Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

I remember having big Bburagos when I was a kid - silver Merc SL gullwing and a red Ferarri GTO of early 80s vintage. 

I too was fascinated by the detail and working bits, but somehow they just don't have the same play value as a Matchbox/Corgi/Hot Wheels. They still don't, I just prefer toys to models.

Each to their own though, it's nice that we can all show off our possessions be they expensive models or cheap Chinese tat

[AnnoyingPentium]

These arrived courtesy of @Mine's a Leganza! and I had forgot to post them on here.

The gem of the lot was this dinky Lesney Matchbox Renault 5. I used to have one just like this but gave it away.

Next up is this Bburago Sierra... the decals are peeling in places and one of the wheels has lost it's chrome so I may do something really cool* and interesting* with this.

Finally comes a battered Matchbox Prairie, may also do this up with a small blast with a can or two of paint, just not sure which colour yet. Probably go for another blue and redo the lower silver portions and stuff too.

[Lord Sterling]

6 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I've gotta big 1/14 scale 407. It was an RC car but it displays very nice indeed.

Nice! Any pics? For sale?

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

...Revell Opel Manta 400 (which I picked up cheap at my old place of work in 2006 because the base was broken) for a while longer - but the last of them went earlier this year.

Yep, I've got your old Revell Manta. I have re-glued the base quite neatly and it seems to be holding out well enough.

I'm a bit inbetween about the scale of cars. I'm more drawn to 1/18s but their sheer size and my lack of anywhere to display them is testament to my scarcity on buying them. The 1.43s are nice and I do buy them but again, you end up with too many.

1.24s are at a point of interest for me. Not exactly premium feeling but some real nice models out there, I've more than a few on my watch list at the moment. 

1 hour ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Next up is this Bburago Sierra... the decals are peeling in places and one of the wheels has lost it's chrome so I may do something really cool* and interesting* with this.

I had a yellow Bburago Sapphire Cosworth like yours, sadly I lent it to some idiot who went and wrecked/lost it. I also had a BMW e34 5-series but I never felt it was a great casting.

I've also got the 2x  Renault 5s and the Nissan Prairie.

[AnnoyingPentium]

3 minutes ago, Lord Sterling said:

I had a yellow Bburago Sapphire Cosworth like yours, sadly I lent it to some idiot who went and wrecked/lost it. I also had a BMW e34 5-series but I never felt it was a great casting.

I've also got the 2x  Renault 5s and the Nissan Prairie.

I had a red Sapphire. I used to have tons of Matchbox/Lesney, Bburagos, Majorettes etc etc but gave them to the son of the fella my Mum was seeing for some time. Then that ended and I never saw the wee motors again.

[andy18s]

These are on offer in Bg for £7 each

[RoadworkUK]

All this talk of Bburago 1:18s is quite timely, given what arrived today, more of which anon.

1:18 will always be "my" scale. Ever since Christmas 1988, otherwise known as The Christmas of Two Bburago E-Types, I've loved them. Bburagos were my gateway drug, and then, as the scale became more popular and more brands joined the fray, my collection grew and continued until deep into adulthood (I'm deeply an adult). 

DC is dead right about their general worthlessness; our local antiques emporium / junk shop has a selection of unboxed examples of the most commonplace types (Porsche 356A, Mercedes SSKL etc) with £30 paper tags on them. They're unlikely to ever be sold and elicit a LOL from me every time I see them. 

Bburago models did gradually improve. They were rather shown up circa 1992 by what newcomers Maisto could offer, with such novelties as spring suspension and generally rather more detail. The first Maisto I bought was an XJ220, while on holiday in Florida at age 12, and my jaw dropped.  Actually, until they grew more widespread at places like Tesco several years later, subsequent visits to Florida yielded further Maistos, with a C4 Corvette, a Dodge Copperhead, a VW Export Sedan (Beetle) and Boxster prototype all originating from KayBee toys at the Florida Mall, Kissimmee.

'Twas around the turn of the century that I discovered AutoArt, and their models kind of put everything else into perspective. I snagged a VW Phaeton from the Ian Allan book / model shop in Birmingham, and that was it. Since then, I became increasingly obsessed with detail. The earlier Bburago releases that I own still have masses of nostalgia value (especially the E-Type, whose proportions are just wonderful). Alas, AutoArt models cost a million pounds each now, and I've missed out on certain incredible releases of theirs (Porsche 928, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mazda RX7 etc). But on the other hand I still have a house to live in.

Anyway. Enough preamble.

My model Sierra obsession is well documented among these pages, and today it rather reached a head.

Yep. 

Among alerts that make my phone explode from time to time are the weekly discount notices from CK Modelcars of Germany.

As it happens I was quite interested in a Renault Fuego, and I was umming and ahhhing about whether to go for the Turbo for Those Graphics or the GTS for Those Wheels. And now there's a version with louvres over the rear screen. And all were handsomely discounting, making choice all-but impossible. And then I scrolled past – and then rapidly back to – this Sierra Cosworth RS500.

I had no idea that Solido made such a thing. I immediately put it in my CK Modelcars basket, went to check out, and then got an error message that said something along the lines of "We won't import to the UK unless you spend more than £135, because of VAT rules and that"

So I went on eBay and found another supplier for actually slightly less money, and it arrived this morning.

It's pretty bloody spectacular.

Proportionally, I reckon it's more or less bang on. I'm really pleased that key lines have been captured, including the concave section to the front wings, and the really subtle surface that starts at the door mirror and eventually forms the bootlid. Basically it looks like a Sierra Cosworth.

Yeah, the casting could actually be better – the front wheelarches are very slightly malformed, and the joins around the wheelarch extensions, sills and bumpers could be a bit more crisp. Plus, as is the fashion these days, there aren't many opening features. Just the doors. Terrible shame there's no engine on display, but never mind.

Yeah, the headlights are ever-so-slightly bulgy-out, and I'd like it if the grilles were open, but the details are generally fantastic. Most particularly the decals, which absolutely nail the Ford typefaces of the 80s.

It's generally great inside, too.

The centre console, shifter gaiter, handbrake, coin tray and cassette box are great, and check out the little plaque between the electric window switches.

The button count for the radio, with amplifier below, is correct for the Ford ECU2 sound system – except reversed!

Another oddity:

Look at how gorgeously modelled the electric mirror adjuster on the driver's door is. But why is there one on the passenger door, too?

The dashboard is a little boxier than it should be, but details like the correct red lines at 30 and 70mph on the speedo make up for it.

Anyway. There we have it. Until somebody does the decent thing and makes a 1:18 1983 Sierra Ghia in Glacier Blue, this is as close to peak model Sierra as I'll ever own.

 

[AnnoyingPentium]

In the spirit of Autoshite, sheer boredom, and a little bit of 'fuck it', I've decided that I mibbie want to spray the Sierra in Rover 'Champagne Beige'...

Work should commence tomorrow. If I don't like the colour then I've got something excellent in mind.

[Split_Pin]

@Lord Sterling

It's made by Rastar and is radio controlled. I spotted it straight away in TK Maxx 9 years ago amongst the more usual Porsche 911s and Ferraris and thought it was a really weird subject. The box has images of the real car so I wondered if it was a leftover dealer item or something

I wouldn't part with it because it's so unusual but you might find one on ebay. It makes an excellent model.

[big_al_granvia]

4 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

All this talk of Bburago 1:18s is quite timely, given what arrived today, more of which anon.

1:18 will always be "my" scale. Ever since Christmas 1988, otherwise known as The Christmas of Two Bburago E-Types, I've loved them. Bburagos were my gateway drug, and then, as the scale became more popular and more brands joined the fray, my collection grew and continued until deep into adulthood (I'm deeply an adult). 

DC is dead right about their general worthlessness; our local antiques emporium / junk shop has a selection of unboxed examples of the most commonplace types (Porsche 356A, Mercedes SSKL etc) with £30 paper tags on them. They're unlikely to ever be sold and elicit a LOL from me every time I see them. 

Bburago models did gradually improve. They were rather shown up circa 1992 by what newcomers Maisto could offer, with such novelties as spring suspension and generally rather more detail. The first Maisto I bought was an XJ220, while on holiday in Florida at age 12, and my jaw dropped.  Actually, until they grew more widespread at places like Tesco several years later, subsequent visits to Florida yielded further Maistos, with a C4 Corvette, a Dodge Copperhead, a VW Export Sedan (Beetle) and Boxster prototype all originating from KayBee toys at the Florida Mall, Kissimmee.

'Twas around the turn of the century that I discovered AutoArt, and their models kind of put everything else into perspective. I snagged a VW Phaeton from the Ian Allan book / model shop in Birmingham, and that was it. Since then, I became increasingly obsessed with detail. The earlier Bburago releases that I own still have masses of nostalgia value (especially the E-Type, whose proportions are just wonderful). Alas, AutoArt models cost a million pounds each now, and I've missed out on certain incredible releases of theirs (Porsche 928, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mazda RX7 etc). But on the other hand I still have a house to live in.

Anyway. Enough preamble.

My model Sierra obsession is well documented among these pages, and today it rather reached a head.

Yep. 

Among alerts that make my phone explode from time to time are the weekly discount notices from CK Modelcars of Germany.

As it happens I was quite interested in a Renault Fuego, and I was umming and ahhhing about whether to go for the Turbo for Those Graphics or the GTS for Those Wheels. And now there's a version with louvres over the rear screen. And all were handsomely discounting, making choice all-but impossible. And then I scrolled past – and then rapidly back to – this Sierra Cosworth RS500.

I had no idea that Solido made such a thing. I immediately put it in my CK Modelcars basket, went to check out, and then got an error message that said something along the lines of "We won't import to the UK unless you spend more than £135, because of VAT rules and that"

So I went on eBay and found another supplier for actually slightly less money, and it arrived this morning.

It's pretty bloody spectacular.

Proportionally, I reckon it's more or less bang on. I'm really pleased that key lines have been captured, including the concave section to the front wings, and the really subtle surface that starts at the door mirror and eventually forms the bootlid. Basically it looks like a Sierra Cosworth.

Yeah, the casting could actually be better – the front wheelarches are very slightly malformed, and the joins around the wheelarch extensions, sills and bumpers could be a bit more crisp. Plus, as is the fashion these days, there aren't many opening features. Just the doors. Terrible shame there's no engine on display, but never mind.

Yeah, the headlights are ever-so-slightly bulgy-out, and I'd like it if the grilles were open, but the details are generally fantastic. Most particularly the decals, which absolutely nail the Ford typefaces of the 80s.

It's generally great inside, too.

The centre console, shifter gaiter, handbrake, coin tray and cassette box are great, and check out the little plaque between the electric window switches.

The button count for the radio, with amplifier below, is correct for the Ford ECU2 sound system – except reversed!

Another oddity:

Look at how gorgeously modelled the electric mirror adjuster on the driver's door is. But why is there one on the passenger door, too?

The dashboard is a little boxier than it should be, but details like the correct red lines at 30 and 70mph on the speedo make up for it.

Anyway. There we have it. Until somebody does the decent thing and makes a 1:18 1983 Sierra Ghia in Glacier Blue, this is as close to peak model Sierra as I'll ever own.

 

that cossy is a work of art

[Mrcento]

6 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

All this talk of Bburago 1:18s is quite timely, given what arrived today, more of which anon.

1:18 will always be "my" scale. Ever since Christmas 1988, otherwise known as The Christmas of Two Bburago E-Types, I've loved them. Bburagos were my gateway drug, and then, as the scale became more popular and more brands joined the fray, my collection grew and continued until deep into adulthood (I'm deeply an adult). 

DC is dead right about their general worthlessness; our local antiques emporium / junk shop has a selection of unboxed examples of the most commonplace types (Porsche 356A, Mercedes SSKL etc) with £30 paper tags on them. They're unlikely to ever be sold and elicit a LOL from me every time I see them. 

Bburago models did gradually improve. They were rather shown up circa 1992 by what newcomers Maisto could offer, with such novelties as spring suspension and generally rather more detail. The first Maisto I bought was an XJ220, while on holiday in Florida at age 12, and my jaw dropped.  Actually, until they grew more widespread at places like Tesco several years later, subsequent visits to Florida yielded further Maistos, with a C4 Corvette, a Dodge Copperhead, a VW Export Sedan (Beetle) and Boxster prototype all originating from KayBee toys at the Florida Mall, Kissimmee.

'Twas around the turn of the century that I discovered AutoArt, and their models kind of put everything else into perspective. I snagged a VW Phaeton from the Ian Allan book / model shop in Birmingham, and that was it. Since then, I became increasingly obsessed with detail. The earlier Bburago releases that I own still have masses of nostalgia value (especially the E-Type, whose proportions are just wonderful). Alas, AutoArt models cost a million pounds each now, and I've missed out on certain incredible releases of theirs (Porsche 928, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mazda RX7 etc). But on the other hand I still have a house to live in.

Anyway. Enough preamble.

My model Sierra obsession is well documented among these pages, and today it rather reached a head.

Yep. 

Among alerts that make my phone explode from time to time are the weekly discount notices from CK Modelcars of Germany.

As it happens I was quite interested in a Renault Fuego, and I was umming and ahhhing about whether to go for the Turbo for Those Graphics or the GTS for Those Wheels. And now there's a version with louvres over the rear screen. And all were handsomely discounting, making choice all-but impossible. And then I scrolled past – and then rapidly back to – this Sierra Cosworth RS500.

I had no idea that Solido made such a thing. I immediately put it in my CK Modelcars basket, went to check out, and then got an error message that said something along the lines of "We won't import to the UK unless you spend more than £135, because of VAT rules and that"

So I went on eBay and found another supplier for actually slightly less money, and it arrived this morning.

It's pretty bloody spectacular.

Proportionally, I reckon it's more or less bang on. I'm really pleased that key lines have been captured, including the concave section to the front wings, and the really subtle surface that starts at the door mirror and eventually forms the bootlid. Basically it looks like a Sierra Cosworth.

Yeah, the casting could actually be better – the front wheelarches are very slightly malformed, and the joins around the wheelarch extensions, sills and bumpers could be a bit more crisp. Plus, as is the fashion these days, there aren't many opening features. Just the doors. Terrible shame there's no engine on display, but never mind.

Yeah, the headlights are ever-so-slightly bulgy-out, and I'd like it if the grilles were open, but the details are generally fantastic. Most particularly the decals, which absolutely nail the Ford typefaces of the 80s.

It's generally great inside, too.

The centre console, shifter gaiter, handbrake, coin tray and cassette box are great, and check out the little plaque between the electric window switches.

The button count for the radio, with amplifier below, is correct for the Ford ECU2 sound system – except reversed!

Another oddity:

Look at how gorgeously modelled the electric mirror adjuster on the driver's door is. But why is there one on the passenger door, too?

The dashboard is a little boxier than it should be, but details like the correct red lines at 30 and 70mph on the speedo make up for it.

Anyway. There we have it. Until somebody does the decent thing and makes a 1:18 1983 Sierra Ghia in Glacier Blue, this is as close to peak model Sierra as I'll ever own.

 

That is utterly magnificent!

[Datsuncog]

Today's Lunchtime Laptop highlight:

Yep, it's the recent Corgi Model Club arrival, the #485 Austin Mini Countryman, which I forgot to post up here as it arrived during our internet blackout week.

Apart from looking ever-so-slightly bluff fronted, it's a thoroughly lovely little model.

Opening rear doors are a bonus, as are the removable surfboards on the roof rack. 'Austin Mini' script on the rear door is crisply rendered, and the mask-sprayed tan paint on the wood trim has been neatly done.

The luxury of jewelled headlights, a separate aerial, plus a bonus surfer figurine in the box, go some way to making up for the relatively basic nature of last month's issue, the Mercedes 300SL.

In fact, the whole package seems to amount to a small playset - the box is marked 'Surfing with the BMC Mini-Countryman', with no overall picture of the model within. The sliver shown in the illustration depicts a blue Mini, though the model was only ever sold in the same aquamarine colour.

At the time of #485's introduction to the Corgi range, surf music and culture had been experiencing a boom amongst UK youths for a while - spearheaded by the popularity of The Beach Boys - so aside from being a fairly cheap way of adding interest to the basic model, the surfboards and box art tap into something of the surf zeitgeist prevailing at the time.

Ironically, in March 1965 - the same month the Corgi Mini was launched - The Beach Boys released their 'Beach Boys Today!' album, which marked an unexpected change away from the song themes of surfing, cars and girls they'd recorded up to that point, and turned towards more introspective lyrics and orchestral sounds.

The roof rack was also a lightly modified version of that fitted to the #339 Monte Carlo Mini Cooper S, with the back cut away to accommodate a pair of boards.

Whether it was something of an in-joke by Corgi's design team to make a British 'woody' surf wagon, or just happenstance to add play value to a new release, will probably never be known. The Van Cleemput book doesn't say much more than the information set out on the back of the Collector's Card.

Unfortunately I managed to break the surfer's ankles mere minutes after retrieving him from the box, which probably explains why these things are nigh-on impossible to find still intact.

If a portly fortysomething with a borderline diecast obsession can't avoid damaging it, there wasn't much hope for an excited eight year old.

 

Overall, a really good choice from the Corgi Model Club bods; I'd deliberately avoided looking closer at the emails telling me it was on its way, so I didn't know what was going to be in the mailing box until I'd opened it. Really nice surprise, and a welcome break from all the house move stress!

[Split_Pin]

I was completely unaware of the Corgi Mini estate, which I see they have made an Austin guise whereas the Dinky version is a Morris Traveller version.

The Corgi version has exponentially more play value than the Dinky item, I love it!

[Datsuncog]

It was a new one to me too - even though apparently half a million or so of them were shifted during the four years of production.

I'm not sure whether I maybe mistook this one as a colour variation of the Dinky - though now I think of it, I'm fairly sure one in this colour turned up on the market tat stall last year, in fairly decent nick.

Must have a trawl through my archive pics...

[Lord Sterling]

There was one of those Dinky Mini Countrymans in a toy box at a charity shoppe a few weeks ago, it was a bit battered, frame bent and some tyres were missing. I'm sure it would have cleaned up Ok and I have some spare tyres or know where to get them. But I felt that possibly on bending it back I may snap somewhere so I passed on it.

[Mrcento]

I've got one of those mini countryman models somewhere as well, it's very battered though and sure it's missing a tyre

[Datsuncog]

Quote

now I think of it, I'm fairly sure one in this colour turned up on the market tat stall last year, in fairly decent nick.

Nope - now I look at the pics again (October 2020, tat fans), I'm pretty sure it was a reproduction Dinky version - darker green shade, and no roofrack. Looks a bit too shiny to be an original, too.

Round rear lights are the clincher.

Nothing to get excited about - carry on, folks.

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

borderline diecast obsession

"borderline"

Lol

[Datsuncog]

Ok, fair...

[Mine's a Leganza!]

Coming up shortly should be the last of my clearout tat with some of the slightly larger King Size etc  stuff. Anything you fancy please let me know. How about £2 per model plus postage?    

[Mine's a Leganza!]

If I know the scale I will list it, if not its your guess.

King1 - Corgi

BP Tanker

Jeep CJ-5 1/36

Mercedes Benz 300 SL

Jaguar XRJ9

Surtees TS.98 F1 1/36

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King2 - Matchbox

Refuse Truck K-7  x2

Lagonda Drophead Coupe Y-11 (missing wheel)

1929 Morris Light Van Y-19

The Londoner Bus K-45 

 

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King3 - Matchbox

Sand Cat K-37

Thunderclap Racing Car - dreadful condition - free to first purchaser.

Zakspeed Mustang 1/40

Blue Cab by Lonestar 

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King4 - Burago 1/43

Porsche 959

BMW 535i

Ferrari Testarossa

Can sell separately or £10 all three including postage 

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King5 - Burago 1/43

Dodge Viper x2

Alfa Romeo 155

Chevrolet Corvette

Chevrolet Corvette - Hot Wheels

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King6 - Corgi Mobil Collection

Porsche 944

Benetton F1

 

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King7

BMW Z3 Roadster - Welly

Porsche 911 - Welly

BMW? 1/32 - Speedy Power

Volkswagen Beetle 1/43 - Del Prado 

Audi A3 - Newray

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King8 - MC Toy 

Porsche 959 1/36

Lotus Esprit 1/38

Jaguar E-Type 1/38

1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica 1/36 - unknown maker

Mitsubishi Lancer - Tommi Makinen - unknown maker 

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King9 

International Tractor - Lone Star

Eddie Stobart - Days Gone

Michelin Citreon 5CV

1912 Tanker - Hong Kong shite 

[Mine's a Leganza!]

King10

Ford F-150 - unknown

Range Rover? - unknown

Mercedes Benz SLK - Newray

Dodge Charger 1/48 - Zee

Volvo XC90 - Teama  - This is plastic. 

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Nope - now I look at the pics again (October 2020, tat fans), I'm pretty sure it was a reproduction Dinky version - darker green shade, and no roofrack. Looks a bit too shiny to be an original, too.

Round rear lights are the clincher.

Nothing to get excited about - carry on, folks.

Yeah that's the Dinky one, I have that and an example of the original.  Not a patch on the Corgi.