale. My guess is that these were made in 1/36 to carry on the lineage with the old Mini casting, which I'm sure Corgi were still trotting out at that time, and beyond.

It makes for a good solid chunk of model though, helped by a metal base.

IMG_20200726_171421.thumb.jpg.8a7ea62219ee571104a5823c8d2c8dff.jpg

Baseplate is actually a bit loose on this silver one, and I can't see how it attaches, no visible rivets or screw fixings. I think that 19 years might be a bit late to send it back too. Bugger...

IMG_20200726_170920.thumb.jpg.914484d2dd5475eb088fef9c1be93438.jpg

IMG_20200726_171306.thumb.jpg.7e894ac32644231e0311e7a98beceb08.jpg

Shape and stance is captured well, nice wipers and headlights, loses points for the tampo printed rear lights though,

IMG_20200726_170954.thumb.jpg.d67894643d6501fa2f43b58557348c99.jpg

Great interior detail though,

IMG_20200726_171200.thumb.jpg.c2a39722a8e55fa844957e550d9d9693.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never seen that type of Corgi Mini before, they look excellent. The Classic Mini casting in that same scale is my all time favourite Mini model. I've got about 20, mainly the 'facelifted' 1989 casting. The earlier one with the headlights on sprues is quite hard to find. I think it was perhaps temporarily discontinued some time around 1980.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I've never seen that type of Corgi Mini before, they look excellent. The Classic Mini casting in that same scale is my all time favourite Mini model. I've got about 20, mainly the 'facelifted' 1989 casting. The earlier one with the headlights on sprues is quite hard to find. I think it was perhaps temporarily discontinued some time around 1980.

I'm a fan of that casting myself, I've only had the one as a kid, the silver mid '70s version that had sadly lost its rally decals. Considering how many model makers have made a monumental cock up of the classic Mini shape over the years, I don't think the 'big' Corgi casting is the worst, especially for a 1970s toy. I also think the later facelift was a useful one and certainly helped them get more mileage out of the casting. I still regret giving a Mini owning ex-mate the 'Italian Job' 3 car set (the mid '90s Rover-era Italian Job) as a birthday present. I wish I had that set now! I'm on the look out for cheap models of the Rover Sport Pack version with the wider arches and alloys (especially in Amaranth)  as that's my favourite classic Mini variant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A more thorough rummage through my die cast box failed to produce any more Mini Dinky models but I did find a few Majorettes.

Chrysler 180.

50156492897_5e28c40659_c.jpgDSCF1518 by timothy jones, on Flickr

50156258901_3331fabc03_c.jpgDSCF1517 by timothy jones, on Flickr

Simca 1100

49543448723_eef16673a0_c.jpgDSCF1155 by timothy jones, on Flickr

49543449298_e091b70be7_c.jpgDSCF1156 by timothy jones, on Flickr

Plymouth Fury police car. Missing a couple of roof lights but otherwise in decent condition.

 50155705523_53ebb903cb_c.jpgDSCF1519 by timothy jones, on Flickr

50155707733_69c4b24d95_c.jpgDSCF1520 by timothy jones, on Flickr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

I know there's another thread for this, but I'm sure a few people will be excited about this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274439290313

 

(in the voice of the kid who already has all the sticker book swaps you've offered):

 

"GOT!"

 

48003792737_8bbed8d970_b.jpg

 

48003764446_99d88476e8_b.jpg

 

"GOT A SPARE!"

 

48003692483_f3ef33d450_b.jpg

 

48003795552_ac953bf5cf_b.jpg

 

"GOT THE OTHER ONE TOO!"

 

49651428382_d6ebc442e8_b.jpg

 

It seems Spot On issued more workaday wheels for the commercial version. How very astute.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's an interesting 180, all the examples I've seen have had the later wheels, although it was launched with the earliest type of skinny wheels. That seems to be an interim model. I wish there was detailed information about diecast manufacturers easily available online to check dates and variations etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've finally acquired a decent Britains Unimog! There were lots of  Unimog models made, in pretty much any scale you could ever want. I had a nice Matchbox one when I was a kid, which was sort of 1/43-1/50ish scale, but I've never owned a Britains one before*. The main problem with most Unimog models is the lack of a functional implement linkage, which is central to what I like about the real vehicle, its a truck which you can use as a tractor.

*Actually that isn't strictly true, I bought one off Ebay a few years ago. It looked great but I was annoyed to discover that the wheels had suffered from the deadly Britains plastic rot, and  had basically broken into splinters. 

The one below was an earlier example and was in ok condition but missing the pickup bed. I'd kept my old one which was in much better nick, and was able to swap the cab body, pickup bed and chassis/linkage onto my new one, which being an earlier model lacked the implement linkage. I sprayed the chassis, made a new pivot pin for the pickup bed, gave it a quick clean, and screwed it back together. Pretty happy with that.

CbOe6Wh.jpg?1

3PcwMlA.jpg?1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/26/2020 at 8:19 PM, AndyW201 said:

I'm a fan of that casting myself, I've only had the one as a kid, the silver mid '70s version that had sadly lost its rally decals. Considering how many model makers have made a monumental cock up of the classic Mini shape over the years, I don't think the 'big' Corgi casting is the worst, especially for a 1970s toy. I also think the later facelift was a useful one and certainly helped them get more mileage out of the casting. I still regret giving a Mini owning ex-mate the 'Italian Job' 3 car set (the mid '90s Rover-era Italian Job) as a birthday present. I wish I had that set now! I'm on the look out for cheap models of the Rover Sport Pack version with the wider arches and alloys (especially in Amaranth)  as that's my favourite classic Mini variant.

I have that set, it is quite hard to find I think. I got it from eBay after a lot of searching. It has the 3 real cars pictured on the back of the box.

The Sport Pack models look great as well, Corgi did well on the wheels. I have a dark metallic blue one and a green one which is some sort of special edition approved by John Cooper himself.

My own personal favourites are the 5 30th birthday editions. I fawned over the 30, Sky, Rose, Flame and Racing in the 1989 Corgi Collectors catalogue and I remember being delighted when my mum got me the 30 as a surprise one day. She picked me up from school and the box was hiding under the front seat of our Metro.

About 12 years ago I got myself the other 4 from eBay and I still enjoy looking at them! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i like most folks of my generation who collect toy cars, have a goodly number of those Corgi Mini's.

the boxed ones date from, i guess around 1990, with the racing ones been closer to the end of the Rover Mini in the later 1990's.

DSCN9386.thumb.JPG.3ca2f9a26c3ddf5f8841fb25b465ba56.JPG

DSCN9388.thumb.JPG.1b8d2b5b86dc9c588f23dcff48eea619.JPG

this blue one though is a survivor from my childhood. i must have really REALLY loved this as its something that i don't remember not having. and i'm now 46 years old!  And it has made it to this age in pretty good shape, i must have really looked after it, or i never ever bothered with it. i dunno which! I do remember though, my Aunty Molly had a yellow (snap dragon i guess) Mini 1000 when i was proper small. i think that is where the fascination with Minis comes from.

DSCN4421.thumb.JPG.e51b090f28d846c143fb9ecb1c38c1cb.JPG

i also am the proud owner of this. its the presentation pack edition of the Corgi Mini 30.

401903033_2020-07-2800_39_42.thumb.jpg.ac09b33f449c79b1c76f202763d96f37.jpg

As it has Rovers name on the back i think it's one of the presentation packs that were included with each new Mini 30, back in 1989?

146414412_2020-07-2800_40_25.thumb.jpg.c85ff0b8e7731fde02b941b8291ad2cb.jpg

the toy car is in the best colour,cherry and it includes the leather bound edition of Rob Gouldings book Mini 30 Years On.

1153149475_2020-07-2800_40_53.thumb.jpg.638f8b55b73b35db83c9bb040171a55b.jpg

I actually have another copy of this book which i got again back in 1989 just in time for Rover releasing the Mini 30. 

I so, so wanted one of those at the time, and when i was looking at buying a mini back in 2007, it came down to either a cherry red Mini 30, and Cocopop, the orange Cooper Sport.

I still wonder if i did buy the right car, even now.....

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, bunglebus said:

That one's usually blue whenever I see it, nice find.

Mine's green:

48003762746_0f48240fa5_b.jpg

Picked up mostly because the actual car is quite interesting but I'm quite ambivalent towards this casting, for some reason. Maybe it's the wheels? I also think the Majorette Simca 1100 is a belter, so that probably doesn't help. I reckon the earlier wheels on the red one above look much better, too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the problem with the 180 casting is that the waistline is a bit too horizontal? I'm still envious, I don't yet have one.

Looks like it was available with all three wheel options.

Rounded-up the current kit projects:

IMG_2597.thumb.JPG.703e047429d3baecfbe857b6dce94162.JPG

IMG_2599.thumb.JPG.780a2f9b6873fac225b7a0b53dbe37f5.JPG

I'm hoping all will be finished during my forthcoming holiday period. Maserati now painfully close to completion after 25+ years. Corvette was started nearly 30 years ago, Fairlady in 2008, so that's a total of around 65 years they've been WIP.....

Toyota and Datsuns are much more recent. I'm hoping to start and finish the Z in less than a fortnight.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, MarvinsMom said:

i like most folks of my generation who collect toy cars, have a goodly number of those Corgi Mini's.

the boxed ones date from, i guess around 1990, with the racing ones been closer to the end of the Rover Mini in the later 1990's.

DSCN9386.thumb.JPG.3ca2f9a26c3ddf5f8841fb25b465ba56.JPG

DSCN9388.thumb.JPG.1b8d2b5b86dc9c588f23dcff48eea619.JPG

this blue one though is a survivor from my childhood. i must have really REALLY loved this as its something that i don't remember not having. and i'm now 46 years old!  And it has made it to this age in pretty good shape, i must have really looked after it, or i never ever bothered with it. i dunno which! I do remember though, my Aunty Molly had a yellow (snap dragon i guess) Mini 1000 when i was proper small. i think that is where the fascination with Minis comes from.

DSCN4421.thumb.JPG.e51b090f28d846c143fb9ecb1c38c1cb.JPG

i also am the proud owner of this. its the presentation pack edition of the Corgi Mini 30.

401903033_2020-07-2800_39_42.thumb.jpg.ac09b33f449c79b1c76f202763d96f37.jpg

As it has Rovers name on the back i think it's one of the presentation packs that were included with each new Mini 30, back in 1989?

146414412_2020-07-2800_40_25.thumb.jpg.c85ff0b8e7731fde02b941b8291ad2cb.jpg

the toy car is in the best colour,cherry and it includes the leather bound edition of Rob Gouldings book Mini 30 Years On.

1153149475_2020-07-2800_40_53.thumb.jpg.638f8b55b73b35db83c9bb040171a55b.jpg

I actually have another copy of this book which i got again back in 1989 just in time for Rover releasing the Mini 30. 

I so, so wanted one of those at the time, and when i was looking at buying a mini back in 2007, it came down to either a cherry red Mini 30, and Cocopop, the orange Cooper Sport.

I still wonder if i did buy the right car, even now.....

 

That's a great piece to have. I remember drooling over this in the Corgi Collector magazine. It's away up in the loft at the moment but I'm sure it would say whom it was produced for. I have the Rover Cars brochure from 1989 and it doesn't mention the inclusion of this book with the car but Corgi may say different!

The paint job on the model 30 is really nice for its time. I remember being amazed when I opened it at how lustrous it was and that the metallic flake (probably a bit out of scale for this model) really popped in the light. 

I feel that the 30 was one of the last proper Corgi 'Special Editions'. At 17,500 they produced far more of these than the 5 or 10000 pieces of models that followed but it just seemed to carry provenance with the Mini, especially as I was only 9 at the time and had nothing else like it in my collection. After this, the certificate inclusion seemed to become commonplace even with standard releases and it lost its magic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

I think the problem with the 180 casting is that the waistline is a bit too horizontal? I'm still envious, I don't yet have one.

Looks like it was available with all three wheel options.

Rounded-up the current kit projects:

IMG_2597.thumb.JPG.703e047429d3baecfbe857b6dce94162.JPG

IMG_2599.thumb.JPG.780a2f9b6873fac225b7a0b53dbe37f5.JPG

I'm hoping all will be finished during my forthcoming holiday period. Maserati now painfully close to completion after 25+ years. Corvette was started nearly 30 years ago, Fairlady in 2008, so that's a total of around 65 years they've been WIP.....

Toyota and Datsuns are much more recent. I'm hoping to start and finish the Z in less than a fortnight.

What's the green one?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Treasure Hunt located

20200728_180059.thumb.jpg.7725fb11acf4bd477c9f81ffb8faaa84.jpg

Along with another one from the Fast and Furious Spy Kids range

20200728_185052.thumb.jpg.d8b1d1b78173ad338b6f23f754556a0d.jpg

Plus this Mustang 

20200728_180146.thumb.jpg.33b0b311f27ba16209abb591e8ac41c1.jpg

Porsche Carerra 6 needs a cockpit if anyone has a spare?

20200728_180548.thumb.jpg.aa66df2ce4fa74f851b12963f44e6f44.jpg

Found a different version of the Romping Rabbit

20200728_180416.thumb.jpg.50a89d0793525f169735209b0904ad4e.jpg

flat4Alfa sent me this Porsche that was discussed recently

20200728_180632.thumb.jpg.98076d4b2aeb45af74092cd5caa0e4af.jpg20200728_180645.thumb.jpg.deeaba354c3ddf31f42ae959ccb3c2dc.jpg

Along with most of a Vauxhall Guildsman

20200728_180454.thumb.jpg.13330fb49af6eccae6cbe8435e102d66.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

flat4Alfa sent me this Porsche that was discussed recently

20200728_180632.thumb.jpg.98076d4b2aeb45af74092cd5caa0e4af.jpg20200728_180645.thumb.jpg.deeaba354c3ddf31f42ae959ccb3c2dc.jpg

I've no love for it so thought it better over your way for paint skillz

That is, if the forum agrees it should be painted

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, MarvinsMom said:

i like most folks of my generation who collect toy cars, have a goodly number of those Corgi Mini's.

the boxed ones date from, i guess around 1990, with the racing ones been closer to the end of the Rover Mini in the later 1990's.

DSCN9386.thumb.JPG.3ca2f9a26c3ddf5f8841fb25b465ba56.JPG

DSCN9388.thumb.JPG.1b8d2b5b86dc9c588f23dcff48eea619.JPG

this blue one though is a survivor from my childhood. i must have really REALLY loved this as its something that i don't remember not having. and i'm now 46 years old!  And it has made it to this age in pretty good shape, i must have really looked after it, or i never ever bothered with it. i dunno which! I do remember though, my Aunty Molly had a yellow (snap dragon i guess) Mini 1000 when i was proper small. i think that is where the fascination with Minis comes from.

DSCN4421.thumb.JPG.e51b090f28d846c143fb9ecb1c38c1cb.JPG

i also am the proud owner of this. its the presentation pack edition of the Corgi Mini 30.

401903033_2020-07-2800_39_42.thumb.jpg.ac09b33f449c79b1c76f202763d96f37.jpg

As it has Rovers name on the back i think it's one of the presentation packs that were included with each new Mini 30, back in 1989?

146414412_2020-07-2800_40_25.thumb.jpg.c85ff0b8e7731fde02b941b8291ad2cb.jpg

the toy car is in the best colour,cherry and it includes the leather bound edition of Rob Gouldings book Mini 30 Years On.

1153149475_2020-07-2800_40_53.thumb.jpg.638f8b55b73b35db83c9bb040171a55b.jpg

I actually have another copy of this book which i got again back in 1989 just in time for Rover releasing the Mini 30. 

I so, so wanted one of those at the time, and when i was looking at buying a mini back in 2007, it came down to either a cherry red Mini 30, and Cocopop, the orange Cooper Sport.

I still wonder if i did buy the right car, even now.....

 

A couple of years back I sold off six of those which my parents bought new in 1990. I collected diecast in my teens (and on and off since) and they hoped they would be an investment. Didn't really work out that way, but six collectors managed to bag some immaculate presentation packs. Wish I'd kept one back now!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...