Shite in Miniature II

[Rust Collector]

Whilst looking for gifts for my son, I remembered that this was one of my most cherished childhood toys:

Does anyone know if there’s a comparable modern equivalent with push fit road pieces?

I’m also after the matchbox 5 packs, can anyone suggest which retailers are best to track those down at? I was really surprised that Smyth’s don’t carry Matchbox at all, at least at my local store.

[sierraman]

46 minutes ago, Rust Collector said:

Whilst looking for gifts for my son, I remembered that this was one of my most cherished childhood toys:

Does anyone know if there’s a comparable modern equivalent with push fit road pieces?

I’m also after the matchbox 5 packs, can anyone suggest which retailers are best to track those down at? I was really surprised that Smyth’s don’t carry Matchbox at all, at least at my local store.

No but it does crop up on eBay sometimes. I remember getting one for Xmas one time, check the Ferry Port out as well that was ace. 

[Rust Collector]

46 minutes ago, sierraman said:

No but it does crop up on eBay sometimes. I remember getting one for Xmas one time, check the Ferry Port out as well that was ace. 

I had the ferry port too, many hours were spent playing with that also! I guess I’ll set up a saved search on eBay, and keep my fingers crossed.

I may check the loft at my man’s house too, wouldn’t be surprised if she still has it 😂

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, Rust Collector said:

I had the ferry port too, many hours were spent playing with that also! I guess I’ll set up a saved search on eBay, and keep my fingers crossed.

I may check the loft at my man’s house too, wouldn’t be surprised if she still has it 😂

There was an airport as well plus a sort of service centre? Additional bits were the car crusher and a sort of overhead gantry for lorries. 

[Rust Collector]

18 minutes ago, sierraman said:

There was an airport as well plus a sort of service centre? Additional bits were the car crusher and a sort of overhead gantry for lorries. 

Christ, you’re bringing back memories now.

Not sure if I had the airport or cargo thing, but I remember having a car crusher where the cars dropped through a trap door and then a plastic cube was spat out.

[stuboy]

22 hours ago, sierraman said:

I think the early ones did have a metal base then after they went bust in 83 they went over to plastic. I’ve not seen one in the flesh but they did an RS1600i around ‘84/85? 
 

 

The cars are metal.. 2 types of wheels, but the vans are all plastic bases

[sierraman]

3 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

I had the ferry port too, many hours were spent playing with that also! I guess I’ll set up a saved search on eBay, and keep my fingers crossed.

I may check the loft at my man’s house too, wouldn’t be surprised if she still has it 😂

It had the ability to do smoke coming out of the top, can’t recall mine ever working though? 

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, Rust Collector said:

Christ, you’re bringing back memories now.

Not sure if I had the airport or cargo thing, but I remember having a car crusher where the cars dropped through a trap door and then a plastic cube was spat out.

It was a bit shit to be honest, the magnet didn’t work so you got some stickers with a bit of metal on them. 

[Split_Pin]

4 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

Whilst looking for gifts for my son, I remembered that this was one of my most cherished childhood toys:

Does anyone know if there’s a comparable modern equivalent with push fit road pieces?

I’m also after the matchbox 5 packs, can anyone suggest which retailers are best to track those down at? I was really surprised that Smyth’s don’t carry Matchbox at all, at least at my local store.

That is an excellent set. Corgi had the toy range nailed in the late 1980s. 

Anyway @Datsuncog might be able to advise you where you can find some Matchbox Action Drivers sets. They are probably closest to what you are looking for.

In terms of MB 5 packs, Supermarkets are your best bet, together will places like B&M. They often have deals on.

[danthecapriman]

5 minutes ago, sierraman said:

It was a bit shit to be honest, the magnet didn’t work so you got some stickers with a bit of metal on them. 

I remember that set well. The little crushed car plastic cube is still around here somewhere, although I’m sure the rest is long gone. 
And yes, it was a bit shit!😄

[bunglebus]

5 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

I’m also after the matchbox 5 packs, can anyone suggest which retailers are best to track those down at? I was really surprised that Smyth’s don’t carry Matchbox at all, at least at my local store

Tesco, Entertainer, Sainsbury's. Occasionally TK Maxx

[sierraman]

Here’s a list, not exhaustive, if the Autocity releases. 

[Datsuncog]

3 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

I remember having a car crusher where the cars dropped through a trap door and then a plastic cube was spat out.

 

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

I remember that set well. The little crushed car plastic cube is still around here somewhere, although I’m sure the rest is long gone. 
And yes, it was a bit shit!😄

Relive the Corgi Car Crusher nostalgia by flicking back... blimey, five years and 1500 pages of this thread:

 

[Datsuncog]

21 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

Whilst looking for gifts for my son, I remembered that this was one of my most cherished childhood toys:

Does anyone know if there’s a comparable modern equivalent with push fit road pieces?

I’m also after the matchbox 5 packs, can anyone suggest which retailers are best to track those down at? I was really surprised that Smyth’s don’t carry Matchbox at all, at least at my local store.

It's hard to find comparable stuff quite as easily now - Hot Wheels does produce a similar set, although it's designed to be slightly more 'exciting' than true-to-life:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3264795

As well as Argos, you'll find these in places like Smyths and The Entertainer - and I think Home Bargains might also stock this set, or one quite like it, but quite a bit cheaper.

17 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

 @Datsuncog might be able to advise you where you can find some Matchbox Action Drivers sets. They are probably closest to what you are looking for.

In terms of MB 5 packs, Supermarkets are your best bet, together will places like B&M. They often have deals on.

Matchbox Action Drivers sets are a bit less lairy than Hot Wheels (despite both being made by Mattel) - but they're quite tricky to find in toy shops. Independents like Toy Town branches and Toymaster franchises sometimes have them, but I've seen fewer and fewer on the shelves this year.

Ebay and/ or Amazon might be able to help though - this Transportation Centre doesn't look too far off your Corgi version:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Matchbox-Vehicles-Transportation-Car-Activated-Features/dp/B0CPL2WXYZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3

It offers a lot of play value for £40, and clicks together with the other Action Drivers sets in the range to build a sort of town  - and they're also compatible with the orange Hot Wheels push-together track sets, to create a roadway system.

I think they're great toys.

Matchbox 5 packs can be annoyingly hard to find - Tesco now farm out their entire toy range to The Entertainer on an in-store concession arrangement, so the 5-packs can be found in both supermarket and standalone store locations. Sainsbury's usually have them too.

RRP is a fairly salty £12 these days - a far cry from the £5 charged only a couple of years ago - though generally Tesco/ Entertainer offer 20% off that, while Sainsbury's frequently offers two packs for £15.

As stated upthread, TK Maxx sometimes do Matchbox 5-packs, but they're often older selections, and priced about the £10 mark.

Smyths did stock Matchbox, but seemed to discontinue it last year, annoyingly.

Toy Town branches also seems to have some, but there's been no fresh stock in my nearest for quite some time - still selling through early 2023 packs.

Best of luck with your search, dude!

[EDIT: moar pics]

[danthecapriman]

27 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

 

Relive the Corgi Car Crusher nostalgia by flicking back... blimey, five years and 1500 pages of this thread:

 

I remember that blue Aston the set came with too. I always thought it an odd car to include in such a set given the rarity and value of Aston Martin’s even back then! 
Strange choice considering the multitude of other much more suitable castings available from the Juniors range.

What used to piss me off with it was the little metal things you had to stick on so the magnet would lift the car. Kinda limited the play-ability of it imho. A grab crane or something would have been better and worked with any vehicle too.

[Split_Pin]

23 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I remember that blue Aston the set came with too. I always thought it an odd car to include in such a set given the rarity and value of Aston Martin’s even back then! 
Strange choice considering the multitude of other much more suitable castings available from the Juniors range.

What used to piss me off with it was the little metal things you had to stick on so the magnet would lift the car. Kinda limited the play-ability of it imho. A grab crane or something would have been better and worked with any vehicle too.

My brother had that big Corgi Carry Case shaped like an F1 car and it came with a yellow Aston as well.

The Aston had visible blanking plates where the James Bond bits would have gone. I swapped my brother something for it so I could rebuild my complete but trashed James Bond one that I got from my cousin which still had a good shell but broken base. I cut out the blanking plates on the yellow one's base so the roof release would work again transferred all the innards over and then gave it back to my brother as he liked JB. It's still on his dusty shelf now in his long -vacated bedroom that my mum keeps as a bit of a shrine 😂

[Rust Collector]

5 hours ago, sierraman said:

It had the ability to do smoke coming out of the top, can’t recall mine ever working though? 

I can still vividly remember the smell of the mineral oil and smoke that it made! I really hope my Nan has kept it…

5 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

That is an excellent set. Corgi had the toy range nailed in the late 1980s. 

Anyway @Datsuncog might be able to advise you where you can find some Matchbox Action Drivers sets. They are probably closest to what you are looking for.

In terms of MB 5 packs, Supermarkets are your best bet, together will places like B&M. They often have deals on.

 

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Tesco, Entertainer, Sainsbury's. Occasionally TK Maxx

 

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

It's hard to find comparable stuff quite as easily now - Hot Wheels does produce a similar set, although it's designed to be slightly more 'exciting' than true-to-life:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3264795

You'll find these in places like Smyths and The Entertainer - and I think Home Bargains also stocks this set, but quite a bit cheaper.

Matchbox Action Drivers sets are a bit less lairy than Hot Wheels (despite both being made my Mattel) - but they're quite tricky to find in toy shops. Independents like Toy Town branches and Toymaster franchises sometimes have them, but I've seen fewer and fewer on the shelves this year.

Ebay and Amazon might be able to help though:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Matchbox-Vehicles-Transportation-Car-Activated-Features/dp/B0CPL2WXYZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3

This Transportation Centre offers a lot of play value for £40, and clicks together with the other Action Drivers sets in the range to build a sort of town with roadways - and they're also compatible with Hot Wheels click-together track.

Matchbox 5 packs are annoyingly hard to find - Tesco now farm out all their toy stock to The Entertainer, so can be found in both locations, and Sainsbury's usually have them too. RRP is a fairly salty £12 now - though generally Tesco/ Entertainer offer 20% off, while Sainsbury's offer two packs for £15. As stated upthread, TK Maxx sometimes do them but they're often older selections and about £10.

Smyths did stock Matchbox, but seemed to discontinue it last year, annoyingly.

Toy Town branches also seems to have some, but there's been no fresh stock in my nearest for quite some time - still selling through early 2023 packs.

Best of luck with your search, dude!

Thanks chaps, I knew this would be the best place to ask 😂

Our local Morrisons does the 5 packs for £9 each, but they never seem to have more than 3 or 4 out at a time and it’s normally the same few sets. I will try some of the other options to see if I can find some more variety - my son seems to like the more realistic cars from matchbox sets rather than the more ‘exciting’ offerings from Hotwheels.

The realism value was where my brain was going with the garage, we’ve got him a hotwheels mega garage thing for his birthday and whilst we both love playing with it together, you can only really connect the orange hotwheels track to it, or other hotwheels sets. He’s started pushing the cars along their lanes on his car rug in the bedroom, so I reckon it’d blow his mind if I could get him a garage with a proper roadway like my old one had. Plus I’d love playing with it too!!

I really appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge, I’ll let you know how we get on. If my old sets are still in existence, I’ll get those out for all our enjoyment too.

[Split_Pin]

11 minutes ago, Rust Collector said:

my son seems to like the more realistic cars from matchbox sets rather than the more ‘exciting’ offerings from Hotwheels.

£9.99 from Amazon and will arrive well before Christmas:

Matchbox Autobanh Express IV, 5 Pack https://amzn.eu/d/hgCoXyH

 

[Rust Collector]

10 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

£9.99 from Amazon and will arrive well before Christmas:

Matchbox Autobanh Express IV, 5 Pack https://amzn.eu/d/hgCoXyH

 

That happens to be the first pack of cars I ever bought him! I couldn’t leave the Mercedes estate and BMW after I saw them.

[cms206]

10 hours ago, stuboy said:

The cars are metal.. 2 types of wheels, but the vans are all plastic bases

@sierraman is right, they also did an RS1600 in 1/36 scale with a third set of wheels and a spoiler - this is an ebay pic, but the same as the one I have.

[bunglebus]

This is the version I was picturing, no doubt commands a fairly hefty premium if you find one

[sierraman]

Yes, seems a boxed one is easily £30 or so. 

[warch]

21 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

Whilst looking for gifts for my son, I remembered that this was one of my most cherished childhood toys:

I know this has been posted on here before, but I thought I'd post it again because I just love looking at it, makes so happy, absolutely loved playing with this as a kid. All credit to the designer because it was quite small, but packed with play value.

[Hertz]

I had this one as a kid. You bastards have now led me down the path of trying to acquire one.

 

[bunglebus]

Mine was the Convoy set. Loved it.

[Datsuncog]

Motorcity 500 for me.

Kinda wish I hadn't sold it, but storage is a pain for anything this big.

[Rust Collector]

6 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Motorcity 500 for me.

Kinda wish I hadn't sold it, but storage is a pain for anything this big.

I reckon I might have had that too - I really remember the black plastic road pieces with markings on, and the street furniture that clips under it.

[Rust Collector]

52 minutes ago, Hertz said:

I had this one as a kid. You bastards have now led me down the path of trying to acquire one.

 

There’s one for sale near(ish) to me:

https://www.facebook.com/share/12CvnSoh6j9/?mibextid=79PoIi

Shame about the missing fuel pumps though.

[FakeConcern]

As I'm older than you lot, my garage was a lot simpler like this one

I acquired a similar later version of the one I had in different colours at a boot fair for £3!

I need to find some petrol pumps and fix a few bits really

[MiniMinorMk3]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

As I'm older than you lot, my garage was a lot simpler like this one

 

 

I had the same one.