Shite in Miniature II

[AndyW201]

9 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Agree with all that!

I think I could live with plastic bases and no suspension if they used that to meaningfully trim the costs for the punters. Although I do like it when you push the suspension on a vanguard’s and it has that lovely springy feel to it, whereas the likes of IXO etc just don’t do anything. They do feel a quality lump in the hand too, whereas some other modern manufacturers products don’t, nice as they are.

I can’t really complain too much about the costs of these, even in this day and age as £38 is actually comparatively little compared to model railway stuff. 
I’ve been having a clear out and thin down of mine over the last few months and the prices these things are selling for, even ‘used’ is insane. It’s been some time since I bought any rail stuff new so I think it must’ve shot up in price for some reason over the last few years. Have production costs in China risen or something?? Material costs??

Something I read on one of the FB diecast pages was that costs have indeed shot up in the Chinese factories over the last few years, particularly wages. Shipping costs have risen sharply too. Another problem has apparently been finding actual factories to make diecast vehicles, with some of the factories Corgi used to use having gone over to production of  "tech" in favour of diecast.

[quicksilver]

Cost increases are even more noticeable in the model bus world. When I started collecting around 25 years ago, diecasts from Corgi and EFE were in the £10-20 range and kits were a far more expensive option at around £30-40 or more. Nowadays though, many kits are actually cheaper than diecasts as they're still usually in the £40-50 range. Even a mundane diecast like EFE's recent releases of their 30-year old Bedford OB casting retails at around £45, and more specialist short-run models from the likes of Northcord can be upwards of £60, sometimes nudging £100.

[danthecapriman]

29 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

Cost increases are even more noticeable in the model bus world. When I started collecting around 25 years ago, diecasts from Corgi and EFE were in the £10-20 range and kits were a far more expensive option at around £30-40 or more. Nowadays though, many kits are actually cheaper than diecasts as they're still usually in the £40-50 range. Even a mundane diecast like EFE's recent releases of their 30-year old Bedford OB casting retails at around £45, and more specialist short-run models from the likes of Northcord can be upwards of £60, sometimes nudging £100.

The ones that really hit me are the 1:76 Oxford Diecast cars. Some of my old ones have price tags on still for only a few quid new. Look at them now!

Anyway, 

Remember my 1:43 scratch build of a Hoynor car transporter? 
I finally painted it the other day!

It is incredibly heavy with a load on!😆   
Good job I made the frame and chassis from brass instead of plastic in the end.

Theres actually not a huge amount more to do as far as paint goes. Most of these trailers seem to be just built then sprayed all over in whatever colour. There’s not much room anywhere for branding etc.                            

That colour is just a generic red from the RAL colour chart but it actually looks very similar to the Silcock red they used in the 80’s.  

[quicksilver]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

The ones that really hit me are the 1:76 Oxford Diecast cars. Some of my old ones have price tags on still for only a few quid new. Look at them now!

Anyway, 

Remember my 1:43 scratch build of a Hoynor car transporter? 
I finally painted it the other day!

It is incredibly heavy with a load on!😆   
Good job I made the frame and chassis from brass instead of plastic in the end.

Theres actually not a huge amount more to do as far as paint goes. Most of these trailers seem to be just built then sprayed all over in whatever colour. There’s not much room anywhere for branding etc.                            

That colour is just a generic red from the RAL colour chart but it actually looks very similar to the Silcock red they used in the 80’s.  

That is a beautiful big and imposing lump of a model. It honestly looks good enough to display at the Gaydon model truck shows that attract the best modellers from across Europe. I wish I had your scratch-building skills.

[bunglebus]

Got a lot of new bits and bobs here but I'll try and stick to the more interesting* ones. 

Zylmex California T is the best one I've found yet in terms of broken bits - I think I can sort out the windscreen frame that got squashed on its journey here

Matchbox VW 1600, bit of a strange one this. I don't know if it's faded from UV or something went wrong during the paint process, but it's noticeably orange on one side and the roof. Windows don't seem to have UV damage and the base is lovely and shiny

Here's one of the items dangled in front of me on the WhatsApp group, mint in box Bedford CF emergency vehicle 

Also mint in box is this Corgi Bugs Bunny Buggy

Out of my roffle win comes this really lovely Dodge Dragster - not the rare one with low seat sides, but in great shape. Love this one

Another one dangled under my nose, a job lot of 97% junk, but with a Graffic Traffic Rover Sterling included

That wasn't one I had, or even seen before. I do have this one though, it's in the respray pile with several others

Dinky AEC came out of my roffle box, lovely thing but not one I plan on keeping

There's been some discussion about these Golfs, another job lot netted me one with the bigger, capped wheels that seem to be less common on the white version 

Fuel filler hole

Gran Fury was another roffler

And the Golf lot had another one with different roof lights

Superkings 944

With an unusual pearl finish I don't remember seeing before. Shows up better in natural light

Solido 2CV with the funky chopped back wheel arches

Also Solido, anyone want a Clio?

Corgi Saab in a very unlikely colour scheme

Both Matchbox and Corgi did big Ranchos, and I got one of each yesterday. I think the Corgi edges it with multiple opening bits and the totally unnecessary tilting rear seat

This is a real oddity, made by Hot Wheels. Starts out flat, then you can draw out this tracked vehicle from its remote control. Testing required

Talking of Hot Wheels, this one was in my roffle lot. I like this

Majorette BMW CSL is a very nice casting

Any ideas who made this bus? Looks similar to the Matchbox no.5 at a glance

I believe this Lone Star Taunus is a repaint, but it's done well

With my custom - this is the casting I should have started with

Last car for now, a Polfi Toys Audi 100

It had a slight problem when it arrived 

Which I managed to sort without damage

One other item I acquired yesterday, is this redline Michelin X tyre, which I hoping can be turned into a display case - probably not by me though!

[danthecapriman]

29 minutes ago, quicksilver said:

That is a beautiful big and imposing lump of a model. It honestly looks good enough to display at the Gaydon model truck shows that attract the best modellers from across Europe. I wish I had your scratch-building skills.

Thanks mate😊

Honestly, I think your being too kind. 
The stuff you build in the smaller scale is better than anything I’m building.👍

[bunglebus]

Chanced on some grab bags in the charity shop

[junkyarddog]

Some tidy looking cars in there!

[Split_Pin]

7 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

The ones that really hit me are the 1:76 Oxford Diecast cars. Some of my old ones have price tags on still for only a few quid new. Look at them now!

Anyway, 

Remember my 1:43 scratch build of a Hoynor car transporter? 
I finally painted it the other day!

It is incredibly heavy with a load on!😆   
Good job I made the frame and chassis from brass instead of plastic in the end.

Theres actually not a huge amount more to do as far as paint goes. Most of these trailers seem to be just built then sprayed all over in whatever colour. There’s not much room anywhere for branding etc.                            

That colour is just a generic red from the RAL colour chart but it actually looks very similar to the Silcock red they used in the 80’s.  

Holy mother!! Thats incredible, nice one Dan!

[Split_Pin]

Got a few bits recently.

I wholly blame the WhatsApp group for introducing me to Vinted, whenst I made a totally unnecessary purchase:

Ford Escort 55 diesel van money box to commemorate the retirement of the last of the type in 2003.

I don't even use cash any more but I really like it 😂

Continuing the Escort theme, @bunglebus lifted this from I can't remember where for me. A quick disassemble and clean and its come up like new:

I already have a 1/24 hatch and an Orion but the smaller scale has exactly the same level of detail, its literally a scaled down copy. Lots of opening bits, I love these ones.

Next, 2 very nice Siku Mercs. I'm not sure if these are an updated version of the older casting. Anyway, both saloon and hatch have identical interiors and base plates. 

The estate had a missing headlight so I replaced it with Glue'n Glaze

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, junkyarddog said:

Some tidy looking cars in there!

Yeah, nothing super rare but well below 50p each

[bunglebus]

8 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

@bunglebus lifted this from I can't remember where

Boreham bootsale, from Cortina man. Unfortunately I wasn't there this weekend as it was toy fair/car show day. Hopefully this Sunday he'll make an appearance as I know some of you have asked for various things he's selling

[chancer]

Youngest daughter (14year old) wants to be a trucker. Already specified she wants a Scania V8 because of the sound of it. Has expressed she would like a model of her fave truck in her fave livery....holy shitballs 

https://ebay.us/m/UhfGLi

[danthecapriman]

16 minutes ago, chancer said:

Youngest daughter (14year old) wants to be a trucker. Already specified she wants a Scania V8 because of the sound of it. Has expressed she would like a model of her fave truck in her fave livery....holy shitballs 

https://ebay.us/m/UhfGLi

Lovely model, but my god that’s pricey!! It’s only a 1:50 scale too.

[AndyW201]

Oxford Diecast did a more affordable T Cab in SNT livery, in 1/76 scale, at £27 but it's currently sold out on the website. Might be worth keeping an eye out for a 2nd hand one?

[chancer]

27 minutes ago, AndyW201 said:

Oxford Diecast did a more affordable T Cab in SNT livery, in 1/76 scale, at £27 but it's currently sold out on the website. Might be worth keeping an eye out for a 2nd hand one?

Yeah, keeping an eye out everywhere. Have seen the WSI models and they are pretty good to be honest. Not 400 quid good though, makes my 3 vanguard fiestas look like a steal 

[bunglebus]

13 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Ford Escort 55 diesel van money box to commemorate the retirement of the last of the type in 2003.

I saw something similar, ceramic MK4 Escort 

[Split_Pin]

@cms206 told me there were once similar items in a charity shop with 3 figures attached. Charity shop though  price may not be realistic!

[danthecapriman]

I’ve got this ceramic Beetle money box. Had it absolutely yonks!

[Tenmil Socket]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I saw something similar, ceramic MK4 Escort 

I love that!

[Tenmil Socket]

15 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Yeah, nothing super rare but well below 50p each

Is that the Escort without the tow bar?

[Split_Pin]

Another saveable Bburago saved, again @bunglebus saw it and thought I'd like it✅️

All this Ferrari needed was a wheel.

I have a few wheels. My old childhood Fiat is gradually fading away, giving up parts here and there. 

I didn't know there was a variation on the smaller sized yellow wheel:

Original

Replacement.

Its also a slightly wider offset but not so you'd notice.

The Fiat is definitely the older of the two.

Anyway, its back on 4 wheels and ready to display. Its really satisfying to give an old toy a new lease of life, I can see why we all do it.  I'm sure I recall as well that there was a 'Deluxe' version of this model with interior door trims and silver wheels 🤔

I also got a 1/18 Mercedes Gullwing in the box. It has a missing bumper and a few trim pieces but inexplicably its absolutely mint, not a blemish on the paint or glass anywhere. Definitely one for saving, just need a donor with the right bits intact!

[barrett]

On 18/09/2025 at 00:05, danthecapriman said:

I can vaguely remember the early Vanguard’s models, the P4 and Consul Classic & Capri, Mini etc etc being new but I can’t remember the prices of them. That must’ve been the late 90’s? Possibly around 2000? 
They were really nice for their time, although weren’t something I ever had. No idea why. You can pick them up for bugger all now.

I remember getting VA1001, the green Ford Anglia, when it came out. I suspect there had been some promotion of the range in a national newspaper or else I'd got lucky and seen a recent PC or C&SC magazine with some mention in, and I reckon there must've been a come-on price to encourage sales with the first few cars in the range. That must've been 1996 because I was in the last year of junior school – they cost £9.99 then. Pretty sure the last new one I bought was VA40001, Singer Chamios, which was apparently released in 2000, but which time iirc it cost £11.99 (but included photo-etched wipers and stuff). Even adjusted for inflation they're about double the price now, it seems. 

[bunglebus]

4 hours ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Is that the Escort without the tow bar?

Indeed. I also got a battered 3 series cabrio out of my roffle box with 8 dots, need a good example to replace that too

 

[bunglebus]

The postie man cometh

He brings a cheap bin bag wrapped around a load of cars with no protection, yay 🙄

3rd Porsche branded Corgi this week, but in a larger scale this time

Broomstick 910. I suppose I could give one of these a fresh splash of white if I really wanted a mint version 

This was one of my main targets, not so much the Datsun as the High Riders base, which will fit various Matchbox cars

R5

And a Speed Riders Pontiac 

Lido Gun-of-a-Car Renault was separate, not seen a green one before

I also received my Redline Club Golf MK2 Golf GTi, and goodness me it is a thing of much shiny loveliness 

 

[MAF260]

Replacement for the missing RR door has arrived. When I have some spare time I will buy the paint, I think this will end up being an Autumn/Winter build!

[bunglebus]

Tell you what boys and girls, I've been quite vocal about the poor quality castings on Chinese Matchbox, but the Sterling is different kettle of fish

Other than a mark on the bonnet, whether from the linisher or play damage, it's pretty much perfect

All I've done is remove the paint and given it a once over with a green scourer

A once over with some wet and dry and she'll be getting painted 

I did wonder why the white paint came off everywhere except the rear light panel, before realising it's a separate plastic piece I'd left in the stripper! Luckily no harm done, and it's got the pen off!

[Split_Pin]

Lordy that Golf! I have a 1/25 Revell kit that I painted the same colour and it has the same seats too! Ill need to look out for that.

In other news, more bits:

Bought this 1/64 Massdi model from AliExpress after I was spammed via various channels with adverts for them.

A gold Landcruiser is something else!

 

 

[RoadworkUK]

18 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Tell you what boys and girls, I've been quite vocal about the poor quality castings on Chinese Matchbox, but the Sterling is different kettle of fish

Always thought Matchbox caught the 800's lines extremely well.

I think it was the first Matchbox I ever noticed to have a sunroof panel. I remember seeing it for the first time in WH Smith, Clacton, on a rotating display, and being consumed with want. 

[Split_Pin]

It was completely different to any other MB at the time. I never even noticed that it didn't have any opening features. It was identical to the neighbour's Sterling and seeing it in Miniature was awesome to an 8 year old. Its the flush windows that look really good.