Shite in Miniature II

[Split_Pin]

Great info as always DC, if you ever consolidate this all into a book put me down as your first customer.

I'm sure I have several MBs that were made in Macau however I'm sure I have one that says made in 'Macao'. I'll be sure to check tonight, its the red BMW 323i Baur Cabriolet.

[Datsuncog]

So, on a happier note than before, maybe - I also managed to score this US-release from the model shop.

It was only when I rummaged around my old box of nostalgia diecasts that I realised I hadn't quite got it right...

Although my original example of the 4x4 was also white with red and orange striping and a Matchbox logo on the side, it seems it was a wee bit different. Ooops.

Mind you, checking through the Charlie Mack book shows that this casting - an evolution of the MB66 Chevy Van from 1980 - was made available in dozens of different finishes over the years, its chunky looks and flat sides making it ideal for Code 2 promotionals.

I believe my childhood version came in a single 'blue box' pack, although I have no particularly strong memory of receiving it.

What I do  remember is 'driving' it through the borders in my back garden, as the high ground clearance made it ideal for off-roading. Indeed, the wheels are still full of crap thirty-odd years later. And also driving it over some of my other cars, especially the wrecked ones.

And the reason for that was...

Does anyone else recall this highly derivative, unbelievable poorly animated cartoon?

Maybe not, but you'll surely recognise that it's based on the highly fictionalised adventures of Bob Chandler's 'original monster truck' - a 1974 Ford F-250, which he grafted on to the undercarriage of a military 4WD top loader to create an eyecatching promo vehicle for his Missouri-based business, Midwest Four Wheel Drive and Performance Center.

And which generated absolute mania when 'Bigfoot' was filmed, purely as a joke, driving over two cars in an unremarkable field in 1981.

Home-copied VHS and Betamax dubs of the stunt went viral in 4x4 circles, long before going viral was even a thing.

Amid all the hoo-hah, Chandler was asked to perform the stunt again, this time in front of a paying audience.

He refused, fearing that the whole thing had gone beyond a joke, and that it would appear overly destructive. But eventually, after much badgering and increasing sums being waved at him, Chandler agreed.

And then he was asked to do it again. And again. And again.

The Monster Truck era was born.

And it was everywhere, or certainly seemed to be - including this abysmal cartoon, which I think appeared on Saturday morning kids' TV around 1986 and quickly became as unmissable as it was unwatchable.

I mean, come on - how can you not be enthralled by a main character with the implausible name of Yank Justice?

Clearly the production team felt that calling the hero 'Bob' just didn't cut it.

I'm sure Chandler was crying all the way to the bank over that production team decision.

 

Now, my best friend at the time, James Down The Road, owned one of these:

Playskool's battery-operated version of Chandler's Bigfoot, which drove forward and back, and climbed obstacles, using the gear levers on the roof. It was a clever bit of kit alright, though heavy on batteries as I recall.

I didn't have one of these, but I did have my Matchbox Chevy, which was nearly as good.

Well, okay, it's a bit rubbish in comparison - but I was very fond of my Matchbox 'monster truck'.

So the Chevy got a lot of heavy use, and it's interesting to note that it's the white paint that's come away worst, while the coloured parts don't look too bad.

 

"Any more Chevy goodness to come?"

"Sure thing, Yank! Just let me drink my weak lemon drink first."

(Bonus joke for any Lee & Herring fans in the house)

[quicksilver]

You just keep bringing back the memories DC! I remember having a VHS tape of Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines acquired from a car boot sale, and the reversed image on the cover complete with a truck called TOOFGIB was the perfect indicator of the high-quality* content within.

[egg]

my brother had a Bigfoot, as is a theme that persists to this day, he had the cool stuff, I didn't. 

[warch]

I had the Bigfoot with the gears on the roof. 

The coolest 'monster truck' I ever saw was a Bedford Astramax van, cunningly mated to something like a Hilux chassis, parked illegally outside Ludlow Somerfield. 

I had something called a Rough Rider (tm) which was a bit smaller and powered by a friction drive iirc. Mine floated in water which seemed like witchcraft in 1983.

[quicksilver]

You know what, I have a vague memory that I might have had one of those Bigfoot toys too. I certainly recall something with a gearstick on the roof, which had sadly been broken off and taped back together with some sort of sticker so it didn't work all that well.

[Datsuncog]

20 minutes ago, warch said:

The coolest 'monster truck' I ever saw was a Bedford Astramax van, cunningly mated to something like a Hilux chassis, parked illegally outside Ludlow Somerfield. 

See, I reckon if Yank Justice had been driving, it would have been parked ON Ludlow Somerfield...

Seems a lot of toy manufacturers were quick off the mark to put out something with huge wheels!

[sierraman]

I remember the mania surrounding Monster Trucks, I think my parents took me to see them at Don Valley stadium. The people that were into them were usually the same type you used to get that ‘liked American things’. You know the sort, would watch all the US stuff on TV like Baywatch and Airwolf, drove an American car even if it was a shit one like a Chrysler Neon, listened to Billy Ray Cyrus, you get the picture...

[egg]

yes, and went to Disneyland in the 80's - considerably richer than you ?

[egg]

So here's this 70s? Majorette Beetle. Will you let me repaint this one, lol?

[C1am]

Definitely!

[flat4alfa]

7 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

So, on a happier note than before, maybe - I also managed to score this US-release from the model shop.

Mind you, checking through the Charlie Mack book shows that this casting - an evolution of the MB66 Chevy Van from 1980 - was made available in dozens of different finishes over the years, its chunky looks and flat sides making it ideal for Code 2 promotionals.

Spooky.......  I popped out today, to play hunt Tesco and Aldi aisles.  And what for?

Well.  The 50th Superfast special edition Chevy Van that's what.  Yes, I succumbed and bought it back!  For 50p more than October's 5-pack price too!

I shall sleep tonight.

Did I leave it there though?  No

Went onto the scourge of online auction sites and bought this to -ummm-  match* the celebration

I'm not finished yet...

I also clicked 'watch' on this....

Arrrgghhhhhhhhhhh

I can't blame Charlie Mack.  But I can blame these sites 

https://matchbox.fandom.com/wiki/Chevy_Van_(Original_/_Modified)

http://mbx-u.com/models-detail-ver-listing.php?model=SF0208

[bunglebus]

I missed out on Bigfoot. Always wanted a "Vanessa's Lunchbox" out of Arnold's toy shop in Brentwood but had to make do with some crap Hi-Lux thing that had a speed selector under the base instead. I did own quite a few MASK vehicles though, this being my favourite 

[flat4alfa]

11 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Always wanted a "Vanessa's Lunchbox"

Oh the spooky Matrix is working tonight!!

I was in the model shop in town earlier and was pawing over Tamiyas' Vanessas Lunchbox!  They have new stock in, one on the shelf and built another ready for a customer.  I told my wife I wanted it for Christmas, too...

[bunglebus]

Here's me looking suitably impressed with my "Mighty Ranger" at some time in the 80's

 

Image 15_zpstvmwv1wh by RS, on Flickr

[flat4alfa]

On 10/9/2019 at 5:06 PM, flat4alfa said:

Found a bit more about this.

Quote

[http://vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4456]

These models were made in very limited numbers by Matchbox for KH Norton. (Who were Wholesalers/Stockists for many years). The models were given to clients one Christmas if they spent over £200 (Quite a lot back then).

These promos do seem to be coming to market during the mid-80 and in plain White card boxes or in boxes with very little text (KH Norton example)

Norton are still going

http://www.norton.co.uk/

[vulgalour]

I finished the loaf tin tonight.  I'll get some better pictures another time.  For now, here's a glimpse at my only display cabinet that isn't packed and is therefore less than ideal for displaying things.  Photos look like they were taken in the wrold's most disappointing museum.  House move should be happening in a few weeks, apparently, so I can't wait to get these kits packed up and then spend a frustrating few evenings in the new house trying to glue tiny bits of chrome trim and mirrors back on.

[rml2345]

7 hours ago, quicksilver said:

You just keep bringing back the memories DC! I remember having a VHS tape of Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines acquired from a car boot sale, and the reversed image on the cover complete with a truck called TOOFGIB was the perfect indicator of the high-quality* content within.

I think I may still have my VHS copy about somewhere... It was fabulously dreadful anyway, even the voice acting was pretty dire if memory serves. Naturally pre teen me thought it was ace. 

[egg]

It's Friday.

Tat-speed DC.

[eddyramrod]

OY!  That's me and Dan you're talking about there!

[sierraman]

48 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

OY!  That's me and Dan you're talking about there!

Did you buy Billy Ray Cyrus records though? 

[eddyramrod]

No.  But I do have music by Jerry Lee Lewis and even Dolly Parton....

[flat4alfa]

18 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Diecast Therapy, anyone? ?

Front page The Times this morning

I shuddered.

[flat4alfa]

2 hours ago, egg said:

It's Friday.

[flat4alfa]

10 hours ago, rml2345 said:

I think I may still have my VHS copy about somewhere... It was fabulously dreadful anyway, even the voice acting was pretty dire if memory serves. Naturally pre teen me thought it was ace. 

Animated by Toei Animation in Japan

52 excruciating minutes.

[flat4alfa]

Forgotten I'd bid on this one.  Post lady delivered earlier.

Diecast Therapy concluded for this week.

It's a LANCIA STORATOS   !

Made in Japan by EIDAI in scale 1/28.  The base has screws too, excellent.

Won for £6.20

[flat4alfa]

Parked the roo bars and placed it for inspection next to the 1/34 unbranded HK effort (Shinsei?)

Sandro Munari 1976

 

I'll go now.

[sierraman]

Cirque de Tat

[Datsuncog]

3 hours ago, egg said:

It's Friday.

Tat-speed DC.

That it is...

...and here it is!

Bingo-bango - some nice new stuff to go with last week's stuff.

If you like early 70s Corgis, you're in clover here. Kinda.

So what do we have?

Well, there's the same models that were here last week (and earlier) - Custom Corvette, Beach Buggy, annoyingly damaged Range Rover, plus the Merc 300SL (I want one of these, but this one is slightly too shabby), the Renault 5 and the Citroen Dyane.

But there's also another Beach Buggy in orange, and not one but two blue VW Beetle rallyes - one of which is a bit chipped and with a loose baseplate; the other has generally better paint bar a patch of salt corrosion to the rear, but has partially collapsed suspension.

There's also a Golden Jacks Camaro SS, the quad-engined Adams Dragster, and the Chevrolet Astro hiding at the back.

The Adams and the Astro seem both in very good shape, but the Camaro less so - cracked windscreen, some patches of missing paint, the rear lights missing and the bonnet air intakes loose and rattling round.

Brutal.

And moving across the table...

Yet more Beach Buggys (seems to be a minor plague of them), the Ford GT70 and Porsche Carrera 6 which were there last week, plus that down-at-heel Siku Volvo artic is back again (originally a pipe truck, it appears).

Also - note the 1980s Bbbbbburago Jaguar SS100, boxed, at the back. The stuff of giffer sideboards the country over.

 

I'd been told last week that these loose Corgis were all a fiver each, and for form's sake I went to confirm this with Market Blokey.

He screwed his face up, as if I were causing him some pain, and then spoke with a degree of asperity:

"Yeah... well... I'd go as low as a fiver for these - but I won't take any less, alright?"

Okaaaaay… well, I've never tried to haggle with him, and really I was hoping he might have dropped them to £3 or something, since most of these have been on the stall for three or four weeks now without shifting.

But hey, fair enough.

 

I moved on down the table, just to confirm that there was nothing much else of interest.

These are the only Oxfords left - the beige Ford Pop from last week seems to have been snaffled by someone else, so apologies to @sheffcortinacentre.

 

Not sure if this modern take on Jody Scheckter's Tyrell is of any interest to @andy18s, in the absence of an original Corgi? Fiver on it.

 

More from the Neddy Slowbart stable... I overheard Market Blokey conversing with another punter, saying he'd do all four of these for £20.

Personally, I've never managed to get beyond the betrayal of finding out that my Corgi Classics AEC truck, for which I had diligently saved my pocket money for months, was naught but a sham and a fanfaronade.

Stobart never used these; they only ran a solitary four-wheel Guy Invincible and a couple of Thames Traders when they started up in the the 1960s, when they were primarily involved in hauling industrial waste from steelworks. They didn't expand into the haulage behemoth they are today until the 1980s, so the vast majority of the 'heritage' Stobart models on the market are unmitigated bollocks - made up to fleece the nice folks from the Stobart Fan Club who would probably buy a dead badger if it was painted red, white and green.

And don't even get me started on these...

(The Fiat 1500 is quite nice, mind)

More New Ray classiczzzz… too fragile to be toys, too clunky-looking to be display models. These occupy the collecting hinterland, it seems.

 

There was a distinct lack of 50p tat box again this morning, and this time I asked him if it was ever coming back...

"Aye, well, just haven't brought it in lately."

Oho. So it still exists. I explained that there was a substantial pent-up demand for its contents, and he agreed to bring it in next week.

Watch this space.

I also spied some more boxes under the stall, and asked whether there was anything else at all...

Why yes, there was.

More that regulars will recognise from previous weeks: Corgi Datsun 240Z; Toyota 2000GT (in chromed blue finish, not the more familiar white 007 version); Minissima (tempting, but just a few chips too many); Radio Luxembourg van; knackered Tatmobiles… interesting enough, but not much I haven't seen before.

Corgi Flying Club plane was vaguely interesting though - not sure how the wings are meant to attach (something broken/missing?) so I left it.

 

Maisto VW Beetle Sports still there, and still filthy. Naaah.

 

I'd picked the Camaro SS up several times by now, and felt really torn - had it been less damaged I would have had it for sure, especially as all the Golden Jacks wheels were present and correct, plus I never knew these had slideable headlight covers, moving aside via a little tab under the bumper to reveal a jewelled lamp behind. Nice touch.

As I dithered, some other fella came up and plucked it off the stall, poked at it, then handed over a fiver.

I felt annoyed and slightly relieved in equal measure.

 

I took a tour around the other stalls, but there was precisely nothing this week - neither Alan nor his Emporium were in evidence; the Charity Stall was almost entirely absent of diecast this week, and even Giffer Alley offered nothing in the way of interesting tat.

I did browse the other model stall, but again there wasn't much to thrill me.

These Days Gone have been on this stall since Moses was a lad. 

I believe I've already relayed my pre-teen angst at the thought someone else would buy one of the Model T Fords from here before I could save up enough for it.

Yeah, that was in 1991. I could have avoided so much mental anguish if only I'd known they would all still be here thirty years on, and I could have my pick.

Still, full marks for persistence to Colin/Davey (I still don't know his name after all these years, and have heard other traders call him by both), schlepping these to Bangor Market, Ards Market and St George's Market every week for the past three decades.

He also sells Oxford diecast, and has a fair few available:

1/76 British and 1/87 Yank stuff. Plus Hipster Vans.

I do like the 1/43 Bedford CF ice cream van (top right) but the track just looks way, way too wide when viewed from the front. Still, WANT.

White Sherpa minibus is also quite nice, but £7... even so, I'll probably snap and buy this before too long.

Bit blurry, but more small-scale stuff (Tara Green Maxi down the bottom).

If anyone's interested in these, I can get better pics for you... and there's also a much, much bigger selection of Oxford in the Smithfield model shop.

 

So, for lack of anything else chipped and with wheels... I went and bought myself a bag of scones as a consolation.

As ever, if you've seen anything you really, really want - do let me know so I can toddle over and confirm that some other bastard has swiped it in the meantime.

Here's hoping for some hot and heavy Tat Box action next week, tatfans!

[bunglebus]

Some tempting stuff on the £5 table, like the R5, Beetles and Buggies. SD1 is cool too. I'll hold out and hope they turn up in a cheap job lot on the bay...