Shite in Miniature II

[sierraman]

I have a couple with the red axle clips, they do seem rarer but I don’t think they realise much more because the axle clip is so straightforward to swap. 

[Tenmil Socket]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Thankfully tenmilsocket put his hand up for the BX as I don't fancy the job!

@barrett happy for you to take it on if you so wish? It would only go on my to do list anyway!

[Datsuncog]

Continuing the Mattel bonanza currently afflicting our smol community of diecast addicts, it's my sad duty to advise that The Range now seems to be stocking Hot Wheels again. 2023 first case, it appears.

Haven't seen any in there for a few years now, and they're not especially cheap at £1.99 - but possibly helpful*, should anyone be chasing any specific hard-to-find models.

Fortunately I am iron-willed, so this doesn't apply to me.

Oh, hello...

[bunglebus]

21 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

it's my sad duty to advise that The Range now seems to be stocking Hot Wheels again.

Good news for me, I'm passing one this morning and there's a new one opening in Chelmsford next year in place of the huge BHS

[danthecapriman]

2 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The pink base is quite rare. Mint and boxed they get estimated at £50-70. Also look out for a pale yellow base and sometimes the front axel holder is red.

Nice work, and a good guide for helping people to get motivated. Evertime I see one of your restos it makes me want to dig out my tools and paints and get on with some of the "projects" I have collected over the last 20 years.

By the way, the rear pieces are not white, there are silver with a black edge

And here's a nice dark blue on I found on the web

1964 Pontiac Grand Prix for Sale | ClassicCars.com | CC-998241

Why don’t they make cars look like that anymore! Styling is absolutely atrocious nowadays. 
If they made a car like that new, today, I’d go out and buy one right now.

[Jon]

Rather like @AndyW201, I also did a trifecta line-up of 1/64-ish W129 castings, when on my UK trip last year:

 

Couple of Matchboxes and one of those cheaper line Majorettes with greater plastic content (can't remember the name, bit far to head back and check the base).

 

Proof that they all have rear ends, too. French iteration has side glass also, for that middle aged convertible driver aesthetic.

 

The two MBs aren't quite the same, though. Foreground one has a much more subdued interior, for starters.

 

The garish blue interior one gains grille detail but loses plastic headlights.

 

Back end looks a bit fussier on old bright bluey seats and the folded soft top sits proud, like the Majorette knock-off.

 

But it hides a party trick:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it's a hard top!

 

Sits very nicely with the standard model in this mode but even compared to the much lighter casting of the standard W129, which was a mark of many a 90's Matchbox, this one feels even more fragile - almost prototype spec, rather than a toy.

 

 

 

The coding on the box helped me recall that these were called Flip Top(s) but there's not a lot of information from a cursory phone web search.

The link below gives a smidgeon of extra information:

https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/matchbox-flip-top-series

From memory, there were 4-6 variants, including a yellow Fox body Mustang, which was the only one with no equivalent standard casting. Therfore, I was convinced it didn't exist as I remember eyeballing all the others in the shop when I chose this one but I'm sure I've seen a post online somewhere ages ago, where someone had the full collection.

Anyway, one to keep an eye out for, @AndyW201?

[Tenmil Socket]

8 minutes ago, Jon said:

Rather like @AndyW201, I also did a trifecta line-up of 1/64-ish W129 castings, when on my UK trip last year:

 

Couple of Matchboxes and one of those cheaper line Majorettes with greater plastic content (can't remember the name, bit far to head back and check the base).

 

Proof that they all have rear ends, too. French iteration has side glass also, for that middle aged convertible driver aesthetic.

 

The two MBs aren't quite the same, though. Foreground one has a much more subdued interior, for starters.

 

The garish blue interior one gains grille detail but loses plastic headlights.

 

Back end looks a bit fussier on old bright bluey seats and the folded soft top sits proud, like the Majorette knock-off.

 

But it hides a party trick:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it's a hard top!

 

Sits very nicely with the standard model in this mode but even compared to the much lighter casting of the standard W129, which was a mark of many a 90's Matchbox, this one feels even more fragile - almost prototype spec, rather than a toy.

 

 

 

The coding on the box helped me recall that these were called Flip Top(s) but there's not a lot of information from a cursory phone web search.

The link below gives a smidgeon of extra information:

https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/matchbox-flip-top-series

From memory, there were 4-6 variants, including a yellow Fox body Mustang, which was the only one with no equivalent standard casting. Therfore, I was convinced it didn't exist as I remember eyeballing all the others in the shop when I chose this one but I'm sure I've seen a post online somewhere ages ago, where someone had the full collection.

Anyway, one to keep an eye out for, @AndyW201?

Well I never! 

[danthecapriman]

Cog box arrived this morning!

Thanks @Datsuncog! 

[sierraman]

33 minutes ago, Jon said:

Rather like @AndyW201, I also did a trifecta line-up of 1/64-ish W129 castings, when on my UK trip last year:

 

Couple of Matchboxes and one of those cheaper line Majorettes with greater plastic content (can't remember the name, bit far to head back and check the base).

 

Proof that they all have rear ends, too. French iteration has side glass also, for that middle aged convertible driver aesthetic.

 

The two MBs aren't quite the same, though. Foreground one has a much more subdued interior, for starters.

 

The garish blue interior one gains grille detail but loses plastic headlights.

 

Back end looks a bit fussier on old bright bluey seats and the folded soft top sits proud, like the Majorette knock-off.

 

But it hides a party trick:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it's a hard top!

 

Sits very nicely with the standard model in this mode but even compared to the much lighter casting of the standard W129, which was a mark of many a 90's Matchbox, this one feels even more fragile - almost prototype spec, rather than a toy.

 

 

 

The coding on the box helped me recall that these were called Flip Top(s) but there's not a lot of information from a cursory phone web search.

The link below gives a smidgeon of extra information:

https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/matchbox-flip-top-series

From memory, there were 4-6 variants, including a yellow Fox body Mustang, which was the only one with no equivalent standard casting. Therfore, I was convinced it didn't exist as I remember eyeballing all the others in the shop when I chose this one but I'm sure I've seen a post online somewhere ages ago, where someone had the full collection.

Anyway, one to keep an eye out for, @AndyW201?

Novacar was the Portuguese arm of Majorette. 

[danthecapriman]

This battle scarred monstrosity arrived too.

Corgi Plymouth wagon. 
Nobody else seemed interested in it on the bay so I took pity on it! 
Paintwork is best described as ‘patinated’ (it’s fucked!). I’ve only ever had the beige/tan colour version before but I can’t remember seeing them like this one? Weirdly it’s also got a separate waist height trim down each side. Is that original?

It’s had the base off before too as there’s two screws holding it on instead of rivets. At least it’s been done well though so repainting this one should be a doddle.

[bunglebus]

2 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Novacar was the Portuguese arm of Majorette. 

Yes I have the SL

[bunglebus]

My Plymouth Station wagon

My other Plymouth Sport Suburban!

[Datsuncog]

I also happened to be in The Biggest Home Bargains In Ireland ™ over the weekend, and surprisingly they didn't have any single mainline Hot Wheels on the shelves, unlike my closest branch (possibly the Smallest Home Bargains In Ireland).

They did have some Hot Wheels 5-packs, though:

I think these are 2022 packs - but could be wrong. Even so, at £7 they're a good bit cheaper than Tesco, Entertainer, etc.

This branch still has a few of those Matchbox Service Centre playsets available too.

Well, of course they do.

I feel almost guilty now for flattening all those pensioners in my frenzy to track one down back in early February, believing as I did that all my future happiness lay in acquiring one.

Speaking of Tesco...

A quick guddle in the Northcott branch indicated a good few of the better 2023 toys, like the Nissan Hardbody, AMC Eagle and Ford Ranchero - but I think I've found all I really want from this particular case.

Hot Wheels in the same branch looking somewhat depleted - most surprised to see a Dodge van still looking for a home, and is the Deora III the new airport Cargo Truck in terms of unpopularity?

A good selection of 2023 5-packs from both brands - at a price.

 

So just to recap, my current high-to-low Mattel retailer checklist looks like this:

Home Bargains:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.49)

Poundland:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.50)
Matchbox Mainline (£1.50 - 2023 short cards and some limited stocks of 2021 long cards)

The Entertainer:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£2.40 BUT 3 for 2 offer seems to be perpetually in place, so £1.60 each if you're bulk-buying)
Hot Wheels Semi-Premiums (£2.99/£3.49)
Hot Wheels Premiums (£9.00 - Car Culture etc)
Matchbox Mainline (£1.92)
Matchbox Hitch & Haul (£8.00)

B&M:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.69)
Hot Wheels Semi-Premium (£1.99/ £3.49/ £3.99, depending on range - Flying Customs/ Ultra Hots/ Mud Runner/ F&F)
Matchbox Mainline (£1.69)

Asda:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.90)
Hot Wheels Semi-Premium (£3.00)

Poundstretcher:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.99)
Matchbox 2020 Mainlines in boxes (£1.99)
Matchbox Working Rigs (£3.00 - half price clearance)

The Range:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.99)

Lidl:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£1.99 - when they have them, which only seems to be once every few months)

Smyths:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£2.00)
Hot Wheels Semi-Premium (£3.49)
Hot Wheels Premium (£8.99 - Speed Machines, Boulevard range etc, plus Racing Team Premiums for £££spendy)

Tesco:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£2.20)
Matchbox Mainline (£2.00)

Sainsburys:
Hot Wheels Mainline (£2.30 lol)

Obviously there are other retailers out there, like Morrisons, One Below, Aldi and Wilko - but they've no NI stores, so I can't say for sure what they have or how much they are.

But it looks like we'll not be running out of places to make unwise impulse purchases anytime soon...

[bunglebus]

Good Selection in HB here in darkest Kent today - I often find these revamped stores don't have any at all

[MiniMinorMk3]

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Why don’t they make cars look like that anymore! Styling is absolutely atrocious nowadays. 
If they made a car like that new, today, I’d go out and buy one right now.

The purple Superfast version is one of my all time favourites, but anything with stacked lights from the mid-sixties gets my vote on style

[danthecapriman]

Just now, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The purple Superfast version is one of my all time favourites, but anything with stacked lights from the mid-sixties gets my vote on style

There’s quite a premium price to pay on the purple one, especially on eBay. 
I’ve got the original red one but would love the purple. Might end up painting my own though!

[bunglebus]

If anyone finds a similar colour paint  available I'd like some - purple seems to be limited to Ford Purple Velvet and Rover Amythyst when it comes to spray cans

[MiniMinorMk3]

2 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

If anyone finds a similar colour paint  available I'd like some - purple seems to be limited to Ford Purple Velvet and Rover Amythyst when it comes to spray cans

Any good car paint shop can supply any colour in spray can. If you see a colour you like.

Porsche Amethyst Metallic is quite a good purple

or Volkswagen Twilight Violet. I used to have a Golf Driver that colour.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

My local Aldi and they’ve stopped the problem of those pesky kids buying up all the HotWheels

 

They’ve put them on a shelf I could barely reach the back of and I’m 6’3”, also 30p cheaper than NornIron. O was pretty restrained and only bought this:

 

[flat4alfa]

31 minutes ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

was pretty restrained and only bought this:

The actual car is owned by the Hot Wheels designer (Bryan Benedict)

He drives about in the Californian daytime with the headlamps up too.

[flat4alfa]

DanBox™ May 2023 unveiling

Mental.

[flat4alfa]

23 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Would you, at £30 ?

Ran out of money! Walked away

I wanted it but couldn't justify it.  

There was also 2/3 of a Carrimore Trideck

I spent way too long trying to find the blue top deck in the boxes of chod being rifled through by half the car show attendees

[bunglebus]

Cheers @Datsuncog

The Range do indeed have Hot Wheels and they were unmolested

[danthecapriman]

Local Evri delivery man just dropped another parcel off,

Gamda Koor Pontiac GTO.

Nice looking thing! The gap around the grill/bonnet looks much better in real life!   
Tyres are a bit worn too.
Not entirely sold on the colour (I hate white cars!) and think this is sufficiently rough enough to be repainted in a colour that shows off the styling better. 
Definitely a ‘going to town rig’ then!

Did these come in any other colours?

[MiniMinorMk3]

27 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

 

Gamda Koor Pontiac GTO.

Did these come in any other colours?

 

A quick web search shows red and lime gold.

[AndyW201]

5 hours ago, Jon said:

Rather like @AndyW201, I also did a trifecta line-up of 1/64-ish W129 castings, when on my UK trip last year:

 

Couple of Matchboxes and one of those cheaper line Majorettes with greater plastic content (can't remember the name, bit far to head back and check the base).

 

Proof that they all have rear ends, too. French iteration has side glass also, for that middle aged convertible driver aesthetic.

 

The two MBs aren't quite the same, though. Foreground one has a much more subdued interior, for starters.

 

The garish blue interior one gains grille detail but loses plastic headlights.

 

Back end looks a bit fussier on old bright bluey seats and the folded soft top sits proud, like the Majorette knock-off.

 

But it hides a party trick:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it's a hard top!

 

Sits very nicely with the standard model in this mode but even compared to the much lighter casting of the standard W129, which was a mark of many a 90's Matchbox, this one feels even more fragile - almost prototype spec, rather than a toy.

 

 

 

The coding on the box helped me recall that these were called Flip Top(s) but there's not a lot of information from a cursory phone web search.

The link below gives a smidgeon of extra information:

https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/matchbox-flip-top-series

From memory, there were 4-6 variants, including a yellow Fox body Mustang, which was the only one with no equivalent standard casting. Therfore, I was convinced it didn't exist as I remember eyeballing all the others in the shop when I chose this one but I'm sure I've seen a post online somewhere ages ago, where someone had the full collection.

Anyway, one to keep an eye out for, @AndyW201?

Oh my! I love that, reminds me a bit of the Hot Wheels Crack Ups.

Actually found one on eBay. It's not listed as a Flip Top, but it's silver with a hardtop, black windows, opening bootlid and on the picture of the underside, bits of the blue interior can be seen. No mention of whether the flip function works though, it's unboxed and he wants £7 plus post for it.

Torment...

[MiniMinorMk3]

5 hours ago, Jon said:

 

 

 

 

 

Those look like they would last a lot longer than a Minichamps version.

I usually avoid these Merc SLs with the folding roof as they are usually broken, jammed or both.

Even following the instructions it is a very fiddly job getting the roof up or down.

The roof never seams to fit quite right when you raise it, so the model is best left with the roof down. And if you do get into difficulties then you are pretty much knackered.

It was a great idea to model it, but it is just so fragile, and one false sausage fingered move and you are left with a pile of little bits of plastic that will not fit together anymore without the aid of glue, two full pots of tea and a very quiet afternoon.

 

 

[junkyarddog]

It was too expensive, but I couldn't resist. 

Hot Wheels Jay Leno's Garage set.

Smoll Eddy is already eyeing up the shipping container!

"If it's good enough for Leno,it's good enough for me M8"

[eddyramrod]

5 hours ago, bunglebus said:

My Plymouth Station wagon

My other Plymouth Sport Suburban!

Ha, I remember that blue one!

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

Local Evri delivery man just dropped another parcel off,

Gamda Koor Pontiac GTO.

Nice looking thing! The gap around the grill/bonnet looks much better in real life!   
Tyres are a bit worn too.
Not entirely sold on the colour (I hate white cars!) and think this is sufficiently rough enough to be repainted in a colour that shows off the styling better. 
Definitely a ‘going to town rig’ then!

Did these come in any other colours?

That is nice, I love that shape.  Red suits them very well...

[bunglebus]

19 hours ago, bunglebus said:

 Glazing is given a polish with a brass polish I've found to work well

 

10 hours ago, sierraman said:

I have real trouble with scuffed wheels, getting them to come up like new. Any tips? 

I realised last night that I hadn't actually done these two things!

Glass is now shiny

And tyres are black