Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, vulgalour said:

Nice Hi-Rakers 34. They make good customs

[Jon]

A couple of weekends back, we got up early to drive to a 'retro fair' about 45 mins away. I'd bagged a couple of Matchboxes there the month prior (some still boxed!) and some other smalls but no such luck this time.

At a loss at what the heck to do in another town so early, we headed out for breakfast but then came across a colossal charity shop I'd not seen before. This place is huge and bizarrely, open only on Thursdays and Saturdays. It's divided into two adjoining buildings, with separate entrances; the rear is the cheaper, everyday stuff that actually helps the community (fill a banana box with clothes for $10) and the front is the hand picked good stuff, with prices to match.

Since it bankrolls the part that directly helps the locals, I found a basket of semi-pricey diecasts and did some cherry picking.

 

First up was this Matchbox Dodge dragster, as they seem prevalent on here but I'd yet to find one:

The stickers are good but the axles are bent - I've accepted it as is for now and just think of it as 'stanced'.

 

Back end is likely the scruffiest part but it's a nice little casting. Has anyone done a civilian mod one of these? I'm thinking on spun wheels, like a miniaturised Superkings version.

 

Party trick is let down by the broken support but perhaps a judicious dab of glue could fix this. However, I'd hate it to end up like a Friday Market modified special*, so I'll opt for the lazy option and just ignore it.

 

It's not in excellent condition but I do like the shape of these Thames vans - especially the impractically small rear windows. I'm pretty sure a green Thames van (minus the Singer signwriting) was my Dad's first wholly owned car; his first jointly owned car was a Citroen Big 15. Writing this, it's only just dawned on me that we both had Citroens as first cars, although I'm not sure how favourably an AX would compare.

 

 

Then I struck lucky with this Zodiac - been on my want list for ages! I had one in my toy box growing up (unsure where it came from) and think I had the diecast version before I saw a real one. In later years, I bought a Dinky police version and despite all the opening bits, this was still my preferred choice between the two. Luckily, this one still has the spare wheel - were these still being fitted when the casting was modified to accept the big fat wheels?! Must've looked super old fashioned, if so.

The nearside front wheel is bent but rather than worry about it, I'll just pretend it's steering. And beggars can't be choosers when I haven't seen another over here (apart from the other one in the same basket, albeit missing the bonnet).

 

What's really strange though is that I was only thinking about this casting that very morning as we left the house, so make of that what you will! Anyway, very happy that this one is in the fold.

[andy18s]

Project anyone?

[bunglebus]

8 hours ago, Jon said:

Matchbox Dodge dragster

I'm afraid you've been ripped off - it's got the wrong sticker. You might as well send it to me...

It seems they quite often got whichever sticker came to hand  - and there are loads of different colours bases out there 

[flat4alfa]

Whichever the sticker or paint-fade level, the axles always end up bent worse on these than many others

A channeling energy from the hard launches endured by the real things, perhaps

[flat4alfa]

I did not know this.

[Jon]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I'm afraid you've been ripped off - it's got the wrong sticker. You might as well send it to me...

It seems they quite often got whichever sticker came to hand  - and there are loads of different colours bases out there 

Ooh, I got a variation! Would've been nice to receive a wacky coloured base with it, too. 

I'm guessing the snake graphics never got stuck on other variants, since they seem a bit too long for others.

[MiniMinorMk3]

On 6/22/2023 at 9:18 PM, flat4alfa said:

Never knew about these either.  Matchbox Kingsize prototypes!

Not put my finger on what that was supposed to be.  I see elements of a few cars 

 

I stumbled across this picture on the interwebs...

and did an image search, which I think is the car that the Matchbox prototype was based on.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the Serenissima Ghia from 1968

It was designed by Tom Tjaarda and displayed at the Turin Motor Show.

 

The Only One Ever Made - The 1968 Serenissima Ghia GT (silodrome.com)

 

 

PS, I just read back and Barrett had already posted an image of the Serenissima. 🙈

[MiniMinorMk3]

Tyco ad found on the interwebs.

[Datsuncog]

Good sleuthing!

That Serenissima looks to be the one - and I've never ever heard of it. Tjaarda vibe checks out, then.

Had Lesney gone ahead, millions of kids might have been familiar with this one - kinda like the otherwise obscure Monteverdi Hai.

[bunglebus]

Toys Я Us re-opens near me on Sat - is there a branch near you?

[eddyramrod]

If that's all of them, then the answer is no.

[flat4alfa]

Hmm...  I discounted Serenissima as it's a mid-engine.  Compare the wheel base and 'axle' positions.  Rear axle line too far forward for a mid-engine.  The Matchbox proto is of a front-engined GT four-seater with a boot area, a less-powerful car. 

The Matchbox has a flatter upper bodyline like Fiat Dino Coupe fender and a taller cut-off Kamm-rear upper too,  whereas front is equally-tapered top and bottom on Serenissima

Tjaarda didn't go for the stepped swage line along the flanks either, that was more a Leonardo Fioravanti (Pinin) favourite back then

Saying that, all those designers were all having lunch around the same pizzeria table in those days.

[sierraman]

In fairness it could have just been a generic design, you’ve then no licensing issues etc. 

Meanwhile look at this Lancia, that would have been spectacular...

[flat4alfa]

Who likes the Corgi Juniors Aston Martin DBS-V8 ?

Those wheels do look a bit puny though

Ah that's better

What is surprising is the lack of competition for this model. 

Well-catered for in 1:43, some 1:36 and 1:76 as well.  Oh and Airfix did their electronic 'Data' car at around 1:28.

But 1:64?  Surely it wasn't just Corgi?

Well almost.

This was the Matchbox prototype.  In resin, but no puny wheels in sight. 

What a shame.

[bunglebus]

FIL bought me this at the Wednesday boot sale as a thanks for servicing his car

Not bad for a tenner?

[155V6]

Looking through some boxes yesterday,& I found this Majorette Jeep Cherokee.

It's the only raised one I've seen with a daag in the back 😎

[bunglebus]

Big Chief one is the only high one I have with the poodle too

But mine has a white interior

[Datsuncog]

A pleasant arrival yesterday morning:

The latest installment from Corgi Model Club - the #420 Ford Thames Airborne Caravan.

I've been eagerly anticipating this one.

While I've had original two-tone blue and pink/purple examples pass through via the Friday Market, I've never even seen a green version before.

It's a great colour, just slightly metallic in the darker half.

Of course, it's the opening doors and interior which makes this such a peach.

Although the rear doors are maybe a little clunky, in the interests of making them functional while keeping them securely affixed to the rest of the body, the overall effect is very pleasing.

One 'first' gimmick which I don't think was ever repeated, either by Corgi or anyone else, is the 'real' foam seating on the rear bench.

Weirdly, on this reproduction it seems more like a piece of synthetic sponge overpainted in brown - it's a lot crispier than I recall the original version being.

This was, apparently, Corgi's first foray into injection moulded plastic interiors, having previously used thin vac-form sheets to cover the axles and suspension and give a vague impression of the cabin.

The Venetian blinds on the side windows look very similar to the rear blinds fitted to the earlier Chevrolet Corvair and Fiat 1800 - but I can't say for sure whether they're identical or not.

Although nicely done, with a chunky silver steering wheel, the interior does look a little more matte than the original, too.

Annoyingly, my original version is up in the attic right now so I can't do a side-by-side comparison.

The little step at the back, cast as part of the base, is a detail I hadn't picked up on before.

And the usual bumf is included - it's nice to get a bit of context, and I'd rather have a small 95mm x 95mm card like this than a whole A4 binder's worth of filler and needless trivia, which I'd nonetheless feel obliged to keep.

This was a great little model from a time when Corgi's design team were really hitting their stride.

The repro box is as lovely as you could wish for - designed to give young customers the opportunity to savour both the outside and the inside. I love the packaging artwork here.

Opening these boxes whenever they arrive to find the model within really is a genuine thrill - and this is one I've been excited for ever since I saw it in the upcoming releases at the start of the year.

Just glorious.

[bunglebus]

I've not had that yet but I've had an email to say the Police Beetle has been dispatched.

I understand CMC decided to chose the rarest colour, it does look nice but I've never seen one either, mines the colour of pond scum

I'm going to have to check out the sponge seat, I had no idea

 

[Remspoor]

My phone camera is not great, especially indoors.  I took a lot but most were blurred. These were taken at a Carrefour. I wanted to also go to the Toys R Us but I was not allowed . Ours, here in Spain, never closed down.

[bunglebus]

41 minutes ago, Remspoor said:

Nice, still looking for the two MK1 Golfs especially the blue one. The yellow one and pink Beetle are pretty cool too

[vulgalour]

On 6/28/2023 at 7:18 PM, vulgalour said:

Coming soon.  Having a clearout of diecast that I don't feel I'll get around to doing anything with.  It's mostly 70s Matchbox and a few Husky. 

 

Now available over here:

 It's going to take a while to post the whole lot up so keep an eye on the thread over there for new stuff arriving.

[Datsuncog]

It's happening...

So's the rain, a little bit.

But - it's Friday. And you know what that means...

[Datsuncog]

Right right right... if the forum software doesn't chuck a hissy fit, let's see what we can see today in Tatland!

Marginal traffic improvement this morning as folks presumably shun these cold wet isles to head off on their holidays (ok, June's actually been pretty warm here but stereotypes will be stereotypes...)

And battling through the doors not long after 7.30, there was indeed tat to be found...

Not, like, cheap tat, but...

Well, ok, the Lledo's cheap.

Few loose items up top on the stall - some not-bad late era Lesney, some cornflakes-freebie Corgi Cameo 'Sixties Collection' cars, a lone Lesney Bedford TK without its box trailer, Corgi Juniors Landie and some modern railway scale stuff.

Unsure of pricing here - would expect £2-£3 a go.

But this was an intriguing box... what could be in here?

I'm editing the pics on the fly here, so - rest assured, there's more to come!

[Jon]

That Bedford with the orange tray looks interesting. And is that an Estafette van?! Looks like the rear doors may be missing buy if that's a French Dinky, that could also be of interest...

[Datsuncog]

The box of (mostly) repainted (mostly) Dinky and Corgi was, of course, the big draw today.

This looks like it's all been from the same kid's toy box, which adds a certain sense of poignancy, maybe.

Some of them are relatively untouched: this Corgi Cadillac ambulance is missing its battery carrier and flashing light assembly, but the paintwork's not too bad.

Other than the addition of some cheerily wonky waterslide racing numbers, this Corgi Ford Consul Classic hasn't suffered too much dickery. Annoying about the glazing, though.

And other than being rather filthy, this Dinky Bedford TK Tipper looks pretty good for nearing its 60th birthday.

Couple of repro drop-downs and a good rub-a-dub-dub, and you'd have quite a nice little model.

This Budgie wrecker was a new one to me:

No marque stated - is this just a generic effort, or can someone with a better knowledge of '50s commercials than me (not hard) ID what this has been modelled from?

Others though, well - the Humbrols have been employed with a great deal of enthusiasm, if not necessarily aplomb.

This Dinky CA van's not wearing its camouflage terribly well.

While the Dinky Commer has received a bit of sideways-decent signwriting, even though I can't quite decipher it.

And this Dinky Austin Devon (?) has had a blowover plus a bit of extra detail added.

So I was feeling quite interested in a few of these... there was some scribbling on the box that said '£10 Each', but I presumed that referred to something else, because you couldn't expect that sort of money for repaints...

Oh.

Actually... on enquiry, it turned out that yes - he's looking £10 each on these; though would be prepared to 'do a deal' on quantity.

Mmmm... yeah, no.

The TK tipper, well maybe, but the others... what think you?

[flat4alfa]

Ooh Dinky Bedford TK flat bed still has drop  side panel, shocker 

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, Jon said:

And is that an Estafette van?!

It is!

And it's by everyone's favourite shonky en plastique manufacturer - Norev.

Sadly, it has le shonk.

And it's missing a door or two at the back.

More plastic oddness lay in the box in the form of this no-name ladderless fire ladder.

Decapitated firefighter on the far side probably not in the original design brief.

[Datsuncog]

6 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Ooh Dinky Bedford TK flat bed still has drop  side panel, shocker 

Just the one panel left - just like my example!

Must order up some repro ones in red...