Shite in Miniature II

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

In Lewes today and couldn't resist some IXO model Renners in a junk shop

£3 each was ok by me

I already have a few R12s and recently bought another Norev metal one

I have a Corgi transporter with a load of R12s and intend to make up another one. I have some suitable cabs from Dan to use instead of the Corgi Ford/Bedford ones. A couple of weeks ago one of the cats went along the shelf and knocked the transporter off onto my work bench! Amazingly the transporter and five Norev Renaults were almost unscathed, only the red metal R12 that I made a door and bonnet for has now got collapsed suspension on the front. Unfortunately the Spot On Thames Trader I'd just finished was chipped and I couldn't successfully touch it in so I've stripped it again. The Austin Cambridge and caravan I managed to touch in ok. 

The estate is a Solido, the red one at the back is a Pilen. The two on the front left are Norev metal and the two on the right are Norev plastic.

I have another transporter with other Renaults on as well

As I said I often buy the same model again and after renovating a Mebetpys Hot Wheels Fiat Mirafiori, I bought another one and a Solido

I also bought a Super Kings XR4i for £3 in Rye the other day and I wondered how many I already had.

I think this is all of them (two are obviously Cosworths)

A while ago someone said they needed seat backs for a King Size XR4i, was it @155V6? Anyway I've some seat backs that look like they should fit even if they're not exactly the same if you want them

I have managed to clean the dark maroon paint off the Corgi Zephyr I got a while ago

Not perfect, but I'm pretty pleased with it

Lastly I picked up a book in another junk shop in Lewes, I have the Corgi and Dinky books in the same series already

Nice pictures and now I can see all the models I'd never heard of before and now must have!

Brilliant stuff!

That Corgi Zephyr came back incredibly well.

Ive got a partwork/IXO Renner 12 (actually the Dacia version) on the side in my shed, I’m sure you said you wouldn’t mind it??   
It’s one I’ve taken a few spares off for my others so it’s a spares or custom jobbie if you want it? Don’t want anything for it of course…

[FakeConcern]

13 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Brilliant stuff!

That Corgi Zephyr came back incredibly well.

Ive got a partwork/IXO Renner 12 (actually the Dacia version) on the side in my shed, I’m sure you said you wouldn’t mind it??   
It’s one I’ve taken a few spares off for my others so it’s a spares or custom jobbie if you want it? Don’t want anything for it of course…

Yes please Dan!

[danthecapriman]

1 minute ago, FakeConcern said:

Yes please Dan!

I’ll get you a pic of it and bung in the post for you. There’s no wheels on it, unless you want some Renner 17 alloys with it?😄

[FakeConcern]

6 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I’ll get you a pic of it and bung in the post for you. There’s no wheels on it, unless you want some Renner 17 alloys with it?😄

That sounds good, weren't they similar on the R12 Gordini?

[FakeConcern]

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

T’was me and yes please 

PM sent.

[danthecapriman]

7 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

That sounds good, weren't they similar on the R12 Gordini?

This type,

The model ones are all grey though.

Theres actually not much I can think of that I’ll use them on to be honest! It’s the standard steel wheels I use more.

[FakeConcern]

4 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

This type,

The model ones are all grey though.

Theres actually not much I can think of that I’ll use them on to be honest! It’s the standard steel wheels I use more.

I wouldn't say no to those, thanks!

[danthecapriman]

9 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

I wouldn't say no to those, thanks!

I’ll dig em’ out tomorrow and show you with the car. 

[morrisoxide]

Went to the Hot Rod Supernats in Bedford (that was a trek) and got these two for £2 each from a Hot Wheels stand the supra is mint. 

I like how spell checker wanted to change Supernats to Superfast. 

50p Charity shop Ertl General Lee. I wasn't making a ramp out of a spoons menu honest. Yeehaw!

£3.50 a pop in The Entertainer.

[bunglebus]

24 minutes ago, morrisoxide said:

50p Charity shop Ertl General Lee

Where was it made? So far I have Hong Kong, USA, Taiwan and Singapore 

Very nice HW Supra you have there too

[MAF260]

3 hours ago, 155V6 said:

After not finding any new Hotwheels for ages,this lot appeared  in the last week or so 

Still no Cortina though.None of the Aldis round here have any Hotwheels at all,The Home Bargains next to my local Aldi doesn't have any either.

I have a Cortina going spare...

[morrisoxide]

18 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Where was it made? So far I have Hong Kong, USA, Taiwan and Singapore 

Very nice HW Supra you have there too

The Charger is made in Hong Kong.

Yes the Supra is minty. I thought it very odd for a HW seller to be selling it at £2 in that good of shape without bent axles.

[bunglebus]

On 13/08/2025 at 06:41, ambassador84 said:

I'd rather have these on the pegs than shitty nasty Teamsterz generics 🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮😅

How about some Street Whipz?

[FakeConcern]

13 hours ago, bunglebus said:

That looks good, how new/old are the cars? Nova two door saloon is pretty niche. 

Doctor Edward Force has a rather excellent name too

The book was published 1990, dates are given for the models, the Corsa/Nova says 1983- 

I've only really had a quick look through the book so far.

[danthecapriman]

Speaking of Nova’s/Corsa’s, I spotted one of these on eBay the other day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/357135021706?_skw=gama+opel+corsa&itmmeta=01K2KVXM9656VMW2FF42NFKSEH&hash=item5326e7f68a:g:pN0AAOSwbzFoSb8r&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dUmsAmM%2BGYTlecpUDaNDCNDuWJQ0DvrFg4UjNcoEcIzSxryRZ62n3PHbBCbG5opfbUa0D4DCO%2BstCJvCGvMac8FRLJytTPpBUiSXnFv82dVnRiA6PTGEGcAAxS0pLgNIQ7ymcX0zgRMh7JLSunHcRZhhrXCSc65gNROHQEoe%2Btrnoo6Qn1U4LuRl2bwno1Bo--dZC53n9Vj8KrFR0jNPJ2aDwypIN7qMiSZxB6Tq8ndKr4fpONlVR90T93hILDq3EWhv%2B8kIRmJ94zBPmQuOBT9xN8wnhYTtxdXCJrzGO6Hg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_bE9vuUZg

I had no idea anyone made the saloon version! 
They don’t seem particularly rare either so I might keep my eyes peeled for a cheap one. I’m slightly disappointed they’ve got opening doors though as they look a bit clumsy and not the best fit.

[Tenmil Socket]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

How about some Street Whipz?

£2!

[bunglebus]

Yes they've changed the tags so all die casts are £2, be they Hot Wheels, Matchbox or Chinese junk

[Spottedlaurel]

16 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

£2!

Indeed, when you can buy HWs in Aldi for £1.49........

[Tenmil Socket]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

How about some Street Whipz?

I’m imagining grandparents handing them to their grandchildren saying ‘keep them in their boxes, they’ll be worth money in the future’ 😆

[ambassador84]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

How about some Street Whipz?

😅😅😅😅 I must admit to buying some of these from Yorkshire Trading Co. in Bridlington recently. They were charging £1.99.

[FakeConcern]

2 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Speaking of Nova’s/Corsa’s, I spotted one of these on eBay the other day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/357135021706?_skw=gama+opel+corsa&itmmeta=01K2KVXM9656VMW2FF42NFKSEH&hash=item5326e7f68a:g:pN0AAOSwbzFoSb8r&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dUmsAmM%2BGYTlecpUDaNDCNDuWJQ0DvrFg4UjNcoEcIzSxryRZ62n3PHbBCbG5opfbUa0D4DCO%2BstCJvCGvMac8FRLJytTPpBUiSXnFv82dVnRiA6PTGEGcAAxS0pLgNIQ7ymcX0zgRMh7JLSunHcRZhhrXCSc65gNROHQEoe%2Btrnoo6Qn1U4LuRl2bwno1Bo--dZC53n9Vj8KrFR0jNPJ2aDwypIN7qMiSZxB6Tq8ndKr4fpONlVR90T93hILDq3EWhv%2B8kIRmJ94zBPmQuOBT9xN8wnhYTtxdXCJrzGO6Hg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_bE9vuUZg

I had no idea anyone made the saloon version! 
They don’t seem particularly rare either so I might keep my eyes peeled for a cheap one. I’m slightly disappointed they’ve got opening doors though as they look a bit clumsy and not the best fit.

That looks like the one in the book, it says opening doors and boot (actually trunk as Yank author) and for me that's something I like as it makes it a toy you can play with and gives it a purpose. I know what you mean about the panel gaps, but many models with all fixed openings look wrong as you can see they're fixed even with some black run into the recess.

[danthecapriman]

39 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

That looks like the one in the book, it says opening doors and boot (actually trunk as Yank author) and for me that's something I like as it makes it a toy you can play with and gives it a purpose. I know what you mean about the panel gaps, but many models with all fixed openings look wrong as you can see they're fixed even with some black run into the recess.

Some do look better than others. I suppose if they’ve been played with a lot the opening bits wear and get sloppy then the fit isn’t so good. 
That Schabak Orion I’ve got has really good opening fitting bits. One other annoying thing though is the top of the door frame is cast shut, so when the bottom of the door opens it leaves the top half behind. I suppose you can’t have everything! 

[Datsuncog]

Just playing catch-up here - you may recall this little lot arrived last month courtesy of @bunglebus:

I got round to profiling some of the cars - but what of the Matchbox 'Adventure Links' Service Centre playset?

It's a big old box, and the '60th Anniversary' logo indicates it's a 2013 release.

It comes with a vehicle!

Not the generic tanker shown on the box, but instead a generic 'Urban Tow Truck' which was a 2012 mainline (MB82) in this livery, including 'Asada Bros' tampo lettering on the door to credit the designer, Ryu Asada.

The first thing I noticed after opening up it is that it's pretty much all complete out of the box - unlike the more recent Action Driver sets, there's not much assembly needed.

All there is to add are the stickers and a handful of vertical signs, really. The buildings are heat-melted on to their bases, so there's no way to disassemble them. They click together to form a layout, along with a short section of two-lane road.

There's a square building with a sort of drive-through section, billed as a Food Mart:

Some rudimentary moulded interior detailing is visible, but there's no pre-applied stickers to give the sense of a supermarket:

Then there's a garage with an opening door, and a big orange button:

The garage door is manual and flips up and out of the way, with some window, brick and door detail moulded into the other side:

So what does that button do?

Oh!

It throws out a spring-loaded arm, to launch a vehicle across the junction (or straight into the Food Mart; experimentation shows either is a likely outcome).

The third and final building, then:

It's another garage, this time with a parking bay, and a ramp leading to an upper parking level:

There's an office with a really big door, too.

Detailing to the side and back are pretty good, with drainpipe and vents as well as brick effect.

Overall, it's a curious set - while a good size and containing multiple buildings, there's kind of not a lot to do with it. A set of petrol pumps, or some more moving bits, would add just a little more playvalue, 

I know there's been a lot of ups and downs for Matchbox over the years, and for me the 1980s Motor City range was hard to beat - even if the single-lane track was a bit unrealistic.

But there's something about this set that just doesn't feel very Matchbox, somehow.

It's similar vibes that led to my four-year old self into having a screaming match with my best friend at the time, because I reckoned the Matchbox Rover SD1 police car he owned wasn't a real Matchbox - the plastic base, the ill-proportioned shell, it just didn't chime with what I knew Matchbox to be.

I mean, maybe it's just me - this little fella seems pretty excited by it all:

And it seems there's more in the range, too:

Well, sort of. The BBB79 set with the bridge is different, but the the Y6095 set with the police garage and the bank is 2/3 of this very set, but in different colours and stickers.

And there's more!

Well, another one - the Y6086 set appears different, and incorporates a hospital and another garage. And you can clip them all together - maybe that's what's missing? MORE SETS!

Well, it's perplexing but it's interesting to see how Mattel went away, maybe had a good think, and eventually came up with different products - the Downtown Demolition set from 2018 is actually pretty great, with loads of vehicles, accessories and play pieces:

And the Action Drivers series from 2020 on are pretty awesome:

Must get them all out one day and clip them together...

[sutty2006]

Went to Aldi for milk and Yorkshire puddings. 
 

oooops 

 

 

[bunglebus]

Who wants some 2020 Hot Wheels...

...or 2021 Matchbox?

If you missed out on any of the Matchbox, let me know, as I decided to relieve One Beyond of that lot, just in case!

 

[danthecapriman]

After building those buildings for my little display I’ve started on some cars again. I’ll probably start building up the base for the display next week. It’ll mean cutting a sheet of ply down and I can’t be arsed at the moment!

Heres one of my projects I wanted to do for a while. 

Mk2 Transit which was originally a Rally support vehicle. 
Unusual as the base model comes with a side door each side. I’ve kept the left hand door but filed off the raised hinge/handle detail from the right hand door and filled the shut lines. Once dry I’ll sand it down smooth, likewise the roof where the roof rack originally was.

Ive started converting the interior to right hand drive too, and adding some additional seats in the back as this one’s going to become a minibus! 
Once the filler is done I’ll mark out the positions of the new windows in the rear end side panels then drill & cut them out. I’ll have to make some new window glazing up for those too. 
Rear door is currently the tailgate type on this one but I need to change it to standard double doors.

Hopefully I won’t screw up the windows!

[egg]

From an 80s bburago, any use to anyone?

[Split_Pin]

@FakeConcern I see you have a Norev Renault 6, that has to be one of my favourite models. Everything opens, folding back seat and adjustable front seats. I always thought the model recreated the practicality of the real car. Also, the whole door frame opens, something which I loved as a kid as most cars with opening doors left the frame in situ. That made my teeth itch as much as @danthecapriman !

I always wanted the Dinky model though, as per the 'Toy Cars' book, it only had opening doors but like the Norev, the whole frame was included in the play!

Also @FakeConcern  have you got a Dinky R12? I have an Atlas one, I'd say its my pick of R12 models.

Actually, scrub that, I see you have a Pilen which I think is the same thing?

[danthecapriman]

25 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

@FakeConcern I see you have a Norev Renault 6, that has to be one of my favourite models. Everything opens, folding back seat and adjustable front seats. I always thought the model recreated the practicality of the real car. Also, the whole door frame opens, something which I loved as a kid as most cars with opening doors left the frame in situ. That made my teeth itch as much as @danthecapriman !

I always wanted the Dinky model though, as per the 'Toy Cars' book, it only had opening doors but like the Norev, the whole frame was included in the play!

Also @FakeConcern  have you got a Dinky R12? I have an Atlas one, I'd say its my pick of R12 models.

Actually, scrub that, I see you have a Pilen which I think is the same thing?

Glad I’m not the only one😆

It really bothered me for some reason when the top door frame didn’t open. Sure, they must be fragile as hell but it MUST open!

[eddyramrod]

That's exactly why I still have my owned-from-new pre-Superfast King Size Mercedes Binz ambulance.  The cab doors open and bring the window frames with them, which was unheard of in whenever it was - 1964-ish?  We'd only just started seeing opening doors anyway but when I realised that most toys left the frame cast into the body I felt cheated.  Matchbox had proved it could be done right so why couldn't they all do it?  TBF to Dinky, they did have a good try with the Capri and Range Rover, but almost everything else disappointed.