Shite in Miniature II

[Datsuncog]

38 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Is that a cherry blossom tree? 

Yeah, it's a dwarf variety that we've had in a pot for about ten years - bit late this time, it normally it starts to flower around early February and is the first thing in the garden to come into bloom.

Daffodils, crocuses, muscari, camelia and even a snakehead fritillary have appeared before it this year, but it's getting there...

[Split_Pin]

My wife and I are both terrible at keeping plants (although I am good at conifers which aren't exactly 'friendly') so I just admire everyone else's in the street!

[Split_Pin]

I gave myself a wee project over the last few days.

Some years ago I bought a Road Signature dealer model of my Saab 9-3 Convertible.

Its on par with a Hongwell of the period, perhaps a little better on the paint and tampo printed details. However the wheels really let it down, especially the ridiculous 4x4 tyres.

So I replaced the wheels with a set from a rough Minichamps E36 Coupe, together with a touch of lowering on the ride height.  However the interior was the wrong colour to match my car and it always bugged me. Mine is beige with black trim.

I recently found I still had a supply of beige paint which I had used on a Revell 1/24 Ferrari 512TR interior way back in 2015. It was still usable so I took the model apart again and painted it up.

I gave up with model kits because my hand was no longer steady enough to paint straight lines however it might have coincided with the heart palpitations I was having at the time. Anyway, I was nervous as you can see that some of the interior colour is actually part of the metal shell for some strange reason and a straight line was required. I figured masking tape would just bleed so I had a go freehand and you can see above it worked pretty well. Perhaps the old, slightly thicker paint helped!

I also painted the top of the dash, centre console together with the interior armrests in matt black. More freehand which went surprisingly OK.

All back together.

Here is the 1/1 version for comparison:

I stopped short of adding any more details such as the silver parts as I thought it would look crude in such a small scale and I'd mess it all up.

Obviously the wheels aren't correct but I think they look quite good as they are. Trying to paint them silver would clog the spokes up I reckon, which is not a good look.

[danthecapriman]

21 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I gave myself a wee project over the last few days.

Some years ago I bought a Road Signature dealer model of my Saab 9-3 Convertible.

Its on par with a Hongwell of the period, perhaps a little better on the paint and tampo printed details. However the wheels really let it down, especially the ridiculous 4x4 tyres.

So I replaced the wheels with a set from a rough Minichamps E36 Coupe, together with a touch of lowering on the ride height.  However the interior was the wrong colour to match my car and it always bugged me. Mine is beige with black trim.

I recently found I still had a supply of beige paint which I had used on a Revell 1/24 Ferrari 512TR interior way back in 2015. It was still usable so I took the model apart again and painted it up.

I gave up with model kits because my hand was no longer steady enough to paint straight lines however it might have coincided with the heart palpitations I was having at the time. Anyway, I was nervous as you can see that some of the interior colour is actually part of the metal shell for some strange reason and a straight line was required. I figured masking tape would just bleed so I had a go freehand and you can see above it worked pretty well. Perhaps the old, slightly thicker paint helped!

I also painted the top of the dash, centre console together with the interior armrests in matt black. More freehand which went surprisingly OK.

All back together.

Here is the 1/1 version for comparison:

I stopped short of adding any more details such as the silver parts as I thought it would look crude in such a small scale and I'd mess it all up.

Obviously the wheels aren't correct but I think they look quite good as they are. Trying to paint them silver would clog the spokes up I reckon, which is not a good look.

That looks fantastic. Really nice job👍

[andrew e]

This is what happens when there’s no tat Friday - lunchtime and I’ve 92% battery left!

Refreshing  eh 😉

[Split_Pin]

I can see the local headlines now:

'HUGE DROP IN SALE OF THE WEE CARS AT ST. GEORGES, THOUSANDS JOBLESS'

'It was like the Mary Celeste' said Frances as she packed away antique toy cars which remained unsold at just five pounds each.

'No difference to my trade, haven't sold any of them wee cars in a year', Alan of Alan's Emporium.

'That bugger said he'd have the beige Oxford Maestro I got in special, now I dont know what to do with it', Mulligans Irish Gifts.

'HAHAHAHAHAHA'. Nemesis, Fitzroy Avenue.

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

15 hours ago, barrett said:

RIP Marcello Gandini, author of some of my favourite cars

Gandini did many of my favourites to including

 

[Tenmil Socket]

I’ve just been to the Post Office to post some TAT and the fella that works in there who I mentioned in an earlier post regarding the charity shops had a massive tub of Micro Machines behind him.

There must have been at least 50 in there easily… he paid a fiver for them!

Looks like I have competition! I popped in the charity shop and all I found was Paw Patrol 😩

[Datsuncog]

Fear not, today's not completely absent of small vehicles.

This landed the other day:

Yup, the slightly delayed February release from Corgi Model Club - it's the #490 Volkswagen Breakdown Truck.

This is one I've been looking forward to for a while - in fact, the next few months are all models I've been looking forward to for a while.

And this one is very appealingly rendered.

It's basically a reworking of the #431 VW Pick-Up released in March 1964, which saw a metal winch unit, plastic towhook and moulded toolbox fixed to the standard unit in August 1966, to form part of the Gift Set 37 - Lotus Racing Team, featuring the newly converted  VW T1, two Lotus Elans (one with detachable chassis), a Lotus Climax racing car, and a trailer.

As well as being included in a few other Gift Sets, the VW recovery van was then released as a standalone model in December 1966, and had a fairly long spell in the line-up, surviving well into the Whizzwheels era with its last outing in the 1972 Corgi catalogue.

It came in a few different colours; this is the mustardy-yellow version with no stickers.

The tools and spares section is rather fetching, and quite cleverly done using a chromed insert covered over by a red top section with cutouts and an integral lid (a similar technique would be used on the Pennyburn Workmen's Trailer).

Mind you, the plastic could be a bit fragile when exposed to determined kiddie curiosity, and most of the examples I've seen are missing at least the toolbox lid, if not the entire cover moulding - like my original example, in an alternative white 'Corgi Breakdown' colourway.

Also highly unlikely to be found with all but the most untouched of original examples are the two small tyres, which fit into a moulded slot in the back and can be easily removed and quickly lost.

All in all, a most wonderful package.

The winch mechanism is quite cleverly done, with a spring inside the barrel to maintain tension when the hook's in operation, so you slide the tyre along and turn it to either pay out some winch line or take up the slack, and then it springs back and holds the line in position against some cast-in teeth once you release it.

Or at least, that's the theory. While my original example still works nicely, the reproduction seems to have missed getting its spring fitted at the factory - so the mechanism just slides up and down and the hook drops down to the ground, unless you manually move it to engage the teeth and then don't touch it again.

Annoying, but not the end of the world. 

Base is fairly true to the original, with the 'pick up' lettering erased for this version, and of course 'Made in China' now prominent. One other change is that VW now seem to insist on their logo being added to licenced products.

The front of the box details all the special features, to help sway indecisive kiddies. I still love the packaging on these, even if the card is much shinier than the originals.

As ever, a little collectable card is included.

It shames me to admit just how much I enjoy putting this little cardboard square away in its special little tin once a month. Clearly, I'm an easily-amused sort of person.

The model for March (which I doubt I'll see until April, most likely) is the Austin A60 Driving School Car, which I happen to have a lot of time for - so eagerly anticipating that too.

Other forthcoming issues for 2024 include the Rover P6 with Golden Jacks wheels (oh yes); the Chrysler Imperial with golf clubs in the boot; the London-Sydney Rally Hillman Hunter (more Golden Jacks); the ski club version of the Citroen DS Safari, and the Oldsmobile Toronado (Golden Jacks version also? Not sure yet).

I'm a bit less thrilled about another Bond Aston, or indeed another very slightly different version of the Thames Walls Ice Cream Van (this time without the chimes), but I guess it's good that I have the option to just skip these releases as they arise.

Even if it does kinda nip at my completionist tendencies - I've missed out on the 'Lazy Bones' Corvette (for some reason I don't like it), the Fire Chief version of the Chevrolet Impala (too much like the previous taxi version) and the reissued 'Saint' Volvo P1800S with the non-faux-aged sticker on the bonnet and the correct Paramount licencing information on the box (which CMC apparently neglected to gain permission for the first time round). But every time I get some discount code sent to me, I find myself looking at them...

Ah well. I should just enjoy what I have!

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Looks like I have competition!

[sierraman]

Often wonder how much of a bastard it would be to transplant an original base onto one of those CMC copies, weather a repro box and stick it in to Vectis… 🤣

[bunglebus]

Here's a fun pic I took at Stansted yesterday - £3.00 Hot Wheels, and flippin' Teamsterz for the same!

[Split_Pin]

That Vee Dub is indeed very appealing.

But one of my favourite cars from the collection given to me by my dad and uncles was the A60 Driving School car. I still have the box too so I'm really looking forward to see how your CMC issue stacks up.

[FakeConcern]

12 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I gave myself a wee project over the last few days.

Some years ago I bought a Road Signature dealer model of my Saab 9-3 Convertible.

Its on par with a Hongwell of the period, perhaps a little better on the paint and tampo printed details. However the wheels really let it down, especially the ridiculous 4x4 tyres.

So I replaced the wheels with a set from a rough Minichamps E36 Coupe, together with a touch of lowering on the ride height.  However the interior was the wrong colour to match my car and it always bugged me. Mine is beige with black trim.

I recently found I still had a supply of beige paint which I had used on a Revell 1/24 Ferrari 512TR interior way back in 2015. It was still usable so I took the model apart again and painted it up.

I gave up with model kits because my hand was no longer steady enough to paint straight lines however it might have coincided with the heart palpitations I was having at the time. Anyway, I was nervous as you can see that some of the interior colour is actually part of the metal shell for some strange reason and a straight line was required. I figured masking tape would just bleed so I had a go freehand and you can see above it worked pretty well. Perhaps the old, slightly thicker paint helped!

I also painted the top of the dash, centre console together with the interior armrests in matt black. More freehand which went surprisingly OK.

All back together.

Here is the 1/1 version for comparison:

I stopped short of adding any more details such as the silver parts as I thought it would look crude in such a small scale and I'd mess it all up.

Obviously the wheels aren't correct but I think they look quite good as they are. Trying to paint them silver would clog the spokes up I reckon, which is not a good look.

That is great, really well done! I love and hate in equal parts converting models to represent my own 1/1 cars (and I'm currently working on three!) as even when finished you always notice other things that could be done better. Can't see any on yours though...

6 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Fear not, today's not completely absent of small vehicles.

This landed the other day:

Yup, the slightly delayed February release from Corgi Model Club - it's the #490 Volkswagen Breakdown Truck.

This is one I've been looking forward to for a while - in fact, the next few months are all models I've been looking forward to for a while.

And this one is very appealingly rendered.

It's basically a reworking of the #431 VW Pick-Up released in March 1964, which saw a metal winch unit, plastic towhook and moulded toolbox fixed to the standard unit in August 1966, to form part of the Gift Set 37 - Lotus Racing Team, featuring the newly converted  VW T1, two Lotus Elans (one with detachable chassis), a Lotus Climax racing car, and a trailer.

As well as being included in a few other Gift Sets, the VW recovery van was then released as a standalone model in December 1966, and had a fairly long spell in the line-up, surviving well into the Whizzwheels era with its last outing in the 1972 Corgi catalogue.

It came in a few different colours; this is the mustardy-yellow version with no stickers.

The tools and spares section is rather fetching, and quite cleverly done using a chromed insert covered over by a red top section with cutouts and an integral lid (a similar technique would be used on the Pennyburn Workmen's Trailer).

Mind you, the plastic could be a bit fragile when exposed to determined kiddie curiosity, and most of the examples I've seen are missing at least the toolbox lid, if not the entire cover moulding - like my original example, in an alternative white 'Corgi Breakdown' colourway.

Also highly unlikely to be found with all but the most untouched of original examples are the two small tyres, which fit into a moulded slot in the back and can be easily removed and quickly lost.

All in all, a most wonderful package.

The winch mechanism is quite cleverly done, with a spring inside the barrel to maintain tension when the hook's in operation, so you slide the tyre along and turn it to either pay out some winch line or take up the slack, and then it springs back and holds the line in position against some cast-in teeth once you release it.

Or at least, that's the theory. While my original example still works nicely, the reproduction seems to have missed getting its spring fitted at the factory - so the mechanism just slides up and down and the hook drops down to the ground, unless you manually move it to engage the teeth and then don't touch it again.

Annoying, but not the end of the world. 

Base is fairly true to the original, with the 'pick up' lettering erased for this version, and of course 'Made in China' now prominent. One other change is that VW now seem to insist on their logo being added to licenced products.

The front of the box details all the special features, to help sway indecisive kiddies. I still love the packaging on these, even if the card is much shinier than the originals.

As ever, a little collectable card is included.

It shames me to admit just how much I enjoy putting this little cardboard square away in its special little tin once a month. Clearly, I'm an easily-amused sort of person.

The model for March (which I doubt I'll see until April, most likely) is the Austin A60 Driving School Car, which I happen to have a lot of time for - so eagerly anticipating that too.

Other forthcoming issues for 2024 include the Rover P6 with Golden Jacks wheels (oh yes); the Chrysler Imperial with golf clubs in the boot; the London-Sydney Rally Hillman Hunter (more Golden Jacks); the ski club version of the Citroen DS Safari, and the Oldsmobile Toronado (Golden Jacks version also? Not sure yet).

I'm a bit less thrilled about another Bond Aston, or indeed another very slightly different version of the Thames Walls Ice Cream Van (this time without the chimes), but I guess it's good that I have the option to just skip these releases as they arise.

Even if it does kinda nip at my completionist tendencies - I've missed out on the 'Lazy Bones' Corvette (for some reason I don't like it), the Fire Chief version of the Chevrolet Impala (too much like the previous taxi version) and the reissued 'Saint' Volvo P1800S with the non-faux-aged sticker on the bonnet and the correct Paramount licencing information on the box (which CMC apparently neglected to gain permission for the first time round). But every time I get some discount code sent to me, I find myself looking at them...

Ah well. I should just enjoy what I have!

That is a lovely model I would only notice the wheels being slightly wrong. I have my original white VW that came with the Lotus Racing Gift Set and amazingly mine still has the tool box cover attached. I did have the tyres, but they went hard and brittle and fell to bits.

I have another couple now, one I've painted and made a tool box cover, the other just has a full load of tyres!

 

 

 

[bunglebus]

I'm really looking forward to that CMC VW single cab, it will be getting to meet its grandfather 

 

[bunglebus]

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Base is fairly true to the original, with the 'pick up' lettering erased for this version

I think they all just have Volkswagen

Being as the pickup, panel van and Kombi all share the same base it probably made life easier for Corgi

[Datsuncog]

Happened to be over at the Sainsbury's branch at Holywood Exchange this evening, and darn it if they don't have a significantly better selection of diecast than the lousy Carrick store:

Matchbox 5-packs were on the shelves, and plenty of them, though no single mainlines.

Still, two packs for £15 isn't a bad price - I was a bit tempted by the Autobahn pack with the brown Mercedes estate and pale blue BMW 2002, but couldn't see another set I particularly liked.

Majorette too - first time I've seen these 60th Anniversary releases in real life. At £6 they're fairly pricey, but then they do come with a tin.

Anyone urgently needing any of these? Plenty of all four were on the shelf... and I may be carrying out a bit of a dawn raid on potential diecast suppliers across the Greater Belfast area tomorrow morning soooo... We'll see what happens.

[MiniMinorMk3]

Another day, another old box reveals it's contents.

Here we have a bunch of Norev 2CV models with a couple of surprises.

First is the Teppaz van

which had a little leaflet advertising some Norev shops.

We have Chemist, Ice Cream Palour, Cafe and the obligatory Bakery. I don't think I have ever seen one.

MMM Soup.

Gas van with gas bottle.

Nice example of a Tour de France advertising vehicle from 1960. Berger is yet another of those French aniseed/liquorice liquor type things.

Nice detail with tail lights and plate on the water jug.

50 Years of teh 2CV with cardboard Triumphant Arch thing. 

This one was issued to promote the use of Johnnies to help combat AIDS and HIV.

Has and opening bonnet and squarelamps.

Also has instructions on how to use...

the supplied condom.

Ever heard of a 2CV Cocorico? No me neither. It's a French market only limited edition for the 1986 World Cup.  

Finally a series one dull white and grey 1985 Dolly...

that comes complete with a small advertising poster.

[bunglebus]

I'm at a VW show. There are a lot of die cast sellers but most of the prices are nuts. It's actually a bit frustrating as you can see where all the goodies ended up that didn't make it onto the shelves

That's not to say I didn't buy anything...

[danthecapriman]

Made a start on the Sierra estate today.

First thing to do was the usual strip down, then get the old paint off.

After a good wash in soapy water and a scrub with cream cleaner, it was time to mark up where to make the cuts on the front ends. 
Once happy, razor saw slicin’ time! 
Got the cut just behind the bonnet front corners but missed the chassis mounting pillar, which is ideal!

 
Some Evostick impact Contact adhesive seemed the best choice for a strong joint so a skim of that went on both parts then line up and stick.

I’ll have to leave it to cure for 24hrs now, but it looks fine so far. 
Once it’s dry I’ll dress it back in a few places with a file, then give the joint a skim of filler then rub down. 
Then I’ll have to fill the dip in the centre of the bumper flush, as per the red hatchback I did before to get rid of the extra cooling vent slot European cars didn’t have.

Then paint, to become something like…

Pic from Flickr.

I was going to use the base model steel wheels from the hatchback car for this, but I really do love those vented hub caps. I do have some, but they’re the Ghia trims with three vents not two. What do you think?

Leftovers!

[danthecapriman]

Also, what type alloy are these?

These are from the estate originally but not really suitable for a low spec estate. I think they are Sierra Ghia wheels but what else used them?

[Tenmil Socket]

43 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

I'm at a VW show. There are a lot of die cast sellers but most of the prices are nuts. It's actually a bit frustrating as you can see where all the goodies ended up that didn't make it onto the shelves

That's not to say I didn't buy anything...

I can’t make out the prices.

[andrew e]

Safer not too 🤣

This wasn’t a show its actually inside @bunglebus house 😉

[eddyramrod]

Right... I know some of you are holding boxes for me.

@bunglebus

@FakeConcern

@danthecapriman

Also possibly:

 @155V6

@flat4alfa

@Datsuncog - I think! 

I may have forgotten someone, or I may have already claimed the goods; if so then please accept my apologies.

So if you are holding a box for me, my birthday is coming up (4 weeks).  I'll be able to dismiss any deliveries as unexpected* birthday presents.  Let me know what I owe you and I'll hide cash in a birthday* card   The less The Boss knows, the better, right?  I'll get a load of earache when the goods arrive but that's my problem.

 

[andrew e]

@danthecapriman Those alloys are run out Ghia ones, I think you could get them diamond cut too.

https://www.fordpower.org.uk/nik/face.html

[sierraman]

32 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Also, what type alloy are these?

These are from the estate originally but not really suitable for a low spec estate. I think they are Sierra Ghia wheels but what else used them?

Look like Granada hubcaps to me.

[andrew e]

Speaking of tat boxes big thanks to both @FakeConcern and @danthecapriman for tat parcels today, I've now got to prize the scowl off the Mrs face with a chisel 😉 Cheers gents 👍

[MiniMinorMk3]

36 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

 

I was going to use the base model steel wheels from the hatchback car for this, but I really do love those vented hub caps. I do have some, but they’re the Ghia trims with three vents not two. What do you think?

Leftovers!

 

I like those triple vents.

33 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Also, what type alloy are these?

These are from the estate originally but not really suitable for a low spec estate. I think they are Sierra Ghia wheels but what else used them?

1989 Ford Sierra brochure (oldcarmanualproject.com)

[andrew e]

This is what I was thinking off! Totally wrong 😂

https://www.fordpower.org.uk/nik/face.html

[danthecapriman]

I’m not sure we got that style alloy over here then!?

I know the South American Fords were a bit different in their production run to ours. The Sierra mk1 was built some time after ours became the mk2. And the Escorts were similar, their mk4 Escort went on longer than ours.

Maybe they had their own items like alloys and bits of trim we didn’t get? I certainly can’t recall that style alloy here.