Shite in Miniature II

[danthecapriman]

And two of my recently acquired truck trailers, minus their tractor units have now regained suitable ones.

Corgi Major Bedford S to go with the repainted original style Carrimore trailer. Just waiting on a replacement trailer pin for this one.  
And a Dinky AEC for the car transporter trailer. Yeah, ok, it’s not the right livery but this army surplus version is in really nice condition.

Just need to find or make the missing ramp for the big Dinky.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

  On 14/01/2023 at 14:07, danthecapriman said:

And two of my recently acquired truck trailers, minus their tractor units have now regained suitable ones.

Corgi Major Bedford S to go with the repainted original style Carrimore trailer. Just waiting on a replacement trailer pin for this one.  
And a Dinky AEC for the car transporter trailer. Yeah, ok, it’s not the right livery but this army surplus version is in really nice condition.

Just need to find or make the missing ramp for the big Dinky.

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Oof. That Dinky AEC is a lovely looking casting. 

[danthecapriman]

  On 14/01/2023 at 14:08, Dick Longbridge said:

Oof. That Dinky AEC is a lovely looking casting. 

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It is a lovely looking truck. They’re a big old lump too! Bigger than the Corgi Majors.

[MiniMinorMk3]

  On 14/01/2023 at 14:00, danthecapriman said:

Post lady has been this morning! Bless her!!

Neither of my new job-lot boxes are here which sucks but…

Youll all be pleased to know the UK’s population of Dinky Lincoln Continental’s has gone up by 1. I’ve been after the blue & white one since I got the copper colour one a while back but they don’t seem as common here, so I (definitely overspent because postage!) bagged this rather nice one from New York of all places.    
Nice to repatriate one though. 

One more to find to complete the set - the metallic blue with red roof version. But I’ve never actually seen one. Yet.

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The metallic blue with red roof is probably a Nicky Toys version. Nicky Toys are Indian made under licence from Dinky. They did a large range of colour options.

Here's just a few examples I found on my favourite toy auction site Vectis

[danthecapriman]

  On 14/01/2023 at 14:18, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The metallic blue with red roof is probably a Nicky Toys version. Nicky Toys are Indian made under licence from Dinky. They did a large range of colour options.

Here's just a few examples I found on my favourite toy auction site Vectis

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Well done! Now I’m going to have to hunt those down too!😆

[500tops]

Charity shop pickings 

[500tops]

[500tops]

[bunglebus]

Despite saying I couldn't go, I managed to get a job in Cornwall finished yesterday in time to get back for the Brentwood toy fair. As usual it's big but most things were hugely expensive. 

A full report may have to wait as it's been a very busy afternoon and the evening isn't looking much quieter.

Here are some random pics of stuff I saw

I think these are made by the same company (Imperial) that made my Sand Digger copies with the sticky roller underneath 

Not seen this school bus variant before

George voice controlled van?

Tin plate..or was is plastic? Rico (?) Seat was amazing

One of several very strange Batmobiles 

Plastic Crapi

Talking of plastic

[junkyarddog]

My new years resolution not to buy anymore diecast toy cars is going well*

It is a cracking little thing though!

[Spottedlaurel]

  On 14/01/2023 at 17:09, bunglebus said:

Despite saying I couldn't go, I managed to get a job in Cornwall finished yesterday in time to get back for the Brentwood toy fair. As usual it's big but most things were hugely expensive. 

A full report may have to wait as it's been a very busy afternoon and the evening isn't looking much quieter.

Here are some random pics of stuff I saw........

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Good to finally meet Rich today!

I bought stuff from this stall, he did me a deal on three boxed Superfast. Note the white Corgi Escort to the right of the first photo, it's an RS1600i which I've not seen before. I got a photo, will get them on here later once I've been through my bag of goodies/tat.

[bunglebus]

  On 14/01/2023 at 17:19, Spottedlaurel said:

Good to finally meet Rich today!

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You too, thanks for lending me a pound after I skinted myself - I literally spent every penny I had on me. 

Final 80p had been spent on something for @flat4alfa

 

[danthecapriman]

@bunglebus what make was that plastic Crapi?

Great stuff there btw. I’ve not been anywhere like that for years, but I remember all those trays full of Matchbox etc from toy fairs. A good few of my ones came from places like that. I expect the prices have changed a bit though!

[AnthonyG]

50p in local charity shop. It was in a box of the usual modern Chinese rubbish, I felt since it had survived at least 40 years in such good nick it merited saving from further abuse from children! 

I remember Initial vans from the 1980s, there were everywhere in city centres. Initial were really big in laundry services (like the old roller towels in public conveniences).

[andrew e]

Gutted that have not made Brentwood, (wasn’t local till toyfair chucking out time) but pleased @Spottedlaurel was acting as @bunglebus diecast conscious and making him go for broke 😂

[Spottedlaurel]

  On 14/01/2023 at 18:07, andrew e said:

Gutted that have not made Brentwood, (wasn’t local till toyfair chucking out time) but pleased @Spottedlaurel was acting as @bunglebus diecast conscious and making him go for broke 😂

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I was no help whatsoever keeping him in check. My own restraint saw me end up with 10p in my pocket at the end of the day - luckily they took a card payment for a much-needed cup of tea. My self-restraint did at least see me not use the card to purchase anything off the stalls - that's a very slippery slope I don't want to go down.....

[Split_Pin]

  On 14/01/2023 at 17:59, AnthonyG said:

50p in local charity shop. It was in a box of the usual modern Chinese rubbish, I felt since it had survived at least 40 years in such good nick it merited saving from further abuse from children! 

I remember Initial vans from the 1980s, there were everywhere in city centres. Initial were really big in laundry services (like the old roller towels in public conveniences).

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Good find, these are a great wee casting. Initial used Leyland FGs which were the next size down in the Redline range, all built beside each other at Bathgate.

[bunglebus]

  On 14/01/2023 at 17:57, danthecapriman said:

what make was that plastic Crapi?

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It was a "Made in Hong Kong"

Sadly a lot of stuff like this is completely unbranded, found a boxed plastic JPS Lotus today - no clues at all as to who made it

[Remspoor]

Comments relating to the Corgi video.

There a lot more cars manufactures than Fords. Volvo would be an excellent choice. Maybe  Stellantis products. They do not have to be the fast versions and they do not need to be newer models.

In the past cars which were rather obscure would have been produced.

If they are after high volume /returns then why produce those aeroplanes, even the tram, they must have a limited market.The same goes with the proposed working with heavy rock bands, what ever that may entail.

 

[FakeConcern]

  On 13/01/2023 at 16:40, Datsuncog said:

 

 

 

 Corgi Consul Classic - a bit down at heel, but complete and with all the glazing uncracked.

Opening bonnet is a nice touch.

 

 

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Lovely to see that Classic!

I had one in those colours when I was small and was my "Good Morning" car. I would put it on the table at breakfast and push the front down to compress the suspension so the bonnet partly opened, as it did this I would say good morning like a ventriloquist.

Unfortunately that Classic is one that's now ruined with a broken off bonnet, squished wing and a bad Humbrol re paint in brown!

[flat4alfa]

  On 14/01/2023 at 14:07, danthecapriman said:

Just need to find or make the missing ramp for the big Dinky.

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616/618   AEC green plastic ramps LH or RH    Each £2.00

http://model-supplies.co.uk/

[Richard_FM]

  On 14/01/2023 at 17:25, bunglebus said:

You too, thanks for lending me a pound after I skinted myself - I literally spent every penny I had on me. 

Final 80p had been spent on something for @flat4alfa

 

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I had one of these when I was young.

[flat4alfa]

Has anyone got one of these surplus, in any condition?

Majorette

Matchbox

Budgie

Spot-On

The rougher, the better.  To restorate.

[bunglebus]

  On 14/01/2023 at 22:23, flat4alfa said:

Has anyone got one of these surplus, in any condition?

Majorette

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I may have this one still - there are quite a few surplus ones I need to sort out and sell

 

[danthecapriman]

  On 14/01/2023 at 21:13, flat4alfa said:

616/618   AEC green plastic ramps LH or RH    Each £2.00

http://model-supplies.co.uk/

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Nice find that website. I’ve just had a look through all the Dinky list and the Hoynor car transporter ramps are available along with the set of wheel chocks! 
I might try to order them.

[flat4alfa]

A tired-looking, but seemingly happy Post Lady delivered this :

A Lone Star Maserati 'Mistrale' in 'Flyers' flavour.  Yes, they spelled 'Mistral' wrong.  The model was named after the Mediterranean wind.

The cracks in the screen will have to do, no biggie as it is thankfully a complete one.  There's not a lot about and not for a tickle over a fiver anyhow.

It has opening things!  And a steering wheel that is on the piss.

But Colin popped over, gave it the once-over and determined it has a problem!  Can you tell what it is?

Otherwise, it's pretty good and better than expected.  La condizione della vernice è abbastanza buona per me. 

Might post a who-did-it-worse? comparison with the Hot Wheels Masterati Mistral, although that is considerably rougher so might not as it deserves a bit of a refresh first.  Didn't want Pietro Frua (RIP) to turn in grave, either

[bunglebus]

Right, let's try and get today's finds in some sort of order. As I said, prices were somewhat salty for the most part - one seller had a dozen Marx Bulldog cars, the simple ones with just a single piece casting, no glass and a card base/interior - of course none had the card part, and they were all playworn. Saw one I didn't have - ten quid! 

Found a few older carded Hot Wheels

And a couple of the tiny ones

I saw a near-perfect one of these today, but £85 was a little out of my comfort zone. This one with mild wear was much more reasonable

A weirdo, not looked into it yet but the base says Tune Ups Marchon Inc 1987

This is what my borrowed pound paid for - an Alme BMW 633

Having already found a fairly tatty Volvo 245 from the same maker

For some reason these never have the maker's name on the base, but it looks like there's a blank where it should be

These three (Maisto I think but could be Yatming) were from one seller, two still in their blister but no card

Tidy Sonic Flashers Impala

I bought a really minty one of these years ago for my ex-wife, who liked '57 Chevies. Wish I'd taken it back when I left!

Wonder of wonders, a 50p tub! Think this has had at least a partial repaint

This one's original

Lastly an overpainted Course Hair, will make a nice custom I reckon

The seller of this always has a really varied selection of cars, and prices! A couple of quid for this early Siku seemed OK to me - also got the Tune Ups Mustang from him, and he had the big Seat I posted earlier

This was the first thing I picked up, and it's a biggun - Mira Renault 4CV has working rear suspension and doesn't fit in the photo booth!

Last, but not least, is this

Look how happy the little scallywags are, smashing up their oval window Beetles!

Sadly there aren't quite enough surviving parts to make a whole car, as there are no bumpers

I should also mention the Dinky Rover 3500 kindly donated by @Spottedlaurelthat hopefully will fix my copy one

That's all the toy fair stuff but there's more...

[flat4alfa]

Went to Cancer Research shop.  It's on a retail park and more like a super store, with furniture.

Saw a bag.  Why do they do this? 

What is the point in mixing toddler toys with die-cast collector items?  I mentioned this to the staff (in a polite way, as it seemed daft business practice) but their nonchalance was joined by the words 'It's just a bag of stuff'.  So was left having to decide to pay for it or leave it, as both staff ladies refused to even talk about it.  I'm pretty sure one of them is a paid employee too.  I was trying to help...

The decision was made to go ahead with the purchase due to 1) a charidee and guilt complex kicked-in, 2) there were four things of interest.  Half of it has already been put into the donations box - at a different charity shop, no less.

- Corgi's 1972 JPS Lotus.  Have childhood one back here already, but it seemed a good idea* to compare the state of each and move one on.

- A motorised chassis with rubber tyres, to remove and adapt into another bodyshell of something more interesting to go around a slot track.  For the hell of it.

- An R/C car perhaps to also do the same.  After pairing up with a controller to drive it about the lounge floor, annoying the cat.  And the wife when watching Bake Off.

- A Corgi Juniors Chevrolet British Gas van (unlikely in period!) example, which seems to be missing from the collection of the blighters back here.

 Not quite the best deal of the year so far, but at least the conscience is clear.   Might avoid those narky ladies though, on next visit.

[junkyarddog]

I have the same set,never tried to see if it it works,or a least i don't think I have

[flat4alfa]

  On 22/07/2020 at 14:55, flat4alfa said:

Bought this Marchon 'Tune Up' thing off @C1am

Never heard of Marchon Inc, it's also stamped 1986 but no county of origin stated.  A stateless Chevrolet.

It's around 1:46 in scale and has tried to be a 1957 Chevrolet in an authentic* customised form

The front bumper is jutted out in an ugly way.  What were they thinking?

But get this - if you lift up the 'engine' you find an 8mm hex bolt and a latch to the side of it.  Click the latch and - wow! - the ugliness recedes

What else the hex bolt does, I don't know.  All it seems to do is move a ratchet a quarter turn either way.   I can see it moving something internally, but it doesn't seem to change anything else.

Mind you, the rear wheels are locked-solid and it has an opening at the rear like Stormy Daniels.  All is not lost, as it has screws on the base.  Will inspect another time.

Found out this commercial from the time.  Ok, so it also needs a key.  But I'm still none the wiser until I get it apart

It's also stamped 'Patent Pending' on the base.  I think they may have been a tad over-keen on the technology...

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Marchon Tune Up @bunglebus