Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

[Tenmil Socket]

Have you got this one @bunglebus?

 

[bunglebus]

No! That's awesome 

[bunglebus]

I do have a VW Hot Rod with the wheels fitted at the wrong ends though

That came with this Mini, a jarring mix of diamonte lights, separate sump guard and nylon Whizzwheels 

I'm still looking for a Choro Q Lupo, but I did spot this Baja for sale, still sealed in it's box. Not any more

This 10 pack was in Asda, who seem to be ahead of the game on these lately. Zamac New Beetle and slime green 911 were the main targets

Although The Nash(hole) and Circle Trucker are quite cool too

[MiniMinorMk3]

43 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

IThat came with this Mini, a jarring mix of diamonte lights, separate sump guard and nylon Whizzwheels 

 

 

Your is the later wheeled version. 

Roof rack had Whizzwheels as well.

I have put a set of repop decals on one of mine.

Sump guard is metal. It is just the rally plate that is plastique.

 

[Hertz]

On my way to collect these. Probably all shite but local and only £10 as a job lot.

[Tenmil Socket]

13 minutes ago, Hertz said:

On my way to collect these. Probably all shite but local and only £10 as a job lot.

What an odd title! 

[bunglebus]

MK2 Escort looks like  a worthy project 

[Split_Pin]

33 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

MK2 Escort looks like  a worthy project 

Worth it for that alone.

[Bren]

I have a couple of regals -

As somebody the bad side of 50 I am old enough to have played with the kojak one when it was current. Badly abused examples would often end up with the red light rattling around inside the car.

[Datsuncog]

Did some purchasing on Tuesday past.

Called into the model shop at Smithfield, as I'd noticed the Convoys transporter in there a few weeks ago and wanted a closer look at it.

Sadly it's a generic 'MBX Hauler' cab - though not a bad stab at a modern tractor unit - paired with a slightly over-large Mini Countryman which dwarfs it somewhat - but today we're kinda here for the trailer.

Familiar?

Just a bit?

Yup, the double deck transporter trailer on this 2024 Convoys release is a near-copy of the 1982 Lesney original, seen here paired with a Kenworth cabover.

The main difference is that the original was diecast with a plastic upper deck, whereas its modern counterpart is all moulded in plastic.

There's also slightly more of a ridge midway along the modern upper deck, to stop the vehicle at the front from sliding off once it tilts, plus a change to the deck reinforcement.

The new Convoys also have a completely different hitching mechanism, which means they're not interoperable between eras. Booo.

But that's not necessarily a bad thing - as I had a Terrible Experience while lifting my vintage Kenworth rig from its box...

Ouch!

Of course, I lifted it out by the trailer - and the barely-connected cab detached and fell to the floor.

It only dropped about ten inches onto the laminate, but it was enough to bust the bumper and lights.

😢😢😢

No wonder my childhood original lost its lights and bumpers in short order! They're sadly quite fragile. Forty years on, I'm plainly not much more careful.

At least I had some glue to hand...

Not quite seamless, but it'll have to do.

The latest generation of Convoys has a much more positive fifth wheel mechanism, which means the cab won't detach from the trailer unless it's pulled quite hard.

Luckily, this Kenworth's not a mint example so there's no real harm done by my cackhandedness - and it's still a good deal tidier than my old childhood original, which saw a lot of hard use over the years.

It was a fifth birthday present from a girl called Laura Gray. I liked Laura, mainly because she'd brought this to my birthday party. There's a picture somewhere of me unwrapping it.

The one on the right was picked up from the market a couple of years back.

But it's not a transporter if it's not transporting, right?

More Minis for the new one...

And a rake of Honda Civics for the old one.

Actually... can you get three Civics on the top deck?

You can!

Just about.

[Bren]

3 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Did some purchasing on Tuesday past.

Called into the model shop at Smithfield, as I'd noticed the Convoys transporter in there a few weeks ago and wanted a closer look at it.

Sadly it's a generic 'MBX Hauler' cab - though not a bad stab at a modern tractor unit - paired with a slightly over-large Mini Countryman which dwarfs it somewhat - but today we're kinda here for the trailer.

Familiar?

Just a bit?

Yup, the double deck transporter trailer on this 2024 Convoys release is a near-copy of the 1982 Lesney original, seen here paired with a Kenworth cabover.

The main difference is that the original was diecast with a plastic upper deck, whereas its modern counterpart is all moulded in plastic.

There's also slightly more of a ridge midway along the modern upper deck, to stop the vehicle at the front from sliding off once it tilts, plus a change to the deck reinforcement.

The new Convoys also have a completely different hitching mechanism, which means they're not interoperable between eras. Booo.

But that's not necessarily a bad thing - as I had a Terrible Experience while lifting my vintage Kenworth rig from its box...

Ouch!

Of course, I lifted it out by the trailer - and the barely-connected cab detached and fell to the floor.

It only dropped about ten inches onto the laminate, but it was enough to bust the bumper and lights.

😢😢😢

No wonder my childhood original lost its lights and bumpers in short order! They're sadly quite fragile. Forty years on, I'm plainly not much more careful.

At least I had some glue to hand...

Not quite seamless, but it'll have to do.

The latest generation of Convoys has a much more positive fifth wheel mechanism, which means the cab won't detach from the trailer unless it's pulled quite hard.

Luckily, this Kenworth's not a mint example so there's no real harm done by my cackhandedness - and it's still a good deal tidier than my old childhood original, which saw a lot of hard use over the years.

It was a fifth birthday present from a girl called Laura Gray. I liked Laura, mainly because she'd brought this to my birthday party. There's a picture somewhere of me unwrapping it.

The one on the right was picked up from the market a couple of years back.

But it's not a transporter if it's not transporting, right?

More Minis for the new one...

And a rake of Honda Civics for the old one.

Actually... can you get three Civics on the top deck?

You can!

Just about.

I still have the first 1-75 kenworth cab over - primarily white with coloured tampos. I also have a silver convoy example which was part of a helicopter transporter.

[Datsuncog]

The Matchbox '75 Cadillac Eldorado droptop is one I haven't owned before - I'd been eying up the yellow one in the recent 5-pack for a while, but this one looks pretty nice in a mossy dark metallic green.

As with all of the big land yachts in the range, this scales quite small compared to the models of more compact cars, but I still really like it.

Finely rendered silver stripes and appropriate badging sets it off nicely.

This seems to be part of some sort of American Classics sub-series issued a few years ago; it had passed me by, but it turned out this was the only one I wanted from the set (the store had all five models from the series).

I also nabbed these loose items for £2 a go:

No.71 Jeep Gladiator looked tidy with very good glazing. Not the rare green interior version, but lovely nonetheless.

Wish he'd use better price stickers, though. These are difficult to remove, usually requiring meths to shift the adhesive.

And not write on the packaging!

(Apparently this is one of my petty grievances that I can't let go)

No.15 Fork Lift is a very late version with the rollover bars, possibly issued as an accessory to a Super Kings set rather than as part of the 1-75 mainline?

It's also very tidy.

And useful!

Parcel incoming...

All thanks to @AndyW201 for picking up this Hot Wheels Premium Lancia Delta Integrale on my behalf - it's simply super.

They were in and out like nobody's business in all the shops locally - never even got a sniff of this one or the white BMW 5 Series (though there's still loads of yellow Land Cruisers from this series left on the pegs).

All in all - pretty good!

[Hertz]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

MK2 Escort looks like  a worthy project 

It's definitely a project! I'll post pics tomorrow

[MAF260]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

The Matchbox '75 Cadillac Eldorado droptop is one I haven't owned before - I'd been eying up the yellow one in the recent 5-pack for a while, but this one looks pretty nice in a mossy dark metallic green.

As with all of the big land yachts in the range, this scales quite small compared to the models of more compact cars, but I still really like it.

Finely rendered silver stripes and appropriate badging sets it off nicely.

This seems to be part of some sort of American Classics sub-series issued a few years ago; it had passed me by, but it turned out this was the only one I wanted from the set (the store had all five models from the series).

 

Parcel incoming...

 

Where did you get that Eldorado? I have a lot of love for that!

Integrale is a peach, I may have an idea where I can find one.

[Split_Pin]

Sorry about your Kenny, Tim 😞

The green Eldorado is lovely, one to look out for!

[Hertz]

4 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Worth it for that alone.

You sure? Looks like it was involved in a bombing. Gone on the shelf anyway lol. Here's the best of the rest so to speak. Polistil Stratos is OK tbf. Mk3/4 escort a strange one. I'll send a bag to the charity shop and possibly try and sell all the modern ish hot wheels to try and re coup my tenner if I can be arsed. 

[Datsuncog]

11 hours ago, MAF260 said:

Where did you get that Eldorado? I have a lot of love for that!

It's from a small independent model shop in Belfast - I think he just buys Mattel stuff in from various wholesalers whenever they become available.

It's all a bit hit and miss, but sometimes he does surprise me with some decent stuff.

This Caddy seems to be from the 'American Convertibles' series released last year, but it was a Walmart exclusive range - so that's why I haven't seen it before.

https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/American_Convertibles_Series_(2024)

Probably surplus stock that's filtering its way down to us in the UK - B&M used to be quite good for that, with their Hot Wheels Anniversary series and various Target exclusives, and I think some folks on here did well at One Below branches recently with the Matchbox Retro Series, which also featured an Eldorado:

I believe this was a range produced exclusively for Target stores in the US.

So - they're out there!

[MAF260]

17 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

It's from a small independent model shop in Belfast - I think he just buys Mattel stuff in from various wholesalers whenever they become available.

It's all a bit hit and miss, but sometimes he does surprise me with some decent stuff.

This seems to be the American Convertibles series from last year, which was a Walmart exclusive range.

https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/American_Convertibles_Series_(2024)

Probably surplus stock that's filtering its way down to us in the UK - B&M used to be quite good for that, with their Hot Wheels Anniversary series and various Target exclusives, and I think some folks on here did well at One Below branches recently with the Matchbox Retro Series, which also featured an Eldorado:

I believe this was a range produced exclusively for Target stores in the US.

So - they're out there!

Thanks very much. I have a strong hankering for a mid-70s Cadillac, but it would be a nightmare to store so I may have to do with one of these!

[morrisoxide]

I got my Eldorado from Yorkshire Trading Co for a few quid. It is a very nice thing, the yellow doesn't quite suit it but the blue and green are spot on.

 

[GolfilloGTI]

I primarily collect 1:64 scale cars, although I have them in all scales! Here are some things from my collection 😁

1:18 Mercedes Benz S-Class S600 V12 of Norev

 

[Datsuncog]

Also stopped by the Tescotainer aisle earlier today too - they had added a standalone cardboard Hot Wheels display to one of the gondola ends, with the new-ish 2025 Mix 2 Boulevard series in it:

Well, three of them anyway - the 911 and Bugatti Chiron were apparently gone already.

They also had the Car Culture Off Road series (and plenty of them), with all Premiums out at the discounted  price of £7.20 each.

Also pleased to see some Silverlines on the display too (the current Surf's Up series) reduced to a pleasing £3.20, some of the older 2024 Track Fleet (including the Volvo 245 Drift Caravan) even if only at full price at a tenner, plus some more Team Transports (racing silver Audi A4 and white Toyota Soarer) down to £15.20 or suchlike.

There were also a few 5-Packs, including that Night Burners set with the Sierra Cosworth (I've seen a few of those around now) marked down to £7.20.

Not so much because I really desired any of them, but good to see a wider selection available locally in Tesco, and at discounted prices too.

The more outlets there are stocking them, the more chance I have of finding the ones I'm after (and the ones you're after too!)

[bunglebus]

3 hours ago, Hertz said:

The MC Toys Escort cabrio, slightly odd in that form with a colour coded roof, hilarious as the police version with lights on the soft top!

15 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Ooh I'll be hunting that green Manx down - and probably the others too

[Spottedlaurel]

6 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

I believe this was a range produced exclusively for Target stores in the US.

I picked-up one of them, but I can't remember where - maybe a local, now-closed branch of The Original Factory Shop?

4 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Also stopped by the Tescotainer aisle earlier today too - they had added a standalone cardboard Hot Wheels display to one of the gondola ends, with the new-ish 2025 Mix 2 Boulevard series in it:

Ooh, the Datsun is a new one to me - certainly one I'll be looking out for. Although I don't want to be a "must get all the colours" kind of person, the 510 Wagon is one that I do have a few of.....

[danthecapriman]

I finished the Matchbox livery AEC yesterday…

I need some replacement number plates yet but it’s done otherwise. 
The two interior units have been fully painted and a few passengers added from leftover Bond car villains. Swapped the rear wheels for a slightly different set that’s more accurate for the Matchbox buses (no AEC trims).   
Gave it a light road grime weathering just to places grime accumulates or runs in the rain etc. on the roof I’ve added it around the raised roof ribs then swept it back as it started to dry to look like the wind had blown it backwards as the bus was driving around. Also dabbed on a few splotches of a slightly different shade of white on the front corner to look like tree branch damage that’s been patch painted over.

A bit of a bugger of a project in some ways but good fun. 
There’s two more of the donor models in my stockpile and an open top deck version too which is probably going to become a converted bus recovery vehicle! At some point!

[bunglebus]

Just sayin'

[Split_Pin]

Amazing work Dan!!

[junkyarddog]

40 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I finished the Matchbox livery AEC yesterday…

I need some replacement number plates yet but it’s done otherwise. 
The two interior units have been fully painted and a few passengers added from leftover Bond car villains. Swapped the rear wheels for a slightly different set that’s more accurate for the Matchbox buses (no AEC trims).   
Gave it a light road grime weathering just to places grime accumulates or runs in the rain etc. on the roof I’ve added it around the raised roof ribs then swept it back as it started to dry to look like the wind had blown it backwards as the bus was driving around. Also dabbed on a few splotches of a slightly different shade of white on the front corner to look like tree branch damage that’s been patch painted over.

A bit of a bugger of a project in some ways but good fun. 
There’s two more of the donor models in my stockpile and an open top deck version too which is probably going to become a converted bus recovery vehicle! At some point!

Best one yet Dan!

That's fantastic.

[danthecapriman]

25 minutes ago, junkyarddog said:

Best one yet Dan!

That's fantastic.

 

36 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Amazing work Dan!!

Cheers guys👍

I was thinking about these modern models earlier. They are pretty soulless things to begin with, especially the partwork ones. Nice enough, and generally pretty accurate but have very little character to them. They really do turn around though once you start customising things. 
I suppose that’s good though, as it means you lose absolutely no sleep hacking them up and painting them!

[Datsuncog]

That really is an absolute belter, Dan - looks like it's ready to drive straight out of the picture!

Paintwork looks just the right level of fleet-scruffy, and that's a brilliant re-use of the various Bond figures too.

Love it!