Shite in Miniature II

[andrew e]

That looks fabulous @bunglebus 😎

[sierraman]

Lotus Europa ripe for a Super GT conversion. 

[HMC]

52 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Still got to find a twin white stripe and number roundel to really finish it off, but I have to show you how this has come out

It's come a long way...

I'm sure I'll soon forget the pain of having to paint it four times. First it dropped off the stand into the dirt, second time I laid the paint on too thick and it looked awful. #3 looked great until a single rain drop fell out of a clear sky right onto the roof!

I don't often buy new parts but those Brightvision wheels really finish it off, it does make me feel really guilty cutting the near 50-year-old originals off though, but it's the only way unfortunately 

That looks epic!

[AndyW201]

On 20/07/2022 at 22:00, bunglebus said:

Interesting video from Lamley about to drop - are Matchbox giving us a Moggy?

 

Yep. Moving parts range so might turn up in Entertainer, otherwise it'll be Modelmatic or Poundtoy

Oh my! Our local Entertainer is normally good for Moving Parts MB stuff. (If rather shite for anything else...), looks like the Moggy is going to be good. I spy a W116 S Class Merc, an RS kitted Mk1 Mondeo, and  Mk3 Golf in the background, all with opening parts too.

Had an arrival today. 

Have to admit, this was a cock-up purchase. As the C Class-of-much-neediness has stopped kicking me in the balls for about a month, I've been all enthusiastic for ageing German saloons again. I spotted this on eBay with a £7 starting bid so lobbed a bid on. Then later it dawned on me that it's one of the Schuco or Schabak E36s that I have been after for a while, not the Solido.

Bah! 

(And then I remembered that I already had an E36 that I bought last year, by Minichamps...)

And of course, unlike all the models that I've bid on for the last few months or so that I actually WANTED, and got outbid on, I didn't get outbid on this... So first job, after noticing that, as received, the rear suspension was a bit... stanced yo! the baseplate had to come off. Piece of piss, the axle had popped out of the retaining tab.

For a relatively cheap (both when new and now) model, the baseplate is a pretty good quality item, very solid. This being a relatively povo spec 3 series, the grey bumpers and side skirts are fairly cleverly incorporated into the baseplate. Very good detailing for early '90s, and the Gama/Siku style tech specs are a nice touch. A separately moulded exhaust is always nice too.

While it was in pieces, I took the opportunity to check out the interior. The seats are very well represented and it's nice to see realistic doorcards. Often with European models from this era, the doorcards either aren't there at all, or are moulded into the shell and painted body colour. Note the window winders, very base. (Decadent rear headrests though...)

Dash shows it's age, though all the details are there. Nice wheel though.

Body shape is well captured. Nice colour combo too.

Little things like the tail lights, flat paint and lack of badging detail probably give away the fact that Solidos of this era were at the bargain basement of the market and probably why they aren't massively sought after or valuable nowadays. But it looks good with its combo of base spec bumpers, alloy wheels and twin tailpipes. A weird mix of base and option list ticking. A lot like actual BMWs and Mercs of the time!

However, being a '90s model from one of the European manufacturers, it does have a couple of surprises, the opening boot for one. And it's always nice to see on a model of this age that the rear screen heating elements are replicated. Something Corgi STILL don't seem to be able to do on the Vanguards range

And an opening bonnet with a pretty impressive amount of underbonnet detail. Not really a Germanic bonnet gap though... (and the indicators seem to have gone AWOL at some point)

So it's not exactly  Minichamps or Vanguards level of precision but it's got that nice early '90s charm from when I was just discovering stuff by Gama, Solido, Norev and the like that kicked the arse of anything by Corgi. Its kind of won me over!

[Datsuncog]

Got caught up in things yesterday, and forgot to post pics of this latest arrival...

Yup, the July '22 release from Corgi Model Club - the #231 Triumph Herald Coupe, in two-tone blue and white.

Crisply rendered front detail looks really nice, with the silver masking picking out grille, lights and bumpers. Two-tone masking is done well too.

And - an opening bonnet, with decent engine detailing beneath. Little spring-loaded metal clips hold the bonnet closed - not something I've seen before.

The separate plastic air filter box was seen as exciting enough to justify a specific mention on the box.

The underside, like all of this era, is functional rather than exciting. But does include the cut-out slot for towing a caravan... Maybe a clue for a planned future release?

The Herald was also available in a gold and white paint scheme, and it's this version that appears on the box.

To show it off at its best, the box artwork depicts both ends - and the flip-up bonnet too.

And the customary 'Collector Card' - a few facts and figures, for the lucky recipient to bore his mates down the pub with.

It's another strong release from the Corgi Crew - nice work!

[Split_Pin]

8 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Oh my! Our local Entertainer is normally good for Moving Parts MB stuff. (If rather shite for anything else...), looks like the Moggy is going to be good. I spy a W116 S Class Merc, an RS kitted Mk1 Mondeo, and  Mk3 Golf in the background, all with opening parts too.

Had an arrival today. 

Have to admit, this was a cock-up purchase. As the C Class-of-much-neediness has stopped kicking me in the balls for about a month, I've been all enthusiastic for ageing German saloons again. I spotted this on eBay with a £7 starting bid so lobbed a bid on. Then later it dawned on me that it's one of the Schuco or Schabak E36s that I have been after for a while, not the Solido.

Bah! 

(And then I remembered that I already had an E36 that I bought last year, by Minichamps...)

And of course, unlike all the models that I've bid on for the last month's or so that I actually WANTED, and got outbid on, I didn't get outbid on this... So first job, after noticing that, as received, the rear suspension was a bit... stanced yo! the baseplate had to come off. Piece of piss, the axle had popped out of the retaining tab.

For a relatively cheap (both when new and now) model, the baseplate is a pretty good quality item, very solid. This being a fairly povo spec 3 series, the grey bumpers and side skirts are fairly cleverly incorporated into the baseplate. Very good detailing for early '90s, and the Gama/Siku style tech specs are a nice touch. A separately moulded exhaust is always nice too.

While it was in pieces, I took the opportunity to check out the interior. The seats are very well represented and it's nice to see realistic doorcards. Often with European models from this era, the doorcards either aren't there at all, or are moulded into the shell and painted body colour. Note the window winders, very base. (Decadent rear headrests though...)

Dash shows it's age, though all the details are there. Nice wheel though.

Body shape is well captured. Nice colour combo too.

Little things like the tail lights, flat paint and lack of badging detail probably give away the fact that Solidos of this era were at the bargain basement of the market and probably why they aren't massively sought after or valuable nowadays. But it looks good with its combo of base spec bumpers, alloy wheels and twin tailpipes. A weird mix of base and option list ticking. A lot like actual BMWs and Mercs of the time!

However, being a '90s model from one of the European manufacturers, it does have a couple of surprises, the opening boot for one. Always nice to see on a model of this age that the rear screen heating elements are replicated. Something Corgi STILL don't seem to be able to do on the Vanguards range

And an opening bonnet with a pretty impressive amount of underbonnet detail. Not really a Germanic bonnet gap though... (and the indicators seem to gone AWOL at some point)

So it's not exactly  Minichamps or Vanguards but it's got that nice early '90s charm from when I was just discovering stuff by Gama, Solido, Norev and the like that kicked the arse of anything by Corgi. Its kind of won me over!

I'm a big fan of late 80s and early 90s Gama/Schabak/Schuco models so I really like this. The overall shape and stance looks very accurate, something a few manufacturers struggled with on the E36.

I have managed to get the E36 saloon in 1/24 guise from Gama, an M3 by Schuco (which is 100% a Gama model) and a much later Schabak cabriolet with steering and extra detail.

[bunglebus]

Think I just won the boot sale jackpot

[Datsuncog]

Crumbs - is that a Dinky VW Fastback between the Superkings Bandolero and Shovel Nose?

Nice going!!

I genuinely haven't found anything worth having at a car boot sale since about 2002, so I'm constantly amazed at what turns up on these pages...

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Crumbs - is that a Dinky VW Fastback between the Superkings Bandolero and Shovel Nose?

Indeed it is. Guy had a sheet on the floor with loads of cars but I could hear him quoting £2-3 each to other punters. 

Still, nothing ventured nothing gained, so I gathered up the 24ish cars I thought were worth getting and was quoted £20 the lot. Hell yes, I paid that just for the Fastback recently. 

This was about the third stall visited after arrival and I didn't buy much anywhere else, here or at the later boot sale. 

Let's have a look...

Starting with some elderly stuff I'll probably punt on, Dinky Aveling Barford Road roller

And Motocart

Plus another road sweeper in better nick than the last one found

Corgi Dodge in decent shape 

This one poses a dilemma - my restored silver Dinky Zodiac is still short one door card - do I pinch it from this?

Another Dinky, Lambo Marzal with bonkers opening bits. Missing the engine piece sadly

Here's the Fastback, it's pretty good but has the exact same faults as the first one I bought - O/S door top and one seat back missing

There were more I chose to leave behind due to missing parts - early Dinky Transit -1 rear door and worst of all a blue Dinky Opel Commodore because one door was broken (outer part, inner hinge was there)

BRB with some more...

[bunglebus]

Early King Size Merc ambulance with steering

And its smaller counterpart

Guy had these four, all near mint so had to be bought

Haven't bought one of these in ages, both with plastic tops but the car/bike from the back were AWOL

Really tidy Miura

Chuffed with this one, the outboard motor is always missing!

This Dinky Clubman came from elsewhere, think it's salvageable 

But this Corgi was in the £20 bundle 

As was this Lone Star Samba. So many opening parts, amazing for its size

And Matchbox equivalent 

Marx Mustang was the smallest car of the bunch

Pair of Miras were found elsewhere 

But this early Corgi fuel tanker was in the job lot

Along with an original 16 Hot Wheels Beatnik Bandit

Didn't notice this Dodge had a broken screen 

Merc builders truck is OK though

As is this early Lincoln Continental 

Lastly, I found this boxed Cadillac Allante elsewhere. Model looked good despite the state of the box

However the box was actually OK under the dirt and kid labels 

*edit* forgot the interesting stuff I didn't buy 

[bunglebus]

Some pics from the Matchbox Gathering just dropped on Facebook - some exciting prototypes here, check 'em out!

[AnnoyingPentium]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Some pics from the Matchbox Gathering just dropped on Facebook - some exciting prototypes here, check 'em out!

I like the Mk3 Golf that's there.

[bunglebus]

I can see a Morris Minor Saloon and Volvo 240, 55 Ford wagon, Buick Riviera, GT40, Karmann Ghia and a Jap I really should know but just can't name! 1st pic, 2nd row up, furthest right

[Datsuncog]

Looks like a Mitsubishi Galant Coupe?

First one my eye was drawn to!!

[AndyW201]

^^^ Colt Celeste I remember them as. Much want for that one.

Looks like what I thought was a Mondeo saloon is actually a Mitsi Evo IV/V/VI- whatever. Oh well...

[sierraman]

Mitsubishi Celeste... mmm

[hennabm]

On 7/21/2022 at 1:45 PM, bunglebus said:

The hot weather has put me off doing my project cars for some reason, so thought something simple might get my mojo back a bit.

Had these two Hot Rockers for a while, one pretty clean but with a missing engine and one tatty but all complete. Found a spare engine but the tab that holds it under the interior was broken off

 

 

 

 

 

Oops forgot the wheels. Might go back later and give the base a polish too

 

That one could easily have been one of mine. I did buy one new, deliberately remove the engine and make a cardboard bonnet for it and paint the rear plate and lights!

I sold off all my matchbox and corgi rockets in 2000 to a dealer at an Ingliston model fair.

[MorrisItalSLX]

22 hours ago, bunglebus said:

A 756 wall phone!

[bunglebus]

A couple of minor arrivals, in the form of these Corgis

Getting them boxed was a pleasant surprise as the listing just showed the cars.

I picked this up locally last night, a version I'd been hunting for. I remember getting outbid on one at a charity auction at a car show years back

[sierraman]

Did anyone catch that program about Hot Wheels the other night? Basically it was all about how wank Matchbox was and how the Americans were the best at everything. 

[bunglebus]

Nope - any idea what channel it was on? Maybe they weren't aware Mattel bought Matchbox in 1997.

I sourced this Porsche via eBay, as much as anything because I was curious as to what make it was

It's quite well detailed, with "PORSCHE" "911" "Targa" and "2.7" markings plus a decent interior

The symbol on the base means it's a New Bright

Only mystery is what should have been on the roof, as all the others I can find on Google have open roofs or no holes where the mystery item(s) were fitted

[Remspoor]

40 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Did anyone catch that program about Hot Wheels the other night? Basically it was all about how wank Matchbox was and how the Americans were the best at everything. 

Yer I watched that months ago. The programme was sort of correct Matchbox could only respond to the challenge and in the end lost. I never liked those sort of wheels on toy cars be it Matchbox, Corgi, Dinky etc. I also do not like hotrod made up vehicles. I am just weird like that. So Matchbox, pre crap* wheels for me.

[sheffcortinacentre]

The Celeste will probably be a Chrysler/Plymouth/dodge I think it was sold as the charger in America.

[Split_Pin]

11 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Nope - any idea what channel it was on? Maybe they weren't aware Mattel bought Matchbox in 1997.

I sourced this Porsche via eBay, as much as anything because I was curious as to what make it was

It's quite well detailed, with "PORSCHE" "911" "Targa" and "2.7" markings plus a decent interior

The symbol on the base means it's a New Bright

Only mystery is what should have been on the roof, as all the others I can find on Google have open roofs or no holes where the mystery item(s) were fitted

I've got that, or the remains of it from my childhood. It should have a roof rack with fuel cans and a spare tyre. I loved that toy!

[Cookiesouwest]

On holibobs and while being dragged round shops in Taunton yesterday, I wandered into the Entertainer and picked up these.

Always wanted to know what the fuss was all about.

3 for £3.80.

So I can see what the fuss is about from a financial perspective. Much less ruinous than my bus model addiction.

For the price the quality looks good too.

But, its a series of 250 models. Plus variations etc.

Given I can't help myself and always need to collect full sets, I think I'm going to have to really resist getting hooked.

[bunglebus]

14 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Given I can't help myself and always need to collect full sets, I think I'm going to have to really resist getting hooked.

It's a slippery slope but just buy what you like. There are many ways to get a "complete" set, and I can be equally fun and frustrating trying to do so.

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, Cookiesouwest said:

On holibobs and while being dragged round shops in Taunton yesterday, I wandered into the Entertainer and picked up these.

Always wanted to know what the fuss was all about.

3 for £3.80.

So I can see what the fuss is about from a financial perspective. Much less ruinous than my bus model addiction.

For the price the quality looks good too.

But, its a series of 250 models. Plus variations etc.

Given I can't help myself and always need to collect full sets, I think I'm going to have to really resist getting hooked.

I just go for the interesting  castings, unfortunately they are always the ones that everyone else wants too!

I'm more about the thrill of the chase. Once I've found it, I don't usually open it and instead add it to my big box in the loft and forget all about it. I'll make an exception if it's a really nice casting such as the Opel Kadett C or Honda Civic Jordan.

[Cookiesouwest]

I think I will have to follow @bunglebus and @Split_Pin advice.

Only buy what you like.

And on that note, I bought these from a junk shop / antique place in Minehead.

Seen them before. Think they were 8 quid each. Mentioned them on this thread.

Reduced to 4 quid, so pulled the trigger. Russian and I just like them. 

 

[bunglebus]

Don't think I can get a set of decals of the Nitty Gritty Kitty, so for now I've splashed out 50p on a sticker sheet from Poundland 

And cut out some strips

[Split_Pin]

The paint is lovely but the sticker strips don't appear to have stuck down on the roof properly.

I find that address labels cut up with a sharp knife are really good, if you don't mind a matt  finish.