Shite in Miniature II

43,212 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 13:57, flat4alfa said:

Mattel bought Mebetoys and kept the factory running by just rebranding existing range and subsequent releases as Hot Wheels. Mid-80s.

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On 20/04/2023 at 15:35, danthecapriman said:

Yeah, you’re right! I thought it was an axle but it’s not! Just little plastic pegs with a wheel stuck on them!

CHEAP!! But I suppose it’s still cheerful.😁

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When Mattel took over Mebetoys they released models under the Sutafuoco range and the Gran Toros range.

43,212 · April 20, 2023

Budgie Toys R-R Cloud. This is a 1980's re-issue

26,048 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 17:21, flat4alfa said:

Matchbox Iso Grifo. First and last colours.

On the right, the first release for 1968-only. The following year the wheels became the new 'Superfast' type, same body colour.

On the left, the 1971 colour change and wider 'Superfast' wheel type. Continued through 1974.

'Super GT' series later releases not included, mainly because the drivers could not see where they were going.

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That’s good to know. It means I have all versions of the Grifo now then! With the exception of the Super GT ones - was never much of a fan of that range tbh.

42,955 · April 20, 2023

Hot Wheels Dixie Challenger, produced 1981-86

Notice the roof tampo design change for 1982. Perhaps the Confederate flag upset sales in stores north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Based on the 1974-79 Rodger Dodger, modelling a stretched Dodge Challenger, which was subsequently retooled twice! Shown in photo is a 2017 release.

26,048 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 17:34, flat4alfa said:

Hot Wheels Dixie Challenger, produced 1981-86

Notice the roof tampo design change for 1982. Perhaps the Confederate flag upset sales in stores north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Based on the 1974-79 Rodger Dodger, modelling a stretched Dodge Challenger, which was subsequently retooled twice! Shown in photo is a 2017 release.

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That one I just got is the early confederate version then, mines badly worn away but definitely the remains of the confederate flag!

42,955 · April 20, 2023

The Universal Hobbies Maserati Biturbo 425 in 1:43, released as part of the 'James Bond Car Collection' partwork spanning 2007-17.

Not even removed this one from the box! Because... it is secured home by one of those daft three-pointed screws and I didn't fancy falling into the pit of boxes of diecast called my 'garage', hunting for the right drive bit.

I think this is one of the more successful models in the series

In the film 'Licence to Kill', character Franz Sanchez uses the Biturbo 425i as his personal vehicle. It is most notably seen during the tanker chase. Sanchez and his driver abandon the Maserati and take over one of the Kenworth W-900 trucks.

If anyone is in the viscinity, please could you check if the abandoned Maserati is still there? The door might even still be open. I've always wanted one of those, you see. Thanks.

20,414 · April 20, 2023

Picked this up today - for £8.50 I couldn't say no.

Another from my childhood. I remember an identical mercedes tractor unit used to park near my parents house in Widnes in the 70's.

Not sure if I have any period juniors - the volvo 245 / pacer / dyane / X19 would have been transported but due to them being a bit pish ( compared to matchbox) mine have gone - I will see what is lying around.

56,819 · April 20, 2023

56,819 · April 20, 2023

Art cars monster truck Roger Dodger

42,955 · April 20, 2023

On 19/04/2023 at 17:54, 155V6 said:

I do like Lone Star Impy & Flyers cars,but I don't go out of my way to get them.I do have a soft spot for car transporters though

No need for a rear ramp

The trailer is quite good, but the tractor unit is horrible to be honest 😂

A pity it didn't come out earlier with a nicer cab,the one it has is riveted to the trailer,so no changing it for something else

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I hope that one doesn't come past my house, because the lowered ramp will make dreadful noise over the speed humps!

That's a tidy trailer, not noticed them before. Why not look out for a different, earlier Lone Star tractor unit? Rivets can be removed!

This one isn't so bad, a sort of Mercedes Benz, but with a 'Tefal head' roof. With recolour and detailing it could look quite good. Probably.

17,787 · April 20, 2023

With hotwheels doing some serious 80s metal right now, I really wish they’d do some Vauxhalls. Lotus Carlton? GSI? Manta? Don’t see anything from Vauxhall

42,955 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 17:29, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Sputafuoco

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My wife makes that sound when she eats my chilli dishes.

56,819 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 18:06, sutty2006 said:

With hotwheels doing some serious 80s metal right now, I really wish they’d do some Vauxhalls. Lotus Carlton? GSI? Manta? Don’t see anything from Vauxhall

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Would the Americans know what they were?

42,955 · April 20, 2023

Americans have enough trouble knowing what an Opel is

56,819 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 17:32, danthecapriman said:

That’s good to know. It means I have all versions of the Grifo now then! With the exception of the Super GT ones - was never much of a fan of that range tbh.

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Have you got a red one?

17,787 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 18:09, bunglebus said:

Would the Americans know what they were?

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We’ve got plenty of mercs, Audis, landrovers, fords from Europe, why not something else? They did get the A series manta sold from Buick dealers. So they’re out there!

42,955 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 18:06, sutty2006 said:

With hotwheels doing some serious 80s metal right now, I really wish they’d do some Vauxhalls. Lotus Carlton? GSI? Manta? Don’t see anything from Vauxhall

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Carlton GSi and Manta were just rebadged German (or Belgian)-built Opels, so perhaps Matchbox brand instead might follow on from their Kadett GTE and Speedster (VX220) in recent years though, with those as Opels? Here's hoping...

Lotus Carlton good call. Maybe we need to badger them. Matchbox might think they have already covered, having already done the 1990s Holden Commodore (VS) GTS. But it wasn't very detailed.

Pretty unlikely we'd see a Hot Wheels brand Vauxhall, Lotus yes, but they have never have issued a model of a Vauxhall. Saying that, they might, as Mattel never do make much sense.

5,161 · April 20, 2023

The Matchbox MK3 Cavalier was a brilliant little casting. I'm surprised we never saw a Cleland style BTCC liveried version. Would be nice to see something like that.

42,955 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 18:42, AndyW201 said:

The Matchbox MK3 Cavalier was a brilliant little casting. I'm surprised we never saw a Cleland style BTCC liveried version. Would be nice to see something like that.

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Imagine the box art

26,048 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 18:42, AndyW201 said:

The Matchbox MK3 Cavalier was a brilliant little casting. I'm surprised we never saw a Cleland style BTCC liveried version. Would be nice to see something like that.

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Yes, I like the Matchbox Cav casting. Really looks the part imho. It’s only recently I found one though.

Were they all metallic red?

Heres my one, not a minter but good enough for me.

42,955 · April 20, 2023

Only metallic red

There was a set only for German market, with a green one. A horrible green too.

56,819 · April 20, 2023

A blue Saab and yellow Sterling too, amazing!

10,125 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 18:42, AndyW201 said:

The Matchbox MK3 Cavalier was a brilliant little casting. I'm surprised we never saw a Cleland style BTCC liveried version. Would be nice to see something like that.

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From a Facebook model group

5,161 · April 20, 2023

Cav looks awful in that green, but I am liking that yellow Sterling!

5,161 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 20:50, 155V6 said:

From a Facebook model group

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Oof! I was right, they look bloody great. Shame MB never did it seeing as they did the Mondeo Touring car of about the same era.

11,557 · April 20, 2023

After all that exotic stuff I can bring you all down to earth with the mundane Corgi & Dinky toys I have.

For some time I've been working on the Dinky Escrote I got from Dan.

It was pretty tatty

As well as the paint it had bent roof, snapped steering wheel, , missing windscreen and seats and smashed rear window

I decided on budget resto, so it has an acetate screen, plasticard bucket seats and a (laughably awfull) louvred back window.

The blue one is my original from 1968

I've tried to keep it looking like it could have been a factory version, so I wasn't concerned about the leakage under the masking for the stripes as it looks authentic (imo).

As the screen and rear louvres came out so badly, I've decided to visit the optician and also to buy a new window moulding with my next Steve Flowers order, which I need now that Mrs Concern knocked my Ford H cab transporter off the sideboard breaking the new repro horns (luckily not damaging any of the cars) how we laughed!

I should say after I dissed Steve Flowers repro doors on my Mini Countryman, the boot lid on the Escrote is fine, fits well and with some filing opens and closes perfectly

One thing I've dicovered doing this and the Mini Magnifandango is the doors should be in situ when spraying as otherwise the door shuts are too thick and the paints chips off as it did on this

I never really liked my original green Mini magnifique which is one of the reasons I turned it into the Magnifandango (I should really credit @flat4alfawith the name each time I use it haha) so I went mad on ebay and got these to keep it company...

I like the white whizzwheels version best as the wheels suit it better and I hate the stupid stripey sunroof

I've been bidding for some models that would have come with my Tri Deck Transporter and couldn't resist this Firebird it's pretty much mint condition

Shame it has the red spot wheels

I'm still waiting for another stupidly expensive order from Steve Flowers so I can finish off these in my on going project box

Of the stripped toys waiting for paint, I decided to keep the little Corgi Fiat in one piece and mask it up

Going to be red and black I think

11,557 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 12:09, danthecapriman said:

I’m a weak willed person! I said I’d stop for a bit. But you know how it is… you see something and you must have it!
So I’ve been buying job lots up, and snagging stuff from junk/charity shops too😁

Heres a few of the ‘keepers’ I’ve recently got hold of. Some are from eBay job lots, some from charity shops and one from a neighbour who was clearing out rubbish.

These two are excellent. The gold standard car has had some glue added to hold tyres on, which I’ll likely scrape off and do a tidier job of I think.

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That is strange, I had the Cougar as a kid and was toying with bidding on this one (I still may do)

Now look at the tyres

And as an aside every time you or anyone mentions Corgi I get excited until I realise you mean Corgi Junios/Rockets/Husky!

56,819 · April 20, 2023

Mine too

This one's even worse

26,048 · April 20, 2023

On 20/04/2023 at 21:51, FakeConcern said:

That is strange, I had the Cougar as a kid and was toying with bidding on this one (I still may do)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325617871742?_trkparms=ni_actn%3Anav|ni_nt%3AWATCH_ITEM_ENDING_SOON|ni_apos%3A1|ni_sg%3A1|ni_pos%3A1|ni_st%3ANEW|ni_wh%3A1|ni_nid%3A629778488546|ni_nsid%3A325617871742|ni_et%3A1682111039000|ni_bn%3A1&_trksid=p2380424.m570.l5997

Now look at the tyres

And as an aside every time you or anyone mentions Corgi I get excited until I realise you mean Corgi Junios/Rockets/Husky!

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That is weird! And the same on @bunglebus one. So I’m guessing then that the glue must be factory applied and squished out from under the tyres?? I thought someone had done it on mine with the wrong glue (like gorilla glue that expands).

That Escrote looks absolutely awesome btw! You’d never know it was the same one!! It’s nice to see it actually finished and looking so good. To think I was going to make it into a stock car!

56,819 · April 20, 2023

Until I started messing about with the early Lesneys, I didn't appreciate how ungainly the wheelarches are on some of the Superfast/Speed Kings modified castings

That Cougar has to be one of the worst offenders too, I like the hot rod version other than the rear arches - cut so high they start to curve back in at the top towards the window line