Shite in Miniature II

[Jon]

Just come back from getting our 205 GTI successfully tested for another 6 months (sadly cars have to be post 2000 for annual tests here), so thought I'd drop into the local store to see what school term offers were on.

Nabbed something of interest from Matchbox but here's the Hotwheels premium stuff, either being offered at c.£2.50 a pop for fancy carded ones/re-releases, or 3 for c.£10 on the car Culture ones - some of which have been put on the incorrect, cheaper priced tabs.

Anyway, if anyone's super desperate for something absolutely impossible to get in the UK, do let me know. 

No idea what postage will be, though!

[Jon]

4 minutes ago, Amishtat said:

Is the yellow one a Renault 5?

Looks like an R5 Turbo 2 and judging by the size/colour, the blue one is perhaps a Mercedes 240, or a Rolls Royce?

Let's wait and see!

[Datsuncog]

10 hours ago, Amishtat said:

Is the yellow one a Renault 5?

 

10 hours ago, Jon said:

Looks like an R5 Turbo 2 and judging by the size/colour, the blue one is perhaps a Mercedes 240, or a Rolls Royce?

Let's wait and see!

Oh! Good shootin', sirs!

Yep, also in the pack were the C285 Mercedes 240D and the C307 Renault 5 Turbo Nutter Bastard, to give it its full name.

The R5 Turbo 2 was the main reason I bid on this lot, as even from the potatocam listing pics, it looked really clean.

And it is.

Some of the paper stickers are lifting a little, but c'mon - it must be nearly 40 years old, this one.

Insane engine is present and correct, and marvellously detailed.

In his Great Book of Corgi, Chief Designer Marcel Van Cleemput details the hurdles that were overcome with Renault management to get permission to make a model of this car, and how he was mildly concerned to show up for what he thought was a private meeting at the Renault Museum on the Champs Elysées, only to find nine other toymakers also invited.

However, he proudly notes that Corgi were the first to bring a scale model of Renault's psychotic shopping trolley to market, with this one appearing in April 1981.

One reason I wanted one of these (besides my tragic completionist nature) was that I wished to see whether any of the components on this model were shared with the less terrifying C293 R5 TS which had been in the line-up since 1977.

As it turns out, nope.

Post-Mettoy, Corgi continued to make this model in a variety of different rally colours, and even after all the Mattel nastiness in the 1990s, the re-formed Corgi Classics Ltd continued to market this casting, now made in China and marketed as 'Corgi Super Minis' - complete with a 'collectable' badge to circumvent Mattel's divorce settlement requirement that Corgi could no longer sell toys, but only collectables.

This one seems to be an original Swansea one, however, with its 'Made in Gt Britain' lettering.

I never had this model as a kid, but I have very strong memories of looking at it in Stewarts in Clandeboye Shopping Centre c.1984. Nice to bring it in to the collection, finally.

 

The final arrival is indeed the W115 'New Generation' Mercedes 240D, which Corgi launched in March 1975, rather confusingly just as Mercedes replaced it with the W123.

Sold in silver, bronze, gold and several shades of metallic blue, the individual model lasted through to 1981. Opening doors and boot enhanced play-value, while the towing hitch allowed Corgi to pair it with a generic caravan as part of Gift Set 24, in either blue or bronze, between 1975 and 1979. A million of these two versions combined were shifted, plus many more sold with taxi, police and fire variants, mostly as exports.

I already have a 240D, but it's not quite the same shade of blue as my long-lost childhood example, so I thought I'd take a punt...

But no, while the shade is different from my other one it's still not a match. It's also in the poorest condition of the three, with a crack to the windscreen...

...and the rear screen too, plus a ding in the b-pillar. There's also a scrape along the lower doors...

...and it's missing a bumper corner, plus chrome plating on one front wheel. You can see some other paint damage too.

Originally, I'd planned to compare the two Mercs and then offer whichever one I wasn't keeping for a fiver (the three of them cost £15, plus post), but I don't honestly think this is quite worth a fiver.

If anyone wants it at £3 plus post, I'll set it aside for you!

EDIT: Now sold!!!

So yeah... first Corgis arriving for a while, though possibly not the last!

[Jon]

I had a few of those reissued 90's Corgi Super Minis, including the R5, hencec recognising it. Interesting to see it was a direct copy of the 1981 variant, decals and all! When I picked up a Corgi R11, it came with the bit of packaging that the castings would clip to in the box, except it was for an R5 Turbo. Except, it was for 2 different R5 Turbos, as the card was reversible! Never seen that before - from memory, the reverse was in a very 1980's grid pattern, possibly in blue.

And would I be right in thinking the 205 T16 first came to light in plain white, in the Mobil collection series? That's certainly the first version I can remember, at least. 

Anyway, I had/have a bronze 240D purlioned from somewhere 2nd hand as a kid, as well as a rally version, gifted by a family member. I've mentioned before but one of the wheel covers on it is from a Ford Sierra, so it must've been one of the last ones cast, presumably? From memory, there didn't look to be any foul play swapping covers over by previous owners, though that's something my brother and I liked to do. We'd often reverse the centres too, to give generic 'donut' centre caps. Innocent times, eh?!

[Vincent Velocette]

I made a new thing.

[bunglebus]

9 hours ago, Jon said:

Just come back from getting our 205 GTI successfully tested for another 6 months (sadly cars have to be post 2000 for annual tests here), so thought I'd drop into the local store to see what school term offers were on.

Nabbed something of interest from Matchbox but here's the Hotwheels premium stuff, either being offered at c.£2.50 a pop for fancy carded ones/re-releases, or 3 for c.£10 on the car Culture ones - some of which have been put on the incorrect, cheaper priced tabs.

Anyway, if anyone's super desperate for something absolutely impossible to get in the UK, do let me know. 

No idea what postage will be, though!

I'd be pretty interested in as many of the Flying Colours cars that they have!

[bunglebus]

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Renault 5 Turbo Nutter Bastard

I love this one - as you may recall I have one, and a copy I customised. Interesting to know it's not modified from the older 5, but I suppose it's so different it was easier to start from scratch 

 

[bunglebus]

My hot rods decided to leave the display case and meet up for breakfast 

[Jon]

Think they were $5 each. A good price?

[flat4alfa]

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

If anyone wants it at £3 plus post, I'll set it aside for you!

Cogbox please

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, Jon said:

Think they were $5 each. A good price?

Not too bad - Modelmatic had them but the VW squareback sold out in 0.3 nanoseconds.

Heads up - Tesco have restocked so now's your chance if you didn't get the yellow Merc, Dodge Coronet, Plymouth Savoy etc

[Datsuncog]

9 hours ago, Jon said:

I had a few of those reissued 90's Corgi Super Minis, including the R5, hence recognising it. Interesting to see it was a direct copy of the 1981 variant, decals and all!

The yellow and black T2 with Elf/Calberson decals only stayed in the range for a year, but managed to become the second-biggest seller for Corgi in 1981 with over 265,000 units shifted.

For 1982, it was renumbered and repainted in white, blue and red with Facom sponsor decals, and for 1983 appeared in navy blue with a white roof and Elf sponsorship. But yes, well worth noting that by the time the remanufactured Super Minis version appeared, it had reverted to its original launch colour scheme. The Juniors version also appeared in 1981, wearing the same decoration.

Quote

When I picked up a Corgi R11, it came with the bit of packaging that the castings would clip to in the box, except it was for an R5 Turbo. Except, it was for 2 different R5 Turbos, as the card was reversible! Never seen that before - from memory, the reverse was in a very 1980's grid pattern, possibly in blue.

Ah, interesting! I wonder whether the R11 had been the victim of a bit of a mix-up by a previous collector, or if it stemmed from that unhappy period when the newly formed Corgi Toy Company Ltd were just trying to get anything vaguely saleable out the door of the warehouse, even if it did get a bit mix 'n' match at times. Never remember seeing a grid pattern on the early 1980s box inserts (though my knowledge here is low) - could be you have yourself a bit of a rarity!

Quote

And would I be right in thinking the 205 T16 first came to light in plain white, in the Mobil collection series? That's certainly the first version I can remember, at least. 

As far as my (incomplete) Corgi catalogues indicate, the Peugeot 205 T16 first popped up in 1985 as a new model, with catalogue reference C399, in white with a generic rally livery and wearing the number '205'.

'Peugoet' - ROFL.

It later appeared in the 1988 trade catalogue, wearing yellow rally colours and Ari Vatenen's name on the door, listed as C399/5 - implying that there must have been three other distinct variations produced in 1986 and 1987, before this one showed up.

Since Northern Ireland didn't have any Mobil fuel stations, I wasn't even aware of this promo range until quite recently - so I can't say for sure where or when the plain white Peugeot appeared. I was surprised that many from this range were completely unique, such as the Mk2 Astra GTE rally car and the Volvo racing truck, although existing range castings were also used - the Jaguar XJS went back to the late 1970s and the bodykitted Mercedes 2.3/16 was already in the main range, I think.

I had a plain red example of the T16, which I picked up in the mid-90s but I think was part of the main range with a rectangular box, rather than the racing-oriented Super Minis and their square boxes. Annoyingly, I passed it on a few years back.

Quote

Anyway, I had/have a bronze 240D purlioned from somewhere 2nd hand as a kid, as well as a rally version, gifted by a family member. I've mentioned before but one of the wheel covers on it is from a Ford Sierra, so it must've been one of the last ones cast, presumably? From memory, there didn't look to be any foul play swapping covers over by previous owners, though that's something my brother and I liked to do. We'd often reverse the centres too, to give generic 'donut' centre caps. Innocent times, eh?!

I can't believe I forgot about the C291 Mercedes 240D in East African Rally trim - that'll teach me to go posting about diecast in the middle of the night!

Yup, this was the UK swansong for this particular casting, introduced in April 1982 just after the civvie version bowed out, and staying in the range until Mettoy's unfortunate bankruptcy in October 1983, although as it didn't appear in the 1984 Mettoy catalogue it seems likely that it was set to be discontinued anyway. Police and fire versions also continued to be churned out, but these were made for export markets only.

Although by now very dated-looking, and with Corgi's model of the new Mercedes 190 already being prepared for launch the following year, there was still life in the old dog and the nicely oversprayed 'mud' decoration - along with casting modifications to accept a roof rack, brush bars, and a bootlid-mounted spare wheel - added some extra play value. I have much wantage for one of these.

That's interesting about the Sierra wheel on yours - and since Corgi's Ford Sierra 2.3 Ghia was launched the previous month, in March 1982, I'd suggest that somehow one of the unique Sierra wheels had fallen into the box of generic 'spoked disc' wheels used on the Rallye 240D.

OMG FACTORY ERROR $$$$

But it's weird to think that the Sierra model actually pre-dated the launch of the 240D Rallye model, as in design terms their 1:1 counterparts are light years apart.

 

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I love this one - as you may recall I have one, and a copy I customised. Interesting to know it's not modified from the older 5, but I suppose it's so different it was easier to start from scratch 

Yes indeed - apparently Renault were very fussy about approving the final design, so possibly the original idea had been to use some of the older parts, but this was later dropped.

The doors are similar enough at first glance, but the T2 has cast-in handles and a crisper lower edge line, while the standard version just has the recessed latches below the B-pillar - and the inside detail for door pull/ window winder/ armrest is completely different.

The rear hatch is also very different in shape and size, while the glazing mouldings have no similarities either - the rally version boasts wipers and a rear view mirror, which the cooking version lacks.

The only shared component seems to be the generic four-spoke steering wheel, which I think appeared on most Corgis of the era!

 

4 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Cogbox please

Sure thing - now set aside!

[eddyramrod]

On 4/24/2021 at 4:36 PM, bunglebus said:

At last - a set of Golden Jacks wheels for my P6 - not quite the right ones though, but they were cheap

The spare wheel cover might be harder to find

Those are the wheels I think of as Corvette wheels, that being the model I first saw them on.  You will have noticed, I'm sure, that they take a slightly wider tyre than the Rover would normally wear, and I suspect they may also be a slightly larger diameter than the standard wheels.  Good luck with the spare wheel cover!

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Heads up - Tesco have restocked so now's your chance if you didn't get the yellow Merc, Dodge Coronet, Plymouth Savoy etc

Your branch might have done; mine hasn't!  They did have the yellow Merc this morning, but I have enough of those for my purposes so I didn't bother.

[sierraman]

I suppose I should drop by Tesco to pick up a supply of Merc Estates. 

[Datsuncog]

Another Corgi-related mail call this morning (arriving at the hind end of a team meeting, typically) was this:

Yup, it's the remanufactured Corgi 474 Thames Ice Cream Van which, I'm informed at great length on sundry pieces of paper, has been brought to me by Blue 14 DTC Brands, whatever that is when it's at home.

Seems to be a direct marketing company, because interestingly the box is pretty clear that it's not simply a licenced replica - this model is made by Corgi, now a division of Hornby Hobbies Ltd.

Funny, I assumed Atlas were behind this, as with the Dinky repro range. Or did they previously have a crack at a Corgi range as well? I dunno.

It's actually quite a sweet little thing (no pun intended), with a good heft to it, and seems to be an excellent replica. There's one or two little paint flaws, but then the originals tended to be less than perfect either.

The much-vaunted 'Wall's Chimes' do indeed sound via the concealed music box mechanism, with its annoying-but-essential handle protruding from just above the rear bumper.

I've no idea whether the plaintive five-note chime is a decent take on how these vans sounded in real life, but I'll assume Corgi wouldn't have bothered their arse if it wasn't.

Curiously, the 447 Wall's Ice Cream Van first appeared in March 1965, complete with sliding windows and also with ice cream server and child customer figures, while the 474 Musical Wall's Ice Cream Van - now featuring a Swiss-made musical movement concealed under the interior insert - showed up in October the same year, without the figures.

The non-musical version was withdrawn the following year, having sold a respectable quarter of a million examples, while the pingle-pongle version carried on until 1968 but only shifted 146,000 examples. I can only assume the musical version was more expensive, and that accounts for the sales disparity. Apparently the musical movements were also quite fragile, and prone to the tines snapping off - so functional examples are very rare.

Like the original, this repro comes with a sort-of cardboard diorama that clips onto one of the side windows, plus a sticker set to decorate the van further, should you so desire it.

I can certainly appreciate that these reproductions have none of the 'soul' of the original playthings, but it's something I'm unlikely to ever own otherwise, so... I guess I can take it on its own terms.

It does carry a fair amount of charm nonetheless, and I'm sure that's why it was selected as the introductory offer model, to sucker in poor saps like me.

As expected this £1.99, nuffink to pay now m8, model came with volumes of adjective-rich bumf extolling the delights of model collecting in emotive and florid terms.

Crikey, free gifts? Discount vouchers? No charge for the Thames van at all if I just fill in my card details, you say...?

And, of course, the all-important individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity - because as any fule kno, when the Antiques Roadshow come knocking on the door, how else will they know that your reproductions are genuine authentic reproductions?

It's always greatly reassuring to know you own #29020427 out of approximately eleventy trillion churned out by the Shengdong Novelty Metal Extrusion Co. And you can be sure the harassed-looking man at the antiques shop will bite back on his disappointment upon realising that your big shopping bag is actually full of repro Corgis, once you wave your fistful of authentic certificates at him. That's right.

(I'm probably getting a bit overwrought here, but I've noticed how purveyors of abysmal mail-order 'collectables' love to play up the whole numbered certificates guff, when in real life I've never seen anyone give a tiny toss about them. Limited Edition Vanguards that are missing their certificate don't seem to sell for any less; most collectors just want the item, not a flittery bit of paper to get lost/crumpled.)

In fairness though, I'd sooner see these cluttering up car boot sales than Days Gone, which I suppose fill the same niche for a different generation. The difference was, those growing up in the 1920s and 30s probably had limited access to toys and there was nothing worth remanufacturing on a wide scale - certainly not in terms of a collectable range, which was a pastime that the likes of Corgi and Dinky helped to usher in.

So maybe I'm not quite the target market, but there's still a fair bit of appeal here... will I be ordering the OMG HALF PRICE Monte Carlo Mini?

Well, maybe...

I do like the badge, too.

A fool and his money, hey?

[eddyramrod]

I had the original silent version from new, but of course it was quickly eclipsed by the musical one, which I never had.  In my uncaring youth the van suffered considerably and is now long gone.  Where does one find the ads for these?  I haven't seen one at all!  I'd probably go for the Thames and the Mini, if nothing else, even though I now have the Oxford version of the silent Thames.

[sierraman]

I’d love to batter one up a bit, cover it in dust and chuck it in one of those ‘anything for 50p’ boxes and watch the disappointment of someone that it’s a reproduction! 

I hit up the car boot on Sunday, I was child free and hang over free so I figured I’d make hay whilst the sun shone. What struck me was how all the attendees had become antiques experts during lockdown. There was a box full of those 90’s Maisto jobs you got with a tank of unleaded. A guy was going ‘those are really collectible, don’t go selling them cheap!’

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, eddyramrod said:

Where does one find the ads for these?  I haven't seen one at all! 

I think I saw some ads on Instagram - possibly via WorldOfTaff, which I think is Oxford Diecast's account - and that persuaded me to click and enter my details, but I'd seen the Wall's van first on this thread a month or so ago.

I believe the offer was also printed on paper inserts and placed into newspapers and magazines too, but if you fancy one you can order a £1.99 Thames at this link:

corgi199 – Corgi Model Club

It seems legit enough, and if you only want the ice cream van then that's apparently ok (though you do have to call a number to settle up for the £1.99, so I imagine there'll be a bit of a spiel about the wonderful benefits of being a member etc to listen to, before they agree to take you off the list).

Supposedly there's no minimum subscription and you can cancel anytime - which is a plus, as I remember getting shafted by Britannia Music back in the 90s with that - "you haven't made your minimum purchase this year, so here's two Meat Loaf tapes you won't want - now you owe us thirty quid".

In full, here's what they say:

Quote

The terms of this offer are guaranteed, there is never any further obligation.

Reserve your Corgi Toys 1967 Monte-Carlo Mini Cooper 'S' today by replying to us online, by phone or sending back your Yes Priority Form with your payment details.

With your next delivery you will receive your CORGI TOYS MONTE-CARLO MINI COOPER 'S' model together with your FREE Authentic 40-page reproduction 1966 CORGI TOYS Catalogue and CORGI TOYS Certificate Tin. In agreeing to see the Corgi Toys Monte-Carlo Mini Cooper ‘S’ replica, you are under no obligation whatsoever. You may keep the Corgi Toys Monte-Carlo Mini Cooper ‘S’ replica and FREE gifts or, in the unlikely event you don't like it, just send it back within 14 days and that will be the end of the matter.

You will get your CORGI TOYS MONTE-CARLO MINI COOPER 'S' replica for the exceptional price of only £9.99 (+£3.99 p&p) thanks to your Discount Voucher saving you £10 off the normal issue price of £19.99.

Each month thereafter you will receive a new Corgi Toys die-cast replica from the official Corgi Model Club for the special price of just £19.99 (+£3.99 p&p).

There is no ‘minimum commitment’ or ‘contract’ and you can cancel at any time in writing or by calling us. No explanation is necessary. Collect as many ~ or as few ~ Corgi Toys replicas as you choose.You are always in control.

In accepting our Corgi Model Club offer, the Wall’s Ice Cream Van and Corgi Model Club badge that you have already received, are now yours absolutely FREE to keep and enjoy forever – whatever you decide in the future.

I'm quite tempted by the Mini, and by some of the others listed on the 'coming soon' preview - such as the Land Rover recovery truck. But, crucially, not all of them - the racing car stuff leaves me cold, and I'm not all that fussed on Bond/Saint licenced stuff. Now, if you could simply buy the ones you want, then everyone might be happy - but it seems to be an all-or-nothing deal...

Which leaves me wondering if I should go ahead with a subscription, and then try to sell on the ones I'm not bothered about to cover costs?

Decisions, decisions...

[Split_Pin]

If I remember correctly, this was exactly the way Atlas Dinky started out. I got a Mini Traveller for £1.99 or something, purely to compare it to my original one. I cancelled it and about a year or so later, everything was avaliable  on Ebay. I'm not sure they even do the subscription any more and are just making the models. Either way, the French ones were ace because the originals are hard to find and/or expensive.

[Cheezey]

Forgot to include this Range Rover in yesterday’s picture. 
 @Split_Pin did you see my offer on the News thread? Free if you want them. 
 

[flat4alfa]

8 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Heads up - Tesco have restocked so now's your chance if you didn't get the yellow Merc, Dodge Coronet, Plymouth Savoy etc

Went.

Waste of time again - no change for well over a month now

This is what greets at the big Tesco WITH A CLOCK TOWER

Photo was not staged.

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, Cheezey said:

Forgot to include this Range Rover in yesterday’s picture. 
 @Split_Pin did you see my offer on the News thread? Free if you want them. 

I'd love that

[Amishtat]

One from the "forgot I had it" section.. This came from a really nice woman who worked in the same shop as me when I was eighteen. Wasn't really into model cars then and while I appreciate this makes me sound a really ungrateful bastard I just didn't really take to it so one way and another this was its first unboxing after a mere 23 years. Still can't warm to it though, and not sure why.. Too toy-like in those colours perhaps and aren't the wheels a bit small in profile? Pretty fair attempt in the cockpit though, sticky-looking caramel seats aside. Maybe I should just accept it for what it is, a product of its time. 

[bunglebus]

I had one of those too, must have got broken as I think the bumpers are still in my spares box!

Here's a new one on me:

 

[flat4alfa]

Strange they thought a post-watershed US detective series would appeal as a child's toy in the Juniors range?

If they had done the 1970 Ford Econoline van later used in the series instead (which George Barris had a hand in), it could have sold alongside the Charlie's Angels Chevrolet G20.  It's not that Corgi didn't get advance notice of the Econoline as the 1940 Ford Paddy Wagon was destroyed in an episode broadcast October 1969.  Scaling-up to 1:36 would have been better too.

Either way, very little glamour in that series as found in other US show tie-ins such as Charlie's Angels, Starsky & Hutch, Kojak etc

[RoadworkUK]

10 hours ago, Amishtat said:

One from the "forgot I had it" section.. Maybe I should just accept it for what it is, a product of its time. 

That's pretty much exactly what it is. And I kind of find it pretty fascinating.

Those 1/24 vintage Bburagos, along with the 1/18 versions, are pretty much a bigger, more expensive version of Days Gone. Their initial popularity was much more likely buoyed by the prospect of "future collectible" among the undiscerning than through any specific aesthetic or nostalgic appeal. They were too crude to be of much desire to wealthy car enthusiasts, and they definitely weren't toys – I certainly wouldn't have been as enthralled by rolling a vintage Mercedes into the skirting boards as I was drifting a Porsche 959 into them.

However, today, I look back at my Bburago Bugatti Type 35, the Merc SSK and SSKL and, yes, the ubiquitous E-Type that everybody had, with a huge degree of fondness. They don't have any actual value, but they put me on the road towards a real appreciation of proper model cars. And one day, just maybe, they'll actually become of worth as people extend to try and reacquire the favourite "toys" of their youth.

[Split_Pin]

I think you are spot on with what you say about the 'vintage' Bburagos. I had a beige and brown Mercedes as a kid and my pal had about 10 different ones but they somehow left me a bit cold. I was more into the RRCamargue, Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini  Countach. I also had the Etype which I liked a lot. I had a red one and my pal had a green one but he also had the coupe version too. Considering their size, they were smashing VFM.

However the 1/24 models of regular cars of the 70s and 80s are already collectable and fetching strong money. I've been lucky enough to buy most of mine from this thread as prices on eBay are rising out of my reach.

[Amishtat]

I had quite a few Buragos, thinking about it now. Granted, I'd had them about ten years before this one but even then it wouldn't have interested me the way the others did,from memory :BMW 635,Rancho,Mercedes 190,Land Rover, Metro and Citroen 15cv. The Doctor had (and did some sterling back-door work on) the Land Rover and the Citroen, the BMW and Metro are here but it looks as though the 190 and Rancho are gone, Annoyingly the latter was the blue and white "Wind" stickered one which seems to be harder to find, not that I'm particularly bothered. 

 

[Amishtat]

I really fancied the Camargue and the Lancia Aurelia Spider for some reason I can't now quite fathom. That junk shop last Friday had an Aurelia but missing bits, no box and twenty quid on the price tag? Er.. No, you're alright thanks.. 

[eddyramrod]

5 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I had one of those too, must have got broken as I think the bumpers are still in my spares box!

Here's a new one on me:

 

I don't remember ever seeing that on the card.  I have one I picked up secondhand somewhere, and a Corgi Juniors Chevy van modified to represent the Econoline.  Predictably my 40 doesn't have the figures, I can imagine they were lost about five minutes after being unpacked.