Shite in Miniature II

[sierraman]

32 minutes ago, sheffcortinacentre said:

Loads of how to make garages etc on YouTube 

Forgot to say I checked up in the Charlie Mack book, you are absolutely correct with the Cortina, it was featured in a 1984 Twin Pack with the Silver Shoes Horse Box, in both the tan and the red variety. 

[eddyramrod]

44 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

I got sidetracked wiring up lights in the garage over lunchtime, so neglected to post today's laptop-cheering diecast pics... a thousand apologies.

It's... the Lesney Major Pack No.2 Bedford TK tractor unit with York Freightmaster box trailer.

This was another market find, albeit the tractor and the trailer turned up several weeks apart. But that was ok, as I think I only paid 50p for each component.

Even with the rear doors missing, I still think it'd warrant more than a quid in most dealers' purviews.

It's in that 'just nice' condition where it looks fundamentally clean, and displays very well, but isn't so minty that you feel guilty breathing too close to it.

I've never heard of Davies Tyres, but I'll assume they were a real brand back in the 1960s, as Matchbox stuff tended to model genuine commercial liveries.

There's a bit of damage to the waterslide transfers, but not so much to make it look unduly tatty.

The underside is very orange too. I understand this one came in a few different colourways over the years, but this was the first and the longest-lived version.

It's a testament to the Bedford's flexibility that a truck designed in the 1950s was still being built into the 1980s (and later, if you count the AWD version).

They were the default coal lorry while I was growing up, so a slightly tatty TK always raises my spirits somewhat.

A belated Happy Friday, kids.

I like that a lot, I had one as a kiddy (when they were new, lol).  I agree about the coal lorries, they were everywhere in the 70s.  I even, when at art college in 76, photographed some of them loading up and weighing out  at the National Fuel Distributors depot in Southport (my mother worked in the office  ).  Ten years later I would get to drive one, if only around the yard, at the produce wholesaler where I worked.  It was slow as molasses but oh boy, what a truck it felt like!

[warch]

Grace’s Guide lists a Davies Tyre Co up until the early 60s, selling quite an interesting range including off road and military tyres. 

[AndyW201]

Around our area, the Bedford TK will always be known as "the Lowcocks lemonade wagon". For decades, on  Friday afternoons and evenings, Bedfords would be cruising the streets of Middlesbrough delivering proper glass-bottle pop. Lowcocks Dandelion & Burdock with Friday night chippy tea? I'll say! 

[eddyramrod]

"Dents" is a splendid name for a panel beating shop!

[quicksilver]

Has anyone else bought a TWC model from the esteemed Mr HubNut? Seems a lot of people have as the first two batches sold out very quickly and mine is number 111 from the third batch.

Of course you might remember I had an 'unofficial' TWC I had created before this model was announced. That one has had a change of identity to another example that might be familiar, albeit not looking quite like this.

 

[Split_Pin]

Those numberplates are great, really accurate font.

When I knew Covid was coming and we'd all be sent to work from home I took as many screenshots from Fancyplates .co.uk as I could and colour printed them to scale at work. It was a great way to create accurate plates like yours there.

[quicksilver]

3 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Those numberplates are great, really accurate font.

When I knew Covid was coming and we'd all be sent to work from home I took as many screenshots from Fancyplates .co.uk as I could and colour printed them to scale at work. It was a great way to create accurate plates like yours there.

Authentic numberplates are something I have a real thing about as they can do so much to improve a model. I spent years searching for accurate pre-2001 fonts without success until a lady on one of the Facebook model bus groups created this Windows font file by scanning all the individual Bluemels plastic digits. It must have taken a lot of work but was definitely worth it.

[Jon]

Watcher mini-shiters, finally finished months working away, so a few days rest at home sorting out loads of life admin, before we hop on a plane (well, more than 1) back to the UK next weekend!

So, rather than sort out actually important stuff, I thought it best to seek out and quickly snap away at all the die cast that I don't want/need, just in case any of you fellas thousands of miles away might be keen to trade:

Let's get the the Hot Wheels out the way first. I'm mystified as to why I collected so many.

Close-ups:

Yes, that's SIX 850 touring cars and FOUR 944s. Kept buying them when they were hot stuff on here and I imagined I wouldn't have to wait until now to take my delayed 2020 UK trip.

 

90's MX5s are in good nick. Some later cards seem damaged from storage (but the premium ones are all good).

 

Not sure really how to pass these on but I figured that packing anything of interest is a start, to get it in the right country, at least. I'd also be more interested in swaps, with the idea that I'd take a lot less back to NZ with me, in exchange.

Lots more photos to come, as well as an idea of stuff that mildly interests me to trade with.

[Jon]

More Hot Wheels. What's bloody wrong with me?!

Germans

Italians 

 

Poms

 

Took the RR out to take photos of, so I've had my fun with it. Liked the Variant but couldn't find an old casting to compare it to.

Septics. Ditto for unboxing of the pick-up.

 

Japanese stuff. I guess I could've added the Element to the US pile. And maybe the white Z too, as I bought that from a Dollar Tree store in the US 5 years ago. International traveller!

[Jon]

This is a bit more like it:

Both 1/24 Bburagos. The Alfa is in nice nick, the Benz quite shabby.

 

Escort van nicer than the 505 but both respectable.

 

1/43 GAMA 3 Series. Can't remember if I have a box for it or not.

 

Tomica Nissan truck, very careworn but an honest old tool. 1/55 approx.

Missing rear trailer flap.

 

The box on this Dinky Beetle is terrible (matching the paint quality control, tbh) but the model itself is not damaged.

 

Bought as is but the two obviously weren't sold new together. Trailer is rather nice, though.

 

All plastic Tonka (US model Escort?), dated 1982.

 

Fun Ho! Holden ambulance, made in NZ. Matchbox sized.

[eddyramrod]

Bagsy the Holden ambulance and the Nissan artic please!  Any Dodge Diplomats over there (1/64 by Greenlight, 1/43 and 1/24 by Motor Max)?  They're simply unobtanium over here and I'll take two or three, or possibly more, in any scale I can get.

[Jon]

1/43* time.

Sintra has a missing door mirror and box is awful. Box also awful for Solido quattro. Think there's a box for the 18. Thunderbird found last minute and chucked in. No name on base.

 

More boxed Solidos.

 

Couple of Mk3 Escorts, including a fire damaged one!

 

Verem and Solido 928s. Boxed (really need to find where they're hiding).

 

Nice box on this Saab.

 

This is a Guiloy Fiesta. Has a shabby display case box.

 

Almost thought of holding onto the 505 but I'm not a fan of these era Solido wheels. Likewise the 305 (again, sure there's a box!)

 

Panzer Benz is nice but not mint. 

 

Not sure anyone sees merit in magazine part work taxis or a Bburago Punto winging their way across the world - but if you don't ask...

[Dick Cheeseburger]

4 minutes ago, Jon said:

1/43* time.

Sintra has a missing door mirror and box is awful. Box also awful for Solido quattro. Think there's a box for the 18. Thunderbird found last minute and chucked in. No name on base.

 

More boxed Solidos.

 

Couple of Mk3 Escorts, including a fire damaged one!

 

Verem and Solido 928s. Boxed (really need to find where they're hiding).

 

Nice box on this Saab.

 

This is a Guiloy Fiesta. Has a shabby display case box.

 

Almost thought of holding onto the 505 but I'm not a fan of these era Solido wheels. Likewise the 305 (again, sure there's a box!)

 

Panzer Benz is nice but not mint. 

 

Not sure anyone sees merit in magazine part work taxis or a Bburago Punto winging their way across the world - but if you don't ask...

Interested in the Guiloy Fiesta 👌

Don't suppose you have any Binis amongst your hoard? 

[Jon]

Those smalls in the previous post include a couple of Tootsie Toys bought at a second hand shop in Delta, Colorado. The 911 still has the sticker, as most of the remaining paint is attached to it.

 

Various Opel 1/43s. Blue on left is a Polistil, the Calibra is a GAMA I think and the Tigras are Schucos. Some barring the Polistil have boxes.

 

Mixed bag - small wheel Commer van has a Spokey Doke wedged in the back.

 

Lovely little Majorette R4 in an astoundingly bad box.

 

Dublo Thames lorry and an engine that may not belong to it.

 

Anyway, if anyone fancies a trade, I'd love anything 1/43 and pre-1990. Careworn not a problem as I know there's not too much fun stuff in here. Or if people would rather pay cash, I'm sure that can be done too.

Likely more to come - I'll scout about the place.

[Jon]

Forgot these!!

Majorette Morgan and 205 CTI are both really nice. Matchbox Astra police looks like it's been attacked with Tippex. Red Volvo 244 is a Playart and has been taken apart and painted by someone else and is missing its glass.

 

Bunch of weirdos (and a very nice Matchbox R11). Matchbox Beetle missing its deck lid, natch.

 

Stone the bladdy crows! A Holden van!

 

Mess on the display case of this Vanguards 205 is just sticker residue.

 

 

Likewise for these two. From what I remember, these both sell quite well in the UK but I'd rather an interesting swap, than looking for a good cash price, etc.

[Jon]

28 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Bagsy the Holden ambulance and the Nissan artic please!  Any Dodge Diplomats over there (1/64 by Greenlight, 1/43 and 1/24 by Motor Max)?  They're simply unobtanium over here and I'll take two or three, or possibly more, in any scale I can get.

I can stick 'em in the pile to bring. I'll be round Kendal/Windermere area, if you fancied picking up in person.

And @Dick Longbridge, no BMW Minis but I'll put the Fiesta aside, too.

[sierraman]

I have a Dinky BMW 1500 I’m happy to trade? 

[Split_Pin]

Interested in the 1/43 Opels and the small scale Volvo 240 if nobody has bagsied them?

[Jon]

7 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I have a Dinky BMW 1500 I’m happy to trade? 

Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I'd be interested in. See anything you like?

1 minute ago, Split_Pin said:

Interested in the 1/43 opens and the small scale Volvo 240 if nobody has bagsied them?

Can set them aside for you. Heading up to Arbroath, if that's anywhere near your neck of the woods?

[eddyramrod]

18 minutes ago, Jon said:

I can stick 'em in the pile to bring. I'll be round Kendal/Windermere area, if you fancied picking up in person.

And @Dick Longbridge, no BMW Minis but I'll put the Fiesta aside, too.

Magnificent!  I'll see if I can dig out some potential swoppers.

[AndyW201]

How much would you be looking for, for the Vanguards Fiesta? I don't think I have anything you'd be interested in to trade with.

[Split_Pin]

Bburago Mercedes as well!

[Split_Pin]

Solidos, Talbot Horizon, 305 and Escort MK3.

[Split_Pin]

45 minutes ago, Jon said:

 

Can set them aside for you. Heading up to Arbroath, if that's anywhere near your neck of the woods?

Yes you'll pass close by me, I'm in Bonnybridge, Central Scotland. If you let me know your route I can work out a place to meet you? 

I'm happy to pay cash but can bring a few bags of diecast that may fit what you are looking for. 

When are you heading up?

[Jon]

I'll send some PMs out later, as it's past my bed time here. 

In the meantime, keep the requests flowing in! I guess I'll have to make up a list of stuff but I don't think there's been any double requests, so far.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

@JonWhat sort of money is the Vanguards Cav Gsi?  Interested in one of the six HW Ovlov touring cars too.

[Justwatching]

1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (as appeared in Smokey and the Bandit II) in 1:64 by Greenlight. 

[andrew e]

@Jon there is a absolute cavalcade of mini shite there! Will have a rummage in the swaps box 👍

[Nibbler]

One of southern Sweden‘s biggest boot sales was today. I’m really pleased with my findings. Probably my sixth Corgi Saab 9000, this time in red. Corgi Mercedes 190 in really nice condition but missing the Mercedes star. Opel Manta nice as well. Aro 243 new in box. The Siku Tempo Matador missing stuff on the roof, otherwise really good and a better Majorette Limousine than my old one.