Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Is the HW Beetle of any use to you?

Thank you but I've got that one, think it's a colour changer

[bunglebus]

Interesting 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgm2jjwmw9jo

Could this mean we can actually buy Harry Potter Anglias in The Entertainer in the future?

[bunglebus]

Forgot to show you this one, bought the Mrs a high speed pursuit Lupo

It's tiny, that's a 1:64 underneath 

[Lord Sterling]

On 09/08/2025 at 15:42, AndyW201 said:

Holy shit, that's three whole quid posted for a second one!

Cheers for the heads up. Got mine for £2.99 too after I went and searched for that code on Facebook.

Thing is, I already have this XR3i:

I may have bought it off eBay for something silly like £7 loose without box (it's mirrors are even still in tact!). I guess another one, in box one for £2.99 is not to be sniffed at.

My white one may have been part of a Haynes Manual celebration by Vanguards as I recall seeing a white one boxed with some Haynes stuff up for £20 some time ago.

[Tenmil Socket]

13 hours ago, SilverMachine said:

 

id like this package if its still available please?

It isn't a package as such it was just something I cobbled together... I guess you could select any of the cars displayed in my earlier post, except what has been claimed.

PM me 👍

[Datsuncog]

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Interesting 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgm2jjwmw9jo

Could this mean we can actually buy Harry Potter Anglias in The Entertainer in the future?

Very interesting!

I believe Richer Sounds was transferred to a similar employee trust whenever Julian Richer retired a few years back - seems to be a way to encourage staff retention and motivation through being directly invested in the future success of the business.

Good to learn that they grew the business in the more old-fashioned manner of making and reinvesting profit, rather than the corporate tendency to leverage debt and loan themselves money through offshore shell companies - the kinds of schemes that might be great for short-term profits, but then puts a company  in bother once there's a shift in the economic weather (see recent events at Asda for all the fun that entails).

It'll be interesting to see whether The Entertainer's 'Christian ethos' becomes baked into the legal documents as a condition of the transfer, or if staff will be able to choose to diverge from that.

While I found the Sunday closing of standalone stores annoying at times (and also on ecclesiastical dates such as Good Friday), and the decision to exclude all Harry Potter merchandise - including Matchbox - from their shelves on the grounds of promoting witchcraft to be a bit of an overreaction, it's rare these days to find a chain that has some sort of ethical framework, and doesn't just chase every penny. Perhaps I wouldn't choose to run a business in quite the same way, but it doesn't seem to have harmed them. 

I also didn't know they donated 10% of annual profits to charity, either (though that probably is offsettable against tax).

I know we might have our gripes about their shortcomings as a diecast retailer, but overall I think it's a good thing that there are still toy retailers operating on the High St . 

[eddyramrod]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

overall I think it's a good thing that there are still toy retailers operating on the High St . 

I agree, from the perspective of someone whose local Entertainer closed down weeks ago.  We do still have a Smyth's on one of the retail parks though, and an actual independent model shop on an actual street. 

I'm wondering now if I should order one of those Cortinas to go with my bronze original....

[Datsuncog]

44 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

I'm wondering now if I should order one of those Cortinas to go with my bronze original....

If you do, be sure to enter BOTH codes at checkout, one after the other:

And it should cost you absolutely nowt.

Don't forget to ring them up/ email to cancel your membership once it arrives though, if you don't want to be billed £30 a month for future releases!

(I've never had any issues with skipping releases for ones I don't want, though)

Got to say, I like the look of the Whizzwheels era cars like the Graham Hill Cortina GXL more than a lot of the 1960s stuff from the CMC core range - and since many of the forthcoming releases in the main range look to be recolours or else different versions of vehicles already released, I'm kinda tempted to jump ship and go Team Whizzwheels...

[Split_Pin]

29 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

If you do, be sure to enter BOTH codes at checkout, one after the other:

And it should cost you nowt.

Don't forget to ring them up/ email to cancel your membership once it arrives, if you don't want to be billed £30 a month for future releases!

Got to say, I like the look of the Whizzwheels era cars like the Graham Hill Cortina GXL more than a lot of the 1960s stuff from the CMC core range - and since many of the forthcoming releases in the main range look to be recolours or else different versions of vehicles already released, I'm kinda tempted to jump ship...

Wait, what? You can get one for £0 that way?

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Wait, what? You can get one for £0 that way?

Apparently so - saw it on the Vanguards World Facebook page, entered the codes they'd screenshotted, and - bing, free Cortina. I've had an email confirmation through, so fingers crossed!

There was some chat on the Facebook page about people having orders cancelled though, but I dunno if they were trying to order multiple examples.

Also, there's meant to be a pair of discount codes for the Escort XR3i that'll supposedly get you one of those for sweet f.a. too.

Daresay something similar exists for the new bus collection, as well - I haven't found it yet, though!

[Datsuncog]

Seems to be a bit of a low-key 'soft launch' on these new Corgi Model Club collections - if you go to the usual club homepage, there's no mention of them anywhere, just links to the 1960s 'Golden Age' collection that's been running since 2021, if I remember correctly.

But looking up a search engine for the relevant keywords brings you to:

Corgi Whizzwheels Collection:

https://corgimodelclub.com/pages/wwcort5

Corgi Vanguards Hot Hatch Collection:

https://corgimodelclub.com/pages/sstvxr3

As far as I can tell, this seems to be an effort to reel in new customers with something beyond those Corgis that probably appeal most to folks in their 60s and 70s who'd remember them from childhood, by targeting these new collections at those likely in their 40s and 50s.

The CMC Facebook group often floated the idea of including Whizzwheels era castings for future releases, but opinion seemed divided between those who loved the idea (like me), and those purists who viewed them as inferior to the older rubber-tyred releases.

Seems that this is the solution - two separate collections.

And the really interesting part is that it looks like 1/36 scale releases will be part of the mix - even more divisive!

Yes, sign me up for a reissued Kojak Buick Century complete with figures, please!

It appears that this could be the influence of Guy Stainforth, formerly head of the Atlas partworks out a few years ago, then head of Corgi Model Club, and now (since Hornby's takeover of CMC, who were formerly a licenced partner) on board as part of the Corgi management team.

With sales figures not looking great at Corgi in recent years, and Vanguards continuing to exasperate collectors by mostly just reissuing the same old Fords in every conceivable colour, it seems that this is Guy's solution - pull in new collectors on a fairly relaxed subscription service , reissue old castings that are sought-after amongst collectors (how often have we complained on here about castings like the Mk3 Cav and mid-spec Carlton that were only released in tiny numbers, decades ago, and have never been seen since?), and use the expanded collector database to shoot targeted emails out for shop discounts, sale events etc.

Will it succeed? Who knows, but I like the concept. Just depends on finding enough collectors with deep enough pockets to make a go of it!

[danthecapriman]

The bits & bobs I ordered for my garage/petrol station arrived today.

Theyre brilliant! Really nicely made 3D printed parts. Should look well on my diorama.

[AndyW201]

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Seems to be a bit of a low-key 'soft launch' on these new Corgi Model Club collections - if you go to the usual club homepage, there's no mention of them anywhere, just links to the 1960s 'Golden Age' collection that's been running since 2021, if I remember correctly.

But looking up a search engine for the relevant keywords brings you to:

Corgi Whizzwheels Collection:

https://corgimodelclub.com/pages/wwcort5

Corgi Vanguards Hot Hatch Collection:

https://corgimodelclub.com/pages/sstvxr3

As far as I can tell, this seems to be an effort to reel in new customers with something beyond those Corgis that probably appeal most to folks in their 60s and 70s who'd remember them from childhood, by targeting these new collections at those likely in their 40s and 50s.

The CMC Facebook group often floated the idea of including Whizzwheels era castings for future releases, but opinion seemed divided between those who loved the idea (like me), and those purists who viewed them as inferior to the older rubber-tyred releases.

Seems that this is the solution - two separate collections.

And the really interesting part is that it looks like 1/36 scale releases will be part of the mix - even more divisive!

Yes, sign me up for a reissued Kojak Buick Century complete with figures, please!

It appears that this could be the influence of Guy Stainforth, formerly head of the Atlas partworks out a few years ago, then head of Corgi Model Club, and now (since Hornby's takeover of CMC, who were formerly a licenced partner) on board as part of the Corgi management team.

With sales figures not looking great at Corgi in recent years, and Vanguards continuing to exasperate collectors by mostly just reissuing the same old Fords in every conceivable colour, it seems that this is Guy's solution - pull in new collectors on a fairly relaxed subscription service , reissue old castings that are sought-after amongst collectors (how often have we complained on here about castings like the Mk3 Cav and mid-spec Carlton that were only released in tiny numbers, decades ago, and have never been seen since?), and use the expanded collector database to shoot targeted emails out for shop discounts, sale events etc.

Will it succeed? Who knows, but I like the concept. Just depends on finding enough collectors with deep enough pockets to make a go of it!

 

11 hours ago, Lord Sterling said:

Cheers for the heads up. Got mine for £2.99 too after I went and searched for that code on Facebook.

Thing is, I already have this XR3i:

I may have bought it off eBay for something silly like £7 loose without box (it's mirrors are even still in tact!). I guess another one, in box one for £2.99 is not to be sniffed at.

My white one may have been part of a Haynes Manual celebration by Vanguards as I recall seeing a white one boxed with some Haynes stuff up for £20 some time ago.

On reflection, we shouldn't get too excited yet though. It seems these new ranges atm are simply a 'dry' test just to see if there would be enough interest to justify going ahead with them. A couple of guys on the FB Vanguards page have reported ordering and paying for the XR3is earlier last week and then being refunded with the reason given as the cars are "out of stock" (ie non existent probably...)

So, the consensus is just that we will have to wait and see. My guess is that Corgi will see what the take up has been for the Hot Hatches, Whizzwheels and buses and go with one, which will be whichever has been the most popular.

Whether they go for the Hot Hatches or Whizzwheels, I'll probably have a dabble. The thought of finally getting my hands on a brand new, boxed Whizzwheels Marina Coupé,  Mk1 Capri or possibly Porsche Targa after 50 years makes me a bit giddy...

@Lord Sterling you are indeed right about your white XR3. That was one of the Corgi-branded Haynes box set issues which came with the model and a small booklet with a potted history of the real car (written by one Giles Chapman IIRC)

The cars were Vanguards based but the detail was pared back a little to cut costs. (The box sets came in at about £12.99 I think at the time).

So the Escort lost the photo etched wipers, and the colour coding on the mirrors and bumpers. I got the Escort and the Capri 2.8i,

Which also had a wiper delete, came in a single tone paint finish and the injection side stripes lost the silver lower stripe, in comparison to the actual Vanguards release.

I wasnt too bothered as it was still a good way to get a new Vanguards model cheaply at the time.

[flat4alfa]

21 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

Rough Mebetoys Silver Shadow missing A pillars and boot lid

Not sure what I'll do with them yet

Am interested in resurrecting the RR

[666jjp]

might interest some of you,

https://www.ryedaleauctioneers.com/catalogue/94b6438135e5ce41c1aeb9fe29671533/02d8863b5de7d5d97f6ef64910788336/model-and-diecast-cars/?currentPageNo=1

[sheffcortinacentre]

I like the MK3 cortina.

[Spottedlaurel]

Package from @bunglebus which arrived just as I went off on holiday, so it was something good to look forward to when I got to work today:

Other than the Civic I'd forgotten what it was going to contain.

Then I visited my local Aldi:

Found a pretty much fresh box between the tills. Good of course to finally get the Cortina (minutes after seeing a real one), but perhaps the standout car for for me is the '73 Civic. Maybe the nicest rendition of it yet? The front end is very sharply detailed.

Are the XJ-C and white Mazda 787B in the same case, or a different one?

[bunglebus]

The next one, think that's M and you want N. One of the weird quirks of my job is whenever I'm tasked with taking out the fixtures from a closed branch of Lakeland, there's almost always an Entertainer next door or very close by. Today it's opposite 

Delivery day is tomorrow at 5am(!) and apparently people queue outside the door before opening to raid the new boxes. I'll be one of them! 🤣

Another delivery Friday and I'll still be here so hopefully my luck will be in. Found a Jag and treasure hunt motorbike on the pegs so the scalpers obviously missed some. No Cortinas

[junkyarddog]

16 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Package from @bunglebus which arrived just as I went off on holiday, so it was something good to look forward to when I got to work today:

Other than the Civic I'd forgotten what it was going to contain.

Then I visited my local Aldi:

Found a pretty much fresh box between the tills. Good of course to finally get the Cortina (minutes after seeing a real one), but perhaps the standout car for for me is the '73 Civic. Maybe the nicest rendition of it yet? The front end is very sharply detailed.

Are the XJ-C and white Mazda 787B in the same case, or a different one?

Is that '73 Civic the $uper?

[Spottedlaurel]

1 hour ago, junkyarddog said:

Is that '73 Civic the $uper?

Oh, yes it is!! Just checked what people are asking for them on eBay.....

[junkyarddog]

41 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Oh, yes it is!! Just checked what people are asking for them on eBay.....

Cracking find!

[ambassador84]

9 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Package from @bunglebus which arrived just as I went off on holiday, so it was something good to look forward to when I got to work today:

Other than the Civic I'd forgotten what it was going to contain.

Then I visited my local Aldi:

Found a pretty much fresh box between the tills. Good of course to finally get the Cortina (minutes after seeing a real one), but perhaps the standout car for for me is the '73 Civic. Maybe the nicest rendition of it yet? The front end is very sharply detailed.

Are the XJ-C and white Mazda 787B in the same case, or a different one?

Mazda 787B yes to the batch youve just found, the XJ6C is in the next batch.

[Spottedlaurel]

Just now, ambassador84 said:

Mazda 787B yes to the batch youve just found, the XJ6C is in the next batch.

Thanks, will pay another visit at some point then. Don't imagine it will be particularly desirable, just need to look a bit deeper into the cases.

[Split_Pin]

9 hours ago, bunglebus said:

5am

 

 

scalpers

That's absolutely crazy. How desperate must they be for a few quid. Absolute bane of my life.

I hope you get in there first, that'll be a bunch of fives, from us lot, to them 😅

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

That's absolutely crazy. How desperate must they be for a few quid. Absolute bane of my life.

I hope you get in there first, that'll be a bunch of fives, from us lot, to them 😅

There's a guy been outside since 8.30, they don't open until 9.30. I'll carry on working and stroll over just as they turn the key 😁

[danthecapriman]

35 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

There's a guy been outside since 8.30, they don't open until 9.30. I'll carry on working and stroll over just as they turn the key 😁

Are they waiting like that specifically for the Hot Wheels?? 
If so they’re absolutely mad! Should be still in bed at that disgusting hour😆

[bunglebus]

30 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Are they waiting like that specifically for the Hot Wheels?? 
If so they’re absolutely mad! Should be still in bed at that disgusting hour😆

Yes he was, and there was just a single K case. Nice enough chap, collects and does a few wheel swaps etc. Offered me some of the Ferraris so obviously wasn't too much of a scalper.

Nothing for me, but I did find a pound shop selling some @ambassador84 might be interested in 

[MAF260]

Another delivery yesterday. I’m on a nostalgia trip trying to buy cars I loved playing with as a kid. I think the Caper Cart kicked off my love of bread vans. The box is a bit battered, but fits in with being 45+ years old. The car is mint.

[bunglebus]

KP-1! Good find, I've been looking out for those. Different colours to the Superkings versions and no stickers

[dan95x]

Im only a lurker on this thread normally - i can't afford the money, or time to actually have my own miniature shite collection anymore, so i live vicariously through my 4 year old hotwheels addiction, and perving on here instead.

Ive just bought a gift for a mate though, and thought it might go down well on here.  He has no interest in cars, but he was obsessed with jackie chan films when we were kids, and the other day i saw this.......