Shite in Miniature II

[RoadworkUK]

Aye, it's a Mk4, but not a very precise rendering. 

I have two of them; they were given away either free or very cheap as part of an Esso fuel promotion in the early 90s. Dad picked up my sister and I one each, and I stole hers in pretty short order.

Opening bootlid gives a view of nowt much IIRC

[danthecapriman]

More messing around this afternoon see’s more AEC Ergogoodness!

You can see here how the cab can sit on the end of the chassis where I had to modify it.

A bit of a dry run with som styrene box sections. 
The chassis is very thin along its main legs compared to the AEC/Leyland original which was extremely thick. So I’ve added the box to sit the cab on and build the rear body up from. Eventually.

Sliced the square fuel tank off ready to fit a new round one.

Added some spacers between which will also become mounts for the rear body. I’ll drill a hole through them for a screw to pass through.

Made up the extra strip to complete the cab roof and glued that on, then made a new cab floor, which will have the interior built onto it then slide up into the cab afterwards.

 

I think I’m going to ignore the cut out in the back of the cab for the transmission. I could cut it out but it’s going to weaken the back of the cab quite a bit and remove a big section I could really do with keeping to use as a way to mount the cab to the chassis. It’s not likely to be very visible one the back goes on anyway.

[AndyW201]

5 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Nice job on those two @AndyW201 👍 love the slot mags too.

 

I really wish they had done that partwork with Vanguards! What is it with the British market that’s so off putting to these companies!? 
Id absolutely love to put a collection together like that for a magazine! Contact Corgi and IXO to get access to their castings and then go to town creating a little collection of day to day cars and vans people can remember or relate to. It doesn’t look like the market is here in the UK for such things though sadly.

I didn’t realise Hornby were in the crap though! 
They did have real problems some years ago, but Simon Kohler seemed to turn it around. Maybe it’s a hobby-wide issue though? With Hattons models closing down too? 
Cost of living is undoubtedly not helping either, people don’t necessarily have the money to put into an expensive hobby.

Agree 100% to all of the above.

Development & tooling costs, along with wages in the Chinese factories have, like everything else, rocketed, coupled with the fact that the market has suffered to such an extent that almost every Vanguards release is now down to around 1000 units, compared to 2500-3000 in years gone by.  So it's not surprising we see re colour after re colour of the same castings, and it's something the manufacturers have to bear in mind when considering new subjects. Will there be enough interest to support several  releases?

[danthecapriman]

This little beauty just arrived from Spain.

Austin FFK. 
Another British rig made over there under license, but essentially identical to the British ones. 
Whatever happened to truck styling!? These old ones look fantastic, someone actually took the time and effort to make them look nice but nobody seems to bother nowadays!

[AndyW201]

4 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

The reason Oxford does more 1/76 is because they are popular with the OO train modellers. It saves them a lot of time just plonking a load of ready made diecasts on their layouts instead of having to build some of those little 1/76 white metal kits.

Hopefully Hornby will keep to what Oxford has done in the past and keep producing the more prestigious ranges of old British cars, but then again, some of those did not move of the selves to quickly and ended up being discounted. 

 

PS Oxford Diecast currently have 343 1/43rd scale models in their range, with 213 currently in stock. Highlight include the Firenza Coupe and the Crayford Cortina.

Good point regarding the 1/76 range, and Oxford do some great subjects in that scale. It just would be nice if a couple of them could be done in 1/43 too.

The Firenza is a great example, I got mine the moment it came out and it still has pride of place in my display cabinet. I've not bothered with the Cortina, I already have a Dragoon red Vanguards tin top version, and a Lotus tin top so I've never really felt the need to get a Crayford one. Apart from the LR Discovery, Volvo Amazon, Datsun 240Z and Lotus Elan though, there is nothing else in that 1/43 range that grabs me though. Although they need to be commended for having the balls to produce that Morrisons Bedford CF ice cream van. When they do it in a livery that I like (picky bastard me!), I will be having one or two.

5 years or so ago, I'd have laughed if anyone had suggested a 1/43 scale Metro, Maestro or Montego. And Lyndon Davies has always dug his heels in and said it will never happen as there isn't the market. But out of nowhere, came that Greek partwork IXO Montego and collectors went mad! Punters over here were paying £60-£70 for those when they first hit eBay. And after getting hold of the 1/76 Maestro, I'm convinced the time is right for a 1/43 version. Opaline green MG? I'll say!

[danthecapriman]

11 minutes ago, AndyW201 said:

Good point regarding the 1/76 range, and Oxford do some great subjects in that scale. It just would be nice if a couple of them could be done in 1/43 too.

The Firenza is a great example, I got mine the moment it came out and it still has pride of place in my display cabinet. I've not bothered with the Cortina, I already have a Dragoon red Vanguards tin top version, and a Lotus tin top so I've never really felt the need to get a Crayford one. Apart from the LR Discovery, Volvo Amazon, Datsun 240Z and Lotus Elan though, there is nothing else in that 1/43 range that grabs me though. Although they need to be commended for having the balls to produce that Morrisons Bedford CF ice cream van. When they do it in a livery that I like (picky bastard me!), I will be having one or two.

5 years or so ago, I'd have laughed if anyone had suggested a 1/43 scale Metro, Maestro or Montego. And Lyndon Davies has always dug his heels in and said it will never happen as there isn't the market. But out of nowhere, came that Greek partwork IXO Montego and collectors went mad! Punters over here were paying £60-£70 for those when they first hit eBay. And after getting hold of the 1/76 Maestro, I'm convinced the time is right for a 1/43 version. Opaline green MG? I'll say!

That Montego IXO did is an absolute belter! Really captures the look of them. I wonder though if it’ll ever be re-released in other colours? 
Whoever it was that decided to do that model and execute it the way they did really earned their wages!

 

And more proof that normal every day stuff you wouldn’t expect can sell…

Nissan Sunny B11 from the Mexico collection.

    
Mazda 323 from some collection I think.

Both very very nicely done models of cars I’d never have believed someone would ever bother making!

[Reluctant Adult]

Oh Lordy… new Matchbox XR2i for 2024, plus Majorette are doing a  “flat front” Escort mk2 - so no need to pay stupid £ for the current Hot Wheels no-one can find 😄

[MiniMinorMk3]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

More messing around this afternoon see’s more AEC Ergogoodness!

You can see here how the cab can sit on the end of the chassis where I had to modify it.

A bit of a dry run with som styrene box sections. 
The chassis is very thin along its main legs compared to the AEC/Leyland original which was extremely thick. So I’ve added the box to sit the cab on and build the rear body up from. Eventually.

 

I was looking at pics of AEC Ergomatics earlier and most seamed to have the fuel tank on the left of the chassis.

Liking the build by the way. On the mounting of the body, what about epoxying a nut onto some plasticard?

24 minutes ago, AndyW201 said:

Good point regarding the 1/76 range, and Oxford do some great subjects in that scale. It just would be nice if a couple of them could be done in 1/43 too.

The Firenza is a great example, I got mine the moment it came out and it still has pride of place in my display cabinet. I've not bothered with the Cortina, I already have a Dragoon red Vanguards tin top version, and a Lotus tin top so I've never really felt the need to get a Crayford one. Apart from the LR Discovery, Volvo Amazon, Datsun 240Z and Lotus Elan though, there is nothing else in that 1/43 range that grabs me though. Although they need to be commended for having the balls to produce that Morrisons Bedford CF ice cream van. When they do it in a livery that I like (picky bastard me!), I will be having one or two.

5 years or so ago, I'd have laughed if anyone had suggested a 1/43 scale Metro, Maestro or Montego. And Lyndon Davies has always dug his heels in and said it will never happen as there isn't the market. But out of nowhere, came that Greek partwork IXO Montego and collectors went mad! Punters over here were paying £60-£70 for those when they first hit eBay. And after getting hold of the 1/76 Maestro, I'm convinced the time is right for a 1/43 version. Opaline green MG? I'll say!

NEO did a series 1 MG Metro back in 2013.

This listing here shows what sort of demand there is for 1/43rd Metro models.

Neo MG Metro 1300 Model Car (Limited Edition 1 of 500) | eBay

[danthecapriman]

39 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I was looking at pics of AEC Ergomatics earlier and most seamed to have the fuel tank on the left of the chassis.

Liking the build by the way. On the mounting of the body, what about epoxying a nut onto some plasticard?

NEO did a series 1 MG Metro back in 2013.

This listing here shows what sort of demand there is for 1/43rd Metro models.

Neo MG Metro 1300 Model Car (Limited Edition 1 of 500) | eBay

Could well be the way forward ref; the epoxy & nut. Maybe even some of that chemical metal stuff? It’s not like I’ll be swinging off the screws tightening them up so it won’t need to be ridiculously strong.

Im not sure about the fuel tanks. 
Some trucks seem to have it on either side. Maybe something to do with what the exact spec is of the truck, or what other equipment it’s had fitted and where it’s fitted. Some have square tanks others round. I think flammable cargo trucks had to have additional measures in place to protect things from the hot engine and exhaust too. 
The exhaust position varies too, on the Ergomatic sometimes it’s poking out the side middle between the axles somewhere, sometimes it’s poking out from under the cab foot step. 
There’s so many variations on things.
 

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

Opening bootlid gives a view of nowt much IIRC

I didn't even realise it was supposed to open - thought it was going to break - but I was rewarded with a view of its innards

[155V6]

Today's arrival was this Polistil(Fiat?) Car Transporter

I spotted it in a mixed lot on FB Marketplace amongst a load of broken Corgis & Matchbox & the seller agreed to sell it on its own.It's around 1/64 scale.

I'm surprised it's survived in such good condition,it's quite flimsy,the red part of the trailer is all plastic

It's going to carry some of my Lone Star cars for now

[MiniMinorMk3]

13 minutes ago, 155V6 said:

Today's arrival was this Polistil(Fiat?) Car Transporter

 

It's a Lancia Esadelta

 

[AndyW201]

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

 

Nissan Sunny B11 from the Mexico collection.

    
 

Shitting Blazes!

That is amazing! Apart from being non metallic, that is practically the same as the first car I bought. I need to get one of those.

[sheffcortinacentre]

2 hours ago, Reluctant Adult said:

Oh Lordy… new Matchbox XR2i for 2024, plus Majorette are doing a  “flat front” Escort mk2 - so no need to pay stupid £ for the current Hot Wheels no-one can find 😄

That's a MK2 fiesta so an XR2  ,the MK3 was the XR2i.

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, 155V6 said:

Today's arrival was this Polistil(Fiat?) Car Transporter

I spotted it in a mixed lot on FB Marketplace amongst a load of broken Corgis & Matchbox & the seller agreed to sell it on its own.It's around 1/64 scale.

I'm surprised it's survived in such good condition,it's quite flimsy,the red part of the trailer is all plastic

It's going to carry some of my Lone Star cars for now

I'd put that on your contents insurance 

https://jkdiecastmodels.com/search?q=Polistil+car+transporter

[155V6]

5 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

I'd put that on your contents insurance 

https://jkdiecastmodels.com/search?q=Polistil+car+transporter

Going by that,the boxes are worth £285 🤔

[sheffcortinacentre]

12 minutes ago, sheffcortinacentre said:

That's a MK2 fiesta so an XR2  ,the MK3 was the XR2i.

Won't be available round here, had a trawl round quite a few place few days ago & bugger on offer .

Matchbox virtually non existent , Asda today had same box with just 2 hot wheels in it  same as last fortnight.

[junkyarddog]

1 hour ago, 155V6 said:

Today's arrival was this Polistil(Fiat?) Car Transporter

I spotted it in a mixed lot on FB Marketplace amongst a load of broken Corgis & Matchbox & the seller agreed to sell it on its own.It's around 1/64 scale.

I'm surprised it's survived in such good condition,it's quite flimsy,the red part of the trailer is all plastic

It's going to carry some of my Lone Star cars for now

What a fantastic find!!

Well found!

Proper jealous here

[danthecapriman]

52 minutes ago, AndyW201 said:

Shitting Blazes!

That is amazing! Apart from being non metallic, that is practically the same as the first car I bought. I need to get one of those.

It’s really nice! I’ve not seen one in this country, yet. That one was from a seller in Italy I get quite a few from. Definitely from the Mexico set. The colours a bit, err, Marmite, shall we say! I always remember the saloons in white, red or silver seemed most common. 
My parents had a metallic blue Y reg coupe version for many years. 

[Spottedlaurel]

3 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Shitting Blazes!

That is amazing! Apart from being non metallic, that is practically the same as the first car I bought. I need to get one of those.

I'd be interested if you're putting an order in and they have more than one available. Had a couple of 1:1s on the road in years gone by....

[flat4alfa]

Penny Politoys 1/66 Lancia Esadelta Bisarca Portauto

Post-Penny series release

 

Politoys 1/41 Lancia Esadelta (plastic)

 

The real thing, produced 1959 - 71

[flat4alfa]

One for the @FakeConcern 1:43(ish) transporter collection

 

Politoys 1/41 Fiat 682 Portauto (plastic)

 

The real thing, first seen 1952

[flat4alfa]

Politoys 1/43 Lancia Esagamma Portauto

 

The real thing, 1962- 71

[flat4alfa]

Never seen a scale model of one of these though.  The second Lancia Beta, an Autocarro, 1950 - 61

A two-cylinder, two-stroke, 42HP Detroit Diesel could be had in these - I bet that was a right hoot.

The first engine in these was an unusual U-shaped four cylinder petrol.  I bet(a) that sounded just as dramatic as well

[AndyW201]

8 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

I'd be interested if you're putting an order in and they have more than one available. Had a couple of 1:1s on the road in years gone by....

Have had quite a bit of diecast come through the door lately (I'm expecting a couple more this week) so might have to wait a few weeks! Seems to be a few on eBay,

 

[AndyW201]

11 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

It’s really nice! I’ve not seen one in this country, yet. That one was from a seller in Italy I get quite a few from. Definitely from the Mexico set. The colours a bit, err, Marmite, shall we say! I always remember the saloons in white, red or silver seemed most common. 
My parents had a metallic blue Y reg coupe version for many years. 

Theres also a JDM style version made by First43, available in a more realistic silver or red. A lot dearer but it looks more detailed.

My parents  had a metallic dark blue B11, but a 2 door saloon, B829 MPY. it was the first brand new car they had, they had quite a few Nissans after that.

Later on, in 1990, when I was doing a training scheme at a local Rover dealer, I saw CKK 517Y, an immaculate metallic green Sunny 4 door in the compound. They had just got it in as a part ex, and after some enquiries by the mechanic who I was working with, the sales manager said I could have it for the £500 they gave for it. I was just a few weeks from turning 17, so my dad drove it home. Sadly it didn't work out well (for me anyway), as my sister passed her test a few months before me, and my parents sold her the Sunny from under my nose, for the trade price I paid for it. Relations were strained in that house for some time, I can tell you...

[danthecapriman]

2 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Theres also a JDM style version made by First43, available in a more realistic silver or red. A lot dearer but it looks more detailed.

My parents  had a metallic dark blue B11, but a 2 door saloon, B829 MPY. it was the first brand new car they had, they had quite a few Nissans after that.

Later on, in 1990, when I was doing a training scheme at a local Rover dealer, I saw CKK 517Y, an immaculate metallic green Sunny 4 door in the compound. They had just got it in as a part ex, and after some enquiries by the mechanic who I was working with, the sales manager said I could have it for the £500 they gave for it. I was just a few weeks from turning 17, so my dad drove it home. Sadly it didn't work out well (for me anyway), as my sister passed her test a few months before me, and my parents sold her the Sunny from under my nose, for the trade price I paid for it. Relations were strained in that house for some time, I can tell you...

My parents one was a dark metallic blue coupe, that still had both Nissan and Datsun badges weirdly, NBP 504Y. They bought it after my mum passed her test, as a used car. It was only meant to be a cheap run around but it actually turned out to be a really good car. They kept it years and went all over the place in it. It drove to Yorkshire and Cornwall no end of times! 
The only problem it ever had was one time the carburettor got blocked up with a batch of dirty fuel. It was faultless other than that. Towards the end though it started suffering from the dreaded tin worm! Sills, door bottoms and the bulkhead all started rusting out. They patched it up a few times but the rot in the bulkhead was the killer as to fix properly it needed the engine and everything removed really. At the time it wasn’t worth it so it got rolled into the garage and left for a year or so, then traded in for a Vectra saloon! Of all things. I remember being really pissed off they did that to it! It didn’t see the road again unfortunately and I believe it went straight for scrap. 
Shame as it was a nice car to look at still, you wouldn’t know it was as rusty as it was looking at it.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Day 2 on the five Porsche Project.

Another model was opened.

This one is the Joest Racing Spirit of America Porsche 956 that was driven to 3rd place by George Follmer, John Morton and Kenper Miller in the 1986 Le Mans 24 Hours.    

Guide pictures...

and big decals. This model will be almost totally covered in decals when done.

The results of Day 2.

The Valvoline car is back together. At the front the nose has had it's two piece decal fitted and the headlamps have been painted white for a day time look.

At the rear the wing is back on and the decal joins have had some touch-ins.

Also the air intake has been painted and refitted and the radiator opening have been painted on the sides.

On the Obermaier car the base decals have been competed...

and the rear wing attached.

The Spirit of America was pulled apart, the dash done, the rear wing done and the large decals that covers the rear and sides put on.

This took around 30 minutes of careful application with plenty of Micro Sol.

It has gone on fairly straight with only some minor curves on the right side of the roof.

 

[danthecapriman]

Yet more Ergomadness today!

Decided to make a start on the tipper box. I spent a while last night looking at pics of the various styles and types of tipper bodies these trucks had just for a few ideas really of how best to go, and how the body actually fitted and worked.

Ive built a second chassis style frame and glued that to the bottom of a piece of 80 thou plastic card, which is now pretty strong and shouldn’t twist. The second ‘chassis’ style frame under the floor is also to lift the tipper body up higher over the wheels. 
Sides and end of the box are slightly thinner plastic card sheet, as I didn’t want the thickness that’s visible around the top of the body looking too chunky. Otherwise it might look like the body was made from armour plate! 
The end behind the cab is taller as most of these do have a small cab protector shield fitted in one style or another.

Inside the box is reinforced with some styrene L angle sections. You won’t see these once there’s a load inside.

 

This afternoon I’ll make the tailgate up. And also start adding the reinforcing ribs to the box sides, which should make it look a bit more realistic and take the plain-ness away.  
Also need to make up the double rear mudguards that usually seem to lift with the tipper body.
Im not sure if I’ll try actually making it tip though! It’s a model rather than a toy!

While I was looking at pics of these, it’s surprising how many of these are actually still working for a living in Malta! Many are absolutely battered to hell but still going. Just goes to show what a decent climate can do.

[Noel Tidybeard]

that ixo montego would be fairly easy to do some vaiation with- smooth later rear lights, alloy wheels, rear spoiler, red boot infill panel, modify the front grille for the "rover" look from '89