Shite in Miniature II

[barrett]

Okay, just for @flat4alfa here's a close look at Politoys No. 529 Alfa Canguro. The real thing was a Giulia TZ-based prototype styled by Giugiaro at Bertone and was bodied in fibreglass. This is a great example of these classic-period Politoys I reckon, amazing level of detail and fit & finish

The model was released in 1967 and was only available in three colours: solid red, as per the real thing, silver and this metallic red. It's not the most accurate, but it's the best looking. Silver seems to be far and away the most common for some reason

Lots of detail - there is a separate engine block, air filter and even washer bottle under the bonnet. The dash on this is particularly nice with a little grab-handle on the passenger side

Quite basic underneath, though. I can do a 'who did it worse?' with my Mercury version, which came out a year earlier in 1966

The Mercury is clearly much more basic, and oddly it's significantly larger. I'd hazard a guess the Politoys one is the more accurate size.

The other addition was no. 502 (ie, the third car in the M500 range) the Siata 1500 TS, which was launched in 1965

Another great unusual subject here and not something many kids would have been familiar with

It's pretty faithful to the real thing, actually. This is clearly more toy-like than the Canguro and it's interesting to compare these first Politoys M cars with the later '60s stuff. They really did move fowards in leaps and bounds in a short space of time

Cast-in engine detail is a big difference, and simpler interior, but lots of opening bits and it feels quite sturdy

This is another one which got a USSR re-tool and these versions are much more common, although I've noticed the prices for these USSR Italian toys creeping up in the last few years

Anyway, just two more sleeps until I can get to Arundel during shop hours...!

[Volksy]

3 hours ago, sierraman said:

So... at last found a Morrisons that had Matchbox, bit of a twat to get to but I was passing so it was neither here nor there. Would have liked to have found the Sentra but picked a Rivian up, such a strange looking device that I had to have it. 

On a recent trip to California, these are becoming quite popular. 

They are quite smart looking things, if a monstrous size, 

[flat4alfa]

44 minutes ago, barrett said:

The Mercury is clearly much more basic, and oddly it's significantly larger. I'd hazard a guess the Politoys one is the more accurate size.

If you provide length and breadth of each, I'll work it out, along with the Hong Kong plastic effort I have here, which I thought was likely copied from the Polistil

It seems JOAL also produced a model

Roxy Toys did a plastic effort

Slot car wise, you had 1-Atlas. 2-Midori. 3-Climax. 4-Hasegawa

In recent years, NEO

[barrett]

40 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

If you provide length and breadth of each, I'll work it out, along with the Hong Kong plastic effort I have here, which I thought was likely copied from the Polistil

The Politoys is about 9.4 by 3.3cm, the Mercury is 9.9 by 3.9cm.

I always assumed the Joal used the Mercury casting, but now looking at all three it's actually the Politoys one

[sierraman]

Finally managed to pick up a Corgi (what I’d call a block of council lock ups as we’d have known them as kids) Four Car garage for a half reasonable price. I had two of these as a kid then like a fool sold them about 15 years ago before I got back on the horse. 

[MiniMinorMk3]

15 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

Left to right, Corgi Club Monte Mini 339, Signature Mini 321, Monte Mini original 339.

 

Very strange slight differnces, the earlier (left) one has a square section rear bumper...

 

I get a roof rack for the  '67 Monte car, it looks quite good.

I've a couple or rally Minis that I have put repro decals on, including the 1966 monte car. They are a bit bright for an old toy, and sometimes I think I might remove them and leave the cars in the original play worn state.

Before Decals

After Decals

[AndyW201]

Local Morrisons STILL has the Matchbox labels on the shelf but no stock to be seen as yet. Hot Wheels dump bins still had the D case stock from a couple of weeks ago, but I did notice they had stuck a few E case items on the top,

This was the main one I was after, so I was pleased to find it. Shame about some of the tampo printing coming off the headlights, but still a pretty car.

Loving the Hot Wheels gassers, and I like the 60s style graphics on this.

Another one I love the colour and graphics on,

Having watched a couple of unboxing videos, I think these are from the top layer of the case. I'll have to keep popping in as it looks like the other ones I want, the '80s blue DeLorean and Godzilla Skyline R32 are in the bottom layer. Roll on F case, as that has the Audi 90 and red RS2000 in!

[flat4alfa]

2 hours ago, barrett said:

The Politoys is about 9.4 by 3.3cm, the Mercury is 9.9 by 3.9cm.

Politoys wins!  Although it is a bit long and slim - it's approx 10% out each way. 

The Mercury is more accurately proportioned, despite being approx 7% too large in scale overall.

The Hong Kong effort, although quite rough and ready, is better proportioned than the Politoys...

 Gabriella agrees

Produced:    1964
Numbers built:    1
Designed by:    Giorgietto Giugiaro at Bertone
Introduced:    1964 Paris Motor Show
Crashed by:    Film crew at Monza, 1967
Remains purchased:    American serviceman for $35, 1971
Rebuilt by:    Japanese collector, 2004, who still owns it today.

[flat4alfa]

Interesting artifact

Quote

Alfa Romeo Canguro; a very rare original table lighter in the form of the concept car designed by Guigaro and built by Bertone in 1964. Dating from the period, the lighter is operated by a button in the form of the rear license plate; of metal construction apart from the windows and tyres; in excellent condition, never having been used; 16 x 6 x 3.5cm (with lighter closed).

Price realised: EUR 1,645  [christies.com]

 

[bunglebus]

Spotted some interesting bits hiding in one of the dreaded charity shop plastic bags.

Main target was obviously this

I jest of course, it was this Matchbox Prefect

Along for the ride with some modern toss, were a pretty decent regular wheels whoresbox

Late Chinese made dumper

MC Toys tin snail

A pretty good Cararama Puma - no mirrors and NS headlight lens is AWOL - anyone want it?

TOF Matchbox Range Rover

Which is at least RHD

Petrol pump

Slight mystery - was the Husky name sold?

I sometimes wonder how all these things end up in the same bag, were they donated together or is it just oddments swept up and chucked together?

[sierraman]

8 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Spotted some interesting bits hiding in one of the dreaded charity shop plastic bags.

Main target was obviously this

I jest of course, it was this Matchbox Prefect

Along for the ride with some modern toss, were a pretty decent regular wheels whoresbox

Late Chinese made dumper

MC Toys tin snail

A pretty good Cararama Puma - no mirrors and NS headlight lens is AWOL - anyone want it?

TOF Matchbox Range Rover

Which is at least RHD

Petrol pump

Slight mystery - was the Husky name sold?

I sometimes wonder how all these things end up in the same bag, were they donated together or is it just oddments swept up and chucked together?

I have a Husky branded Corgi Metrobus. 

[tom13]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Spotted some interesting bits hiding in one of the dreaded charity shop plastic bags.

Main target was obviously this

I jest of course, it was this Matchbox Prefect

Along for the ride with some modern toss, were a pretty decent regular wheels whoresbox

Late Chinese made dumper

MC Toys tin snail

A pretty good Cararama Puma - no mirrors and NS headlight lens is AWOL - anyone want it?

TOF Matchbox Range Rover

Which is at least RHD

Petrol pump

Slight mystery - was the Husky name sold?

I sometimes wonder how all these things end up in the same bag, were they donated together or is it just oddments swept up and chucked together?

That petrol pump is cool as.

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Slight mystery - was the Husky name sold?

Quote

In about 2005 the Husky name appeared attached to diecast emergency and commercial vehicles related to the tourism industry in the UK. An FX-2 taxi, a police car, a fire truck, and an ambulance appeared in the series. The company was based in Leicester and appears unconnected to modern Corgi.  [wikipedia.org]

 

[FakeConcern]

4 hours ago, sierraman said:

Finally managed to pick up a Corgi (what I’d call a block of council lock ups as we’d have known them as kids) Four Car garage for a half reasonable price. I had two of these as a kid then like a fool sold them about 15 years ago before I got back on the horse. 

Nice, any pics?

4 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I get a roof rack for the  '67 Monte car, it looks quite good.

I've a couple or rally Minis that I have put repro decals on, including the 1966 monte car. They are a bit bright for an old toy, and sometimes I think I might remove them and leave the cars in the original play worn state.

Before Decals

After Decals

I'll get the roof rack as you say it's too nice not to.

The decals on mine aren't bad so I'll leave them, but I can see why you did yours as they have almost none left and they don't look stupidly bright in the photos either. Doesn't the 64 come with a 33EJB no plate or did I dream it? Now I want all the other Corgi 60s rally Minis, I only have the ones shown in my post above.

[sierraman]

3 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

Nice, any pics?

I'll get the roof rack as you say it's too nice not to.

The decals on mine aren't bad so I'll leave them, but I can see why you did yours as they have almost none left and they don't look stupidly bright in the photos either. Doesn't the 64 come with a 33EJB no plate or did I dream it? Now I want all the other Corgi 60s rally Minis, I only have the ones shown in my post above.

I will when it arrives!

[MiniMinorMk3]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Petrol pump

 

 

28 minutes ago, tom13 said:

That petrol pump is cool as.

Those petrol pumps were sold under a couple of names.

Kemlow Build a Garage

Bartons Motorplay

AB Barton Toys Garage Accessories

Kemlow Hobby's Motorplay

[flat4alfa]

4 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

Doesn't the 64 come with a 33EJB no plate or did I dream it?

Yes it's the Paddy Hopkirk car

Competed with No.37 on doors

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

9 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

 Doesn't the 64 come with a 33EJB no plate or did I dream it? 

No number plates on the '64 car.

[bunglebus]

39 minutes ago, tom13 said:

That petrol pump is cool as.

 

7 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Those petrol pumps were sold under a couple of names.

I remember having a handful as a kid, never seemed to have any brand names cast into them

[MiniMinorMk3]

3 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

 

I remember having a handful as a kid, never seemed to have any brand names cast into them

I had the pumps and a couple of tyre racks.

[flat4alfa]

Ah, yes, it was on the Corgi Classics releases.  Got mixed-up sorry

The original 1964 Hopkirk/Liddon did not

The 1965 Makinen/Easter did

The 1967 Fall/Wood did

[flat4alfa]

Anyone got one of these

SPARK AUSTIN MINI BEACH 1960, 1/43, resin

Well I had an idea.  I have a spare Mini

Quote

Mini Beach Cars (1961-1962).  During the early 1960s, around 20 Mini Beach Cars were built by the Longbridge Experimental Department, all but one of which were in left-hand-drive form.  [aronline.co.uk]

But too late, it's already been done by someone else, with a hacksaw and skillz

Ahh well.

[FakeConcern]

I used to have several of these...

Only this one left now.

[bunglebus]

Just filing away my pictures, Matchbox certainly got some mileage out of the Leyland casting didn't they?

8-Wheeled Tipper

Site Hut Truck

Horsebox (1969 only, quite rare it turns out)

Pipe Truck

Petrol Tanker

 

[flat4alfa]

Maisto copy

[flat4alfa]

One fella built one!

[flat4alfa]

On 2/17/2023 at 9:21 PM, FakeConcern said:

I think the black one is from Corgi MGB GT, not sure what the brown one is from, but also Corgi I think.

 

@FakeConcern

[MiniMinorMk3]

51 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Anyone got one of these

SPARK AUSTIN MINI BEACH 1960, 1/43, resin

 

I have one somewhere.

The Spark car is modelled on a car that was discovered in Greece in 2010

and then restored. It appeared at the 2019 Villa d'Este

31 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

I used to have several of these...

Only this one left now.

That looks like a Brittains pump

[FakeConcern]

55 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Anyone got one of these

SPARK AUSTIN MINI BEACH 1960, 1/43, resin

Well I had an idea.  I have a spare Mini

But too late, it's already been done by someone else, with a hacksaw and skillz

Ahh well.

I think you should still do it as that looks to be based on a plastic kit (Airfix, Tamiya?) I did a Crayford Mk2 based on an Airfix 1/32 years ago. Unfortunately not much is left after being moved from one box to another.

Still you could do other Mini derivatives such as

Ridgeway/Scorpion

or Broadspeed GT

Mini Sprint

Crayford Hornet

I'm sure there are many more...

[FakeConcern]

10 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

 

 

Thanks. Mine didn't come from the Commer Holiday special or the Merc as although I have both, they were aquired without the case.

I have both the Jag Mk10 and an Imp though, both from new, the Imp came on my Transporter so not sure if it would have had the case or not. Great detective work though.