Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

Yeah white interior and so white bonnet vents too

[sierraman]

Noice! I think that’s quite rare that one. 

[MiniMinorMk3]

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

I thought to start with that this blue Alfasud was the same as the Polistil I got from @flat4alfabut it has wide arches and says "Cougar" on the plastic base and doors don't open

 

It looks like it must clip on, but I can't see how. Does anyone know how to get it off?

 

That's an old Solido casting. 

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

 

That looks great! What scale is it? It's giving me ideas for a custom Corgi Vette now!

 

Vitesse did nearly all the Le Mans Corvettes from that era. They are good looking models in 1/43rd scale.

[flat4alfa]

On 6/4/2023 at 2:33 PM, danthecapriman said:

The Matchbox blue Leyland cab has two versions too, one like yours with the white grill, and another that hasn’t got the white bit. No idea why they did that!?

Odd, the first one is clearly based on Leyland T45 C40 cab

Both were new for 1981, the shorter one for the 1-75 range and boxed as Artic Truck (but with no name on chassis casting), in a few colour variations until 1984.  https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/Articulated_Truck_(1981)

Presumably to fill the gap left by Articulated Truck, the one with the fantasy fantasy cab that made me itch when a lad

Similarly Petrol Tanker 1982-89, to replace Freeway Gas Tanker

 

The longer cab was 1981 only.  It's a different design though, not a Leyland T45 but of something else I can't put my finger on

Only released as Two Packs (they were pre-Convoy era) and either dragging the Exxon Tanker or the Australian boat as shown previous pages

The Two-Packs didn't have names, just catalogue numbers, however the casting had Articulated Truck underneath https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/Leyland_Cabover_Cab

I think I bored myself there, too

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Odd, the first one is clearly based on Leyland T45 C40 cab

Both were new for 1981, the shorter one for the 1-75 range and boxed as Artic Truck (but with no name on chassis casting), in a few colour variations until 1984.  https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/Articulated_Truck_(1981)

Presumably to fill the gap left by Articulated Truck, the one with the fantasy fantasy cab that made me itch when a lad

Similarly Petrol Tanker 1982-89, to replace Freeway Gas Tanker

 

The longer cab was 1981 only.  It's a different design though, not a Leyland T45 but of something else I can't put my finger on

Only released as Two Packs (they were pre-Convoy era) and either dragging the Exxon Tanker or the Australian boat as shown previous pages

The Two-Packs didn't have names, just catalogue numbers, however the casting had Articulated Truck underneath https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/Leyland_Cabover_Cab

 

The coupling for the trailers is completely different too looking at the pics. 
It obviously wasn’t a very long lived casting then by the sound of it.

It sort of reminds me of a Mercedes cab. A bit?

[junkyarddog]

7 hours ago, sierraman said:

White interior? 

Well spotted,never seen one before. 

Today's bank holiday car boot sale find is this Husky Sunbeam Alpine.

I've never found one with an intact windscreen before,let along the roof!!

Also found Dinky Ford Zephyr with a carefully painted Go Faster stripe and racing number.

Its great 😊

[Split_Pin]

16 minutes ago, junkyarddog said:

Well spotted,never seen one before. 

Today's bank holiday car boot sale find is this Husky Sunbeam Alpine.

I've never found one with an intact windscreen before,let along the roof!!

Also found Dinky Ford Zephyr with a carefully painted Go Faster stripe and racing number.

Its great 😊

I've got that Zephyr,  it was one of my dad's oldest cars and one of the few that survived not being daubed with ship hull paint from the nearby yard my grandpa worked at.

[danthecapriman]

Postman brought me some treasures today. One of them from far off lands!

Dinky Holden EJ     
One I’ve been after for a while. Unusual prototype for a British toy company to make but looks fantastic non the less. Really nice looking car this.

 

And the exotica!   
Cragstan Detroit Senior (Gamda Koor) Plymouth Barracuda. I got this all the way from the US! Expensive postage but you don’t see them too often here. 
This one’s been really well played with in its half century or so of life! It’s well worn just about everywhere, even the doors are very loose where they’ve been opened & closed so many times! But, it’s complete and generally good and I really like it! I don’t know if I should strip & paint it or mask up the roof and just paint that? Or leave it as is? Not sure.

 

Interesting they bothered to change the writing on the base from the Gamda Koor models.

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

The coupling for the trailers is completely different too looking at the pics. 

The one I just bought takes the trailers that were part of the convoy range, the male/female parts of the coupling are reversed on those weird little lorries - a ball on the tractor unit and a socket in the trailer 

[danthecapriman]

Just now, bunglebus said:

The one I just bought takes the trailers that were part of the convoy range, the male/female parts of the coupling are reversed on those weird little lorries - a ball on the tractor unit and a socket in the trailer 

I didn’t get chance to look for the trailer today, but I’ll have a look first thing tomorrow. I’m positive I’ve seen one here somewhere. No cab though definitely.

[bunglebus]

8 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I don’t know if I should strip & paint it or mask up the roof and just paint that?

Just painting the roof will look really jarring unless you go for a contrasting colour. If it was mine I'd leave it alone but if you drill it be very careful getting that plastic base off.

I'm probably over cautious but I rarely attack anything uncommon in case I mess it up!

[danthecapriman]

Just now, bunglebus said:

Just painting the roof will look really jarring unless you go for a contrasting colour. If it was mine I'd leave it alone but if you drill it be very careful getting that plastic base off.

I'm probably over cautious but I rarely attack anything uncommon in case I mess it up!

If I’m honest, that’s my worry too! I think leaving it alone is probably the best solution.

 

Does anyone know what the full Gamda Koor range of these was?

[bunglebus]

On a mission this week. Entertainer Dover had a good spread but nothing new

On the ferry, some expensive Matchbox 

[FakeConcern]

2 hours ago, junkyarddog said:

Well spotted,never seen one before. 

Today's bank holiday car boot sale find is this Husky Sunbeam Alpine.

I've never found one with an intact windscreen before,let along the roof!!

Also found Dinky Ford Zephyr with a carefully painted Go Faster stripe and racing number.

Its great 😊

I had the Alpine as a kid and I honestly don't remember it ever having a roof, very well bought!

That Zephyr is something else, I really love that it is indeed great!

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

Postman brought me some treasures today. One of them from far off lands!

Dinky Holden EJ     
One I’ve been after for a while. Unusual prototype for a British toy company to make but looks fantastic non the less. Really nice looking car this.

 

And the exotica!   
Cragstan Detroit Senior (Gamda Koor) Plymouth Barracuda. I got this all the way from the US! Expensive postage but you don’t see them too often here. 
This one’s been really well played with in its half century or so of life! It’s well worn just about everywhere, even the doors are very loose where they’ve been opened & closed so many times! But, it’s complete and generally good and I really like it! I don’t know if I should strip & paint it or mask up the roof and just paint that? Or leave it as is? Not sure.

 

Interesting they bothered to change the writing on the base from the Gamda Koor models.

I thought the Holden was a Vauxhall to start with haha.

The Cuda is lovely, I think I'd give it a black roof or else a complete repaint by carfully masking it up rather than opening it up especially as it has four rivets to be drilled out.

Now here isn't my Hot Wheels collection but actually part of my C4 and Mini collections...

I didn't really want a MIB or Card or whatever, but this was the cheapest I've seen this colour scheme Morris Mini so I bought it

So now my question is, how do I get the packet open without ruining it? I don't really see the point having the think sealed up in a bubble particularly when it's one that has a detachable chassis...

 

[junkyarddog]

Another weekend find.

This rather natty tin plate MGA.

Clockwork mechanism still works(after a fashion)It's missing a wheel and the roof is caved in,Perfect!

It says Made in Japan,but after that there are no other markings at all.

Any ideas on the manufacturer,and approximate age?

 

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

if you drill it be very careful getting that plastic base off.

Yes those Cragstan/Sabra plastic bases split easily.  I messed-up the Dodge Charger one, rushing the job.    

Ensure you get a good, deep drill spot with the centre punch and take it slow.  I wish I had

[HMC]

I walked past my local bric-a-brac shop last weekend and found a shoebox of diexast to rummage through on the street. I did a few buys which although battered i was happy with for 50p each, which make an instant scrap diorama with little effort….

 

 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

I love the Lesney casting of the Lincoln Continental. I'm only just really starting to see the appeal of the small wheeled Lesneys, so it's like a door has been opened really. The turquoise one is a tidy example I bought from Fennec a while back and the Warhol version on the left is a previously battered example which my son updated* after Dan threw it into a Danbox as a source of spares for another example with a missing bootlid. The problem is I now like it as it is and don't really want to hack it up!

[flat4alfa]

On 6/5/2023 at 6:44 PM, danthecapriman said:

Does anyone know what the full Gamda Koor range of these was?

I did some research assistance* for the upcoming CogBook™ chapter!

Gamda Koor produced 25 Sabra Super Cars range releases, manufactured between 1968-72 by the Habonim factory within the Kfar HaNassi commune at upper Galilee, northern Israel.

Of those, 18 were reproduced for the Cragstan Detroit Senior range.

8100 Chevelle Station wagon was named Chevelle Station on the base plate and box.  It was released in a few liveries including Israeli Military Personnel, Israeli Post Service and United Nations.

8112 was named Road Service Wrecker Truck on the box.  There were a few colour variations and company name, also an Israeli military livery.  It was modelled on the 1972 Chevrolet Longhorn (133 inch wheelbase), an odd choice, perhaps there was the idea to do a RV attachment variation as there are cut-outs in the plastic deck moulding that are unused by the wrecker jib.

8117 was the sole non-US model.  It was of the VW Beetle, in various colours and liveries.

All of them came in a clear plastic, stackable 'Pocket Garage' box, having a red door one end.

Inside was also a note in a number of languages and a legal-tender collectors coin incentive

So, apart from having to collect the models, you will also need to collect the plastic 'pocket garages' and source 25 of the pre-1980 One Agora coins!  That will prove your dedication.

[danthecapriman]

58 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

I did some research assistance* for the upcoming CogBook™ chapter!

Gamda Koor produced 25 Sabra Super Cars range releases, manufactured between 1968-72 by the Habonim factory within the Kfar HaNassi commune at upper Galilee, northern Israel.

Of those, 18 were reproduced for the Cragstan Detroit Senior range.

8100 Chevelle Station wagon was named Chevelle Station on the base plate and box.  It was released in a few liveries including Israeli Military Personnel, Israeli Post Service and United Nations.

8112 was named Road Service Wrecker Truck on the box.  There were a few colour variations and company name, also an Israeli military livery.  It was modelled on the 1972 Chevrolet Longhorn (133 inch wheelbase), an odd choice, perhaps there was the idea to do a RV attachment variation as there are cut-outs in the plastic deck moulding that are unused by the wrecker jib.

8117 was the sole non-US model.  It was of the VW Beetle, in various colours and liveries.

All of them came in a clear plastic 'stackable garage' box, with a red door one end.

Inside was also a note in a number of languages and a legal-tender collectors coin incentive

So, apart from having to collect the models, you will also need to collect the plastic 'pocket garages' and source 25 of the pre-1980 One Agora coins!  That will prove your dedication.

That’s brilliant! Didn’t know about the coins either!

Theres a pickup wrecker on eBay at the moment with an eye watering BIN price sadly.   
Never seen the Ford Torino on that list…

So far I’ve only got:   
8100 Chevelle wagon (blue).   
8107 Pontiac GTO (white).   
8114 Plymouth Barracuda (white).   
8116 Chevrolet Impala Taxi.    
8118 Ford Thunderbird (blue).   
 

None have the garage boxes either sadly. I do really like these though. I’m not sure they’re quite up to the standard of contemporary Corgi or Dinky but they’re still good, and have something about them. A bit more unusual than the other brands too.
 

[bunglebus]

10 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

do I get the packet open without ruining it?

Lots of people swear by acetone (nail varnish remover) but I've not had great results with it. 

Best method I've found is using Wilko Clean Up thinner, brush it on the back of the card where the blister is glued on. Be generous with it and give the area behind the car a bit of a wetting too - it'll look better once it's dry, trust me.

After about a minute the blister will pretty much fall off. Don't be afraid to really soak the card, it'll dry pretty quickly - I use my faithful hairdryer to help.

If you ever want to put the blister back on, use PVA glue and clamp it with clothes pegs or similar while it dries

[FakeConcern]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Lots of people swear by acetone (nail varnish remover) but I've not had great results with it. 

Best method I've found is using Wilko Clean Up thinner, brush it on the back of the card where the blister is glued on. Be generous with it and give the area behind the car a bit of a wetting too - it'll look better once it's dry, trust me.

After about a minute the blister will pretty much fall off. Don't be afraid to really soak the card, it'll dry pretty quickly - I use my faithful hairdryer to help.

If you ever want to put the blister back on, use PVA glue and clamp it with clothes pegs or similar while it dries

Oh no so now I've got to wait until I can get to a Wilko!

 

Or shall I just rip the fuckin' thing off?

[flat4alfa]

9 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Never seen the Ford Torino on that list…

So far I’ve only got:   
8100 Chevelle wagon (blue).   
8107 Pontiac GTO (white).   
8114 Plymouth Barracuda (white).   
8116 Chevrolet Impala Taxi.    
8118 Ford Thunderbird (blue)

This is the Ford Torino, it's a '68 Fastback

Never going to see one of those so will have to console myself with the plastic Funmate '71 Torino GT example!

Back here there is just:

8108 Buick Riviera ('66)
8110 Cadillac Eldorado ('67)
8112 Dodge Charger ('67)

Any the others were either 1) unobtainium, 2) missing parts, 3) or was outbid ...probably by you! 

[MiniMinorMk3]

15 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Postman brought me some treasures today. One of them from far off lands!

Dinky Holden EJ     
One I’ve been after for a while. Unusual prototype for a British toy company to make but looks fantastic non the less. Really nice looking car this.

 

 

That's a nice looking model, shades of FB Victor at the front.

If anyone is into Australian motors then you might want to track down the TRAX range of diecasts.

Here's a nice set from them of the EJ

Looks best in gold

[danthecapriman]

43 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

This is the Ford Torino, it's a '68 Fastback

Never going to see one of those so will have to console myself with the plastic Funmate '71 Torino GT example!

Back here there is just:

8108 Buick Riviera ('66)
8110 Cadillac Eldorado ('67)
8112 Dodge Charger ('67)

Any the others were either 1) unobtainium, 2) missing parts, 3) or was outbid ...probably by you! 

That Torino looks lovely! I guess it’s a rare one then?

I’ll have to get all mine together. At the moment they’re all either in boxes ready for a house move or on the mantelpiece waiting to go into boxes. I’m not meant to be buying more really until after the move… but… you know!😅

[MiniMinorMk3]

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

I didn't really want a MIB or Card or whatever, but this was the cheapest I've seen this colour scheme Morris Mini so I bought it

So now my question is, how do I get the packet open without ruining it? I don't really see the point having the think sealed up in a bubble particularly when it's one that has a detachable chassis...

 

 

I did a little test piece with lighter fluid on an old Matchbox here

 

[flat4alfa]

3 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I’ll have to get all mine together. At the moment they’re all either in boxes ready for a house move or on the mantelpiece waiting to go into boxes. I’m not meant to be buying more really until after the move… but… you know!😅

I think I can help there

Continue to buy, but have them sent to my house.  I can then check them over and fondle them until you are ready to receive 

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

Or shall I just rip the fuckin' thing off?

I would - or at least try to remove the blister from the card as neatly as possible, if you want to keep the packaging too. I use a steel nailfile to try to lever apart plastic and cardboard with minimal tearing. Usually it's not too messy.

I kinda like the current crop of packaging illustrations on both Matchbox and Hot Wheels, and would probably prefer to keep the unblemished backing cards if I could - but haven't had much luck with either acetone or lighter fluid when it comes to loosening the adhesive.

But older, more-or-less generic backing cards like that on your Mini; I wouldn't feel too bad about binning.

While certain Hot Wheels toys do seem to have a degree of scarcity and a higher value on the secondhand collector market, they were still churned out in their millions. The adult collector market and online auctions ensures there will always be plenty of unopened examples in circulation for those who feel that's important - but for me, I like to handle them.

[FakeConcern]

15 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

I would - or at least try to remove the blister from the card as neatly as possible, if you want to keep the packaging too. I use a steel nailfile to try to lever apart plastic and cardboard with minimal tearing. Usually it's not too messy.

I kinda like the current crop of packaging illustrations on both Matchbox and Hot Wheels, and would probably prefer to keep the unblemished backing cards if I could - but haven't had much luck with either acetone or lighter fluid when it comes to loosening the adhesive.

But older, more-or-less generic backing cards like that on your Mini; I wouldn't feel too bad about binning.

While certain Hot Wheels toys do seem to have a degree of scarcity and a higher value on the secondhand collector market, they were still churned out in their millions. The adult collector market and online auctions ensures there will always be plenty of unopened examples in circulation for those who feel that's important - but for me, I like to handle them.

I think you're probably right, I'm not expecting to sell it on ebay anyway so value doesn't really come into it. It just seems a shame to ruin something that's been kept well since 2006.

 

And thank you to all those who answered this question

[sierraman]

Rip the fucker off, life’s too short to worry about it being worth £5.32 in 15 years time.