Shite in Miniature II

[Lord Sterling]

A couple of new ones from me:

Mazda 2 courtesy of @bunglebus and a couple of Majorettes, a Chrysler 180 and a Simca 1100 TI inspired by some seen on this thread:

I noticed the wheels on the Chrysler were different front and back:

They are in very good condition. French-made Majorette cars seemed to be built to last (although, I have a couple that have broken) the bouncy suspensions were always a fave of mine. 

[Zie]

I don't have a problem......

[sierraman]

Majorettes always seemed prone to breaking on the sills or door pillars. 

[danthecapriman]

Just been going through some boxes left unopened from moving house now my shed is ready. This box had some other stuff in it, but also some of the survivors from my childhood that didn’t go to my cousins kids. 
Probably nothing really too exciting but here it is anyway!

Various Corgi artics and a few other bits.

 
Some Matchbox Convoy’s. A few have seen action in the garden! Some are paired with whatever trailer I wanted to run them with and don’t match at all.

 

And a few small Tonka’s.

 
Matchbox Superkings. Again, some saw service in the garden! That Wimpy Iveco got some serious use out there. There’s a second one of those Iveco tippers somewhere too - a red unbranded version.

Britains?? Renault tractor and Majorette Range Rover, both used in the garden. Both still full of mud.

Matchbox Superkings JCB excavator. Well used outdoors. This was a favourite!

 
Matchbox Superkings DAF & Merc.
I did have the blue Royal Navy one with helicopter load which I think now lives with @sierraman

Corgi bin truck that’s survived in really nice shape somehow.

Corgi Rolls that’s somewhat rougher.

Kees Saab & caravan.

Majorette bulldozer.

 
Tidy Corgi Transit.

Smaller Majorette’s and a well worn Lledo Transit.

 
Matchbox Superkings Sierra.

Could this possibly be that GrafficTraffic DAF?? @bunglebus

EFSI DAF in the box with them but I can’t remember where I got it or what’s missing. Possibly just a fifth wheel coupling?

[MiniMinorMk3]

Just found on the internet, street trader, Madrid, 1970s. Spot those Pilens

[Tenmil Socket]

12 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Just been going through some boxes left unopened from moving house now my shed is ready. This box had some other stuff in it, but also some of the survivors from my childhood that didn’t go to my cousins kids. 
Probably nothing really too exciting but here it is anyway!

Various Corgi artics and a few other bits.

 
Some Matchbox Convoy’s. A few have seen action in the garden! Some are paired with whatever trailer I wanted to run them with and don’t match at all.

 

And a few small Tonka’s.

 
Matchbox Superkings. Again, some saw service in the garden! That Wimpy Iveco got some serious use out there. There’s a second one of those Iveco tippers somewhere too - a red unbranded version.

Britains?? Renault tractor and Majorette Range Rover, both used in the garden. Both still full of mud.

Matchbox Superkings JCB excavator. Well used outdoors. This was a favourite!

 
Matchbox Superkings DAF & Merc.
I did have the blue Royal Navy one with helicopter load which I think now lives with @sierraman

Corgi bin truck that’s survived in really nice shape somehow.

Corgi Rolls that’s somewhat rougher.

Kees Saab & caravan.

Majorette bulldozer.

 
Tidy Corgi Transit.

Smaller Majorette’s and a well worn Lledo Transit.

 
Matchbox Superkings Sierra.

Could this possibly be that GrafficTraffic DAF?? @bunglebus

EFSI DAF in the box with them but I can’t remember where I got it or what’s missing. Possibly just a fifth wheel coupling?

Are they the same wheels normally found on the Texaco Sierra?

[bunglebus]

21 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Could this possibly be that GrafficTraffic DAF?? @bunglebus

No picture on Wiki, but Christian Falkensteiner says that would have a white chassis too

Your one is apparently a promotional of some sort

[danthecapriman]

22 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Are they the same wheels normally found on the Texaco Sierra?

Must be?? I’ve certainly never changed them anyway! Please say it’s a rare one that I can retire on😅

12 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

No picture on Wiki, but Christian Falkensteiner says that would have a white chassis too

Your one is apparently a promotional of some sort

I did wonder about the white base. I definitely remember having it but it must have gone to my cousins kids sadly. I don’t have a clue what that promotional one is from though! It’s been so long since I got them.

[Tenmil Socket]

12 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Must be?? I’ve certainly never changed them anyway! Please say it’s a rare one that I can retire on😅

I did wonder about the white base. I definitely remember having it but it must have gone to my cousins kids sadly. I don’t have a clue what that promotional one is from though! It’s been so long since I got them.

It’s me, I’m wrong 🤦‍♂️

I thought they were solid wheels without holes (how it looked to me on the white one) but I think the chrome emphasises that they’re not.

 

[Hertz]

23 hours ago, MrBig said:

Thanks! They will for sale if the thing I'm replacing them with actually shows up (currently on preorder)!

Interested in the General Lee if it does come up. Had one as a kid but I think my Mum chucked it out/charity shopped it when I went to University

[MrBig]

14 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

I  bought a DARDA MOTOR Pontiac 'Kitt' Firebird for 50p.

I was proud initially

 But that was borked too

Core memory unlocked!!

I used to have that exact one and the track with loops. You could pull them back, lock the wheels and press down to release IIRC? Mine went like shit off a shovel!

[eddyramrod]

I think that Kees caravan @danthecapriman just showed us is the same as the one I used for this...

 

[andy18s]

26 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

I think that Kees caravan @danthecapriman just showed us is the same as the one I used for this...

 

Speaking of caravans the locals seem to be going a bit crazy over this combo .

[danthecapriman]

30 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

I think that Kees caravan @danthecapriman just showed us is the same as the one I used for this...

 

Definitely that one! All plastic body. 
That one of mine had stickers on it originally but most have fallen off now. It’s another one I got new with the Saab and had as long as I can remember but yet I can’t remember where it came from or exactly when I got it.

5 minutes ago, andy18s said:

Speaking of caravans the locals seem to be going a bit crazy over this combo .

Looks like an old Matchbox set? The caravan definitely is. I found one today in my old toys box - burnt to a crisp! No idea why I kept it having done that to it (little shit!). 
Maybe I’ll dig it out and restore it to redress the balance!

[flat4alfa]

26 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Looks like an old Matchbox set? The caravan definitely is.

Mukpo is/was a Bulgarian toy manufacturer that produced Matchbox knock-offs licenced toys during the Universal Era of Matchbox

'Mukpo' translates to 'Micro'

[FakeConcern]

@danthecapriman I need your help please, Mrs Concern is wanting to replicate something by casting in resin, but we don't have anything suitable for the mould. Can you remember what you used when you did those experiments re making grilles or something similar?

If you could share a link or the name that would be great!

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

@danthecapriman I need your help please, Mrs Concern is wanting to replicate something by casting in resin, but we don't have anything suitable for the mould. Can you remember what you used when you did those experiments re making grilles or something similar?

If you could share a link or the name that would be great!

It was silicone putty I used. 
Lots of makes and you can buy it in generic brands and use it for the same modelling purposes as the stuff made specifically for models. It’s two part stuff you need.

This is what I tried. GreenStuff World.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405385192719?_skw=green+stuff+silicone&itmmeta=01JV5GV62RZHKD7DMEG9AJCPEP&hash=item5e62d7250f:g:lIsAAOSwSLVnR~TJ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1feFBDOaUkfvW%2F02aZSALCpEvmEq292GA4WCZFcYIlPREmfUwmcYefQg9%2FPtjaLzQSyIO2FHlSH6RiP7eqFOclLOayimHvy%2BEhCGl%2FjPOX6brszSjxY8EYXtFBbaNSBexL6gbK7dgzV1Z0Hkj7w7dQUeksMBc3bojcITEXhpcdJXAWBOJ8O%2BUkLj2eoTeQ%2FSh1emIfkkFNS2oDZLNfFV8qGH2K8Fios5tadc%2FDm9caLnlKSF8beFbVNSJ1lFQG6iGZAlKLZZyUMUz4qdE21ftQIZylVtgWt1pZH7ucQXS3Yrw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8zh7LDZZQ

 

Theres also this which is reusable by softening it in hot water after use.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267232366236?_skw=green+stuff+putty&epid=1750237974&itmmeta=01JV5GSJQJZZJTDTSCXEZ2VMBT&hash=item3e384a4e9c%3Ag%3AvzsAAeSww-RoDOlR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1d6i3Ea9IDhk2j03WIF2KL9vFLJta5hDPH%2FZmtKxe4klMd6dZ7MaHXmYs5gzNA5NRgH7P1pJlH3Rtd2yD7pAZSK%2BVKDOBNlHVekzwTVnV4%2FE0NU3KSHGcZbVWWDWJq%2Fy%2FySNKfl53akVF2gVAp0q6VpgaQZqUkahP%2B0BWxEBLSXq0iWTkbEkzVWPCgpDudMp6BECVkUr%2FOtNPOtPyeJI3qwYdHvFQ60yr9yaOQee75atjiuAM5t2HAkf0kjVccdfv0%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4Ks5rDZZQ&keyword=green+stuff+putty&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true

The two part putty is very good at moulding things with small fine details.
Hope that helps👍

[FakeConcern]

2 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

It was silicone putty I used. 
Lots of makes and you can buy it in generic brands and use it for the same modelling purposes as the stuff made specifically for models. It’s two part stuff you need.

This is what I tried. GreenStuff World.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405385192719?_skw=green+stuff+silicone&itmmeta=01JV5GV62RZHKD7DMEG9AJCPEP&hash=item5e62d7250f:g:lIsAAOSwSLVnR~TJ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1feFBDOaUkfvW%2F02aZSALCpEvmEq292GA4WCZFcYIlPREmfUwmcYefQg9%2FPtjaLzQSyIO2FHlSH6RiP7eqFOclLOayimHvy%2BEhCGl%2FjPOX6brszSjxY8EYXtFBbaNSBexL6gbK7dgzV1Z0Hkj7w7dQUeksMBc3bojcITEXhpcdJXAWBOJ8O%2BUkLj2eoTeQ%2FSh1emIfkkFNS2oDZLNfFV8qGH2K8Fios5tadc%2FDm9caLnlKSF8beFbVNSJ1lFQG6iGZAlKLZZyUMUz4qdE21ftQIZylVtgWt1pZH7ucQXS3Yrw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8zh7LDZZQ

 

Theres also this which is reusable by softening it in hot water after use.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267232366236?_skw=green+stuff+putty&epid=1750237974&itmmeta=01JV5GSJQJZZJTDTSCXEZ2VMBT&hash=item3e384a4e9c%3Ag%3AvzsAAeSww-RoDOlR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1d6i3Ea9IDhk2j03WIF2KL9vFLJta5hDPH%2FZmtKxe4klMd6dZ7MaHXmYs5gzNA5NRgH7P1pJlH3Rtd2yD7pAZSK%2BVKDOBNlHVekzwTVnV4%2FE0NU3KSHGcZbVWWDWJq%2Fy%2FySNKfl53akVF2gVAp0q6VpgaQZqUkahP%2B0BWxEBLSXq0iWTkbEkzVWPCgpDudMp6BECVkUr%2FOtNPOtPyeJI3qwYdHvFQ60yr9yaOQee75atjiuAM5t2HAkf0kjVccdfv0%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4Ks5rDZZQ&keyword=green+stuff+putty&sacat=0&relatedSearch=true

The two part putty is very good at moulding things with small fine details.
Hope that helps👍

It certainly does help, thank you very much! Mrs Concern is perusing them at this moment and I'm thinking about re making the grill for my Norev Renault 11!

[danthecapriman]

Just now, FakeConcern said:

It certainly does help, thank you very much! Mrs Concern is perusing them at this moment and I'm thinking about re making the grill for my Norev Renault 11!

It’s good stuff! 
There’s some good vids on YouTube of people using it if you want to get a few tips and just see how it works before you get it. It’s actually possible to use it to make two part moulds too. Likewise the blue reusable stuff.

One thing I did find was try not to make the resin too thick. Especially if you intend casting something that’s got fine detail as the resin might not flow into the detail very well if it’s too thick. I also found using a cocktail stick or similar to gently prod and massage the resin into the detail as you pour it in helps get rid of air bubbles. 
It’ll be absolutely perfect for your Renault grill! What is Mrs Concern making?

[FakeConcern]

23 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

It’s good stuff! 
There’s some good vids on YouTube of people using it if you want to get a few tips and just see how it works before you get it. It’s actually possible to use it to make two part moulds too. Likewise the blue reusable stuff.

One thing I did find was try not to make the resin too thick. Especially if you intend casting something that’s got fine detail as the resin might not flow into the detail very well if it’s too thick. I also found using a cocktail stick or similar to gently prod and massage the resin into the detail as you pour it in helps get rid of air bubbles. 
It’ll be absolutely perfect for your Renault grill! What is Mrs Concern making?

OK we'll have a look at the vids thanks. Also thanks for the advice.

What is she making?

She got some spars or reapers Britains cyclist figures, both missing their "hairnet" helmets and the bike with half the handlebar missing

So she has made the bars from copper wire and the base cut from a station platform, but she wants make that again as an exact copy hence the resin casting.

Here he is on the bike with the helmets from Milliput

The one with the brown helmet is original, the bike with the standing man is a copy of a Britains

[danthecapriman]

8 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

OK we'll have a look at the vids thanks. Also thanks for the advice.

What is she making?

She got some spars or reapers Britains cyclist figures, both missing their "hairnet" helmets and the bike with half the handlebar missing

So she has made the bars from copper wire and the base cut from a station platform, but she wants make that again as an exact copy hence the resin casting.

Here he is on the bike with the helmets from Milliput

The one with the brown helmet is original, the bike with the standing man is a copy of a Britains

They look brilliant! 
It should work well for that I’d have thought. Nice job on those Mrs C👍

[FakeConcern]

On 08/05/2025 at 09:10, Tenmil Socket said:

I’m starting to feel left out, I’ve never owned a Spot-On… not even held one in my hand ☹️

It could be worth a cheeky bid on one of these as restored do often sell for cheap

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286557726536?_skw=spot on triang&itmmeta=01JV5QJ23H0YCFJDWQV2BBDYCH&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1e2bofEgWwepxBQC67tx1Q%2ByIzpiUUAcoGr2%2BvE5MRCoWke9V0zipCpFHi%2Brogxask%2FH6NZ%2Fq%2BO4O0SGnbzJ37tjgYjqpn1ie%2BFjr%2F8jJ9C%2BVX5z6PUywqap9xkOspQZdfqBJ%2BKNpWdCvfNDYj6OVCQFD6vyvCTc%2Bm46b88uaHy9UDSiUH53XMz3TKQayZIbWLuPee4V5OJhAhdG8zSsd%2Fxvcsl8m3ClLw0SlBPmteE24Je%2ByksT%2FpZFhf0x9f8ZaQZ09Gewmr8NxbYJF%2B8RzS2FSswJun%2FWoe1p2LSVzM4Lg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4yiyLfZZQ

The seller has a whole load of these with no bids so far

[sierraman]

I have one of those Zephyr/Zodiacs, it’s in bits however until I get my shit together and order the requisite bits from Steve Flowers. 

[FakeConcern]

I have a couple I restored

I bought them both with bits missing/broken, but all the parts to make one then with the help of Steve Flowers I did the other

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

1963, the year I was born.

Me 30 years ago at Brands Hatch for the Festival of a 1,000 Bikes.

 

[MiniMinorMk3]

Back to Lot 379 and the Matchbox items.

They was almost 50 bits of Superfast, mostly from the early 1970s.

There was plenty of orange used back then

Lots of yellow too.

Pink in various shades...

and blue of course.

Some castings got used more than once...

Whilst other were modified.

In the early part of the 1970s most models were of real subjects, but they slowly got replaced by fictional designs.

But then matchbox went back to real stuff like this Holden Ute.

R5 Alpine

The only variations I found are this Dodge Charger in lime metallic...

with a red base.

The other is the Fork Lift...

with mint green base.

[danthecapriman]

I wonder what the thinking was behind changing from making replicas of real cars to those awful fantasy things!? 
I really don’t know why they did it. For me the fantasy made up things like that are probably on par with (or maybe worse now I’m on one!😄) than all the Yesteryear and Days Gone stuff! 
Was it all TV inspired or what?? 
It must’ve sold well though as there’s so many of them around still.

[MiniMinorMk3]

22 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I wonder what the thinking was behind changing from making replicas of real cars to those awful fantasy things!? 
I really don’t know why they did it. For me the fantasy made up things like that are probably on par with (or maybe worse now I’m on one!😄) than all the Yesteryear and Days Gone stuff! 
Was it all TV inspired or what?? 
It must’ve sold well though as there’s so many of them around still.

I think it was the Hot Wheels influence, but then the Lesney boys just went mad and make fictitious every thing including road rollers and cement mixers.

It is surprising the amount of concept cars they did like the 

Dodge Charger Mk III

Vauxhall Guildsman

Datsun 126X

Mazda RX 500

[bunglebus]

1963 you say? That can only mean one thing:

 

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

I wonder what the thinking was behind changing from making replicas of real cars to those awful fantasy things!? 

 

1 hour ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I think it was the Hot Wheels influence, but then the Lesney boys just went mad and make fictitious every thing including road rollers and cement mixers.

It was absolutely Mattel taking a big chunk of the toy car market, Lesney and Corgi had to compete or die. Hot Wheels had a lot of fantasy cars in their lineup in the 70's, including lorries, cement mixers etc too