Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

No idea why I grabbed this plastic Hong Kong pickup

Motormax Mini just because the bumpers were intact

A couple of Kidco Dinkys - I got about 5 or 6 cars off this seller for £1 including these and the green bay

Why is there a screw poking out of the bed? Base hasn't been off

From one of those oddball wall climber sets - obvious Matchbox copy wheels

And another HW copy, the Tomica again

Yet another 50p Welly Lupo

And this - anyone we know into slot cars?

[bunglebus]

Postal arrivals. Ever since finding that Dinky SD1 copy, I've been keeping a few saved searches on eBay for brands known for similar things. No more Rovers, but I did find these

[AndyW201]

Pressie number 2, pleasingly still with the factory tissue paper on!

During COVID, I snapped up a load of cheap GM/Opel branded dealer models (including those exquisite Schuco Senator and Monza models), and I'm now a sucker for a model in dealer packaging.

Ah, another Opel dealer model too. And that's VXR to us in Blighty...

The Astra J GTC is a lovely looking car IMO.

This dealer model is by I Scale, a company I admit I don't know a lot about, and this is the first model I've had by them. But they seem to do quite a lot of dealer models for car manufacturers, such as Audi and Jaguar, as well as Opel.

This model does have a feel of Schuco or Minichamps about it, with the same amount of detail and build quality. Again, my shite cam doesn't really show off how good the paint finish is on this, really bright and lustrous.

They seem to have got the stance just right too, it sits nice, wide and low. 

The wheels are just right, and the brake disc detail is amazing, with the calipers, carriers and pads all visible.

Being a coupé with darkened rear windows and no open windows , it's hard to get any interior detail, but the seats are well captured , being the race style OPC items with harness slots, stitching detail and OPC style blue striping.

There's a decent stab at detailing underneath with front suspension detail, the rather complicated dual exit  exhaust system and the rear beam looks seperate rather than moulded in.

[Split_Pin]

39 minutes ago, AndyW201 said:

Couple of new arrivals, courtesy of it being my birthday. Birthday and Christmas being the two times of the year when I get the gilt edged opportunity to buy new diecast without 'that' slight roll of the eyes...

So first,

Yeah, Mr Predictable here. But at least this is a recent casting that I've never had one of before. It's well known that there has been a bit of saturation of already much-used Ford castings in the Vanguards range, and looking through the collection, I reckoned I've got just about all the Mk1 & 2 Escorts and Mk3 & 4 Cortinas that I want for now, barring something coming along in a colour and spec that I REALLY like. (eg - Roman bronze 1600 sport!)

So, with a few Escorts in the collection now covering Marks 1 through 4, I wanted a later generation Escort. That s where the choice starts to drop off a bit. Schabak made Mk5 hatches, cabriolets and estates in period (with opening bonnets revealing a 1.8 diesel engine for extra shite points on some!) but for anything recent, it has to be a Cosworth! For years IXO have been knocking out a multitude of rally Cossies, in cheapie partwork guise and better spec ones in their own packaging. Quite recently, they have also been producing road versions, notably two versions of the Monte Carlo limited edition.  Minichamps did a very nice version too, both in road, race and rally trim. Their Mallard green road version is one I've been after for a long while. 

Last year, Corgi released a newly tooled Cosworth as well, firstly as part of a three car Cosworth set. Typically this was in Mallard green so that's my favourite colour for these already gone in an expensive box set! So far there are now three single releases, a standard model in white, a Lux pack in Imperial blue (another great colour), and like IXO, a Monte Carlo in Jewel Violet. I was tempted by the IXO, being initially a bit cheaper than the RRP of the Vanguards, but it's now possible to get a Vanguards version for just over £30 posted. In fact I snagged a Vanguards Monte for £28 posted so a fair bit cheaper than an IXO.

So boring preamble over, more pics,

The Jewel Violet of this edition is a stunning colour, my shite camera phone doesn't even begin to show it properly. The Monte also came in black and Mallard green, with OZ Racing rally style alloys. The wheels on this one looked a bit small at first as they are massive on the IXO, but it seems that they were just the standard 16" size from the factory, and a lot of the real life Monte editions have been upgraded to bigger OZ alloys, so the ones on the Vanguards seem to be correct. Nice detail on them with the OZ Racing lettering,

Just for @Split_Pin , a couple of close ups. Front end is up to the usual standard. Love that number plate font, real life reg number too.

Not 100% keen on the tail lights, but everything else is about cock-on.

Now, apart from being a RHD version with a real life UK reg, what swung this version for me over the IXO was the interior detail. The IXO has an all black shiny generic looking interior, some of their road going Cossies just have the rally interior fitted. The Vanguards has pretty realistic Recaro seats with the fabric pattern that was unique to the Monte, in that typical-for-the-period grey velour with the type of swirly stripy patterns that all sporty Escorts of the time had!

The door trim and dash detail is about 'right'. I did more miles than I care to remember behind the wheel of various Mk5s for a living and still have nightmares...

Pleased with this one overall, recent Vanguards releases have been a bit hit and miss. And for now, this one is the nearest I'm going to get to a model of  P371 JVN, an Aubergine metallic 1.6 Si 3 door my dad had new in 1997, which I actually really liked and found excuses to borrow rather a lot!

Ooft that's a belter, the headlights are spot on. I have a 1/18 version made by UT models and one of these would go nicely with it. The Vanguards captures all the important features of a 1990s Escort.

[flat4alfa]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I recognise that pickup type as TCR by Ideal

Have a track here for it

[bunglebus]

2 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

I recognise that pickup type as TCR by Ideal

Have a track here for it

Cool I can stick it in your box if you'll excuse the expression

[flat4alfa]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

That rear hub looks like a Matchbox Speed Rider hub

 

[flat4alfa]

6 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Cool I can stick it in your box if you'll excuse the expression

Thanks.

I was going to ask if you still have the other one from a while back?  The black and white Police car

[bunglebus]

This one? It's about - somewhere! 

[FakeConcern]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

 

Another one in bits - spotted the body and had to dig for the base. Worth it

 

WTF is this Mini? I love it and want one.

You see this is just exactly why I hate this thread, a year or so ago I could happily see toy cars for sale in junk shops and boot fairs and say to myself " yep, that's nice, but I don't have anywhere to display it and I don't need it so no need to buy it" Now it's "I must have that!"

Edit; and also just sent off a £40 order to Steve Flowers, I blame all of you really...

[flat4alfa]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Why is there a screw poking out of the bed? Base hasn't been off

It would have had the black bed cover on the red Kidco Dinky

Thought I'd check if this one is loose.  But no, it's pretty much welded home!  And so are all the other Kidcos and Dinkies

Used a torch to peer underneath through the suspension tab, but couldn't see evidence of a fixing.  Not that I was expecting to se a self-tapping screw in the first place...

[flat4alfa]

38 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

WTF is this Mini? I love it and want one.

Well I never!

I didn't know there were two different castings and one of them comes apart

All this time I'd assumed they were the same, but no, the bases have clearly different rivet positions

Subtle difference in grille opening

and number plate mount

It wasn't easy getting it apart anyway - I had to employ a flat screw driver tip and some leverage

EDIT: DOH!  There is a little latch on the base, there was no need to force!  I need new glasses...

[Spottedlaurel]

Remember the Siku Mercedes Transporter I got last weekend? I let it out into the fresh air today (well, as fresh as it might be in the garage when I was spray painting kit parts for a 1:24 project plus priming and painting real life kitchen doors).

It's in excellent condition and very well-engineered. None of those 'hydraulic' rams most others have, it has chunky metal arms that retract into slots in the base, and the ramps slide into slots on the trailer. It was just £12.50....

This is pretty much it for my Siku collection, with bonus Majorettes that were at or sufficiently close to 1/55. Master SL has a few bits of their 1/32 farm stuff, which I found to be of better quality than Britains' more recent offerings.

The Matchbox Bedford might be closer to 1/60 (and the 'big' Majorette commercials are similar). The Dinky Bedford CF might not be too far adrift though. If I'd had any Siku as a youngster I think I'd have happily played with them alongside the Matchbox Superkings and those Majorette trucks.

[Rover414]

@AndyW201 - just picked up the blue Cosworth myself - they look great. IXO do a Mk6 Escort estate, there are a couple on ebay but haven't brought myself to get one yet though definitely on the radar.

[Jon]

I found my wagon and drag Merc transporter to still be in good condition after at least 34 years ownership, when back in the UK in October:

Think I have the box somewhere. This was the bottom layer of a box, likely packed in 2010 with a mix of stuff I wanted to keep (Sikus!) and stuff that didn't sell at a swapmeet, just before emigrating. Hence smattering of Corgi Cameos and Lledos!

 

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

WTF is this Mini? I love it and want one

It's a Hot Wheels. There are a zillion variations but the best ones are the early version like this where the body can be removed

There are also two very sought-after X-Raycers version with clear plastic bodies

Fixed body versions

 

[FakeConcern]

Is there an easy way to tell which of the Hotwheels Minis have the body off style? Just looked on ebay and I can't tell the difference unless they actually picture or state the body comes off.

[bunglebus]

Just noticed the colour changing Mini has the rollcage like the removable body cars - I think it has the earlier grille too. I need to check if the body comes off!

 

[bunglebus]

6 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

Is there an easy way to tell which of the Hotwheels Minis have the body off style? Just looked on ebay and I can't tell the difference unless they actually picture or state the body comes off.

If they show the base, there's a little lever at the back. Grilles are wider on the removable ones, and the rear number plate is a slot where the base clips in - or check here

https://hotwheels.fandom.com/wiki/Mini_Cooper

[Macscrooge]

Did a bit of work on these Superking Merc ambulances over the weekend. The one on the left if by far the better so I focused on that. 

[Macscrooge]

After a clean up, touching in the many paint chips with exactly* the same shade of white. 

[flat4alfa]

50 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

Is there an easy way to tell which of the Hotwheels Minis have the body off style? Just looked on ebay and I can't tell the difference unless they actually picture or state the body comes off.

Can you not see the photo of mine up above?

The base differences are shown side-by-side.  Look at the rear by the tailpipes, there is a plastic latch

[Macscrooge]

Finally, red crosses from the decal box and a quick coat of varnish. It is destined to be used in wargames. 

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, Spottedlaurel said:

The Matchbox Bedford might be closer to 1/60 (and the 'big' Majorette commercials are similar). The Dinky Bedford CF might not be too far adrift though

Thought the Dinky Bedford, now you mention it, should get measured

The spreadsheet has been fired-up and results are in

 

Fondling it again, reminded me to do something about those godawful plastic Speedwheels.  The casting deserve some cast hubs and a size up too

[bunglebus]

I've got a couple of Matchbox Merc ambulances in the project box. Different glass colours like yours, thing one has a broken base at the rear but the other is missing one of the front indicator (foglamp?) castings

[FakeConcern]

1 minute ago, flat4alfa said:

Can you not see the photo of mine up above?

The base differences are shown die-by-side.  Look at the rear by the tailpipes, there is a plastic latch

Yes I did and thanks for the post, but in many of the ebay listings these are not visible, sorry for being thick, I'm not at all up on these things!

While I'm at it, should this have a roll cage and it's missing?

[bunglebus]

7 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

Yes I did and thanks for the post, but in many of the ebay listings these are not visible, sorry for being thick, I'm not at all up on these things!

While I'm at it, should this have a roll cage and it's missing?

Yeah and a chrome interior! The roll cage hinges on one side but I've never tried removing it altogether

Do you like New Beetles..?

 

[FakeConcern]

I won't buy that Mini then (although I like the wheels). Nice models (the Beetles) but not into them, just Minis!

[bunglebus]

Best one to me is the the one flat4alfa has with the chequered roof - unfortunately lots of people agree!

This one's nice

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295556092671?hash=item44d08412ff:g:638AAOSwtShkByHI&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwKZJbihcT8%2FLoHZELqhsQpsrHCR91CLzm3hoI4uBcH2Rl3lN9KpS6mNIKW5tGrY813tZpjQ0rVFL3J%2BwIe8v6uyA%2B5SVimPHPSeqiBB7ehYWZP8NmoRSxhOkxkVScQljd2qY8IuK1UEEaYHuycSOBQhSHGGuOOdg7mVM1emnhP8KC73R71EgXVOw2EC5pob3s%2FdwuM94TLuUai45aselEyF8BAgdAAQCZGeBZpYQloCcSYITIKDZHDruWciXXcR6kQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8ym6fvaYQ

[FakeConcern]

I saw that one, but I really like the yellow and red ones more like the one I linked above.

These yellow ones look ok

Not sure if this is body off...

and this one

but not so keen on the wheels...

No rush I'll keep looking or maybe Dan will have one in his next mega box sale...