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On 6/16/2021 at 8:50 PM, AndyW201 said:

So, just catching the last knockings of Tat Wednesday,

Firstly, I had to stop of at Morrisons on my way home from work, and spotted this,

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I do believe this is my new favourite Hot Wheels release! Early '90s German autobahn stormers are very much my thing, (with apologies to most of the forum membership), so along with the new W124 Merc 500E, I was looking forward to this coming out. Nice to see an actual B2 shape RS2 Avant, unlike the disappointment from Matchbox a couple of years ago, who released an RS6 Avant, with a picture of a B2 on the card artwork and described as a '94 RS2.

Saying that, I still don't think Mattel are truly there with the shape here either; the bottom seems too heavy and the rear overhang too long.

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The colour is so evocative of the real thing though. The tampo printing is great front and rear, especially the Audi Sport badging. Not sure whether the headlight printing slipped a bit though, or if it's supposed to be wearing headlight eyebrows...

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I also had a purchase delivered today. BRB...

Good grief that is lovely. Want.

I was disappointed when the Matchbox artwork depicting this had an RS6 inside so I'm pleased to see this one!

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Rightoh, it's Thursday evening, I have a tumbler of malt in my palm and a record playing, so why not top it off with a bit of 1:18 diecast action?

As I might have mentioned, I really dig when a diecast maker chooses what seems like an oddly obscure subject to model. Ferraris and Porsches of every description are evergreen in popularity, and as far as I'm concerned are the low-hanging fruit of the 1:18 world. No, I much prefer more esoteric machines.

Such as the Opel Ascona Irmscher i2000.

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This is one of those models that I bought on a bit of a whim but has ended up really growing on me. I actually bought it because I thought it would make an interesting comparison with my Revell Opel Manta, but I've never gotten around to putting them side by side.

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SunStar are an interesting brand, actually. Quality-wise, their initial releases were variable to say the least. Since 2000 or so, though, they've made some absolute gems, many of which now change hands for faintly obscene sums of money. They made a Mk3 Escort in a variety of specs and colourways, and they command ludicrous prices due to OSF tax. I doubt I'll ever have one.

Oldskool Opel tax has yet to become much of a thing yet, though, fortunately.

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This model is a prime example of 'if the details are right, the whole thing will look right'. In particular, the lights are fantastic, especially at the back.  Rear lamp clusters have rarely been replicated so nicely. The badges are great, too; they're crisply tampoed in the case of the i2000 badges, and photoetched for the 2.0 S badges on the other side. There was a p/e Ascona badge, too, but I clumsily rubbed that off soon into ownership.

Speaking of detail...

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... in this view you can make out the orange of the heated rear screen element, as well as the folding interior sunshades and the roof-mounted grab handles, which, as far as I can tell, replicate those on the 1:1 pretty faithfully.

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Inside, the only thing I can fault is the unfortunate moulding seam that runs straight through the wheel recliner wheel. Everything is in its right place, though; the seats absolutely scream Opel in their shape and proportion, and there's carpet. Now, I'm not exactly the biggest fan of carpet in models – I just don't see how the pile can be accurately modelled.  But this genuinely does look like the felty black stuff you used to get on the floor of sporty Opels, so I'll give it an enthusiastic pass.

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And it's just as convincing under the bonnet. The venerable cam-in-head 2.0-litre engine looks convincing enough, with the air filter housing picked out in particular detail, and astounding attention paid to the brake master cylinder.  Okay, it's not AUTOart precise, but it's all very nicely observed.

And that's what a successful 1:18 model should be. There should be enough of the essence of the original to make it a tangible representation. This SunStar has that in spades.

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43 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

While I still can't say that I view myself as in any way a diecast wheeler-dealer, it appears that other people seem to think I am...

I'm lately aware of a chap who's looking to move on some TV and film-related 1/18 stuff.  All mint/boxed, apparently (I haven't seen them in real life yet), and while not exactly cheap, a quick squizz online indicates that these can go for quite big bucks.

The job lot includes:

- Hot Wheels 'Ghostbusters' ECTO-1 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ambulance

- Greenlight 'Smokey and the Bandit' Pontiac Trans Am

- Greenlight 'The A-Team' GMC Vandura

- Joy Ride 'Knight Rider' K.I.T.T. Pontiac Trans Am

- Greenlight 'Bullitt' Ford Mustang Fastback

- Sunstar 'Back To The Future 2' DeLorean DMC-12

- ERTL 'Christine' Plymouth Fury

- Maisto 2010 Chevrolet Camaro (not actually film-branded, but it's yellow and black like Bumblebee from Transformers)

When I say 'not exactly cheap', I'm told he's looking £50 each for them, or thereabouts (£150 was mentioned for the Bullitt Mustang, though an online check reveals that it's actually one of the cheaper Greenlights out there).

The ECTO-1 and Knight Rider Trans Am seem to be especially sought after, going by the online prices.

So I dunno. I don't collect 1/18 stuff these days, but I know prices can be stratospheric so is there any interest from the AS massive?

I'm happy to make further enquiries, with a view to selling them on at cost price +post (and I know, they're a pain to post but I have a lot of bubble wrap and sturdy boxes in the attic).

I know this is well out of tat box pricing and very much high-end minishite, but I wouldn't like to let the opportunity pass without alerting the group!

1/18 film and television is absolutely my territory!  I could name two or three on that list that I would love to have; I chase them on eBay every time I see them at what I think are sensible prices.  But I always abandon the pursuit well before they reach the levels this seller is at.

TL:DR Thanks but no thanks.

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So then... coming up to the end of a long week, and there's not much juice left in the tank, I'm afraid.

One of those annoying mornings where, despite leaving earlier than usual, I got caught behind dawdlers pulling out in front of me along the small twisty roads and then hit every damn traffic light on the main road between Carrick and Belfast.

But yes, the market is ON, and the sun is shining, so I should probably make an effort...

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Hmmm.

Distinct lack of EFE/OOC buses this morning, chaps. Though if you're craving a novelty ship's wheel, you're in luck.

Or, indeed, some VINTAGE RETRO STEAMPUNK lard.

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They don't make corporate slogans like that anymore, hey?

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However, there was this lot:

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And this lot.

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So lotsa Lesney, some Corgi, some Dinky.

Plus some Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox catalogues, most of which were in excellent nick.

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Prices, though, are all-important.

There's £10 on the big stuff this week, £5 on the catalogues, and £2 on the small stuff.

I know, strong money.

Some of them may be worth it, but others... not so much.

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Lesney Guy Transporter was initially appealing, but...

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How's your metal bending skills?

Holmes Wrecker is complete though, bar the mirrors, horns and hooks.

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No other stalls of any real interest today - looks like the Charity Stall's packed up for the last time, likewise Alan's Emporium.

Sure let me know if there's anything there to interest anyone - as ever, I'll be here until 9.30!

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24 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Wot no colourful trainers

Spot the trainers.

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Yup, The Nemesis was indeed there before me (I'll assume he lives rather more locally, and isn't subject to the vagaries of city commuter traffic and parking), and had managed to grab A LOT of stuff before I came huffing and puffing up to the stall.

I couldn't make out everything, but he had a boxed big plastic motorised Corgi 'Saint' Jaguar XJS in his hand, and I saw Market Blokey stuffing various items concealed behind the stall into a bag for him - though all I could make out through my green-eyed haze were some (possibly Dinky) farm items, and a Britains Land Rover SIII with the roof broken off.

Meh.

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17 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Model cars do seem to attract some odd people, you used to find at Swapmeets it would be almost entirely populated by people with no social skills and a penchant for only washing once a fortnight. 

Truth!  As I've already described more than once.....  And how the fuck are these always the buyers with unlimited funds, casually pushing up prices for the rest of us??????

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I found a couple more of the "HotWheels" That are actually Mebetoys from after Mattel bought them. Check out the three spokes on the 944!

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Not sure if the stripe is original

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Also got this early Corgi E Type hidden in with some junk

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And a Zylmex Sanddragger that's lost a couple of wheel centres

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I did a thing. Corgi Vita-Min got a respray in Kermit green with modern Matchbox wheels. I stripped the chrome off the engine and interior and re-did it in sparkly silver with some detailing 

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I might do the roof white or silver later. This is the original car

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While I was waiting for the paint to dry, I did a quick re-paint of the MR2, just masked up the rear lights.  I meant to run a line of black under them but forgot, I'll go back and sort that. Front decals show up fairly well still for some reason.

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Oh and it does have an engine

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22 hours ago, barrett said:

Are any small tat-lickers near Maidstone? I'd quite like this but don't have the time/ inclination to go and get it. Seems reasonable compared to what people ask on ebay and this is one I've wanted since I was a kid

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https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/992589801492159/

If anyone is in the vicinity and gets hold of it could they also grab the Fleischmann slot car too please  😎

I asked him (politely) but he still refuses to post:

Quote

Positive. I,m no fan of bank transfers or paypal.  Good old pick up , see it like it take it away.

 

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1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

If anyone is in the vicinity and gets hold of it could they also grab the Fleischmann slot car too please  😎

I asked him (politely) but he still refuses to post:

 

I might be able to help.I do go that way once a week,but my boss has just changed the routes around,so not sure when I'll next be over that way.I'll find out on Monday.

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