Shite in Miniature II

[danthecapriman]

Won (another!) Corgi Major Ford H truck on eBay last night. It’s the cab only though as it’s actually an incomplete wrecker version, so I got it pretty cheap. This one’s going to have a clean up then the remains of the wrecker body removed to leave the bare tractor unit only. Then it’s getting paired up with one of my spare Carrimore trailers to make a slightly different colour combination. 
I’ve got the Mack priestman crane too, somewhere, which will get exactly the same treatment. 
 

[Datsuncog]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

That ID car is a "chase" and quite hard to find - about the same odds as finding a Super Treasure Hunt 

Heh, I knew it was something a bit out of the ordinary, but not whether it was worth picking up speculatively... ah well!

Night Shifter Hot Wheels 2020 id Chase (hotwheelscentric.com)

[bunglebus]

Miss BB reports Smyths have restocked Fast and Furious Hot Wheels. Escorts already nabbed

[Datsuncog]

If the staff have got wise to the price some of these items can fetch at online auction, then it's quite possible they don't make it out onto the shelves in the first place...

Kinda can't blame them, it's not much fun working retail for minimum wage. Buying rarer items with their staff discount to take home and flip is one of the more legal side hustles out there, annoying though it may be to collectors (note to one or two of my former Halfords colleagues - going out the back for a smoke and then throwing Karcher pressure washers over the fence to your mate, or stashing torque wrenches in your coat to flog on Facebook Marketplace, does not count as a side hustle).

I've slightly more time for that than record collectors who 'volunteer' in charity shops to 'help' price the vinyl donations, then walk out with an armful of Northern Soul 7"s for pennies after they've confidently declared them worthless to the manager.

"Who's ever heard of Frank Wilson? Nah, that'll never sell... tell you what, I'll put 5p in the tin for it cos I need a new coaster for my coffee table..."

[andy18s]

14 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Meant to say, I took a photos of yet more secondhand-but-still-sealed Hot Wheels available at the market the other day. This was the second job lot acquired by Colin on the General Tat stall (officially known as Mulligan's Irish Gifts - hey, those tourists ain't gonna fleece themselves...) from the shadowy diecast trader I refer to inwardly as Hundred Hot Wheels Harry, as he seems to sell these in bags of around 100...

I'm not sure there's anything of great interest in there, but then I wouldn't really know what a rare Hot Wheels looked like if it bit me on the arse so, in the interests of completeness... here y'go.

Loads of duplicates, obviously, making me wonder if this is someone who buys Hot Wheels by the case to fillet Treasure Hunts and other rarities, before punting on the dregs.

Anyway - they're available at £2 a throw, although by now some of them may have sold...

If any of the bikes are still there can you grab them plz?

[Datsuncog]

I'll take a look next time I'm in!

[bunglebus]

Entertainer have apparently got the F+F set on their delivery - but wouldn't grab them for miss BB. I suspect, as above, the guy in there is a collector and wants first dibs 

[Rover414]

One car type I really hold a long affection for is the Dodge Viper, specifically the first generation RT/10 and GTS models. Obviously in model form there really is an abundance of choice when it comes to these but for today I am just going to focus on the 1/24 scale version. These were produced by either Maisto or Bburago and interestingly the Maisto version depicts a second generation RT/10 with the exhausts moved from the bodyside to the rear of the car - although in the larger 1/18 scales both manufacturers only have the earlier first gen RT/10s available. I would like to make a later second generation RT/10 from a 1/24 set - it would only be possible I think by taking a bonnet from a Bburago 1/24 Viper GTS as although Maisto do make a 1/24 GTS GT2 - it doesn't have an opening bonnet - and the way Bburago and Maisto attach the bonnets are different. It is definitely one for a future project.

Anyway, some photos I took while thinking about this - Maisto do a few colour combos, the two depicted here are the classic blue with white stripes and a red with yellow wheels example, in reality Dodge only made 166 of this combination. For side reference we have a Bburago example in white with blue stripes, it is interesting to note how the rear lights are treated on each model with the effort on the Maisto examples being in keeping with reality but despite that the engine details and such are more thought out on the Bburago example.

Anyway, I'm off to populate my ebay watchlist for some seriously cheap ones for my project.

[MiniMinorMk3]

After posting the Solido Capri I thought today I would follow up with some Solido Citroen models. These capture the cars quite well.

2CV 6. in typical '70s orange with the rectangular lamps.

CX 2200 Saloon with some slight super detailing on the door handles.

Beige CX Safari, again with a bit of superdetailing

Met Blue CX Safari as it came from the factory

And finally a GS

[bunglebus]

Seek, and you shall find. Or more precisely, send the Mrs into town a second time while you're at work and pester the staff to find the cars you suspect are on their delivery! They had the whole set unopened (and an F case of mainlines), but this was the prize

[bunglebus]

Deliveries! 

Mebetoys/Hot Wheels not-a-Talbot. Whether by luck or design, the white base represents the early white bumpers nicely (Simca 1308).

Got a little job lot arrive too, Superfast ambulance isn't especially exciting but it does have the rear seat passenger included 

This Majorette Dyane was also in the box

Lone Star not-a-Corvette came along for the ride, anyone else found one with a driver?

This was what I really wanted though. No Jaffamobile sticker but it's in nice condition 

Better condition Polistil Fiat than the tatty one currently here

And typically, an orange rockets buggy! Does mean one can get a fresh coat of day-glo orange now - or maybe the Spectraflame type used on other Rockets would look good?

[flat4alfa]

I'm confused.

This was Feb 2020

Doris was getting friendly with Vin Diesel

There were two different castings of Hot Wheels Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1 on the shelves and I have them both here

So what is this new series, a round-up and rebox?

[flat4alfa]

Ahh.. new film coming out later this year.

Hmmm cynical rebox then?

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

So what is this new series, a round-up and rebox?

I'd say they're a mainline plus - extra detailing that a regular car wouldn't get but still on plastic wheels. At first glance it does look like one of the previous releases, but they don't have the grille, lights and plates picked out

The Fast and Furious Escort you show above is an oddity - made by Mattel but a different casting. Mine is shown far right in the group shot

[flat4alfa]

You think you know your Land Rovers?

Land Rovers like to surprise!

On the left, a Land Rover Series III made by Britains.  In 'Safari' livery, no less

On the right, a Land Rover DEFENDER

They look innocent enough don't they, in their 1:32nd scaling

 

Well, you'd think so

 

 

Then

 

 

This

 

 

Happens

 

 

 

[sutty2006]

I much prefer the Britains series 3! 
 

my discovery sometimes acts like that defender, just leaves rust and oil all over the floor instead. 

[Christine]

Dinky matchbox MGB  

 

Corgi MGB   i  had as a child  and used as a  rollerskate  

 

 

 

 

[AndyW201]

Just catching up on the last couple of days on here, and glancing to my side at the display cabinet, 

Apologies to those who dislike this sort of thing, but (slightly late to the party) these are my two favourite Mk1 Escorts. I too started off with a Trofeu, the yellow 1300 GT,  but was really happy when Corgi did the Vanguards version, surprisingly late in the day. I've had quite a few, and sold a couple, but these two are keepers. This Vista Orange RS is typical of the hopped up Mk1s that were all around our town from the late '80s to the late '90s.

Lairy body colour, equally lairy stripes, four football-sized Cibiés and polished RS four-spokes were the rule!

Yeah, as mentioned, the body shape's not 'quite' there, and the one thing that winds me up about the Vanguards Mk1 is the fact it has the standard front wheel arches, despite the majority of the variants produced being the sporty models. I've actually not bought a Mk1 for a while, mainly because of this.

My other fave Mk1 is the 1300E in Purple Velvet. Mainly because of the colour!

Corgi went to fairly  great lengths with this one. There's a lot to look at on a 1300E , and it's pretty well replicated on this one. The extra brightwork, the C pillar badges, the vinyl roof, the triple coachlnes, the wing mounted side repeaters, the rectangular headlights with grille mounted driving lights, all there. I agree with  what has been said on here about how buying several examples of one casting can get boring, but I think these two are a great example of how different the treatment of two different variants can be.

On my way home, I swung past the Stockton branch of B&M, it's one of the big, main branches so I thought I'd check the HW and Matchbox situation...

Needn't have bothered really!

They did though have a few more of the F&F collection though, so in order to have not had a wasted journey, I grabbed these two.

As with the Escort, they have a bit more detailing compared to the standard mainlines.

This Torino seems to have a more vibrant paint job than the older 5 pack version,

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

Just a little bit more Escort action from Trofeu showing that they produced, and still do, many race and rally versions.

First up a Mexico road car

Twin Cam 1968 Rally Ireland Winner

Broadspeed RS1600 circuit racer

1971 Safari Rally

1972 Safari Rally

And a Mk2 from the 1978 Rallye Portugal

 

 

[Datsuncog]

Some new-case Hot Wheels action in Lidl this morning.

They've been dumped in here for a few days now, so no Sierras or RS2000s to be found (though I've already got all I want).

Plenty of wagon-wheel DeLoreans to be seen, though (I've already one of these going spare, if anyone's keen).

Was surprised to see this one again - checked the back and yes it's a 2023 release alright. I bought a whole load of these in 2016 or so, certain* that I'd make myself a fortune off the back of them.

You'll not be surprised to learn that it didn't quite pan out that way.

Also - 

@andy18s - further to your request yesterday, are you looking for 2023 release HW bikes as well as any older ones that might show up at the market? This Ducati DesertX was available - although the packaging was a bit creased.

Happy to go back in next time I'm passing, if so!

Lastly, I bought this one for myself:

I'm not much of a Porsche fan normally, but this is really nice.

I've been kicking myself for not buying it whenever I first saw it in B&M earlier in the month.

The blister pack is also not quite stuck down all the way round, so I might experiment with some lighter fluid later on and see if I can pop it off without tearing the backing card to bits.

Might be able to check out some other purveyors of tiny tat later... 

So at £2 a throw, Lidl are slightly cheaper for HW mainlines than Tesco (£2.20) or Sainsburys (£2.30), but dearer than Asda (£1.90) and also B&M (£1.79).

Though I've yet to see this case offered out in any of the big grocery retailers - only B&M and now Lidl have the latest releases, at least around my way.

The Entertainer seem to be priciest at £2.40 each, though last time I looked they were also offering a 3-for-2 deal, bringing them down to a very acceptable £1.60 each - if you're happy bulk-buying. Annoyingly I can't remember what Smyths are charging these days - I did take a look a few weeks ago, but neglected to take any pics. Not mad cheap, I don't think. 

Likewise, I can't recall what Toymaster's prices are like - don't think I've been in a branch since last year, and they also use those annoying clear plastic gumball-style dispensers, where the items are all poured in the top and you can't get at the stuff you want...

(Not actual pic from Toymaster, but you know what I mean)

Poundland remain the cheapest I can find for individual HWs, at £1.50, but they only seem to have older 2022 stock on their shelves - and not even much of those left, really.

The model shop in Smithfield also does individual HW mainlines, including new case stuff, and they're £2 - as helpfully* handwritten on the back of the card.

And that's the markets recap for Wednesday morning - back to you in the studio.

[AndyW201]

^^^Oh, I see the Audi 90 there as well. Lidl on the way home tonight then!

[Split_Pin]

After seeing these Trofeu Escort MK1s and remembering that I bought my two around 1998, it is still blowing my mind 2 days after @Datsuncogmentioned that the models themselves are mostly now older than the 1/1 examples were at the time these models were purchased.

One Trofeu Escort I regret selling was a white 1.1 Popular MK2 which I bought in March 2000. I love base model MK1 and 2 Escorts and I recall this one being spot on in every detail, right down to the black badges and complete lack of chrome.

Although by 1998 cars had come a long way from 1973 (the Focus was just around the corner), I dont think that model cars have changed a lot in 25 years. Perhaps some finer details on lamps and tampo prints but I can't think of anything else. 

I bought my first proper premium model cars in September 1994 with the money I had earned at a weeks work experience in the workshop of a local Haulage Company. These were a Pregetto K Alfa Romeo Guilia Saloon and a Paul's Model Art Mondeo. I was unimpressed by the former but was amazed by the detail on the Mondeo, especially the dashboard. I had never seen anything like it. The Alfa is long gone but I still have the Mondeo and it still delights me every time I look at it.

 

[Datsuncog]

Also - delighted to have a DanBox™ touch down with me!

What can I say - I'm a sucker for these Commers. 

Because it means I can add these alongside my red panel van version...

Yessss...

And now it looks like some weird (and highly unstable) alternative-universe Italian Job.

"Yes, I know we agreed on Minis, but hear me out - I was passing the Rootes dealership in Putney and they had some amazing offers on their nearly-new commercials..."

I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find some loose rear castings for these knocking around in a tat box at some point in the future - I've encountered some before. And the cabs are in good nick - no glazing or A-pillar damage at all.

In the meantime, I can mess about with the panel van back...

Of course, there are some subtle differences...

The baseplate on the blue version (No.464 Police Van) has been modified to accommodate an on/off switch for the battery-operated blue light as fitted to the (missing) rear section, plus a rotating contact cam on the front axle to make it blink on and off as it sped across the floor.

The baseplate on the white version (belonging to the No.466 Milk Float OR the No.463 Ambulance OR part of the GS24 Constructor Set) matches the red version (which only ever came as part of the Constructor Set with the panel van back, though the same chassis was paired with a yellow pickup back for No.465) - but I noticed that there's a difference to the upper casting; a small raised flat area just between the locator holes on the white chassis that's absent on both the red one, and the blue one. 

The blue chassis also has a cut out in the back of the cab, so the battery contact connects with the switch.

And of course - the red one has Trans-o-lites...

Legendary.

All thanks to @danthecapriman (and your exchange tat box should also be landing soon!)

[flat4alfa]

3 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

I noticed that there's a difference to the upper casting; a small raised flat area just between the locator holes on the white chassis that's absent on both the red one, and the blue one. 

Also notice the white rear wheel arches have a single raised rib.

I'm not going to sleep tonight now.

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Annoyingly I can't remember what Smyths are charging these days - I did take a look a few weeks ago, but neglected to take any pics. Not mad cheap, I don't think. 

MARKET UPDATE JUST IN!

Smyths price: £1.69

[Datsuncog]

4 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Also notice the white rear wheel arches have a single raised rib.

I'm not going to sleep tonight now.

Crumbs, you're right!

The white one also has an additional rib on the inner edge of the wheelarch which the other two lack.

Someone get in touch with Marcel Van Cleemput and ask him what the craic is...

[Datsuncog]

2 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

MARKET UPDATE JUST IN!

Smyths price: £1.69

BUY!!! BUY!!! BUY!!!

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

^^^Oh, I see the Audi 90 there as well. Lidl on the way home tonight then!

Mainland ones don't seem to have them. Maybe Thursday 

[flat4alfa]

I really want that Audi 90 IMSA model

I remember the livery well

There was a 1:32 slot car by Matchbox SCX back in the 90s that has escaped me many times

Please don't encourage me, I'm overwhelmed back here

[Datsuncog]

11 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

There was a 1:32 slot car by Matchbox SCX back in the 90s that has escaped me many times

Blimey, I remember that one. The model shop where I worked at had dozens of those SCX Audis sitting unsold up in the stock room. They were surprisingly unpopular compared to the others in the range.

Come to think of it, they're probably still up there...

 

EDIT: wasn't the gimmick on these that they were four-wheel-drive? Except it was really just a standard rear pinion setup, with an elastic band stretched from the driven back axle to the front axle?

Or maybe I'm just getting confused in my old age...