Shite in Miniature II

[FakeConcern]

As it seems quiet on here I just thought I’d add a few pictures of some childhood cars I still have, some ok, some wrecked and some modified...

First the Corgi Majors transporter, I don’t remember the horns being broken off, I was sure they were just bent down. I’m hoping they’re in the bottom of the box...

I’m trying to get examples of all the cars that came with it. I have the Cortina Estate in blue, but it’s now part of a sculpture as I’ve mentioned before so I’ve bought one from @danthecapriman and it should be here soon.

Of the Minis here just one is from the set, the pale blue Minor now black. The Yellow one here was a red Seven and pre dates the rest. There’s no sign of the Monte Mini or the wicker side Cooper that came with it.

As you can see I have the Rover 2000 complete still. The bronze colour Imp seems to have gone and I bought one from Dan.

My Green Mini Magnifique is in bits, some I haven’t found yet. A few years ago someone* decided the box all these toys was in was just the size they needed and tipped the lot into another box causing all sorts of problems, losses and breakages, luckily I’m not one to bring up the past or harbour a grudge...

My original Surfer Mini Countryman badly Humbroled red and white and with a back door made from a bit of aluminium venetian blind...

Commer gift set is still pretty much intact despite much use...

Unlike the sorry state of the Lotus Racing set, as can be seen the trailer has lost it’s tow hitch so I need to look out for one of them.  The box lid got damaged/worn out so I made the replacement you see here. The orange Elan is the second I owned and pretty much ruined, but was played with endlessly, now repainted Humbrol orange similar to original colour, roof was white and had been painted black, now bare metal. The others all ok, but very playworn.

 

This MGB GT suffered from me wanting it to be a roadster! (another on its way from Dan).

This Dinky Capri despite not such an accurate model as the Corgi Roger Clarke one, is lovely for the wheels and colour, shame I decided it needed a sunroof (and I think also a matt black “vinyl” roof at one time).

I always wanted the Safari VW Beetle, but had two Polizei instead, this is what happened to one of them...

 Note the wire wheels on the back, maybe from a Marcos 1800?

I'll add some more as I get around to sorting out the box of bits.

[danthecapriman]

48 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

As it seems quiet on here I just thought I’d add a few pictures of some childhood cars I still have, some ok, some wrecked and some modified...

First the Corgi Majors transporter, I don’t remember the horns being broken off, I was sure they were just bent down. I’m hoping they’re in the bottom of the box...

I’m trying to get examples of all the cars that came with it. I have the Cortina Estate in blue, but it’s now part of a sculpture as I’ve mentioned before so I’ve bought one from @danthecapriman and it should be here soon.

Of the Minis here just one is from the set, the pale blue Minor now black. The Yellow one here was a red Seven and pre dates the rest. There’s no sign of the Monte Mini or the wicker side Cooper that came with it.

As you can see I have the Rover 2000 complete still. The bronze colour Imp seems to have gone and I bought one from Dan.

My Green Mini Magnifique is in bits, some I haven’t found yet. A few years ago someone* decided the box all these toys was in was just the size they needed and tipped the lot into another box causing all sorts of problems, losses and breakages, luckily I’m not one to bring up the past or harbour a grudge...

My original Surfer Mini Countryman badly Humbroled red and white and with a back door made from a bit of aluminium venetian blind...

Commer gift set is still pretty much intact despite much use...

Unlike the sorry state of the Lotus Racing set, as can be seen the trailer has lost it’s tow hitch so I need to look out for one of them.  The box lid got damaged/worn out so I made the replacement you see here. The orange Elan is the second I owned and pretty much ruined, but was played with endlessly, now repainted Humbrol orange similar to original colour, roof was white and had been painted black, now bare metal. The others all ok, but very playworn.

 

This MGB GT suffered from me wanting it to be a roadster! (another on its way from Dan).

This Dinky Capri despite not such an accurate model as the Corgi Roger Clarke one, is lovely for the wheels and colour, shame I decided it needed a sunroof (and I think also a matt black “vinyl” roof at one time).

I always wanted the Safari VW Beetle, but had two Polizei instead, this is what happened to one of them...

 

 Note the wire wheels on the back, maybe from a Marcos 1800?

I'll add some more as I get around to sorting out the box of bits.

Shouldn’t be long now and your parcel should arrive… when it does, any chance of a pic of the Carrimore loaded with most of its original complement of cars!?😁

While on that subject, was the copper coloured Imp that came in that set available on its own separately? It seems a bit rarer than the usual blue ones.

[eddyramrod]

I don't think it was, Dan; I can't remember seeing it offered solo.

[Split_Pin]

Have to say, I can't wait for my parcel from @danthecaprimanto arrive, its the third in almost as many weeks!

[Jon]

Watcher lads, let me tell you about a nice little score I got just now from my favourite community charity shop, which is in the next town along.

I go mostly for the "fill a bag for $5" (£2.50-ish) deal they have on clothes, which is ideal for work/garage stuff that gets all messed up. Anything that doesn't fit goes back to them but I don't mind the gamble, when I can stuff 11 shirts and a pair of shorts into the free bag:

Anything buggered also makes good rags too, although from cleaning out the garage, it seems like I have plenty of those already...

Anyway, as I exited the shop, I noticed a dog-eared but very interesting box piled up in their car park. Here's what was in it:

Some Lego! Albeit very dirty Lego - or least, the bits that are loose. Forensic investigation of the filthy page 31 deemed this the point at which play stopped. And I can already see at least 1 mistake.

 

Actually, even the bagged stuff has some external filth and there's a strong cigarette odour, so the bags will get a clean and I'll disassemble and wash the loose bits.

 

And here's the dog-eared box in question! And some more loose smelly bits. I'm hopeful that it's complete, since only stage 1 was partially built.

Anyway, I nipped back in the shop and asked how much. Once the lady at the till ascertained it wasn't from the free toys pile(!), she said "coupla bucks?". You should've seen her eyes widen when I handed over a $10 note and increased her offer five-fold. (It's at this juncture that I hasten to add that in my excitement, I hadn't even noticed that items were still bagged, as I'd have been a bit more generous).

Anyway, should keep me entertained for about £5!

[Split_Pin]

Great find, I have that one and it's a really fun model to play with.

[sierraman]

7 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Have to say, I can't wait for my parcel from @danthecaprimanto arrive, its the third in almost as many weeks!

If it arrives today that will be my high point of the day. 

[danthecapriman]

Got a parcel from @FakeConcern as part of a swap deal.

Lovely pair of Corgi Commer vans. Well happy with these two as I’ve not got these versions so thank you very much @FakeConcern👍 

[155V6]

Some Majorette stuff in Asda just now

There were also these HW Monster trucks which looked like some sort of colour changers

[Datsuncog]

On 1/25/2023 at 1:49 PM, tom13 said:

Anyone have any Kaido house they want to sell or trade? I really want a 510 wagon.

I'm also after cycling team cars or cars with bikes on the roof and anything Travis Pastrana. I have the Monster truck but that is all.

Hadn't heard of that outfit before... nice models, but I'm sure they're not all that cheap!

I'll keep my eyes peeled in the 50p boxes, though don't go holding your breath...

[Datsuncog]

Apologies for a lack of further toybox action this week - as ever, events have conspired, and  lunchtimes yesterday and today have been otherwise engaged...

Although some boxes are currently winging their way across the sea - hopefully some hot diecast action making its way over to @danthecapriman, @bunglebusand @andrew e :

(The Essex contingent sharing a box this time round, to save the posties an additional trek)

[Split_Pin]

An unexpectedly heavy parcel from @danthecapriman, the postie certainly earned his £2.85 today!

I bloody love these Superkings Capris, I only have the beige one with the brown roof and this one is in much nicer condition so had to have it.

But check out this bad boy:

I've wanted this Dinky AEC for ages and when it came up I jumped at it. It needs new filler caps but apart from that it's staying original. Did I mention, it's heavy.

[danthecapriman]

51 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

An unexpectedly heavy parcel from @danthecapriman, the postie certainly earned his £2.85 today!

I bloody love these Superkings Capris, I only have the beige one with the brown roof and this one is in much nicer condition so had to have it.

But check out this bad boy:

I've wanted this Dinky AEC for ages and when it came up I jumped at it. It needs new filler caps but apart from that it's staying original. Did I mention, it's heavy.

Glad you like it and it sounds like it’s found a good home now!

They are a surprisingly big heavy model aren’t they! Look great though. I did toy with the idea of keeping this but one man doesn’t really need two.

Can you see anything inside the tanker? I’m sure something was rattling around inside but I couldn’t see what it was.

[andrew e]

@Jon  incredible deal on the F2F Lego!!!!

[Split_Pin]

17 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Can you see anything inside the tanker? I’m sure something was rattling around inside but I couldn’t see what it was.

I'll take a look!

[danthecapriman]

17 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I'll take a look!

Maybe it’s the missing tank caps!😄

[sierraman]

Received package today from @danthecapriman, cheered up an otherwise ghastly day at work. Looking forward to winding down and discreetly playing with them. 🤣

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

Maybe it’s the missing tank caps!😄

Nope it was 2 hoses!

Which presumably go here, one each side.  Amazing!

[FakeConcern]

21 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Shouldn’t be long now and your parcel should arrive… when it does, any chance of a pic of the Carrimore loaded with most of its original complement of cars!?😁

While on that subject, was the copper coloured Imp that came in that set available on its own separately? It seems a bit rarer than the usual blue ones.

I was hoping that the much better informed than me would answer as I don't know if the Imp was only part of that set. My memory told me that the Minis were the black wicker sides one, light blue one and metallic maroon one, but Google says a red Monte Carlo rather than the maroon one. I had several Monte Minis at various times and the wicker on and a maroon one, none of which I now have so I'm not really a reliable witness on this!

The picture of transporter with a full complement will have to wait as none of the Minis I have left are suitable...

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Nope it was 2 hoses!

Which presumably go here, one each side.  Amazing!

😆Bloody hell! I wonder how long they’ve been in there!?

Great result.

[Remspoor]

Found this on YT today.

The Matchbox Man 2021 documentary.

[Jon]

2 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

I was hoping that the much better informed than me would answer as I don't know if the Imp was only part of that set. My memory told me that the Minis were the black wicker sides one, light blue one and metallic maroon one, but Google says a red Monte Carlo rather than the maroon one. I had several Monte Minis at various times and the wicker on and a maroon one, none of which I now have so I'm not really a reliable witness on this!

The picture of transporter with a full complement will have to wait as none of the Minis I have left are suitable...

Referring to Cleemput's The Great Book of Corgi (which I nabbed a while back at a comparative bargain price), the jury on whether the Imp was sold separately are a little ambiguous:

Launched in 1963 and noted as 2 items, so it seems possible that blue and bronze were launched at the same time and thus sold individually. But, there seems to be an emphasis on the 'flamboyant' blue, so who knows?!

Also interesting that it's noted as withdrawn in 1966, as:

The transporter was launched in 1966 and withdrawn in 1968, containing a Hillman Imp.

The photo in the book shows the Imp as bronze - so possibily, it was withdrawn as blue in 1966, then sold in bronze (presumably exclusive to the transporter set) 1966-68?

Either way, there's written and illustrated proof of the Wicker clad and Monte Carlo Minis being part of the set, so there's at least one part solved!

EDIT: Seems the Monte Carlo Mini was substituted in 1967:

[bunglebus]

No parcel for me this week as I'm not at home, and if I am it will be a flying visit before going to Frankfurt - hopefully I'll find some decent diecast while I'm there. 

However I do already have this

Courtesy of my boss who did a bit of Hot Wheels hunting on my behalf in Berlin this week

So, mystery models - not such a mystery if you understand the codes though!

1st of all the series 2;

Not very clear but ends 01 so that's car #1 - GMC Syclone. I also have #2, the Plymouth Barracuda. 

Series 3

I've got #3 VW (new) Beetle, #4 Purple Passion (49 Mercury) and #8 Drift Rod - I think in error as I wanted the #8 Fish N Chipped from the other set. However there's an extra one with no code on the pack

However having a feel through the bag reveals it's another Purple Passion and not the Bugatti Chiron that's worth millions* of pounds - all those were gone obviously. 

Do I open them or leave them sealed in eternal darkness?

[Datsuncog]

Little bit lighter, every Friday.

Still chilly, but at least there's not actual snow on the ground today...

Tatward bound!

[flat4alfa]

24 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Tatward bound!

[Datsuncog]

All things considered, I'm afraid this ain't a vintage week - so fret not for the safety of your dwindled, end-Jan bank balances...

Buses and coaches were evident, and trams too, but mostly in those annoying generic Atlas boxes that give no clue about what's inside.

A bit of rootling round uncovered some slightly more interesting newer models - all at £5 each, should anyone be interested?

Mostly there were 40s/ 50s buses in there, so I didn't waste my pixels.

Merchandising skills on point again...

Some tidying revealed a few items of interest:

Corgi Plaxton in Bluebird Express livery and Falkirk on the destination board - the gratuitously oversized box wasn't the best, but this 1990 release might still please someone ?

Herpa Setra double-deck in HO scale was great though - gold, orange and brown livery looked simply awesome.

I was a bit conflicted about this one...

On one hand, a mint boxed 40yr old Mettoy-era Corgi for £5 - on the other hand, I find it kinda difficult to get very excited about these releases. While the Leyland Roadtrain is an interesting model, it's not something I ever recall seeing on the road - so the nostalgia bug didn't really bite here. The size of the cab compared to the trailer also looks a bit off.

Also in the £5 box was this 'Routemasters in Exile' box set, featuring Northern operators:

Seemingly never even unwrapped. I can remember selling these back in the mid-90s when the shop I worked part-time was proudly listed as an Official Corgi Stockist.

The £1 tub was there today, kinda...

A thorough search failed to turn up the green Mazda 2 that @AndyW201 had requested last week - but I'm now starting to wonder if he has two boxes; one blue plastic tub and one heavy cardboard crate?

Last week the £1 models were in a cardboard box - so I may strike lucky if he brings that one back in next week.

These were a bit unusual though, buried under the Matchbox and Hot Wheels - High Speeds, in acrylic boxes:

Nice, and not bad value for a quid, but I refrained this time - I sold off my 1/64 stuff a while ago, and probably shouldn't restart...

Up top on the main stall, there was very little diecast action, sadly: a trio of Corgi Classics Daimler bloodboxes was about the height of it:

And that, as they say, was pretty much that - a quick spin round the other stalls revealed not very much of further interest to the denizens of this thread - no Charity Stall this week, and Alan was still setting up his Emporium very slowly when I passed - the 50p tray was there, but empty. 

Meh.

The Nemesis was looking similarly disconsolate, and after seeing him hovering around the Tat Stall without lifting anything, later found him commiserating with Colin/ Davey off the Toys & Novelties Stall (trading as 'Mulligan's Irish Gifts') about general inflation and the price of things these days...

Strange times, y'all.

Still, I can't leave you hanging with no diecast on a Friday - so here's a newly liberated Hot Wheels Jeep Wagoneer, unboxed last night a few weeks after I bought it.

Oosh dem wheels.

So there we go - I've to be in a meeting shortly here, so you can guarantee I'll spend the whole thing fretting about that Royal Mail Leyland and will then rush back over after 12 only to find it gone...

I'm predictable like that.

[Rover414]

If the GM Buses & London Country Atlanteans and Devon VR hangs about I'd be interested in them.

[Jon]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

 

Oosh dem wheels.

So there we go - I've to be in a meeting shortly here, so you can guarantee I'll spend the whole thing fretting about that Royal Mail Leyland and will then rush back over after 12 only to find it gone...

I'm predictable like that.

I'm trying to work out if that Wagoneer is a subtle remodelling of the Matchbox Wagoneer or not:

Seems crazy to offer the same thing in both partner companies but I'm sure there's some logic in it, somehow.

I'd say to bank that fiver instead of spending it on the Royal Mail truck from the tat market and put it in a mental pot for something down the line that's irresistible but potentially £5 overpriced...

[danthecapriman]

Couple of new additions in the post today.

Really nice Matchbox Cortina to replace my old rough one in the same colour, and one you’ve seen before courtesy of @Datsuncog thanks for that, it’s a lovely model!   

[danthecapriman]

Couple of other recent additions.

Corgi Regal’s.

Matchbox Mini, Mercury, Zodiac, Escort, Capri & the Cortina I posted above.

 

Heres my Dinky AEC tanker. Missing its hoses…! I’ve checked inside the tanker. Only a scrap of paper in there! Oddly mines has grey tanker tops & caps. Wonder why they did different colours?