Shite in Miniature II

[RoadworkUK]

1 hour ago, andrew e said:

So the crisp £20 note in my pocket begged to have a new owner, and off it vanished in exchange for this Z3 Coupe, lightly  crumpled box and all.

You've done very well there. Potentially a nice little earner when it comes to time to move it on; I'm pretty sure the Z3 M 'Clownshoe' is the most SORT-AFTER (sic) iteration of UT's Z3 lineup.

UT, of course, later morphed into AutoArt, and some of the late UTs were pretty close to AA levels of detail, including niceties such as flocked carpeting etc.

Being a tightarse mofo, this is my favourite of the UT Z3s:

The base model 1.9, complete with 'gagging for an upgrade' ten-hole alloys. I really enjoy when a firm actually bothers to offer a cooking version of a popular and aspirational motah.

I've got this one:

Sadly, there are several versions of this, and mine is the worst of the bunch. The detailing was improved over time, particularly around the headlamps, which are pretty dire in my example. The final version even went as far as having seatbelts with buckle details. 

I think the Z3 Coupé like wot you've got was available in a few versions, too, including the lower spec model that Eurotypes were blessed with, as well as the all-singing M that we got.

Anyway. Well bought. Not jealous at all.

At all.

[sheffcortinacentre]

8 hours ago, sdkrc said:

The shooter hanging out of the Buick is a new one to me

That's supposed to be Sgt crocker

[andrew e]

52 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Was that out of a £15 for the lot box?

No - from the purveyor of Hitlers gate.

[bunglebus]

1 minute ago, andrew e said:

No - from the purveyor of Hitlers gate.

Lots of interesting stuff but always overpriced - I don't bother looking any more

[155V6]

50 minutes ago, sheffcortinacentre said:

Yes you can tell the Bulgarian one's as the doors don't open ( only glow widows one has fixed windows for UK).

I've got these two with non-opening doors.One on left with no windows in front doors is made in England.One on right with with windows in front doors is made in China

[sheffcortinacentre]

Oops forgot about that one

[bunglebus]

Yes my latest red one has the doors cast closed, all my others (gold, green) are open.

Looks like I used to have a very nice red closed version that stayed in the loft of my marital home...

[bunglebus]

Ages ago I bought some mystery plastic Matchbox copies, and it was suggested they were powered by blowing into them, spinning a flywheel inside

Well someone on FB found a NOS box of them

Blow N Go Action

Collect them all! 

Looks like I might have collected about half all of them all going by the colours visible, a yellow Datsun 280 and red Porsche 928 instead of vice versa.

Forgot I had the opposite colours too

There are a couple of different types pictured on the box but who knows if they made it to production 

 

[Datsuncog]

On 8/28/2022 at 10:35 AM, Datsuncog said:

300TD rather than TE, but looks to be a reasonable stab at an S124 wagon.

I've had these two from new - hence my cack-handed 'detailing' of the indicators etc using a Matchbox Graffic Traffic pen c.1990...

 

On 8/28/2022 at 12:07 PM, AndyW201 said:

Crilkey, that's a new one on me! Another one to hunt down, I quite fancy the beige taxi version for a bit of tampo removing. Problem being any Corgi Junior or 1/64 Matchbox I fancy are always stupid money. Mainly why I still don't have a Matchbox Cavalier yet...

Finally got round to digging out my Bill Manzke book on Corgi Juniors - seems that the Merc S124 wagon was made as follows:

J94 - Mercedes-Benz 300TD Wagon; red body, clear windows, black base and interior. Introduced March 1988.

J95 - Mercedes-Benz 300TD Wagon: (a) white body, clear windows, black base and interior; (b) silver body, clear windows, black base and interior. Introduced January 1989.

J96 - Mercedes-Benz 300TD Taxi: (a) greyish-green body, black 'TAXI' on doors; (b) tan body, black 'TAXI' on doors with thin black side stripe. Introduced April 1988.

So my pair would appear to be a J95b and J96b from the late '80s.

There also appear to have been a Fire Chief and an Ambulance version produced, with the addition of graphics and a plastic light bar. These seem to have been included in a number of different Auto-City playsets from the early to mid-1990s, but not sold (or numbered) separately.

Perhaps the most interesting variant is the post-1995 version produced in Hot Wheels packaging, after Mattel secured the rights to the old Corgi Juniors castings in their 'divorce settlement', following Corgi's management staging a buy-out to form Corgi Toys Ltd and focus on their 1/43 Classics range.

As well as wearing dished Hot Wheels spoked 'alloys', the casting was also gussied up with detailed lights and grille and a grey base and interior. I'd say this looks the best of all of them - but may be harder to track down.

Happy hunting!

[sierraman]

I have several of those W124 estates, they seem to have got the proportions too wide I reckon, the Matchbox rendition seems much more accurate. Any sign of a new case in the Tesco?

[bunglebus]

Not yet, but several people have found the new Hot Wheels Volvo drift wagon in the UK so I'm going hunting today

[Datsuncog]

26 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Not yet, but several people have found the new Hot Wheels Volvo drift wagon in the UK so I'm going hunting today

Oh yeah, I picked up one of them in Home Bargains the other day - forgot to mention it here.

Unusual in that it's right-hand drive and seems to have a vaguely UK-style rear plate - plus a pair of dogs in the boot, which must surely be a nod to 60s and 70s Matchbox Mercury wagons?

Front detailing's not quite as good, though they've made a bit of an effort with the grille moulded as part of the chromed interior:

I think I bought it on impulse because it was a 240 estate with (nominally) the same 1980s front end as my own Volvo - which the Corgi and Majorette 200-series wagons aren't - but I dunno if I really want to keep it.

If anyone gets bored with hunting, this can be yours for the £1.49 purchase price plus post!

 

1 hour ago, sierraman said:

I have several of those W124 estates, they seem to have got the proportions too wide I reckon, the Matchbox rendition seems much more accurate.

It's far too wide; apparently most toymakers make their model cars slightly wider than true dimensions so it doesn't look too skinny when viewed from above (child's-eye-view), but I agree Corgi went a bit overboard with this casting.

Still, my silver and tan taxi examples lived for a long while on my model rail layout - I really liked them as they looked quite realistic, despite the rubbishy 'quadrant' wheels they all seem to have been fitted with. Not a massive amount of play value, mind - an opening boot or towbar would have helped, I reckon.

Glad I've still got mine, though.

[sierraman]

I know it’s not the Hot Wheels ethos but that Volvo would look loads better without all the hot rod shit stuck to it.

[Split_Pin]

Hey @Datsuncog can I dibs the Volvo please! I've  been waiting for it to come out.

[Datsuncog]

13 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Hey @Datsuncog can I dibs the Volvo please! I've  been waiting for it to come out.

Sure thing!

I'll set it aside for you; and I'll also keep an eye out for any others that might crop up, if it's a sought-after release.

[Remspoor]

20 hours ago, andrew e said:

Visited an Antiques fair for the first time in ages, and while she examined the vintage jewellery I wandered off totally unattended….. of course as we all know the lure of loose cash in ones pockets always brings temptation,  however this time I could hear the ghostly chants of @RoadworkUK &  @eddyramrod egging me on whistling in my ears…. BUY IT BUY IT….. they chanted - and I buckled! 

Well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it 😉

So the crisp £20 note in my pocket begged to have a new owner, and off it vanished in exchange for this Z3 Coupe, lightly  crumpled box and all.

It’s a UT models 1/18th diecast and it really is lovely. Doors and bonnet open, the interior has the blue seats just like the real thing. Under bonnet is nicely done though the chassis is a little bare. Still I think it’s delightful.

 

 

I have to admit I am not a lover of the BMW brand. I know,  I know. However, that is a fine model. 20 squids is a bargain.

[sierraman]

So this is a not exhaustive list of Cortinas, does not include the Bulgarian ones.

[andy18s]

My Portuguese contact is supplying these and older Mercedes from the middle of Sept at around £20 posted...

[sheffcortinacentre]

46 minutes ago, sierraman said:

So this is a not exhaustive list of Cortinas, does not include the Bulgarian ones.

I was once told there was a red fire chief version, but never seen anything in print re it.

[Dodgem driver]

Hi all, I'm a newbie here, been following this thread for quite a while. Just thought I'd share what I picked up at a car show at the weekend. I found a nice black Corvette, that is also a phone! Couldn't resist it. Opening doors too. The other purchase was quite a find I reckon.  A Dodge Challenger the seller told me was made by Highway 61, no writing underneath the car. The Challenger is my favourite muscle car anyway, maybe because of the 'Vanishing Point' movie, but I really love this pink colour too, so 70s. The detail on this model is crazy. Separate parts for seat belts, window winders, real removable bonnet pins on the hood or bonnet. It has a headliner inside the roof and a jack in the boot, with the spare wheel. It's got to be worth way more than the £20 I paid for it. But it's a stunning model car and I'm not selling it!

[AnnoyingPentium]

7 hours ago, Dodgem driver said:

Taking the car-phone in a whole new direction.

[Datsuncog]

9 hours ago, Dodgem driver said:

Hi all, I'm a newbie here, been following this thread for quite a while. Just thought I'd share what I picked up at a car show at the weekend. I found a nice black Corvette, that is also a phone! Couldn't resist it. Opening doors too. The other purchase was quite a find I reckon.  A Dodge Challenger the seller told me was made by Highway 61, no writing underneath the car. The Challenger is my favourite muscle car anyway, maybe because of the 'Vanishing Point' movie, but I really love this pink colour too, so 70s. The detail on this model is crazy. Separate parts for seat belts, window winders, real removable bonnet pins on the hood or bonnet. It has a headliner inside the roof and a jack in the boot, with the spare wheel. It's got to be worth way more than the £20 I paid for it. But it's a stunning model car and I'm not selling it!

Welcome aboard!

Those are two very nice finds - the Corvette doesn't look like it'd be much fun to use as a phone for long conversations, what with the wheels digging into your head and all, but it's a nicely detailed model. Are you able to check if it still works?

I seem to recall similar novelty phones (Porsche 911, maybe?) where the headlights and taillights flashed and the ringer made a car-horn noise whenever a call was incoming. Weird but kinda wonderful.

The Challenger R/T looks a mega-bargain for £20 - 1/18 scale on that one?

Great detail, and they've done a good job with the eyepopping Panther Pink paint. Thanks for sharing!

[sierraman]

14 hours ago, sheffcortinacentre said:

I was once told there was a red fire chief version, but never seen anything in print re it.

Would have been possible, loads of left over decals were sold off in ‘82, so it’s possible the sticker from a Mercury could have found its way into a Cortina.

[Split_Pin]

10 hours ago, Dodgem driver said:

Hi all, I'm a newbie here, been following this thread for quite a while. Just thought I'd share what I picked up at a car show at the weekend. I found a nice black Corvette, that is also a phone! Couldn't resist it. Opening doors too. The other purchase was quite a find I reckon.  A Dodge Challenger the seller told me was made by Highway 61, no writing underneath the car. The Challenger is my favourite muscle car anyway, maybe because of the 'Vanishing Point' movie, but I really love this pink colour too, so 70s. The detail on this model is crazy. Separate parts for seat belts, window winders, real removable bonnet pins on the hood or bonnet. It has a headliner inside the roof and a jack in the boot, with the spare wheel. It's got to be worth way more than the £20 I paid for it. But it's a stunning model car and I'm not selling it!

Welcome along!

I initially thought the Dodge was made by American Muscle but having owned a few of those in the past, the detail on yours sounds far superior. Where can you get a 1/18 for £20 now? Nowhere, so it definitely sounds like a bargain.

[warch]

That's so eighties I love it. Reminds me of this somehow..

[bunglebus]

Well I'll be jiggered, T K Maxx have loads of Majorettes! 

[Datsuncog]

Crumbs, that's unexpected.

I was in our local store on Monday, but they didn't have much in the way of diecast (except for some triple packs of 1/43 DTM cars by a Chinese manufacturer whose name I now can't remember - well detailed, but not my bag).

Land Rover station wagon with opening bits looks appealing; pity the Hyundai and Volvo aren't a bit more boring and standard in their paintwork!

[RoadworkUK]

14 hours ago, Dodgem driver said:

Hi all, I'm a newbie here,

(1:18 Dodge Challenger porn)

Welcome along to the best thread of this eternally time-sucking forum. And gosh that's a lovely Challenger, and an utter steal for twenny notes.

3 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I initially thought the Dodge was made by American Muscle but having owned a few of those in the past, the detail on yours sounds far superior. 

I believe Highway 61 kinda sorta is a high-end spin off from American Muscle; the castings were by Ertl, and there were various levels of detail applied to them. The American Muscle 'Elite edition' range was a kind of earlier precursor to Highway 61. I think Auto World has taken over from the whole Ertl shooting match.

[bunglebus]

Majorette wot I did buy

There's a bit of a back story here, arch nemesis VW collector who's always getting into the toy fair early and vacuuming up all the interesting toys posted on FB about TK Maxx having VW Majorettes - but he only found the normal versions, not the colour changers. I shot into the Chelmsford branch and grabbed spares of each so I'm swapping him a pair for the normal Beetle that I didn't find, and something else as yet undecided. Nice to have something he doesn't for a change!

I also checked out Asda  in the hope of finding the Volvo drift wagon, they'd clearly had a new case at some point but it was thoroughly raided, I came away with just this Batmobile

As I was out and about, thought I'd look into Smyths - very helpful chap recognised me as a Hot Wheels hunter and grabbed several boxes off the top of the racks - just this Camaro to show for his efforts unfortunately 

Lastly, Poundstretcher had restocked an older case, only thing I took was this Kool Kombi - typical that I look for one for months and then two show up within days. Shame I've already stripped the boot sale one as that Hello Kitty paint job deserves to die

[sierraman]

To say I’m not a Hot Wheels fan I like the 70’s to 90’s ones