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Shite in Miniature II


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As far as I can work out, the Cameo range was something of a legal workaround by the newly-renamed Corgi Classics Ltd.

When Corgi's management team bought themselves out from Mattel's ownership around 1993, the new company was prohibited by the terms of release from selling toys for something like seven years, so as not to compete directly with Mattel.

Mattel also kept all the Juniors tooling, re-releasing some as Hot Wheels, but relinquished the tooling for the old 1/36 stuff, since that wasn't a scale the US market much cared for.

Corgi Classics then launched their Cameo range of 'classic collectables' which just so happened to be pocket-money priced and ripe for promotional use (Kelloggs, Fina), tapping into a similar vein as Lledo's Days Gone.

They weren't really pitched at the same market as Hot Wheels, but they were very much toys rather than models.

The re-released Corgi 1/36 stuff out at the same time came with a crappy plastic badge in the box, because apparently their legal team advised them that this could justify calling them collectables, not toys.

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11 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

If any of those are Turbo Specials, colour me interested. Don't recognise the yellow "taka-Q" and Bugatti EB110(?) next to it

Don't think there were any Turbo Specials in amongst them - just the basic ones. There was someone faffing about with jewellery and things directly in front of the diecast, so I couldn't get as close a look at them as I'd have liked.

I think the Bugatti was by Maisto (at a guess?), while the Taka-Q Porsche 956 seems to be a standard Corgi Turbos release (as shown in my 1988 trade catalogue)

681099946_IMG_20211112_1329062.thumb.jpg.8f3a1cb48cf8f2d8cb0dbc3e0de8011d.jpg

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I seem to have a pile of compact cameras found when I've been clearing shops, so I thought I'd give all of them a shot at capturing the Moggie, to see if any could do a better job than my phone which seemed to struggle. Grabbed the DSLR too

Nikon D3300

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Nikon S2500

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Nikon A10

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Fuji C10

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And my phone now the light's improved

Corgi Morris Minor custom

 

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Quote

1986 was the last year that the 956 was permitted to race on safety grounds. By this time, the Porsche 962 had long since taken over production.

As in 1985, Louis Krages did the majority of races with chassis 104. It appeared in the existing yellow, black and white livery but now with backing from Japanese fashion retailer, Taka-Q. 

s-l1600.jpg.80b065f5776281308ad93b68e7dafe85.jpg

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IIRC the Specials were cheaper than the regular Superkings, frequently you’d get them in a pack with a couple of Super GTs. I can’t remember them holding masses of appeal at the time, despite being some oddball subjects like the Lancia. They did try to improve them later with the F40 and the XJ220 but by this time the 1/36 market was dying off. Or at least Tyco thought so...

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4 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

I can't say for sure, but the side of the box indicates it's not all that far off, date-wise? 

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Of course, it's quite possible that Corgi kept manufacturing them for Tesco into the 1990s and packing them into the same boxes, possibly after they'd stopped selling the same models in their own mainline range.

Annoyingly, the big Van Kleemput Corgi book gets a bit vague on products and dates after the end of Mettoy in 1984, so I'm not all that clear on how long the C351 BRSCC Pace Car Sierra lasted in the standard range. From my (incomplete) catalogues, it appears as a new model in the 1985 range, but has disappeared by the 1988 catalogue.

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But equally, the C426 Hepolite Rover SD1 debuted in 1984 and was also gone from the catalogue by '88 - yet clearly Tesco still had them on the shelves near you in the early '90s. Could have been old stock from Tesco's warehouses, or could have been a way to clear out obsolete models from Corgi's stores? We'll probably never know...

I'm pretty sure the base was originally white, not beige - there's a picture somewhere of me holding the Sierra the same day I got it, and also looking up into the wheelarches shows the original white colouration where the sun didn't get at it. Corgi plastics do discolour badly, unfortunately - the canopy on my Transit milk float went unpleasantly yellow too.

I think I still have my yellow Juniors Sierra with the brown bumpers!

I notice on your childhood one that the front indicators in the bumper are painted orange. Also, the one in the catalogues, the light bar and tampos are different.

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Things hang about in warehouses sometimes for years if some sort of dispute is going on, frequently it’s not worth the hu ha to retrieve the goods. I suspect a lot of the export only Corgi Juniors ended up like this, probably got as far as the port or a bonded warehouse and then some shit went off and they ended up written off financially and stored. They did a lot of models with Arabic local branding on that destined for the Middle East that were very unlikely to have made it back to the U.K. by collectors. 

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1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

I notice on your childhood one that the front indicators in the bumper are painted orange.

Yeah, I did that... with a Graffic Traffic pen, c.1991 or so... not very well, it has to be said!

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Also, the one in the catalogues, the light bar and tampos are different.

Indeed, the Sierra Pace Car lightbar in the catalogue seems to be roughly the same overall shape as mine, but in emergency colours - flicking through the catalogue though, none of the other models seem to feature a lightbar for the 1985 year, though subsequent catalogues show the same moulding in both amber (for recovery trucks and the like) and in blue (for police vehicles).

I seem to recall that the lightbar on my childhood example was amber, and the nubs still stuck in the roof bear that out, but seemingly some of them were released with the red and blue lights shown in the catalogue.

corgi-351-ford-sierra-1984-british.jpg.1c28e98d2980d4a848ae732bb3f08fbb.jpg

This one seems to have the white wheels I remember, too, plus the towbar.

I'd guess the tampo was changed as shown in the catalogue to exclude printing the front panel, making it marginally less complex to decorate - three surfaces, with two colours on each side and four colours for the BRSCC bonnet logo, was already pushing it for a mass-produced toy of its day!

What intrigues me more though, was that this appeared in the Lazy Spotters' Thread back in August...

Sierra_Pace_Car.png.5fdd8e183709e0f4c10745d462eca4ea.png

Although apparently an XR4i, could this be the car that Corgi's design team drew on for their model?

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On 11/2/2021 at 12:29 PM, flat4alfa said:

Not into buses at allᵀᴹ but bought this in an antique shop on the Gloucester quays last Tuesday

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But it is a proper Moko Lensey, modelled on the AEC Regent and released 1957-60 as '5-B' with the revised 'Buy Matchbox Series' livery

Not only that, it fulfils the need to collect 'Matchbox Livery' things.

FFS

Been clicking the trigger finger again

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Commemorative 55th Anniversary, 60th Anniversary and USA edition 2015 special job thing

But I'm not into buses at allᵀᴹ

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Got a slight dilemma/tat purchase opportunity that might help some of you out too. Guy on another site has dug a load of his childhood tat out of the loft and suggested he might part with them. Here's the pics:

14.thumb.jpg.dcf8b73afce416be1bec7edf3adf0968.jpg13.thumb.jpg.35132888d030ea8a47691cf9375089aa.jpg12.thumb.jpg.66325ebf5cd57a0e6663b02595ca6237.jpg11.thumb.jpg.7be9a326461b51dbd1e2ada726881017.jpg10.thumb.jpg.98f2aac986ff1c0624714617ab4542fb.jpg9.thumb.jpg.aea45f98e48f3ac03b534ab698dbf170.jpg8.thumb.jpg.aba5c7e43b1ce85bfba53fb631f9e1e7.jpg7.jpg.4ef5a18dd31af8455b980c4aa0f3ace1.jpg6.thumb.jpg.3442d17570ce30149c58dc36dfb63c21.jpg5.thumb.jpg.6f7cfceb235ceb523cbbdb06763ce6e6.jpg4.thumb.jpg.0f527c77a9b1537bf35b18ac4d43edcf.jpg3.thumb.jpg.9dca0e943612e57b0300ac2548a6b0f5.jpg2.thumb.jpg.be591dac877191a92c2c5bf6da16156e.jpg1.thumb.jpg.0f04bb6053a693cfca066936ccc1a0fd.jpg

I'm asking about:

Hot Wheels Cannonade
Hot Wheels Pepsi Challenger
Hot Wheels Hi-Raker Dodge D50
Matchbox Maxi Taxi
Matchbox Yellow Unimog
Matchbox Cortina
Matchbox Rolls Royce
Matchbox Toe Joe
Matchbox Ruff Trek
Matchbox Pontiac Firebird T roof
Matchbox yellow Gliding club Jeep
Matchbox glider trailer
Matchbox K-24 Container Truck
Corgi Ferarri Daytona
Red Corgi Sierra
Silver Corgi Sierra
+ others?
Corgi Mercs X3
Corgi Triumph Acclaim
Boxed Corgi Junior Sierra
Majorette J4
Siku recovery truck
Siku Granadas
Siku Unimog(s) (2 small 1 large)
ERTL General Lee
ERTL Fall Guy truck

I don't know what to offer, and also wondered of there were others in there anyone might be interested in? Shame the Gama Opel has lost its glass but there's a Matchbox/Corgi Mini, the Dinky Roadsweeper etc

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2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Got a slight dilemma/tat purchase opportunity that might help some of you out too. Guy on another site has dug a load of his childhood tat out of the loft and suggested he might part with them. Here's the pics:

14.thumb.jpg.dcf8b73afce416be1bec7edf3adf0968.jpg13.thumb.jpg.35132888d030ea8a47691cf9375089aa.jpg12.thumb.jpg.66325ebf5cd57a0e6663b02595ca6237.jpg11.thumb.jpg.7be9a326461b51dbd1e2ada726881017.jpg10.thumb.jpg.98f2aac986ff1c0624714617ab4542fb.jpg9.thumb.jpg.aea45f98e48f3ac03b534ab698dbf170.jpg8.thumb.jpg.aba5c7e43b1ce85bfba53fb631f9e1e7.jpg7.jpg.4ef5a18dd31af8455b980c4aa0f3ace1.jpg6.thumb.jpg.3442d17570ce30149c58dc36dfb63c21.jpg5.thumb.jpg.6f7cfceb235ceb523cbbdb06763ce6e6.jpg4.thumb.jpg.0f527c77a9b1537bf35b18ac4d43edcf.jpg3.thumb.jpg.9dca0e943612e57b0300ac2548a6b0f5.jpg2.thumb.jpg.be591dac877191a92c2c5bf6da16156e.jpg1.thumb.jpg.0f04bb6053a693cfca066936ccc1a0fd.jpg

I'm asking about:

Hot Wheels Cannonade
Hot Wheels Pepsi Challenger
Hot Wheels Hi-Raker Dodge D50
Matchbox Maxi Taxi
Matchbox Yellow Unimog
Matchbox Cortina
Matchbox Rolls Royce
Matchbox Toe Joe
Matchbox Ruff Trek
Matchbox Pontiac Firebird T roof
Matchbox yellow Gliding club Jeep
Matchbox glider trailer
Matchbox K-24 Container Truck
Corgi Ferarri Daytona
Red Corgi Sierra
Silver Corgi Sierra
+ others?
Corgi Mercs X3
Corgi Triumph Acclaim
Boxed Corgi Junior Sierra
Majorette J4
Siku recovery truck
Siku Granadas
Siku Unimog(s) (2 small 1 large)
ERTL General Lee
ERTL Fall Guy truck

I don't know what to offer, and also wondered of there were others in there anyone might be interested in? Shame the Gama Opel has lost its glass but there's a Matchbox/Corgi Mini, the Dinky Roadsweeper etc

Interested in the Ford D Series roadsweeper and Gama Opel (if its cheap)

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11 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Got a slight dilemma/tat purchase opportunity that might help some of you out too. Guy on another site has dug a load of his childhood tat out of the loft and suggested he might part with them. Here's the pics:

14.thumb.jpg.dcf8b73afce416be1bec7edf3adf0968.jpg13.thumb.jpg.35132888d030ea8a47691cf9375089aa.jpg12.thumb.jpg.66325ebf5cd57a0e6663b02595ca6237.jpg11.thumb.jpg.7be9a326461b51dbd1e2ada726881017.jpg10.thumb.jpg.98f2aac986ff1c0624714617ab4542fb.jpg9.thumb.jpg.aea45f98e48f3ac03b534ab698dbf170.jpg8.thumb.jpg.aba5c7e43b1ce85bfba53fb631f9e1e7.jpg7.jpg.4ef5a18dd31af8455b980c4aa0f3ace1.jpg6.thumb.jpg.3442d17570ce30149c58dc36dfb63c21.jpg5.thumb.jpg.6f7cfceb235ceb523cbbdb06763ce6e6.jpg4.thumb.jpg.0f527c77a9b1537bf35b18ac4d43edcf.jpg3.thumb.jpg.9dca0e943612e57b0300ac2548a6b0f5.jpg2.thumb.jpg.be591dac877191a92c2c5bf6da16156e.jpg1.thumb.jpg.0f04bb6053a693cfca066936ccc1a0fd.jpg

I'm asking about:

Hot Wheels Cannonade
Hot Wheels Pepsi Challenger
Hot Wheels Hi-Raker Dodge D50
Matchbox Maxi Taxi
Matchbox Yellow Unimog
Matchbox Cortina
Matchbox Rolls Royce
Matchbox Toe Joe
Matchbox Ruff Trek
Matchbox Pontiac Firebird T roof
Matchbox yellow Gliding club Jeep
Matchbox glider trailer
Matchbox K-24 Container Truck
Corgi Ferarri Daytona
Red Corgi Sierra
Silver Corgi Sierra
+ others?
Corgi Mercs X3
Corgi Triumph Acclaim
Boxed Corgi Junior Sierra
Majorette J4
Siku recovery truck
Siku Granadas
Siku Unimog(s) (2 small 1 large)
ERTL General Lee
ERTL Fall Guy truck

I don't know what to offer, and also wondered of there were others in there anyone might be interested in? Shame the Gama Opel has lost its glass but there's a Matchbox/Corgi Mini, the Dinky Roadsweeper etc

Depends what he’s asking for them, I’ve been looking for a yellow 1/36 Corgi Sierra but they seem to go for prices similar to what I’d have paid for a real Sierra back in the day. If he finds another Maxi Taxi could be interested. Glancing through the tops of those boxes, it’s mostly stuff I have already. 

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Playtime has begun:

IMG_8055.thumb.JPG.18ca4251c2a7fc1fe826002794eaabfc.JPG

The built kits are just in here temporarily, until the other cabinet goes up on the wall in the house. I think this cabinet will be mostly diecast, perhaps with a couple of extra shelves and the interior painted, or given a mirror back, or maybe LED lighting?

As well as what's on the top to unpack there are two large plastic crates to go through.

The kits seem to have survived the move pretty much intact, just one snapped aerial and a loose mirror.

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On 11/12/2021 at 12:34 PM, Datsuncog said:

I did call into the market this morning, but there was nothing to set my heart a-flutter, in terms of diecast.

Market Blokey seemed to have declined to bring the same stuff as last week - either that, or he'd already sold the Lesney Superkings stuff that had piqued the interest of some on here.

I think we've seen at least some of this lot before, though.

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Plastic Hong Kong single-seat racers; Corgi Qualcast Turbine Truck and generic Whizzwheels Ambulance; Dinky APC (with chain tracks, but without much else) and hand truck; and various incomplete 1960s Matchbox King Size plant machinery alongside a shonky Speed Kings K-35 Lightning racer.

Up top, expectations were initially high...

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...but then subsided, as I realised these are mostly 1980s Matchbox Specials, with a few Corgi Turbos and a Maisto mixed through.

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Lancia and multiple Mustang IIIs maybe of more interest than the Le Mans style racers.

Also those ropey Corgi Chittys, a paint-ruined Corgi Mini and a Dinky bus towards the back - all items that have been here before.

This large but incomplete Zylmex single seater is another regular still seeking a home:

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But the big battery-powered plastic bulldozer was new.

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Not a familiar make - BPP of Hong Kong, with a catalogue number of 5001.

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Presumably this once came with rubber tracks - still, not a bad display piece.

The Nemesis was in this morning, wearing his customary zippy top. I didn't notice what he was wearing on his feet, though - most remiss of me. He appeared to have already swiped a 1/18 Jaguar XJ220 (Maisto?) and a Ferrari 550 Maranello (Bburago?) - well, he's welcome to them.

A quick scurry over to the Charity Stall revealed not much to interest either - he's managing to clear the Corgi Jag racers, slowly. Only seven left, now. And the Bburago appear to have all gone now, plus the Buddy L.

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I took a closer look at the big friction powered plastic fire engine today, too. Turns out it's a Marx item, in fairly good nick.

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It had a hole moulded in the side where it looked like a clockwork key might go, so I assume earlier examples sported a clockwork motor, while later ones went friction drive.

I also enquired after the cast signs too, on behalf of @bezzabsa :

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165548968_IMG_20211112_0816522.thumb.jpg.cc3f2926d6c32f32553b011dd5de03ca.jpg

Two sizes available (with roughly 1/43 Jaguar included to provide scale) - £20 for the bigger signpost one, £10 for the smaller plaque.

I'll leave it with you, if you wish me to procure one or other!

Ah well. Nothing of note on any of the other stalls; at least we can all be reassured that we're not missing out on much.

Have a most excellent Friday, one and all.

Can you grab the £10 please.....PM me with payment details...👍👍👍🤙🤘

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