Shite in Miniature II

[sierraman]

Managed to pick up another from the bucket list. A Corgi Landrover 109 Fire Warden. I remember seeing one in Model Collector when I was a kid. I’d offer a photo of it but I’ve left it in my office. 

[eddyramrod]

In that case, have a Land Rover I picked up in Aldi...

It's going to become the Skyfall LR in which Naomie Harris chases after a train.

[bunglebus]

I stopped for half an hour earlier to do a bit of work on a couple of projects. I thought this Superfast Pontiac GP had been sold, but I found it yesterday. As you can see it's not had an easy life, heaven knows what all that mess is inside it. Roof and pillars have taken a bit of abuse too, which has broken the glass. All of that is irrelevant as I plan on swapping a regular wheels body onto it to create a bit of a phantom

Interesting* to note they didn't change the interior, so it has two lots of suspension, the inbuilt tabs on that as well as the newer Superfast stuff attached to the base.

I also whizzed the tatty red Dinky Amazon apart as I plan on just giving it a squirt of red to make it nice again. The roof and one pillar needed a slight tweak to get it square again, looks pretty good to me now so in the stripper it's gone. Three of the four tyres came off after a hot bath, but one felt different and sure enough it fell in half. I'll glue it or order a new set

[bunglebus]

29 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Managed to pick up another from the bucket list. A Corgi Landrover 109 Fire Warden. I remember seeing one in Model Collector when I was a kid. I’d offer a photo of it but I’ve left it in my office. 

One of these?

New one on me

[sierraman]

Just now, bunglebus said:

One of these?

New one on me

Yeah, it’s quite a nice model. I reckon it’d have looked good with a pair of trees included. Perhaps a bloke with a chainsaw etc. 

[bunglebus]

Spanish tinplate buggy arrived today 

Nice lithographed interior 

[bunglebus]

Carry case #2 investigated. Redline Hairy Hauler is a nice little find

Some Rockets

Clean Regal

Lovely early Ferrari Berlinetta, are the solid wheels or wires better?

Maybe the plasticine encrusted Superfasts are nicer

I thought these Broomstick Porsches were rare? Must have had half a dozen now

This I do think is unusual though - Holiday Inn Majorette GS Camargue?

Clean Alpine

A couple of no-name busses

A Matchbox I've not had previously No.8 Caterpillar Tractor

Clean Super GT

And Gerry Anderson-esque Planet Scout 

Holden holden onto its bikes

Minty Merc

Very pleased to find a Kennel Truck with the clear cover

Especially as I then found the dogs

Rolamatics Piston Popper

Clean Saab

Not the most accurate Pontiac Firebird ever, but as a child it didn't matter to me as I'd probably never seen a real one

Finally, a Soopa Coopa. I've definitely seen a Jaffamobile of some sort in one of the other cases...

[danthecapriman]

While I was looking through all the boxes of stuff I dug a few oldies out for a much needed trip around the sink. Something I really meant to do before moving but once stuff got packed that was that! 
Still loads of others to do but it’s a start! These were probably some of the dirtiest ones. 
The silver Zodiac needs a couple of door cards. One was still in place, then while cleaning it I found one of the rear ones stuffed into the boot!

 
Dinky 101 is still one of my all time favourites! 
The original tyres were hard and out of shape so I stuck a set of new ones on.

 
 @bunglebus having that boxed Corgi JCB made me hunt my one down. 
Mines a bit rougher though!

Tracks were missing so I fitted a set of reproductions. The screws holding it together have dropped out and are missing so everything is loose. Something is up with the mechanism on mine though as it seems to keep pulling the bucket and boom’s sideways. If you wind the handle to raise or lower it, it gets jammed then starts working if you help it. 
Probably something stupid so I’ll find some screws and see what’s going on inside.

[bunglebus]

Case #3 (I'm dog sitting/doing airport runs this week so got a bit of time to myself, if the dog will behave itself)

Lots of commercial types in here, and plenty of pairs

No truck for this trailer (yet)

Matchbox fire engine 

Corgi's is less pleasing

I don't actually mind the make believe Matchbox one

Quite an unusual variant 

Definitely the best Malone of all time. I'll stop collecting these now, honest

I checked, and this is yet another different Corgi Range Rover. They certainly knew how to keep completionists on their toes

Lovely Plough

More twins - for the Superfast version the "Mack" name was dropped from the base

I definitely have enough huts for my sites now

Iron Fairy is strangely appealing 

Matchbox Wreck Truck is their equivalent of the Corgi Transit I suppose 

But it shares some DNA with an older casting

Toe Joe

Yet more pairs

Mr. ironside drives a Motability Mercedes hybrid these days, so he's missing from the truck

Here's another Corgi Wrecker, not one I had so a keeper, sorry Dan...

Over wheeled, but strangely cute Corgi skip truck 

Majorette with their version of Rolamatics - I wish they'd made all the wheels match though

Hot Wheels Heavyweights Tow Truck is another good score

More modern XJ220, I should line this up with the Matchbox one

PG Tips giveaway Porsche 

More twins

Twin pack Merc and trailer

Snow Trac in the process of shedding its brittle Trac(k)s

Another pair, with a strange wheel variation

Last, and most definitely not least, is this oddball by Marx. I have no idea what it is, but I love it

[danthecapriman]

11 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Case #3 (I'm dog sitting/doing airport runs this week so got a bit of time to myself, if the dog will behave itself)

Lots of commercial types in here, and plenty of pairs

No truck for this trailer (yet)

Matchbox fire engine 

Corgi's is less pleasing

I don't actually mind the make believe Matchbox one

Quite an unusual variant 

Definitely the best Malone of all time. I'll stop collecting these now, honest

I checked, and this is yet another different Corgi Range Rover. They certainly knew how to keep completionists on their toes

Lovely Plough

More twins - for the Superfast version the "Mack" name was dropped from the base

I definitely have enough huts for my sites now

Iron Fairy is strangely appealing 

Matchbox Wreck Truck is their equivalent of the Corgi Transit I suppose 

But it shares some DNA with an older casting

Toe Joe

Yet more pairs

Mr. ironside drives a Motability Mercedes hybrid these days, so he's missing from the truck

Here's another Corgi Wrecker, not one I had so a keeper, sorry Dan...

Over wheeled, but strangely cute Corgi skip truck 

Majorette with their version of Rolamatics - I wish they'd made all the wheels match though

Hot Wheels Heavyweights Tow Truck is another good score

More modern XJ220, I should line this up with the Matchbox one

PG Tips giveaway Porsche 

More twins

Twin pack Merc and trailer

Snow Trac in the process of shedding its brittle Trac(k)s

Another pair, with a strange wheel variation

Last, and most definitely not least, is this oddball by Marx. I have no idea what it is, but I love it

I wouldn’t dare take that Transit wrecker to bits! It’s way too tidy.

The silver & yellow DAF bulk tipper should have a plastic top cover that clips on. I think reproduction ones are available. 
There’s an early and quite rare version of it too with a turquoise colour cab and the early wheels.

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

There’s an early and quite rare version of it too with a turquoise colour cab and the early wheels

 

[FakeConcern]

On 23/10/2025 at 22:26, Split_Pin said:

I took delivery of a FakeBox yesterday. Dreams/reality means I can't recall if these were flagged on the WhatsApp or here but great finds by Peter and I'm very grateful for him taking the time to photograph them and tag me (same goes for the rest of you aswell). You chaps south of the border are lucky with the range of Toy Fairs/boot sales and flea markets on offer. 

The star of the show was this Pilen 14.

I've been after this one because, again, in that  'Toy Cars' book from the late 80s/early 90s there was a page dedicated to Dinky Toys Spain, 1970s and I have wanted to add one to my collection since then. I have found just one real French Dinky in my lifetime (glad to say it was the Citroen 3CV which was top of my list back then) and have added several Atlas copies of other French models but the Spanish range has eluded me. I already have a Pilen but its a Seat 124 Coupe which is an original to the latter manufacturer so it doesn't really count. This one however is an ex-Dinky casting. I'm really pleased with this one.

Next is another 1/36 Corgi model that I missed out on as a kid, Mustang Cobra.

I had the Juniors version and my pal had this one and I always liked it. Its a bit on the light side as the base is plastic and accounts for about 50% of the bodyshell however the badges make up for that.

The engine detail is confusing and I can't make out if its a five-oh or a 4 pot turbo. I love the front headlights and overall its a great rendition of the real car.

3rd is this no-name Datsun, probably Fabbri though as they made some partwork cars.

Had it been 1/43 I wouldn't have bothered but this 1/24 upscale rendition of an oddball car has excellent detail. I couldn't get the doors open so this Facebook Marketplace - style photo of the interior will have to do.

Check out the dashboard!

..and an example of the super-fine detail all round.

I also got a 1/24 Bburago Fiat Uno from the 1987 'Super' range but its got masking tape across the bonnet while the glue on the peeling sticker dries so no photo. I'll never say no to a 1/24 Bburago from the 70s or 80s!

I'm so glad you're pleased with them, I do experience a bit of anxiety after I've posted a FakeTatBox in case the contents aren't as good as expected!

I was impressed with the detail on the No Name Datsun and actually quite liked it, usually I thing bigger scales need opening stuff to be worth a second look.

I didn't even know that some Pilens are re issued French Dinky until you happened to point out my Pilen Renault 12 the other day. What other French Dinky/Pilen are you looking for?

On 24/10/2025 at 13:14, danthecapriman said:

Found my last Spot-Dinky this morning too. The Buick Riviera. 
I do like this one despite it being one of the more common ones of the six. This one’s a bit rough so @eddyramrod has convinced me to restore/code 3 it! 
Can you get spares for these? It needs front & rear bumpers and possibly glazing if it’s available too.

 
Another favourite of mine. 
Dinky Supertoys LAD (Leyland-Albion-Dodge) cabbed skip truck. I found the truck itself in one load of stuff then a few months later spotted the skip & hangers randomly in a job lot of junk on eBay so managed to bag it and complete the truck. 
It’s rough sure, but I quite like it how it is for some reason.

I have one of those Dinky Rivierras (actually two to make a good one) but have been put off doing anything with it as the Corgi one is so much smaller and it would look silly! I really love the Leyland skip lorry! I've never seen one IRL, but I think Mrs Concern has a skip that she puts pencil sharpeners etc in!

 

7 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

While I was looking through all the boxes of stuff I dug a few oldies out for a much needed trip around the sink. Something I really meant to do before moving but once stuff got packed that was that! 
Still loads of others to do but it’s a start! These were probably some of the dirtiest ones. 
The silver Zodiac needs a couple of door cards. One was still in place, then while cleaning it I found one of the rear ones stuffed into the boot!

 
Dinky 101 is still one of my all time favourites! 
The original tyres were hard and out of shape so I stuck a set of new ones on.

 
 @bunglebus having that boxed Corgi JCB made me hunt my one down. 
Mines a bit rougher though!

Tracks were missing so I fitted a set of reproductions. The screws holding it together have dropped out and are missing so everything is loose. Something is up with the mechanism on mine though as it seems to keep pulling the bucket and boom’s sideways. If you wind the handle to raise or lower it, it gets jammed then starts working if you help it. 
Probably something stupid so I’ll find some screws and see what’s going on inside.

I have a Dinky Victor 101 missing the interior and I have a smashed up Dinky Holden that I intend to use the interior from to bodge up a half decent model with. Even though I paid what I thought too much for an incomplete model, I could easily have sold it immediately for as much or more judging from the PM messages I got from shiters wanting it!

It's a great model!

[danthecapriman]

28 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

I'm so glad you're pleased with them, I do experience a bit of anxiety after I've posted a FakeTatBox in case the contents aren't as good as expected!

I was impressed with the detail on the No Name Datsun and actually quite liked it, usually I thing bigger scales need opening stuff to be worth a second look.

I didn't even know that some Pilens are re issued French Dinky until you happened to point out my Pilen Renault 12 the other day. What other French Dinky/Pilen are you looking for?

I have one of those Dinky Rivierras (actually two to make a good one) but have been put off doing anything with it as the Corgi one is so much smaller and it would look silly! I really love the Leyland skip lorry! I've never seen one IRL, but I think Mrs Concern has a skip that she puts pencil sharpeners etc in!

 

I have a Dinky Victor 101 missing the interior and I have a smashed up Dinky Holden that I intend to use the interior from to bodge up a half decent model with. Even though I paid what I thought too much for an incomplete model, I could easily have sold it immediately for as much or more judging from the PM messages I got from shiters wanting it!

It's a great model!

That 101 of mine was the same! When I first got it, I had quite a few PM’s about it. Must be a popular one now, but there doesn’t seem many around so I’d imagine it wasn’t a great seller new? 
I don’t think you can be too picky with them now, so even broken or incomplete ones are worth having when you see them. It’s certainly one I’m not likely to pass on anyway. I even like mine in its worn appearance.

The Riviera is a funny one. Quite why they chose that generation Riviera when Corgi already did it seems a bit daft. I reckon they’d have really done well if they’d chosen the ‘boat tail’ Riviera that came a bit later. Is what it is though.
 

[Split_Pin]

45 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

I didn't even know that some Pilens are re issued French Dinky until you happened to point out my Pilen Renault 12 the other day. What other French Dinky/Pilen are you looking for?

I believe most of the later French Dinky production was transferred to Spain when French production was pruned back. As such a few of those filtered into the Pilen era such as the Citroen models. I think a few new castings were introduced by Dinky Toys Spain such as the Scirocco, R14 and the Chrysler 150. As regards the latter, I also read that became a Mira, so another burrow to the Pilen warren.

 

[eddyramrod]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

I really love the Leyland skip lorry! I've never seen one IRL,

Never seen one... oh you youngsters!  When I was a roadsweeper many years ago, I did a day as second-man with a contractor, doing things like clearing out council houses that needed refurbishment.  Remember council houses?  Told you I'm old!  Anyway, he had an Albion with the LAD cab.

I can't find a more suitable pic at the moment, but this was a damaged and incomplete cement mixer until it came to me.  I have built another that more closely resembles the Albion I remember.  This may mean some photography is required tomorrow.

Main thing is, I have actually sat in one of these trucks.

[danthecapriman]

10 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

Never seen one... oh you youngsters!  When I was a roadsweeper many years ago, I did a day as second-man with a contractor, doing things like clearing out council houses that needed refurbishment.  Remember council houses?  Told you I'm old!  Anyway, he had an Albion with the LAD cab.

I can't find a more suitable pic at the moment, but this was a damaged and incomplete cement mixer until it came to me.  I have built another that more closely resembles the Albion I remember.  This may mean some photography is required tomorrow.

Main thing is, I have actually sat in one of these trucks.

Another underused casting imho. Dinky did the skip truck and cement mixer but that’s all. JOAL used it later but I don’t think it was used much even then. 
Pity really as it’s a nice looking cab. Even more of a pity they didn’t make it slightly bigger in the 1:43 scale!

[bunglebus]

Meagre haul from a somewhat nippy boot sale. Doesn't help that after looking at cases full of minty ones, boxes of tatty junk have less appeal. Still, a couple of project cars were obtained 

[danthecapriman]

5 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Meagre haul from a somewhat nippy boot sale. Doesn't help that after looking at cases full of minty ones, boxes of tatty junk have less appeal. Still, a couple of project cars were obtained 

Excellent* paint job on the Cortina! Body - check. Wheels - check. Windows! - check.😄

[junkyarddog]

That Cortina reminds me of this......

[UltraWomble]

https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/71178254f437441fe317384944da22b4/0af8d24542e81eb9357e7ef448a6646f/general-sales-auction-including-furniture-collectables-/?utm_source=auctioneer&utm_medium=email&utm_content=updates&utm_campaign=general-sales-auction-including-furniture-collectables--G301025&currentPage=7

Vintage Corgi - Blackpool Regent ( I work 2 mins walk from here so if anyone bids I can collect on their behalf and post to them)

 

[flat4alfa]

14 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

The Riviera is a funny one. Quite why they chose that generation Riviera when Corgi already did it seems a bit daft.

I wondered the same and looked into it

The 1963 Buick Riviera from Dinky was really a Spot-On, planned prior to the February 1964 take-over, hence at 1:42

As we know it was the first in the line of ‘Hong Kong’ Dinky with code 57/001 as part of the protracted move to HKI Hong Kong production

The Corgi Toys 245 Riviera was released June 1964 and nearer 1:48, the CMC remake states that as the scale on their release

So it is possible that the the first plans for the Corgi model actually came after the Spot-On plans

[bunglebus]

Back from boot sale two with some extra bits, and a load of cheap rattle cans

[eddyramrod]

Oh wow... is that Ford Peppermint Green?  You jammy sod!

[bunglebus]

17 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Oh wow... is that Ford Peppermint Green?  You jammy sod!

The guy had stacks of those cans, they're all "green #4" etc rather than named colours, and lots had the same colour cap despite saying they were different colours. Could be NATO green for all I know!

 

[eddyramrod]

I'll be interested to see what comes out then!  Thanks Rich.

[bunglebus]

Those of you with very long mammaries might remember I was fighting with a Husky Studebaker years ago, trying to make it into a hearse. Lots of hours and broken pillars later, I gave up and chucked it back into the box of dead diecasts. Scrolling eBay the other day, I saw one of these in a job lot and had a lightbulb moment 

Definitely a better prospect. I've never seen a custom Stalwart, I've got a couple of these early smooth bed ones knocking about now, maybe a set of six chunky wheels and tyres might liven it up?

I always pick these Jeeps up if the 'screen is OK. Today it finally dawned on me that they're RHD, which the originals certainly weren't

Another Planet Scout in funky 70s colours

Majorette Jimny complete with plastic tailgate

Maybe this premium ECTO-1 would be a better base for a hearse?

Can't leave a boxed Matchbox behind

Or a £1 Corgi pickup

Definitely a left-field choice, but the fantasy ambulance is another overlooked customising choice, I wonder if there's a full roof under that red bit?

Super Sonic Saab

Full custom Gus's Gulper will either donate parts or live on the shelf of shame with other monstrosities I've found

Anyone want a £2 Verem Clio? Case has some deliberate damage but the car's mint

[bunglebus]

Case #4 is not quite as exciting as the previous ones, being mostly packed with busses. Matchbox, Corgi, Tomica and unbranded, none of which I find especially appealing 

Still, there are some I do agree with

More funky 70s colours

Plain white motorhome 

Don't mind these coaches

Moving on, not a bad RS200

Towers over the Hot Wheels one

A Bath

That phantom customiser has been at it again, at least this otherwise mint R5 was missing the mirrors before he started

Racing Mini also got the treatment, but thankfully without the "snow"

So the stickers came off quick sharp

Oh Hai!

One of the perpetually broken Matchbox, thankfully this one's complete

I do like Unimogs. They also make a good source of unused spare tyres once you take them apart /s

Tidy tipper

There are a spattering of Corgis, including this one with the all important front bumper/track guide

[Split_Pin]

Buses are of interest to me Rich, whats the blue and white one? Also, any Majorette 'British Buses'?

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Buses are of interest to me Rich, whats the blue and white one? Also, any Majorette 'British Buses'?

At least one of those, and I think another in a previous case

Three Tomicas, I think there's another of these somewhere else

[bunglebus]

Case #5 is the Zee Toys one, and fittingly it's got some no name stuff in it, sadly most of them are the Chinese cheapies that even I don't like. It's not all bad though

Never had a Corgi USS Enterprise, now there are two

Bought a Rockets Marcos today, after Diecast Resto YouTube channel did a custom one. Needn't have bothered

Same story with the Pininfarina 

Interesting to see what became of the old fire engine in its later years, can't argue with the play value I suppose 

One of my absolute favourite Matchbox castings, in the best colour

However, Matchbox didn't always get it right. Could there be anything worse about this Pontiac Piranha, from subject matter to paint scheme?

Wild Wind. We've all been there.

Told you there was a Jaffa Mobile

NASA spec motorhome

#princessanne

I know who made these very cheap feeling, high plastic content commercials, but if I didn't tell you they were Corgi, would you have guessed? They're right up there with the Hong Kong specials 

20 years ago, you could get an actual Hot Wheels in your Happy Meal, and the lights worked, with added underflow. Lotus is definitely the best one of them

I'm guessing this is another Ronald McDonald freebie. It's terrible.