Shite in Miniature II

[Tenmil Socket]

On 5/11/2023 at 1:52 PM, Datsuncog said:

Had to nip over to Screwfix early doors today, so took the opportunity to have a peep at diecast availability in the north Belfast area...

B&M (open from 8am, tat fans) had a decent selection, though nothing much new.

Plenty of Hot Wheels, but mostly racer, custom and fantasy type releases left on the pegs. Some of the packaging was quite torn - kids, eh?

Matchbox were now properly in their own space, rather than on clip strips dangling along the aisle.

Nothing we haven't seen before, though. Seemed to be a mix of 2022 and 2023 releases.

Loads of those annoying little baggage truck things, too.

Also still some Flying Customs to be found, though only four varieties left - just one Firebird and one Mustang Mach 1, and the rest were all Barracudas and Custom Ottos.

Nipped across to a smaller Tesco branch which I don't normally frequent - and they'd a good lot of 2023 case Matchbox on the shelves:

But again, we've all seen these before.

Hot Wheels not quite so abundant - and only the Challenger held any vague interest.

Called across to a biggish Poundland store in the main shopping centre, and there was a slightly better Hot Wheels selection to be seen, in terms of realistic vehicles:

More Matchbox here too - first time I've seen mainlines in this branch.

One solitary long card 'Matchbox Collection' model - the fairly unappealing Speed Trapper.

Some oddities in their Far Eastern cheapo 'Nitro Legends' range though - a custom Beetle pickup...

And a reasonable enough stab at a C3 Corvette:

I've seen worse. Much worse. And two for £1 will keep some car-lovin' kiddies happy, I reckon.

Lastly, I swung by another Poundland branch over in the nearby retail park:

Much more space for Matchbox here - a good selection, and much cheaper than those at Tesco.

Makes me wonder how come Poundland can sell current mainline Hot Wheels and Matchbox for £1.50 a throw, when 'every little helps' Tesco are wanting £2.00 and £2.20 respectively?

I'm guessing Poundland aren't making a loss on each sale (well, they were two weeks ago, but that was a different matter...), so that's some fairly hefty profiteering on Tesco's part.

I noticed that this branch had the older paired Camaro from yesterday's 'Then And Now' find:

I thought about it - but I didn't.

I did pick up a Toyota Tacoma from B&M, though.

I've been hemming and hawing about this one for a while, but since it was the last one there, I finally took the plunge...

Others I'd looked at seemed to have really rough, gappy castings around the headlights which put me off - but this one looks fine.

Removable camping rig is an appealing novelty, I'll admit.

And base detail quite good too.

It's not really a vehicle I've a huge amount of interest in - as far as I can tell, the Tacoma is basically a HiLux but not as good - though I've enjoyed seeing plenty of them rescued by Matt's Off-Road Recovery on YouTube, so I guess there's an element of amusement there...

(I'd quite like to see a Hot Wheels version of his 'Banana' Cherokee or, better yet, the MORRvair...)

EDIT: Looks like Johnny Lightning already muscled in there...

What’s the R03 on the base?

 

[bunglebus]

Thought I was done but spotted a BuM on my way back to the job

Decent display in Tesco but no dice

Couple of goodies in a smaller store but not at that price

[bunglebus]

6 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

What’s the R03 on the base?

 

Build date - letter is the year, numbers are the week.

Used to have a list for Hot Wheels somewhere, the online reference site vanished

[sierraman]

I liked the Real Working Rigs siding flatbed but yet to find one. 

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Daaah, I just sold a spare one the other week for 50p!

I'm afraid it's packed and gone now - but clearly there are still some on the shelves in Poundstretcher, if you can find a branch locally...

Sorry I swiped that one.  It's not going to be repainted though!

 

FRIDAY FUN FACT DEPARTMENT

The Steve Earle video set the internet* alight as the feature car isn't even a Dodge at all, it's a 1950 Chrysler Windsor

Up against the house though 30 seconds in is a 1950 Dodge.  Not sure if it's either a Meadowbrook or a Coronet, anyhow probably was just mechanical and interior comfort differences.  Brochure consult.

The actual lyrics say 'BIG BLOCK Dodge'.  But there was only the one engine in the line, the 230ci six.  The V8 wasn't in the Dodge line until 1953, even then it wasn't that much larger as it was a smaller variation of the Chrysler engine.  Oh the excitement.

Now daddy ran the whiskey in a big block Dodge
Bought it at an auction at the Mason's Lodge
'Johnson County Sheriff' painted on the side
Just shot a coat of primer, then he looked inside
Well, him and my uncle tore that engine down
I still remember that rumblin' sound

It would make more sense to have a rumblin' sound from a Hemi as fitted to Coronet from 1958, but could the Johnson County Police in Tennessee afford those?  The Appalachian Mountains weren't exactly a wealthy place to be, hence the moonshine business

Good old Matchbox with their '59 Coronet

 

*in 1988 there was not much Internets about, I was being hysterical.

 

[Datsuncog]

33 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Couple of goodies in a smaller store but not at that price

Yeesh, Tesco.

All the same, I've yet to see a Matchbox Citroen Ami in any of the stores I've browsed - seems to be part of a case that never hit NI stores last year.

I'm not exactly mad keen for one - but I'd likely pick one up if I chanced upon one.

The search continues - B&M still seems to be wheeling out 2022 case items alongside 2023 cases, so maybe I'll hit lucky sometime soon... or, indeed, once the next 2023 case lands - as the Amis you saw seem to be the broadly similar '23 release, with the 'Matchbox 70' logo on the card.

[MiniMinorMk3]

3 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

As today is a Market Breaky™ - an identifying game is open instead!

Here is what was unwrapped.  What do you see?  Farmer Tom knows already

Procurred for £2.08 each (+P&P) from a job lot BIN spotted by roving tat spotter @64A60

1. Corgi 01806 second issue Morse Jag
2. Corgi Classics Ford Popular
3. Corgi 154 Ferrari Formula 1 Car
4. Dinky 139 Cortina (Repaint?)
5. Corgi 238 Jaguar Mark X
6. Dinky 165 Humber Hawk
7. Corgi 229 Chevrolet Corvair
8. Dinky 172 Studebaker Land Cruiser
9. Corgi 239 Volkswagen 1500 Karmann Ghia
10. Corgi 241 Ghia L.6.4
11. Corgi 332 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato
12. Dinky 145 Singer Vogue
 

[flat4alfa]

5 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

I also find it interesting that Matchbox carry their fictional logos across multiple ranges 'Ozima Tree Service' features in the Hitch & Haul range too.

Terry Ozima was Matchbox Ambassador to Collectors for 2009.

Other Ambassadors have been seen named on Matchbox releases, notably tucked in the the Datsun 510 Rally tampo variations

2006 John Yanouzas
2007 Jim Gallegos
2008 David Tilley
2009 Terry Ozima
2010 John Nijhuis
2011 Chuck Wiersma
2012 Shabbir Malik
2013 John Lambert
2014 Nigel Cooper
2015 Larry Scaduto
2016 Dirk Schleuer

 

Yanouzas

 

Nijhuis ; Tilley ; Schleuer

Ozima

Wiersma

[Datsuncog]

I did not know that!

9 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

2012 Shabbir Malik

That explains this, then...

And are you missing a Jimbob Twinkle off your list?

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

4. Dinky 139 Cortina (Repaint?)

Yes, repaint.  I now have two Cortina repaints in red!  Both as bad as each other, but complete

Also I think you have won the competition!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Sorry I swiped that one.  It's not going to be repainted though!

 

FRIDAY FUN FACT DEPARTMENT

The Steve Earle video set the internet* alight as the feature car isn't even a Dodge at all, it's a 1950 Chrysler Windsor

Up against the house though 30 seconds in is a 1950 Dodge.  Not sure if it's either a Meadowbrook or a Coronet, anyhow probably was just mechanical and interior comfort differences.  Brochure consult.

The actual lyrics say 'BIG BLOCK Dodge'.  But there was only the one engine in the line, the 230ci six.  The V8 wasn't in the Dodge line until 1953, even then it wasn't that much larger as it was a smaller variation of the Chrysler engine.  Oh the excitement.

Now daddy ran the whiskey in a big block Dodge
Bought it at an auction at the Mason's Lodge
'Johnson County Sheriff' painted on the side
Just shot a coat of primer, then he looked inside
Well, him and my uncle tore that engine down
I still remember that rumblin' sound

It would make more sense to have a rumblin' sound from a Hemi as fitted to Coronet from 1958, but could the Johnson County Police in Tennessee afford those?  The Appalachian Mountains weren't exactly a wealthy place to be, hence the moonshine business

Good old Matchbox with their '59 Coronet

 

*in 1988 there was not much Internets about, I was being hysterical.

 

I’ve spent far too much time thinking about this over the years.

The description ‘ big block’ was only applied to Dodges from 1958, cars in America were disposable and a Police car probably only had a service life of 2/3 years. I’ve decided the Johnson County Sheriff was corrupt and taking a cut from all the local moonshiners, so had plenty of money for nice cars.  John Lee would have been liable to The Draft from the age of 18 and I think he was  7 when he heard Mama crying. Old enough to earwig but too young to go downstairs when the Sheriff came round. So if he went to Vietnam in 1972 at18 that would make it 1962 when Daddy rolled the Dodge, hence me thinking a 1959 fits the bill.

Stecve Earle himself was just about eligible for the Draft  but by then it was lottery based and he didn’t get called , if we use his timeframe and my 7 year old assumption would give you 1961/62, so I feel that it’s that sort of era Dodge he was picturing writing the song.

[bunglebus]

Why does she send me pics from charity shops when I'm too busy too look at them?

[Datsuncog]

TWO Scammell box trucks?!

😲

Looking in decent nick, too.

Maybe better to have tat pics from charity shops at inopportune moments from your Significant Other than a diecast death-stare, though?

[eddyramrod]

21 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

a diecast death-stare

You mean like the one I get from MrsR literally every time she gets wind of me doing anything that might improve my diecast lot?

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I’ve spent far too much time thinking about this over the years.

You have!  You should write a book, etc

 

Copperhead Road was in Mountain City, the county seat of Johnson County, TN.  I say was, because it was renamed Copper Hollow Road because so many road signs got stolen!

I seem to have found the Masonic Lodge where the car was supposedly auctioned off, the Taylorsville Masonic Temple (filed as Taylorsville Lodge)

It's on 199 College St and they still meet the first Monday of the month, if you're passing.  There is a car park behind, but a much larger and probable parking lot across the road.

Today, the livery is this

and the Police Surplus auctions have moved to the Municipal Building at 210 South Church Street.  Call ahead on (423) 727-8181 to see if they're getting any Dodge Avengers in.  Checks cashed, no problem.  Or look up on www.govdeals.com

Sheriff Edward Tester wanted to thank you for your time.  He still accepts Fax on 423-727-5794

The last of the line gen-6 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor model he drives was also modelled by Matchbox and is currently available in your local stores in this current livery

Despite being the pre-2013 facelift casting.

[flat4alfa]

POST MAN IN VAN™ has delivered a box this afternoon

A box that has confused Farmer Tom, as he never knowing ordered a Shakti acupressure mat, but he is pleased someone thought of him and his poor back.

[Nibbler]

Today’s findings. Autobianchi is by Mebetoys. Repainted Peugeot 504 is by Norev, hopefully I can clean it up. 

[flat4alfa]

3 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

I did not know that!

That explains this, then...

Dirk Schleuer

Chuck Wiersma ; Shabbir Malik ; Terry Ozima ; Nigel Cooper

John Yanouzas ; Abe Lugo (Mattel designer) ; Michael Heralda (Mattel designer)

Dirk Schleuer ; Larry Scaduto ; John Nijhuis

Jim Gallegos

[bunglebus]

Here we go again...

[bunglebus]

And again...

[Datsuncog]

Blimey - who's stocking the new 2023 case?

Or are those pics from the Lamley Group?

Either way - nice.

[eddyramrod]

Loving that green El Camino!

[bunglebus]

Pics were off Facebook, T-Hunted I think.

I opened my parcels, and went back to the charity shop for the two Container Trucks - see anything interesting here?

The packing material in one of them was certainly interesting - dated Friday 13th of April 1945

[MiniMinorMk3]

I got my delivery from danthecapriman yesterday.

After a quick wash they looked a bit tidier.

I like the Corgi 1/36 Metro casting, they captured the shape and proportions quite well.

It goes nicely with the red one I got from Dan a few weeks back. Now I need to find the Purple Royal Wedding version that I have buried somewhere, and then look out for the racing versions.

Corgi have managed to replicate the Austin Rover principles of car painting, by only painting the outer surfaces with a full coat, and the hidden surfaces with a bit of overspray.

The two MB 29 Racing Minis will join the collection of others that I have.

The one without the stickers may come apart as the rear number plate is pushed in, so I will probably change the glasses over, or straighten the axles out. But then again, I could do a replica of teh pre-production gold version, as I will never pay the £100+ that is required for one of those.

And it appears all 5 non-metallic cars are a different shade or orange., and the yellow base coat is more evident on some.

[flat4alfa]

38 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Pics were off Facebook, T-Hunted I think.

I opened my parcels, and went back to the charity shop for the two Container Trucks - see anything interesting here?

The packing material in one of them was certainly interesting - dated Friday 13th of April 1945

Oh those newspapers, I'd love a paw through those...

Do I spot a Lucky Alfa Giulietta, Solido Lancia Flaminia Coupe, MATCHBOX SCORPION

[stuboy]

Bought this for 50p and thought I'd treat the missus

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I got my delivery from danthecapriman yesterday.

After a quick wash they looked a bit tidier.

I like the Corgi 1/36 Metro casting, they captured the shape and proportions quite well.

It goes nicely with the red one I got from Dan a few weeks back. Now I need to find the Purple Royal Wedding version that I have buried somewhere, and then look out for the racing versions.

Corgi have managed to replicate the Austin Rover principles of car painting, by only painting the outer surfaces with a full coat, and the hidden surfaces with a bit of overspray.

The two MB 29 Racing Minis will join the collection of others that I have.

The one without the stickers may come apart as the rear number plate is pushed in, so I will probably change the glasses over, or straighten the axles out. But then again, I could do a replica of teh pre-production gold version, as I will never pay the £100+ that is required for one of those.

And it appears all 5 non-metallic cars are a different shade or orange., and the yellow base coat is more evident on some.

Glad they turned up nice & quick.

Ive never noticed that about the BL style quality paint jobs on the Metro’s! I’m sure Corgi’s other models weren’t like that?

[Amelia]

Just rediscovered this lot. All going to be available, although I doubt they'll move, my other roffled have stalled. 

[quicksilver]

Alongside the kits from my DanBox I've also been working on this little lot of OO scale 3D prints from CMAC Model Railways. I'm missing a few but this is most of what he's done so far. They're a bit tricky to finish as the detail is so fine and no glazing is supplied, but make nice models of the sort of cars we like round here. A few have been seen before but I've photographed them again now the layout is back in place.

The pride and joy ofAS Camping Holidays

Bought another Ital as I had some Applejack paint I wanted to use on something authentic

Allegro. Brown. Total shite.

''

Metro is based on one my mum had

I think this is the first ever model of a Rover R8 in any scale

The V section - Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo

Bumpers didn't print properly on the Avenger so I removed them for a mild custom look

You may recognise this Lada

[danthecapriman]

16 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

Alongside the kits from my DanBox I've also been working on this little lot of OO scale 3D prints from CMAC Model Railways. I'm missing a few but this is most of what he's done so far. They're a bit tricky to finish as the detail is so fine and no glazing is supplied, but make nice models of the sort of cars we like round here. A few have been seen before but I've photographed them again now the layout is back in place.

The pride and joy ofAS Camping Holidays

Bought another Ital as I had some Applejack paint I wanted to use on something authentic

Allegro. Brown. Total shite.

''

Metro is based on one my mum had

I think this is the first ever model of a Rover R8 in any scale

The V section - Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo

Bumpers didn't print properly on the Avenger so I removed them for a mild custom look

You may recognise this Lada

They look fantastic! I’ve got a little box of a few of them myself, not built them yet though.