Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

I asked someone else who owns one of these how the MP3 connects - turns out the tailgate opens and there's a 3.5mm jack inside - also gives a better view of the subs, amp and TV

[danthecapriman]

15 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

I asked someone else who owns one of these how the MP3 connects - turns out the tailgate opens and there's a 3.5mm jack inside - also gives a better view of the subs, amp and TV

That must have cost a bit new? How old is it?

[bunglebus]

3 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

That must have cost a bit new? How old is it?

Not sure, there a few online that seem to suggest 2010s, earliest I can see is 2009 for a blue version - might explain the 3.5mm lead rather than Bluetooth connection.

Maisto have been making these style VWs for quite a few years though, certainly since the 90s

[ambassador84]

13 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I saw a load of new(ish) Matchbox 5 packs in Morrisons, but none I was inspired to buy

Buggy is tempting 

What is the deal with old designs finding their way into multi packs though? That Mudstang is from ages ago isn't it?

*edit* yes 2017. Unsold stock or is it just cheaper to reuse an old design?

 

Definitely not old stock. Apparently Mattel only allow Matchbox a certain number of SKU's per year. All new recolours which need authorisation and approval from the vehicle manufacturers count as a separate SKU. Older recolours which can be recycled like in the newer 5 packs dont and so are more commonly now being reissued. 

I know collectors are disappointed by such actions but in fairness most toy priced diecast manufacturers do the same and in fact keep castings in the same colours in continuous production for years, often decades.

[bunglebus]

I did wonder, first noticed it with the orange Datsun 

 

[AndyW201]

Well, after weeks of searching, the last place I'd expect to see Hot Wheels Pop Culture was B&M!

But finally, after finding the last one there...

Really happy to get this!  The first time that the 16 year old daughter (a massive Stranger Things fan) has showed interest in a Hot Wheels car! Apparently it's "fire" (which I'm assured is a good thing...)

Leaving aside the TV tie-in association, it's just a really nicely done model/toy in it's own right. Hope this casting gets done again in different variations.

In contrast to the other local store which had Crass & Spurious Silver Series cars from 2023, this one had the later collection, I've had my eye on the Integra for a while, so grabbed it,

A first outing for this later Integra casting I think. Interesting that Matchbox recently did a version of this generation too, albeit a more standard Type R version, shame we didn't get that case over here.

Looking at the rest of the collection, it occurred to me that I already have the Civic, the light greeny/gold one with the wide arch kit. I did think I already had the yellow Datsun Z but it turns out I already have one very similar from another F&F Silver Series collection, which shows how much they're taking the piss with it all really. That's for people with obsessive completist tendencies of course...

But I may get the collection over the next few weeks as the Chevy Nova is quite nice, and unlike the othe F&F cars, hasn't been done to death. It's only the Veyron that's not up my street really...

[danthecapriman]

9 hours ago, AndyW201 said:

Well, after weeks of searching, the last place I'd expect to see Hot Wheels Pop Culture was B&M!

But finally, after finding the last one there...

Really happy to get this!  The first time that the 16 year old daughter (a massive Stranger Things fan) has showed interest in a Hot Wheels car! Apparently it's "fire" (which I'm assured is a good thing...)

Leaving aside the TV tie-in association, it's just a really nicely done model/toy in it's own right. Hope this casting gets done again in different variations.

In contrast to the other local store which had Crass & Spurious Silver Series cars from 2023, this one had the later collection, I've had my eye on the Integra for a while, so grabbed it,

A first outing for this later Integra casting I think. Interesting that Matchbox recently did a version of this generation too, albeit a more standard Type R version, shame we didn't get that case over here.

Looking at the rest of the collection, it occurred to me that I already have the Civic, the light greeny/gold one with the wide arch kit. I did think I already had the yellow Datsun Z but it turns out I already have one very similar from another F&F Silver Series collection, which shows how much they're taking the piss with it all really. That's for people with obsessive completist tendencies of course...

But I may get the collection over the next few weeks as the Chevy Nova is quite nice, and unlike the othe F&F cars, hasn't been done to death. It's only the Veyron that's not up my street really...

That BMW does look really nice. I’m very tempted to look for one myself despite telling myself I’m not collecting the smaller scale ones!😄

Ive got absolutely no idea what Stranger Things is though? I’ve noticed a few diecast’s lately with the tie-in but I’ve never seen it.

[Split_Pin]

38 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

That BMW does look really nice. I’m very tempted to look for one myself despite telling myself I’m not collecting the smaller scale ones!😄

Ive got absolutely no idea what Stranger Things is though? I’ve noticed a few diecast’s lately with the tie-in but I’ve never seen it.

The only reason I'm about 20% savvy on Stranger Things is because its never off the telly in our house. I'm always watching something else on You Tube but I catch bits of it now and then and spotted the BMW early on. I haven't the attention span to sit and watch a whole episode of anything unfortunately.

[Tenmil Socket]

23 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

The only reason I'm about 20% savvy on Stranger Things is because its never off the telly in our house. I'm always watching something else on You Tube but I catch bits of it now and then and spotted the BMW early on. I haven't the attention span to sit and watch a whole episode of anything unfortunately.

I’ve heard of it and it seems to be very popular. What’s it about?

[Split_Pin]

13 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

I’ve heard of it and it seems to be very popular. What’s it about?

Monsters I think 😂

[danthecapriman]

56 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

The only reason I'm about 20% savvy on Stranger Things is because its never off the telly in our house. I'm always watching something else on You Tube but I catch bits of it now and then and spotted the BMW early on. I haven't the attention span to sit and watch a whole episode of anything unfortunately.

I don’t watch much TV at all anymore. In fact over the last year I could probably count on one hand how many times I’ve watched something on TV. It’s all a load of crap imho.  
I watch stuff on YouTube now instead on my iPad. I couldn’t even tell you if stuff like Wheeler Dealers is still going or not!

[Tenmil Socket]

9 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I don’t watch much TV at all anymore. In fact over the last year I could probably count on one hand how many times I’ve watched something on TV. It’s all a load of crap imho.  
I watch stuff on YouTube now instead on my iPad. I couldn’t even tell you if stuff like Wheeler Dealers is still going or not!

I don’t really watch TV either… just the news and football really. Otherwise I’m on my iPad too reading the forums, cars and retro mountain bikes. 

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

I’ve heard of it and it seems to be very popular. What’s it about?

The first two seasons were very good, weirdness going on in 1980s small town America. Then it got all silly in season three and I want off it

[bunglebus]

From one end of the size scale to the other, just found some tiny VWs I bought at the toy fair that had escaped under the seat in my car

See it?

Very nice representations of 60s VWs, don't know what make or scale they are

Even a Volks-Dragon looks big in comparison 

[matt79]

45 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

From one end of the size scale to the other, just found some tiny VWs I bought at the toy fair that had escaped under the seat in my car

See it?

Very nice representations of 60s VWs, don't know what make or scale they are

Even a Volks-Dragon looks big in comparison 

N gauge model railway cars perhaps?

[matt79]

On the subject of factory colour trials - I'm 99.5%  sure this is a giffer repaint, however the rivet looks original so I don't think it's been apart, there's no over paint on the windows, the grille & headlights have been done really neatly (like factory) in silver. Can't find any info online of these being released in burgundy, I can only find them in bronze / silver colour. 

[quicksilver]

As it's cold and I'm suffering with winter coughs and sneezes, I've been glazing a load of cars as an activity that doesn't involve going outside.

My recent purchases from @danthecapriman got some windows. I wasn't going to glaze them but decided to have a go while I had the Glue N Glaze out.

 

The Viva was an earlier purchase from Dan that had been sitting for ages so it was high time to get it done.

And a load more 3D prints have crossed the finishing line.

I now have more Tagoras than are currently taxed in the UK, but I believe all three of these are survivors.

The latest one is Mazda Copper Red, which I thought was very similar to the Peony Red of the car Furious Driving tested.

What could be more shite than a brown Morris Ital?

Marina coupe in Tara Green. Not strictly accurate as that was a Series 2 colour but close enough.

There was a can of Ford Olympic Gold in my randoms and it was used on Mk2 Orions so here we are.

Basic Cortina and posh Cortina, both in authentic colours. I found a photo of a gorgeous Purple Velvet 2000E and the 1300L is Modena Green. That one became a bit of disaster area after I used a bit of superglue to hold the base in. After 20 minutes when it should have been rock hard, it was still soaking wet for some reason, got onto my fingers and made black marks on both sides, and of course that was the time it decided it was going to harden instantly, so I had to sand it off, mask up and respray those bits.

Three different light treatments as Oxford Diecast did the four-light GXL.

A90 Westminster. This was an experiment to see if automotive lacquer could be used to make matt acrylics glossy. The answer I'm happy to report is yes.

Chrysler Avenger estate. Colour is a Hyundai blue but pretty close to the real car that inspired me.

Still a few more to come...

[bunglebus]

33 minutes ago, matt79 said:

On the subject of factory colour trials - I'm 99.5%  sure this is a giffer repaint, however the rivet looks original so I don't think it's been apart, there's no over paint on the windows, the grille & headlights have been done really neatly (like factory) in silver. Can't find any info online of these being released in burgundy, I can only find them in bronze / silver colour. 

Factory colour inside the front bumper and wheels arches, neat repaint I'd say

[bunglebus]

Weird error found today, looks like the chrome plating was running out somehow when this was made

[danthecapriman]

@quicksilver nice work on all those👍

Very neat work on the glazing, it’s not a job I particularly enjoy to be honest!

 

Taking a leaf out of your book, I’ve ordered one of those 1:76 Oxford Stobart AEC tippers that seem extremely numerous and cheap just to have a go at a bit 1:76 truck customisation. I can use it on my model railway eventually when I build it!

[Split_Pin]

Spoilt for choice at Smyths today.

Merc was reduced to £6.99.

I had to put back the Premium CRX and F&F Merc W140, the latter mainly because I already have a 1/25 scale Schabak one on display.

[quicksilver]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

@quicksilver nice work on all those👍

Very neat work on the glazing, it’s not a job I particularly enjoy to be honest!

 

Taking a leaf out of your book, I’ve ordered one of those 1:76 Oxford Stobart AEC tippers that seem extremely numerous and cheap just to have a go at a bit 1:76 truck customisation. I can use it on my model railway eventually when I build it!

I don't think anyone enjoys glazing. Decided to try using Glue N Glaze rather than plastic sheet on these but they're close to the limit of what can be done with that so the ones with bigger windows will still need the sheet method.

Good choice on the AEC. Not the greatest model but cheap, plentiful and easily to dismantle and hack about. Here's a few I've done for inspiration.

Back axle amputated and body transplant

Rear end swap with a 4x2 Atkinson unit.

Ergo cab on a Matador

Cab transplant to become a Scania

And the cab ended up here. That's a Mack NM with an Ergo cab. Sounds like an implausible mash-up but it really did exist and was cobbled together by Robert Brothers Circus in the seventies.

[bunglebus]

Bought this off Vinted

I think they released 1979 and 1980, this is '79

[sierraman]

12 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Bought this off Vinted

I think they released 1979 and 1980, this is '79

Im addicted to Vinted I think. 

[matt79]

Interesting* arrivals to my door for the 1st week of 2026....

Firstly, a job lot (bought for 2 models to use as wheel donors), included.....

Super GT

Lazer wheels pro stocker

Ertl KITT Trans Am - I hade one of these when I was a kid, also had the General Lee & A Team (GMC Vandura) van

Lesney Roller - tidy giffer repaint.

MC toys 959 pace car, still makes a faint electronic noise when the base is pressed

Not the BTTF DeLorean

Tidy Corgi Juniors X19

Maisto Mustang & a Jada F&F Lexus (not pictured) for wheel donors (the reason I bought this lot in the first place)

Other deliveries....

Majorette Caddy Limo, which also included this....

Hotwheels Redlines Barracuda, I might use this as a wheel donor for the 3 wheeled Redlines custom Camaro I already have, (as this is already missing it's bonnet)

Matchbox Toyota 4 Runners - for converting to pick ups, maybe 1 lowered and 1 lifted.

Also this was in the same listing - a Road Champs monster truck, in very 1990's colours

Which, after a quick drill & trim, currently looks like this -I'm trying to counter the chill of winter by channelling some Southern California vibes. 

I also had a bit of time today to get some paint on the custom Bronco I'm building, which will also be in the style of a 1990's style custom

[matt79]

59 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Bought this off Vinted

I think they released 1979 and 1980, this is '79

What's in the annual? 

[bunglebus]

17 minutes ago, matt79 said:

What's in the annual? 

There's not really a lot about Matchbox, it's just short stories, quizzes etc really

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, quicksilver said:

I don't think anyone enjoys glazing. Decided to try using Glue N Glaze rather than plastic sheet on these but they're close to the limit of what can be done with that so the ones with bigger windows will still need the sheet method.

Good choice on the AEC. Not the greatest model but cheap, plentiful and easily to dismantle and hack about. Here's a few I've done for inspiration.

Back axle amputated and body transplant

Rear end swap with a 4x2 Atkinson unit.

Ergo cab on a Matador

Cab transplant to become a Scania

And the cab ended up here. That's a Mack NM with an Ergo cab. Sounds like an implausible mash-up but it really did exist and was cobbled together by Robert Brothers Circus in the seventies.

They do look superb.

Ive got an old EFE AEC Mammoth Major here somewhere so it’ll be interesting to compare the two. 
Good that the Oxford one is easy to take to bits though. I’ve got no idea what I’ll do to it yet but I just spotted them on eBay and thought as they’re dirt cheap I’d give one a go.

Ive still got a little box full of 3D printed cars to build which I’d ordered years ago before I moved house. They got packed away and forgotten until just before Xmas just gone.

The shed looks like a bomb site at the moment though. There’s stuff absolutely everywhere while I’m clearing out and building stuff at the same time😄 A load more railway bits to sell on as I’m thinning that all out too. 

[Split_Pin]

The hardest glazing to do is front and rear screens on 1/76 modern cars. The 2 Rovers I made this time last year were a right fiddle. I got there in the end. I found that the thinnest possible material was best, stuff from food packaging was too thin though. Acetate is ideal. I used Glue N Glaze for the side windows, very easy but time consuming.

[quicksilver]

15 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

The hardest glazing to do is front and rear screens on 1/76 modern cars. The 2 Rovers I made this time last year were a right fiddle. I got there in the end. I found that the thinnest possible material was best, stuff from food packaging was too thin though. Acetate is ideal. I used Glue N Glaze for the side windows, very easy but time consuming.

I don't find the front and rear too bad using coke bottle sections, possibly because they fit from the outside so it's not too difficult to rest them in place and draw around the aperture. Cutting the side glazing to fit inside can be tricky if the roof is not straight and there's very little material between it and the top of the windows. What's also tricky on most of these 3D prints is the dashboard being part of the body and overlapping the front edges of the side windows so you can't extend the glazing piece down under the windows.