Shite in Miniature II

[Datsuncog]

2 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

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

If you've no luck later, I'll see if I can pick you one up to add to the Tat Box?

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

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!)

They arrived quickly! Postie definitely earned their £2.85 on that one!

Also, look what I spotted on evil bay…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175660907553?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20220705100511%26meid%3D74740302a1e348cfafe6bc63fc8f68db%26pid%3D101524%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D175660907553%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2%26brand%3DCorgi&_trksid=p2380057.c101524.m146925&_trkparms=pageci%3Acab20213-ce37-11ed-afa1-7efdd17df9d5|parentrq%3A2d9ca6691870ad33af9c9d55ffff2b8e|iid%3A1

Could be a bit of a bargain??

[Datsuncog]

Oh, now that's a bit of alright...

Watchlisted, thanks!

[MiniMinorMk3]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

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.

 

I bought my first 1/43rd scale in 1990. At the time I was collecting anything VW at the time, including boxed Dinkys and Corgis. But in the summer of 1990 I was sent to a job at the top of T. Martins lane, opposite Stringfellows. One the first mornings walk up from Charing Cross I stumbled upon St. Martins Accessories. I was aware of the name as they used to supply models that were reviewed in Classic and Sports Car magazine, also their logos were very similar. After spending about 10 minutes looking at all the models in the window I went off to the job. 

At lunch time I had to go down and take a look inside. It was like being 5 years old again and being left in your favourite toy shop. Everywhere you looked were these little cars. They had everything from £3.00 Norevs up to £100 BBR hand builts. I spent a good half hour deciding what to get and eventually settled on a Brumm Porsche 356. However I had spotted a rather nice Century white metal Karmann Ghia which I decided would have to be in my collection soon. After my next payday it was, but I also bought some white wall tyres for it. The next target was a Hebmuller by the same manufacturer.

When ever I worked in the West End I would always go and get something from St. Martins. 

[danthecapriman]

48 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Oh, now that's a bit of alright...

Watchlisted!

😁 

You could re-body the whole lot of yours in one go, and still have some spare bits!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

42 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I bought my first 1/43rd scale in 1990. At the time I was collecting anything VW at the time, including boxed Dinkys and Corgis. But in the summer of 1990 I was sent to a job at the top of T. Martins lane, opposite Stringfellows. One the first mornings walk up from Charing Cross I stumbled upon St. Martins Accessories. I was aware of the name as they used to supply models that were reviewed in Classic and Sports Car magazine, also their logos were very similar. After spending about 10 minutes looking at all the models in the window I went off to the job. 

At lunch time I had to go down and take a look inside. It was like being 5 years old again and being left in your favourite toy shop. Everywhere you looked were these little cars. They had everything from £3.00 Norevs up to £100 BBR hand builts. I spent a good half hour deciding what to get and eventually settled on a Brumm Porsche 356. However I had spotted a rather nice Century white metal Karmann Ghia which I decided would have to be in my collection soon. After my next payday it was, but I also bought some white wall tyres for it. The next target was a Hebmuller by the same manufacturer.

When ever I worked in the West End I would always go and get something from St. Martins. 

Ten years before you were there , I worked in Longacre and often looked in the window , but never went in. Between the ages of 12 and 40 I didn’t buy a single diecast , full size cars, bikes, petrol, beer and women took every penny I’d got.

[Zie]

Shopping day today and still no Red Rs2000. 

Charity shop paid off though, £3.50 for a slightly knackered Supra and a Hotwheels. 

[FakeConcern]

8 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

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.

As I’m sure you’ve gathered I know nothing about Hot Wheels and only own one of the large size examples, but if you still have any of the Beatles Yellow Submarines, I’ll buy one from you please.

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

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!)

When can we expect more DanBox action?

I love this sort of stuff about toy cars or even commercial vehicles, more please!

7 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

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

I'm not going to sleep tonight now.

Oh no! Race upstairs to look at mine...

 

Hmm both the same, one raised rib!

 

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

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...

What do you make of it all now?

5 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

They arrived quickly! Postie definitely earned their £2.85 on that one!

Also, look what I spotted on evil bay…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175660907553?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20220705100511%26meid%3D74740302a1e348cfafe6bc63fc8f68db%26pid%3D101524%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D175660907553%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2%26brand%3DCorgi&_trksid=p2380057.c101524.m146925&_trkparms=pageci%3Acab20213-ce37-11ed-afa1-7efdd17df9d5|parentrq%3A2d9ca6691870ad33af9c9d55ffff2b8e|iid%3A1

Could be a bit of a bargain??

I’m about to bid, but before I do who am I bidding against?

 

Not really I don’t need any more Commers,,,

[eddyramrod]

Ebay isn't accepting my login, so you're safe from me!  You wouldn't have been if I could get in...

[FakeConcern]

1 minute ago, eddyramrod said:

Ebay isn't accepting my login, so you're safe from me!  You wouldn't have been if I could get in...

Want me to bid for you?

[eddyramrod]

PM sent...

[FakeConcern]

PM reply...

[FakeConcern]

Question;

If I stick the ex Dan Dinky Escrote in the vice and give it a tap with a hammer to straighten the roof, is it likely to break it completely? The A pillar on the left (right in pic) is broken where it meets the roof.

I'm going to paint it and it doesn't really matter, but if I could make it a bit better that would be good, but as it has survived this long, I don't want to ruin it...

[bunglebus]

I wouldn't use the vice, and I would warm the casting up before trying to bend anything, seems to lessen the chance of things breaking. You'll probably be able to push the roof across by hand, just do a little bit at a time

[Split_Pin]

You'll just squash it in other ways by putting it in the vice.

I'd place it on a hard surface, hold it firmly and gently tap it with a small hammer. Warming the casting in a radiator beforehand is a good shout too.

[FakeConcern]

I'll just defend myself here by saying when I would put it in a vice, I really meant loosly hold it not squash the poor thing haha!

I'll try the warm it up idea though, thanks!

[junkyarddog]

25 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

Question;

If I stick the ex Dan Dinky Escrote in the vice and give it a tap with a hammer to straighten the roof, is it likely to break it completely? The A pillar on the left (right in pic) is broken where it meets the roof.

I'm going to paint it and it doesn't really matter, but if I could make it a bit better that would be good, but as it has survived this long, I don't want to ruin it...

Heat up the casting,I sometimes use a hot air gun.

You could also pop it in the oven for a wee while.

[Bren]

I have straightened roof pillars by hitting them with a screwdriver handle.

[Datsuncog]

2 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

As I’m sure you’ve gathered I know nothing about Hot Wheels and only own one of the large size examples, but if you still have any of the Beatles Yellow Submarines, I’ll buy one from you please.

Unfortunately, I sold them all around 2017... I think I bought them for £1.50, and sold them for £1. So yeah, tremendous business acumen in evidence there...

2 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

I’m about to bid, but before I do who am I bidding against?

I've it watchlisted, but I'm fairly sure it'll hike upwards from £3.30... I'll just keep my eyes peeled for any stray rear canopies that might crop up in the junk boxes!

[sutty2006]

Yesterdays trip into Asda wasn’t very successful. Lots of majorette trucks. The hotwheels dump box had all the crap no one wants but did reveal this dodge van, for the little’un. He’s obsessed with it, won’t put it down. It’s a great little dodge, matt paint and a go kart in the back! 
 

 

[bunglebus]

It is a good fun one with some nice details such as the tow eye on the front bumper. Purple version is my favourite so far

[sutty2006]

13 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

It is a good fun one with some nice details such as the tow eye on the front bumper. Purple version is my favourite so far

Yes I spotted the tow eye, nice little touch! It’s almost like some hotwheels get more attention to detail than others. 

[Christine]

If it was a 58 Plymouth Fury,   the roof should straighten   on it's own ..   Don't hit it ...

[bunglebus]

43 minutes ago, sutty2006 said:

Yes I spotted the tow eye, nice little touch! It’s almost like some hotwheels get more attention to detail than others. 

It's a Ryu Asada design, he was great. Shame he died so young

[Dick Cheeseburger]

One of my shared childhood toys was a cream coloured Tonka car. Despite it being shared with my brother, who always put toys through their paces, I remember it as a clean little thing. I can only assume my brother did some sort of deal with it at school or something because it's long gone with no trace. 

I'd forgotten about its existence until @bunglebus (I think?) shared a photo of a Tonka scrambler. Cue lots of googling on my part and I'd identified what the long-lost car was. Ever since, I've been keeping my eye out for an example in good condition - most seem pretty battered/rusty/bumperless so I thought I'd hold out for a decent one. I wasn't too worried about colour - in fact, I was hoping to find one of the more garish 70s Tonka colours if possible.

Randomly, I discovered this example as part of a set of three Tonkas on Etsy - a quick message to the seller and she'd split the lot so I could buy this example. It looks as though it's barely been played with - apart from the bumpers it's pretty much immaculate. Just look at those tyres! I'm really pleased with this one. 

Can anyone identify the model and roughly when it was produced? 

[junkyarddog]

Ford Pinto.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

8 minutes ago, junkyarddog said:

Ford Pinto.

The Pinto is similar but has a fair few small differences to this one. 

 

[andrew e]

AMC Matador?

[Amishtat]

23 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

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

I'm not going to sleep tonight now.

[AndyW201]

1 hour ago, Dick Longbridge said:

One of my shared childhood toys was a cream coloured Tonka car. Despite it being shared with my brother, who always put toys through their paces, I remember it as a clean little thing. I can only assume my brother did some sort of deal with it at school or something because it's long gone with no trace. 

I'd forgotten about its existence until @bunglebus (I think?) shared a photo of a Tonka scrambler. Cue lots of googling on my part and I'd identified what the long-lost car was. Ever since, I've been keeping my eye out for an example in good condition - most seem pretty battered/rusty/bumperless so I thought I'd hold out for a decent one. I wasn't too worried about colour - in fact, I was hoping to find one of the more garish 70s Tonka colours if possible.

Randomly, I discovered this example as part of a set of three Tonkas on Etsy - a quick message to the seller and she'd split the lot so I could buy this example. It looks as though it's barely been played with - apart from the bumpers it's pretty much immaculate. Just look at those tyres! I'm really pleased with this one. 

Can anyone identify the model and roughly when it was produced? 

Ford Maverick I believe. A quick Google suggests Scramblers were launched in 1971.