Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

A little bit of detail work going on here

[flat4alfa]

Do you want to see more of that New Bright Hong Kong 1:20 scale W116 Mercedes Benz 450 SE ?

No?

Well anyway

Cor look at that roof rack

It has opening things

A drive mechanism of chaos

And a mechanical switch to flash the headlights and not only that they light up the wings as well

[morrisoxide]

9 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

That's absolutely gorgeous... I've been on the hunt for one of those Celestes ever since I saw a prototype on a Lamley Group video some years back, but still haven't got within sniffing distance of one in real life. Ditto the Subaru Brats.

I've got two Brats one in black and one in white if you get stuck.

I'll keep an eye out for more stock in Yorkshire Trading. I've been in three diffrent stores and only found 2 Brats, 1 Pontiac and loads of blue 32 Ford pickups.

[AndyW201]

Another AliExpress arrival.

Have to say, although I did hear some horror stories about how badly packaged some small diecasts were arriving from there, yesterday's MB Celeste and this one haven't been too bad,

Little bit of card damage, but I've usually seen worse in ones that I've rescued from Hot Wheels dump bins in shops over here.

So today's special is this J-Imports Starlet, from a collection that's so far not available over here AFAIK.

This is another Hot Wheels casting I've been itching to get my hands on. So far, to my knowledge, its not seen many releases, and then only as Premiums. This one, being a semi-premium with extra detailing but no Real-Rider wheels, was a bit more 'accessible'.

So, we do get tampos front and rear as well as graphics along the side and on the bonnet.

And although it comes on lowered suspension, fat wheels and arch extensions, I like the way it sits

And the factory style colour, and factory graphics make it look a bit more standard than the other releases, which is also why I went for this one.

As said, no Real-Riders on this one, but I think these wheels do look good on it.

[Spottedlaurel]

37 minutes ago, AndyW201 said:

Another AliExpress arrival.

Nice one! I saw that listed on the back of the Mazda Cosmo Sport from the same series that I got in France. Sadly I didn't see the Starlet, or any of the others for that matter.

I have the Premium version, from memory the wheels and tyres on that look a little small in diameter. They fill the arches better on yours, even if they'd be a bit large at 1:1.

In related news, Hasegawa are bringing out a 1:24 kit: http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/product/hc63/

[Spottedlaurel]

Actually found new (or newish?) mainline HWs in Tesco the other day. Not many left, but at least there were some non-fantasy things:

[bunglebus]

I found out a thing - really early 1968 Hot Wheels had ™ on the base next to HOT WHEELS

They soon changed to the ® symbol instead after getting the patent approved

 

[Split_Pin]

9 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Another AliExpress arrival.

Have to say, although I did hear some horror stories about how badly packaged some small diecasts were arriving from there, yesterday's MB Celeste and this one haven't been too bad,

Little bit of card damage, but I've usually seen worse in ones that I've rescued from Hot Wheels dump bins in shops over here.

So today's special is this J-Imports Starlet, from a collection that's so far not available over here AFAIK.

This is another Hot Wheels casting I've been itching to get my hands on. So far, to my knowledge, its not seen many releases, and then only as Premiums. This one, being a semi-premium with extra detailing but no Real-Rider wheels, was a bit more 'accessible'.

So, we do get tampos front and rear as well as graphics along the side and on the bonnet.

And although it comes on lowered suspension, fat wheels and arch extensions, I like the way it sits

And the factory style colour, and factory graphics make it look a bit more standard than the other releases, which is also why I went for this one.

As said, no Real-Riders on this one, but I think these wheels do look good on it.

That's superb, a new one on me! Lovely details.

[sierraman]

Wish they’d do a standard one though without all that unnecessary crap stuck to it like 20 inch rims and arch extensions. 

[Datsuncog]

12 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Actually found new (or newish?) mainline HWs in Tesco the other day. Not many left, but at least there were some non-fantasy things:

Nice - not seen that selection anywhere here yet, but I'm sure they'll show up in time.

Excited to try to find the Pontiac; a childhood watching taped-off-the-TV videos of Smokey & The Bandit has clearly had a long-lasting impact...

[bunglebus]

Matchbox #25 Cortina

got stripped a little while back

and was the first test subject of my new spray booth, and one of my ancient Badger airbrushes

colour is Aquatic Jade, a colour usually only seen on MK2 Cortinas, although the odd MK1 Escort managed to get a coat of it too. My dad's 1600E was this colour so I spent rather a lot on a small pot of it. As usual my camera doesn't like blue-green shades, this is the actual colour

looks more blue in the pictures, especially outdoors

Interior is black, because whoever heard of a white interior in a MK2?

There was a fair bit of faffing getting this one done, didn't want to use the original skinny wheels, most Hot Wheels stuff is way too big - these were about the only ones that fitted without any body or base mods, but I did have to enlarge the holes in them and use the original huge diameter axles, and cut the little pip off the inside of the back wheels. This is not an easy car to wheel swap due to the way the axles pass though the base, rather than just crimped in the centre of held with a plastic suspension piece - although it does have that, and working steering! I was going to use the Superfast base instead until I noticed the difference in the rear bumper I mentioned the other day.

I also thought it was game over when I reassembled it, the spring that holds the door hinges against the body and makes them shut with that satisfying snap pushes into a post with a slot in it - and one half of the post broke off. This means the doors are very loose now, not the end of the world as it'll be displayed with them open, but it did upset me at the time!

Oh, and there are some interesting casting lines to deal with - body sides weren't too terrible to sort out, but the one through the OSR light was a right bar steward...

Having said that, I really love how nicely made these 60s-70s Lesneys are, the grille, lights, handles, badges etc are cast so beautifully. I've noticed lately a lot of 80s and 90s Matchbox have a really poor finish along the roof gutters, presumably where they're separated from the mould

 

[Datsuncog]

That looks awesome Rich - great job!

[Datsuncog]

Saw this in TK Maxx yesterday - looks a bit like a stylised rendering of a 1971-ish Dodge Charger Gen3:

Being designed for fashion dolls to ride around in, it was bloody big - possibly around 1/12 scale.

Nope, I didn't buy it, but it's interesting to see what inspiration makes it across toy designers' desks...

[andrew e]

I’m the Netherlands this week on my hollidays (its a cracking place, if a bit wet!) so I popped back in the Daf museum which is great! Heres some snaps from the model collection 👍

https://www.dafmuseum.nl/en

First up Daf cars:

[andrew e]

Next up the vans - note just DAF not LDV over there, only took the 400 series too.

[andrew e]

Now for the small scale trucks:

[andrew e]

Finally the large scale trucks - I was tempted at the factory livery Space cab 3300 1/18, but luckily bough my anti spending device on holiday with (the wife!). My photos don't do it justice, it was fabulous 👍

This 1/8 scale monster was huge, makes my 1/14 Tamiya trucks look like corgis 😂 1/43 in same case for reference.

[Spottedlaurel]

4 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Excited to try to find the Pontiac; a childhood watching taped-off-the-TV videos of Smokey & The Bandit has clearly had a long-lasting impact...

Or a gold Firebird if your reference is The Rockford Files, like me. Maybe if I find another I could repaint it that way (adding it to the list of diecast projects which I haven't started yet).

[danthecapriman]

3 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Saw this in TK Maxx yesterday - looks a bit like a stylised rendering of a 1971-ish Dodge Charger Gen3:

Being designed for fashion dolls to ride around in, it was bloody big - possibly around 1/12 scale.

Nope, I didn't buy it, but it's interesting to see what inspiration makes it across toy designers' desks...

Years ago my sister had a Barbie Jaguar XJS convertible in a big scale like that. Bright purple and massive. Apparently quite valuable now to collectors.

[barrett]

All quiet on the miniature shite front here. I've stopped actively trying to buy more crap tbh, but I couldn't resist these two70s Marklins.

Amazing the delicate removable plastic roof has remained intact on this Targa. Love the lift-up windows although they're a bit on the stuff side

This Opel hasn't fared quite so well, but it was such a nice colour (and a real rarity) that I thought it was worth three quid

I think this is the only Tekno I've got. I have 'a thing' for Taunus Transits, and this seemed like a bargain at £11 compared to what they normally go for, although it's not in brilliant condition. I like the 'leaf springs' holding the axles in, but less sure about the oddly bulbous wheel hubs

[sheffcortinacentre]

7 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Matchbox #25 Cortina

got stripped a little while back

and was the first test subject of my new spray booth, and one of my ancient Badger airbrushes

colour is Aquatic Jade, a colour usually only seen on MK2 Cortinas, although the odd MK1 Escort managed to get a coat of it too. My dad's 1600E was this colour so I spent rather a lot on a small pot of it. As usual my camera doesn't like blue-green shades, this is the actual colour

looks more blue in the pictures, especially outdoors

Interior is black, because whoever heard of a white interior in a MK2?

There was a fair bit of faffing getting this one done, didn't want to use the original skinny wheels, most Hot Wheels stuff is way too big - these were about the only ones that fitted without any body or base mods, but I did have to enlarge the holes in them and use the original huge diameter axles, and cut the little pip off the inside of the back wheels. This is not an easy car to wheel swap due to the way the axles pass though the base, rather than just crimped in the centre of held with a plastic suspension piece - although it does have that, and working steering! I was going to use the Superfast base instead until I noticed the difference in the rear bumper I mentioned the other day.

I also thought it was game over when I reassembled it, the spring that holds the door hinges against the body and makes them shut with that satisfying snap pushes into a post with a slot in it - and one half of the post broke off. This means the doors are very loose now, not the end of the world as it'll be displayed with them open, but it did upset me at the time!

Oh, and there are some interesting casting lines to deal with - body sides weren't too terrible to sort out, but the one through the OSR light was a right bar steward...

Having said that, I really love how nicely made these 60s-70s Lesneys are, the grille, lights, handles, badges etc are cast so beautifully. I've noticed lately a lot of 80s and 90s Matchbox have a really poor finish along the roof gutters, presumably where they're separated from the mould

 

White int was a rare option one can been seen in the scrapyard at the end of I think confessions of a driving instructor.

[cms206]

Three for a quid in one of the local Salvation Army shops today - very pleased with the Guy for 33p!

[bunglebus]

Very late release fire engine in white too

[FakeConcern]

9 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Saw this in TK Maxx yesterday - looks a bit like a stylised rendering of a 1971-ish Dodge Charger Gen3:

Being designed for fashion dolls to ride around in, it was bloody big - possibly around 1/12 scale.

Nope, I didn't buy it, but it's interesting to see what inspiration makes it across toy designers' desks...

I still have the huge plastic V70 we had for the kids to play with their trolls as I had a 1/1 V70 at the time

5 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Years ago my sister had a Barbie Jaguar XJS convertible in a big scale like that. Bright purple and massive. Apparently quite valuable now to collectors.

I think it may have been a Barbie car

we bought this at a boot fair, but you can still buy them new....

https://www.u-buy.co.uk/product/7CATMSEG-barbie-happy-family-volvo-v70-station-wagon

£486 + VAT!

[danthecapriman]

23 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

I still have the huge plastic V70 we had for the kids to play with their trolls as I had a 1/1 V70 at the time

I think it may have been a Barbie car

we bought this at a boot fair, but you can still buy them new....

https://www.u-buy.co.uk/product/7CATMSEG-barbie-happy-family-volvo-v70-station-wagon

£486 + VAT!

£486!! Shit me!😆

This is the Jag my sister had.

You could put batteries in it and the lights would work! Pretty sure the gear stick was the switch.

[bunglebus]

I remember getting my eldest the new Beetle

Those Bratz ones that Datsuncog mentioned are quite stylish in a terrible tacky way, if I still had young daughters I'd be steering them in that direction I think

There are loads

[sierraman]

Youngest has this thing that’s a sort of cross between a TR7 and a Rapport Forte. 

[quicksilver]

12 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

£486!! Shit me!😆

This is the Jag my sister had.

You could put batteries in it and the lights would work! Pretty sure the gear stick was the switch.

I remember seeing that in 1990s Argos catalogues. Jag built a 1/1 scale version that I think is in the Coventry Transport Museum reserve collection.

[danthecapriman]

41 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

I remember seeing that in 1990s Argos catalogues. Jag built a 1/1 scale version that I think is in the Coventry Transport Museum reserve collection.

That’s probably about the right sort of time my sister would have had it. I can’t remember where it came from though.

[Datsuncog]

Did a fair amount of shop-hopping while out and about on Wednesday.

None of the independent stores had much of interest though; Toytown over in Ards had considerably less Matchbox stuff than before (having downsized their display to just two shelves at the end of an aisle).

I'd kinda hoped they might have brought in some new Premiums or Action Drivers sets for the upcoming December consumer frenzy - but nope, there was nothing that I hadn't seen the last time I was in, some months back.

No more Convoys or Collector Series at all, and their mainlines were down to just a few dozen unwanted generic peg warmers, like the Speed Trapper trailer and Dune Dog.

Meh. That's that, then.

Meanwhile, the Stewart Miller branch of Toymaster in Holywood had restocked with quite a lot of Matchbox Skybusters, which were actually quite appealing - mostly passenger aircraft involving jet and prop airliners, some single engine stunt planes, a couple of generic but quite detailed helicopters, a fire dousing plane, and a SpaceX rocket thing.

I'm not usually much interested in aircraft, but these were pretty cool. 

Unfortunately they were also priced at £9 each, which seemed kinda steep. By contrast, Toytown had their Skybusters out at only £2.50 - though they were mostly Top Gun release and other military aircraft, which still don't interest me much.

Weirdly, Stewart Miller had no other Matchbox on offer beyond a bare handful of early 2023 mainlines, a pair of 2020 release Action Drivers fuel stations, and those 1990s Superkings fire engines.

This was the same place that netted me a load of Moving Parts releases for £2.99 each a couple of months back, so it seems to either be feast or famine with them. Currently we're back in the lean times.

Poundland branches seem to have restocked with Mattel products again.

They're also running another Poundland Perks promotion on Hot Wheels in Scotland, NI and the Isle of Wight, with recent-ish cases out on the pegs for only £1 a throw, if you use their app and have the promotion saved.

Naturally, there's loads of Kowloon'd Hypervans in there now... 😆

For that money, I picked up a few for myself, and a few others to trade:

The Transformers 'Bumblebee' Beetle seems to have become quite hard to find - these were the first ones I've encountered in the wild.

They also seem to have found some more of the late 2023 Matchbox packs - not quite super-cheap at £2 a go, but they had a fair few of the more desirable ones like the green Mk1 Golf and the blue Volvo 240, amongst others:

Again, I've already got these - so this trio were picked up with trading in mind.

A whirlwind rattle through several branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Home Bargains and B&M didn't yield much of interest - more Hot Wheels, but mostly the same selection as Poundland, only more expensive.

Poundstretcher still had a fair few older release Matchbox out at the double-discount price of 99p, but I couldn't really justify any more of them. There were still plenty of Hot Wheels Silverline Porsche and Hot Wagons available as well - and I thought hard about the Pontiac GTO, even at £6, but ultimately put it back again too - there seemed to be a fair few paint flaws on the sole example there.

So, not quite a frenzy of diecast delights, but hey - the week's not over yet...