Shite in Miniature II

[Amishtat]

I had the white BMW 3-series with laser wheels but had completely forgotten its existence until about three minutes ago.. The boot sales and junk shops are similarly crammed with Yesteryears and Lledos but I find them curiously resistable. 

[Split_Pin]

My folks used to get me Lledo and days gone stuff from promotions.

The only ones I still have are the Tetley Transit and a Leyland Roadtrain.

Models of yesteryear can be nice things as long as its not a twee Model T Van in a heritage livery. They are quite heavy and have good detail, meaning they display well. I have a Silver Ghost I got from someone in here and it is a decent piece indeed.

What else I detested in the mid 1980s were the Corgi Classics Commercials from the 1920s and 30s. They were crudely detailed had rubbish wheels and naff liveries. I had a Renault van in Stanley Tools livery and my friend at the time had the AEC cabover lorry and a Thornycroft van.

Thank goodness for the 'proper' Corgi Classic Cars and small vans from 1986 onwards which were a revelation in terms of subject, liveries and execution. The Morris Minor, in my opinion has not been bettered before or since.

 

[egg]

I had a Silver Ghost MoY when I was very young - probably 5 or less - so it did get trashed! This version.

[Datsuncog]

Yeah, it's the dizzying range of interwar-era MoY/Corgi Classics/Days Gone commercials that singularly fail to float my boat - but I've certainly been eyeing up some of the cars lately.

The Matchbox castings in particular do have a pleasing crispness - that Silver Ghost has a lot of charm to it.

My mental block over models of this era possibly stems from too much time spent in fusty charity shops as a teenager, where loads of unwanted old tat seemed to involve depictions of vintage/veteran cars - transfers on mirrors, on fussy little drinking glasses, even chromed MoY models mounted on pen holders and ashtrays. Mostly dusty, dirty, naff and generally unwanted. The nostalgia of a generation that's now passed, and I find myself having to dig deep to look at these cars on their own terms.

Discovering the late-1980s Corgi Classics range was what set me on the road to 1/43 collecting too - with a dark blue Ford Zodiac MkII, bought from a model shop in York in 1988. I still have that one on display - wish I'd kept the box, though! I also have a Minor, in suitably restrained black with a red coachline, plus a Sage Green Ford Pop. At some stage, I'll go through all my models...

Anyone else remember the late '80s/early '90s Matchbox Dinky range? It certainly had its highlights, although some were a wee bit plasticky. The MGB GT was a nicely done model, especially the maroon V8 version.

[Amishtat]

I had a few of those Dinkys too, some are still boxed too. From memory an E-type in green, a blue MGB, green Mustang and a metallic red 59 Cadillac. Always quite fancied the Bentley Continental and didn't they also do a Tucker? 

[sierraman]

I like the Models of Yesteryear from the 70’s era, the naff seventiestastic colours like a metallic pink Simplex or a gold coloured Hispano Suiza. Absolutely worthless now so probably a good time to build your collection if it’s your thing. Can’t stand any of the Lledo Days Gone though. It was the sort of shit old folks bought ‘cause it’s a collectors item you know!’. Happily they have to sit at Car Boots every Sunday now desperately trying to get £1.50 back for their investment. I think last lot I had I slung straight in the blue bin. Whenever I see them now I’ve got a real burning urge to stick them in the vice. 

[sierraman]

Here’s my Laser Wheels. Missing a few though. 

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

 

Anyone else remember the late '80s/early '90s Matchbox Dinky range? It certainly had its highlights, although some were a wee bit plasticky. The MGB GT was a nicely done model, especially the maroon V8 version.

Yes, I had the 59 Caddy and 57 Chevy as well as a Beetle. Lovely things, I've been eyeing them up on eBay

[bunglebus]

5 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

I'm currently pulling together some material for yet another long post, this time on 'Matchboxes that weren't Matchboxes' - those 1980s oddities such as Key Cars, Glo-Racers and other weird things licenced from other toy manufacturers such as Kidco, but which were sold with Matchbox branding.

I may be some time.

I'd like to see that - especially if you include the blatant rip offs by Zee toys of Matchbox/Corgi/Hot Wheels!

[Jon]

4 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Discovering the late-1980s Corgi Classics range was what set me on the road to 1/43 collecting too - with a dark blue Ford Zodiac MkII, bought from a model shop in York in 1988. I still have that one on display - wish I'd kept the box, though! 

This one?

(library pic)

How strange! I used to go to a swap meet with my Dad, held occasionally on a weekday evening in a village hall in York back in the 1990's . One time, I was too ill to go, so bunged him my saved pocket money and asked him to pick me up something interesting (I collected anything that was a Ford Transit at the time, plus the odd period toy which took my fancy) - and he came back with one of these, which quite frankly bewildered me. That was only at first though, as opening it up, I got to appreciate it far more and the drab paint scheme actually did it some favours. 

It didn't make me buy any more of these types of thing though but I held onto it until my big sale of almost everything I'd collected, back in 2010. I also remember the Matchbox MGB of the same era in a sludgy blue and thought it looked pretty great when it was launched but its high price when new (for a kid) meant I never got one.

[Split_Pin]

I have the 'Dinky' MGB and I think it's a lovely model. It captures the real car pretty well I think. They are a bit more detailed than the Corgi equivalent but in my opinion the MG and the Triumph Stag are the only ones that interest me as the rest are too overmodelled by other companies.

Corgi did well with their 1/43 Classics range by covering everyday saloon cars and vans together with a few sports cars.

[Jon]

Anyway, here's some more unnecessary guff I've bought recently, from a car swapmeet:

 

I remember playing with a red one of these with black non-superfast wheels round at my grandparents but hadn't seen a later one in much more jolly colours, so I bagged this one for small change on the off chance it was a rare colour or something - which of course, it's not. I reckon the shades complement each other well though.

 

Then I found the stall of a guy who usually goes to a monthly market which was being held on the same day but seemingly he'd chosen to go where I was visiting too, which was very handy for me.  Some of his prices can be a bit challenging but I really don't know how/where he finds his stuff, so paying the odd shekel or more to cover his finder's fee is fair enough, I suppose.

 

Lowest price item I got was still quite interesting, as this S Class Benz was made in China, has no makers name but is very well put together, other than the bizarre paint job, which has overspray on the wheels and even the windows but none on the lights, grille or base.

 

Here you can see the mottled opaqueness of the windows, either due to crappy manufacturing or someone at some point using solvents to wipe away the overspray. It's definitely not a repaint and hasn't been taken apart, so is really quite baffling. Anyone any idea who may have made this, or made it originally?

 

Next up was this Play Art Alfetta GT, chosen mostly due to the interesting front end construction! 

 

The rear end is much more accurate and far less fussy but those bumpers are as fragile and wobbly as they look. I swear this is the same green that my Play Art Honda Civic is painted - that's the sole example Play Art I remember owning as a kid, bought in Windermere in 1991, so I hope it survives in my childhood stash.

 

Another Play Art and for once, the wheels they've used are actually to scale and suit the model!

 

I'm sure this must be the same casting as the CX Datsuncog had in ambulance livery a while back but I'm not sure if that was a Play Art too? Would be interesting to see how this fared with the Matchbox CX wagon and the Majorette CX saloon.

 

Finally, I couldn't resist another Tomica:

There's something about their skinny wheels, sprung suspension and often unfamiliar casting choices that make them of interest, so I couldn't leave this Fleetwood Brougham sitting there. It seems like Tomica have re-released this casting but this looks to be an original one. Perfect for nipping down to the Guggenheim in.

 

Or even for a night out, to somewhere that looks much like the Palace Hotel Ballroom, up north on Lake Wazzapamani.

I'll admit that the Caddy cost me £4 but prices for these do seem to be mildly crazy, so if I'm ever down on my heels, I know what to cash in!

[155V6]

26 minutes ago, Jon said:

Anyway, here's some more unnecessary guff I've bought recently, from a car swapmeet:

 

I remember playing with a red one of these with black non-superfast wheels round at my grandparents but hadn't seen a later one in much more jolly colours, so I bagged this one for small change on the off chance it was a rare colour or something - which of course, it's not. I reckon the shades complement each other well though.

 

Then I found the stall of a guy who usually goes to a monthly market which was being held on the same day but seemingly he'd chosen to go where I was visiting too, which was very handy for me.  Some of his prices can be a bit challenging but I really don't know how/where he finds his stuff, so paying the odd shekel or more to cover his finder's fee is fair enough, I suppose.

 

Lowest price item I got was still quite interesting, as this S Class Benz was made in China, has no makers name but is very well put together, other than the bizarre paint job, which has overspray on the wheels and even the windows but none on the lights, grille or base.

 

Here you can see the mottled opaqueness of the windows, either due to crappy manufacturing or someone at some point using solvents to wipe away the overspray. It's definitely not a repaint and hasn't been taken apart, so is really quite baffling. Anyone any idea who may have made this, or made it originally?

 

Next up was this Play Art Alfetta GT, chosen mostly due to the interesting front end construction! 

 

The rear end is much more accurate and far less fussy but those bumpers are as fragile and wobbly as they look. I swear this is the same green that my Play Art Honda Civic is painted - that's the sole example Play Art I remember owning as a kid, bought in Windermere in 1991, so I hope it survives in my childhood stash.

 

Another Play Art and for once, the wheels they've used are actually to scale and suit the model!

 

I'm sure this must be the same casting as the CX Datsuncog had in ambulance livery a while back but I'm not sure if that was a Play Art too? Would be interesting to see how this fared with the Matchbox CX wagon and the Majorette CX saloon.

 

Finally, I couldn't resist another Tomica:

There's something about their skinny wheels, sprung suspension and often unfamiliar casting choices that make them of interest, so I couldn't leave this Fleetwood Brougham sitting there. It seems like Tomica have re-released this casting but this looks to be an original one. Perfect for nipping down to the Guggenheim in.

 

Or even for a night out, to somewhere that looks much like the Palace Hotel Ballroom, up north on Lake Wazzapamani.

I'll admit that the Caddy cost me £4 but prices for these do seem to be mildly crazy, so if I'm ever down on my heels, I know what to cash in!

Nice selection,the Mercedes could be a Yatming.

[egg]

@Jon nice pics - the Citroen CX is in front of Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye in the 2nd picture - when does that pic date from? It looks a bit of a ruin, whereas these days it is very good shape.

Also, please forgive a little related Lego digression - Villa Savoye was available...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-Architecture-Villa-Savoye-21014/323875463578?epid=149207020&hash=item4b687b619a:g:Ii4AAOSw~fpdRaJK

[Jon]

43 minutes ago, egg said:

@Jon nice pics - the Citroen CX is in front of Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye in the 2nd picture - when does that pic date from? It looks a bit of a ruin, whereas these days it is very good shape.

 

I've rifled through my back catalogue of picture books, which I use as small scale backgrounds and found out that it featured in "An Introduction to 20th Century Architecture", first published in 1989, though I'm guessing the photo is likely older than that - perhaps up to 10-15 years or so older, as generic books like these often use library pics from any old time.

 

Indeed, here's the book it featured in helping out with the photo shoot of the Dodge! I've always liked older, post-war photos, so finding images that match the scale and vintage of the shite in miniature is just as interesting to me as collecting the subjects. 

The cat however, is quite indifferent.

[Jon]

1 hour ago, 155V6 said:

Nice selection,the Mercedes could be a Yatming.

Bang on! It seems that there was an identical one issued by Yatming, as well as a gold/yellow one, so case solved.

 

Of course, in looking for similar things, I went down a few worm holes and found out about another manufacturer I'd known nothing about - Greek toy maker Polfi, who knocked off various (quite poor!) renditions of other company's toys:

 

 

!!!

 

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

They also seemed to have a stab at making their own, including an Audi 100 (unless this is is a copy):

 

And this excellent Opel Monza!

 

Strangely enough, the Monza seems to have body colour overspray over its windows, just like my Chinese knock-off 450SEL.

 

 

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

if they are there still i could find a home for the two yesteryear Crossleys

[Split_Pin]

Polfi, never heard of them before and now I want one!

[RoadworkUK]

Quick, and somewhat gushing shoutout to Datsuncog: this is consistently my favourite thread on AS of late, and it's largely down to your fine work. Keep it up.

[155V6]

2 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

Quick, and somewhat gushing shoutout to Datsuncog: this is consistently my favourite thread on AS of late, and it's largely down to your fine work. Keep it up.

I'll second that.A lot of the things shown are from the period after I'd left school,and become more interested in other things,so it's good to find out about things I'd missed ?

[sierraman]

Hang on isn’t it Diecast Tat Friday? 

[Datsuncog]

15 hours ago, sierraman said:

Here’s my Laser Wheels. Missing a few though. 

Fantastic! I think I might just recognise a couple of those... ?

If I turn up any that you don't have, I'll be sure to let you know. While I have a really strong attachment to any diecast, last year's mega clear-out kinda concentrated my mind on what I really want to collect. The Lasers are awesome, but it's pure nostalgia for me - and I get as much from seeing your pics than if I still owned them.

It's great that this thread has so many folks collecting so many disparate things, and sharing that knowledge!

12 hours ago, Jon said:

This one?

That's the very one! My first 'proper' model, I think - a Solido 'Age d'Or' Chevrolet van (Beverley Hills Fire Department), and a Bburago 1/18 Mercedes 300 SL came not long after... like your library pic, the silver paint's worn off the hubcaps a little - and the front bench seat has come loose inside - but it's otherwise not too bad, 30 years down the line.

11 hours ago, Jon said:

Anyway, here's some more unnecessary guff I've bought recently, from a car swapmeet:

Another Play Art and for once, the wheels they've used are actually to scale and suit the model!

I'm sure this must be the same casting as the CX Datsuncog had in ambulance livery a while back but I'm not sure if that was a Play Art too? Would be interesting to see how this fared with the Matchbox CX wagon and the Majorette CX saloon.

Finally, I couldn't resist another Tomica:

There's something about their skinny wheels, sprung suspension and often unfamiliar casting choices that make them of interest, so I couldn't leave this Fleetwood Brougham sitting there. It seems like Tomica have re-released this casting but this looks to be an original one. Perfect for nipping down to the Guggenheim in.

Or even for a night out, to somewhere that looks much like the Palace Hotel Ballroom, up north on Lake Wazzapamani.

I'll admit that the Caddy cost me £4 but prices for these do seem to be mildly crazy, so if I'm ever down on my heels, I know what to cash in!

The ambulance CX I found (now in Split_Pin's care) was made by Mira, and it seems to be a different casting from the Playart too - the heavy rubbing strip, cruder rear-window treatment, and cast-in badging to the rear of the white one seem different:

Those Playarts are massively appealing though - much wantage!

And that Tomica Fleetwood is an absolute honey... £4 is pretty top value. I've no idea why they're so ferociously pricey on the open market either, but that's all kinds of win, right there.

Fantastically complimentary backgrounds, too - 10,000/10

10 hours ago, Jon said:

Of course, in looking for similar things, I went down a few worm holes and found out about another manufacturer I'd known nothing about - Greek toy maker Polfi, who knocked off various (quite poor!) renditions of other company's toys

Good sleuthing! Those are so dreadful they're fantastic - a whole new portal of utter tat has opened up.

The delightfully implausible Renault 17 Taxi is great, but the ripped-off MB Rolamatics Clipper fitted with a plastic box in lieu of a canopy is what takes me to the fair...

As an aside, I've also clocked some of those Brazilian Corgi Juniors on eBay this week - some fairly hefty prices sought!

I wonder if the 'window overspray' on your Merc and the Polfi Monza was some sort of half-arsed stab at tinted windows? I suppose that was coming in as a 'thing' on real-life cars in the early 80s...

8 hours ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

if they are there still i could find a home for the two yesteryear Crossleys

If it's the Market Tat MoY Crossleys in my photo you're talking about, I think he managed to move them all on as a job lot - but he seems to get a whole load in every few months, so if you're looking a Crossley or two around the £2 mark, I'll keep my eyes peeled...

 

And now... Friday tat?

[sierraman]

Half of me feels like collecting the models of yesteryear just to build up a display that would have been really desirable back in the seventies. Has anyone else noticed though MoY usually smell heavily of fags? 

[Datsuncog]

Bingo bango, it's another decent showing of new stuff this morning, in amongst the bar tat:

Look closer, my eager children...

Some Lesneys in - mostly repaints, I'm afraid. £3 each sought.

The pinkish Corgi Corvette Stingray is also a repaint (possibly using nail polish - it's not brilliant). Lesney Bedford Transporter is fairly clean and original, though.

Up top: some DeAgostini Russki GAZ models, including an Aeroflot-liveried Volga estate (widely available everywhere, to be fair - I snaffled mine from Poundland) along with various Atlas Touring Car collection tat. Fiver each.

Down below... oh, hello.

Right at the back we have a Corgi MG Maestro in red - the box is ruined, and there's a tiny bit of battery corrosion to the base plus a small chip in the back bumper, but it's eminently displayable and seriously tempted me for a tenner.

Ultimately, I decided since that I'd previously owned one and sold it, there was no point buying another. But if anyone here fancies it, I'll nip over at 12...

The Vanguards Stobart Transit and Allegro rally car are priced at £5 (also the Batmobile thing); the 'Hidden Treasures' Marina and Corgi Escort van are priced at £10.

Most of the cars out front seem to be between £3 and £5 - some Corgi Bond stuff, and Hongwell/Cararama peelermobiles.

Also some 70s Matchbox Speedkings: a Mercedes C111 concept, and a Shovel Nose (which, strangely, seems to be the same as the smaller 1-75 Rolamatics toy of the same era, but which was named Clipper).

The pewter castings of the MG and Morris Cowley were very nicely done, though had no maker's name on them.

50p tat box had nothing new this week. 

Another 50p box has appeared alongside, though...

Anyone remember Tiger comic? 1971 - 1973 issues in here.

 

So I didn't buy anything for myself this week (shock, horror etc), though another collectables stall over at the far side of the market had these...

While the era is right, the price really isn't... I'm not sure £2 for a sloppily repainted Superfast with bent axles is really reflective of the going rate.

You'll note that the most expensive item is a battered Days Gone truck with a missing roof, for £3... despite the fact another fella opposite had the same model, as new and in its box, for £3.99.

Gotta love an optimist.

 

So! That's it for today's tat round-up... and as ever, if you discern your pickle being tickled, give me a shout and I'll see what I can do...

[Datsuncog]

19 hours ago, Amishtat said:

I had a few of those Dinkys too, some are still boxed too. From memory an E-type in green, a blue MGB, green Mustang and a metallic red 59 Cadillac. Always quite fancied the Bentley Continental and didn't they also do a Tucker? 

 

16 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Yes, I had the 59 Caddy and 57 Chevy as well as a Beetle. Lovely things, I've been eyeing them up on eBay

 

14 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I have the 'Dinky' MGB and I think it's a lovely model. It captures the real car pretty well I think. They are a bit more detailed than the Corgi equivalent but in my opinion the MG and the Triumph Stag are the only ones that interest me as the rest are too overmodelled by other companies.

Corgi did well with their 1/43 Classics range by covering everyday saloon cars and vans together with a few sports cars.

I've a few of the Matchbox Dinkys too - though I did sell a couple of unboxed damaged ones last year (VW Beetle in pale blue, Delahaye in navy, '57 Chevy in red, MGB in blue).

Many of mine were acquired from a local chemist shop, of all places, at the tail end of the '90s. From memory, I managed to bag the Citroen Traction Avant (black), Ford V8 Pilot (silver), Ford Thames van (green, Radio Times), Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing (black) and Bentley Continental (met. blue) for, I think, £3.99 each. I've picked up a few others too - the MGB in orange, and that lovely metallic green Ford Mustang (sadly not boxed).

There's a model shop in Belfast which has quite a few of them - they were cheap a couple of years ago (I think £7 or £8) but they must have reviewed their prices last year and now they're sitting around the £15 mark. So if anyone's desperate, I can make enquiries...

(I've mentioned this model shop before: My Old Toy Box, in Smithfield Market. It's really good in terms of stock, both old and new - but it's not cheap by any stretch. They do have some fantastic stuff to drool over, though.)

 

16 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I'd like to see that - especially if you include the blatant rip offs by Zee toys of Matchbox/Corgi/Hot Wheels!

It may be a while away yet, but I'm fascinated by the toy business itself and the various sub-licenced castings/ pirate versions knocking around yet... if you know of any particularly shameful examples, hit me up!

 

4 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

Quick, and somewhat gushing shoutout to Datsuncog: this is consistently my favourite thread on AS of late, and it's largely down to your fine work. Keep it up.

 

2 hours ago, 155V6 said:

I'll second that.A lot of the things shown are from the period after I'd left school,and become more interested in other things,so it's good to find out about things I'd missed ?

Aw, shucks... glad you enjoy, but I don't think I bring any more to these pages than the many other contributors: those who diligently track down the finest of tat and post them up to share; those who bring forward some fantastic restorations and custom builds; those with encyclopaedic knowledge of special editions and rare versions - you know who you are!

There's FOUR HUNDRED PAGES of shite in miniature here, and my contributions are slim compared to many others... but I'm pleased and humbled to be part of such a vibrant community of self-proclaimed minishiters.

Onwards!

[Amishtat]

Too late for the Bedford transporter? 

[sierraman]

I might just be a tight northerner but the prices he’s after are quite on the high side. 

[MorrisItalSLX]

Can you please buy that Fosters tray for me and end it’s existence. Use it to weld up an Allegro sill or some such.

[sierraman]

But hang on doesn’t everyone in Australia drink Fosters? ?

[Datsuncog]

Apologies folks - I had a message to run over the far side of town, and by the time I got back over to the market, Blokey had already packed up the stall and legged it... can't say I blame him, mind: there's a severe weather warning in place, the rain was coming in horizontally, and St George's was doing its best impression of the Marie Celeste...

So I'll keep an eye out for the Lesney Bedford transporter next week for Amishtat, should it still be available.

I'd love to buy the Fosters tray to do something unspeakable to it, only I'm unable to overcome the stigma of having to walk round all day holding a Fosters tray and putting my carefully cultivated craft-ale persona in severe jeopardy. I would definitely need a disguise of some sorts... dreadful, dreadful stuff.

 

With regard to pricing, he is indeed all over the place. By his own admission he has no particular interest in diecast, he just sells all sorts of collectables - postcards, books, comics, toys, coins, penknives, brass ornaments - which are largely sourced from house clearances and the like. His overheads are probably minimal, and nothing's given a price label, so it's all pretty much just the first figure that comes into his head. From observations, if he's having a slow day he's more likely to let stuff go for cheap just to land a sale.

Hence, some common is silly-dear, while other stuff is extraordinarily cheap (like the repro Dinky Honda S800 I bought for a fiver, and could easily flip for £35 online - only I'm already very attached to it...) 

But there's stuff on the stall at a fiver one week, and then the next it's in the 50p box. If he has lots of really good boxed stuff in, I've noticed the loose stuff tends to be cheaper (£2-3). If he hasn't any, the loose stuff becomes £5-6. Basically, the best stuff is about a tenner, regardless of whether it's something mint/boxed or just some tatty 80s Corgis with broken windows. Dynamic pricing, eat your heart out.

If you think his prices are on the high side, you should see My Old Toy Box... as I say, some really great stuff in there but a few too many zeroes on the price labels for my liking (seriously, north of £100 for boxed '70s Corgis).

They also rarely sell the less-than-mint old stuff separately, which bothers me - instead, they throw a few chipped 1960s Corgis into a ziplok bag along with a handful of beat-to-shit Days Gone and some rubbish no-name Poundland diecast, then charge £60... no substitutions allowed.

I'll have to throw up a few surreptitiously-taken pics of their shelves, though... just in case there's owt of interest to you folks.