Shite in Miniature II

[RoadworkUK]

So, my Sierra Ghia demands have been met, unexpectedly, by an Argentinian partwork. I have a glorious, if slightly obnoxiously coloured, example of Corgi's first 1:36 Sierra release, which coincided with the Sierra's arrival in a world that, quite frankly, wasn't really ready for it. That left me with just one untidy loose end.

This Matchbox Superkings XR4i, catalogue number K-100, was a constant companion through much of my primary school life. My mum was a teacher at the school I attended, and before I was trusted with a house key of my own, I'd wait for her to do whatever after-school drudgery she had to attend to, and that would often involve lozzing the XR4i at high speed across the polished hall floor, or on 'The Mound', a sky-scraping, grassy, muddy edifice that, in reality, was no taller than I am now. Often I'd be joined by my mate Tim, who had the K-162 Sierra Cosworth in Texaco livery. I preferred mine, though.

Over the years, the poor old thing has taken a bit of a battering. I don't remember being horribly heavyhanded with it, but it doesn't take much at all to have paint chipping off in big flakes, nor to scuff the wheels up to a messy, tread-free nonsense. I'm eternally baffled by how the passenger seat went missing, too. 

Almost ironically, and to my eternal shame, I was 17 when the worst of the damage happened; my parents were having the house extended and I somehow trod on it in the semi-demolished chaos that was my bedroom.

So, thought I, at 39 years old and feeling as if I was somehow owed the toy cars that my parents had neglected to give me in the intervening 30 years or so. Now's the chance to renew my XR4i. To bring it back to its former glory. To behold once again what should have been cherished.

Of course, I'm not the only person with this mindset and the result is that the bloody things command frightening price tags on eBay, and I don't frequent tat markets enough to stand any chance of finding a bargain, so I held my nose and went in. Out of respect for my faithful old black XR4i with the red stripe, though, I chose not to go for a direct replacement. Instead, I would go for the one that would have really, really wibbled my frussetpouch* if I saw it in a toyshop. 

After weighing up the various options, I knew exactly what I wanted. What I DIDN't want, was one of these:

White is 100% NOT the colour for these, and, while those wheels are pretty neat on sundry other Superkings that I have stashed away, and actually look slightly like Escort Cosworth wheels if you squint a bit, part of the joy of my black one was that its wheels did a reasonable job of capturing the essence of the pepperpot wheels that graced the real thing, and also the Sierra Ghia that I'm so grotesquely infatuated with.

Anyway, after pondering for some time, I knew the exact colour combination I wanted. And, as soon as I saw it... and memories came flooding back powerfully enough to flatten me... I knew the packaging I wanted, too.

Silver foil lettering.

Is there anything that can possibly trigger the want-glands of a young boy more powerfully than silver foil lettering? Stripes, too! Proper stripes, like I'd seen in so many Ford accessories catalogues. The very essence of XR4i!

Yes, this was the one.

          XR4i!

    XR4i!

XR4i!

It doesn't get any more emphatic than that. Ford Sierra XR4i (Matchbox).

My heart was aflutter when I first saw it at the age of 39; had I been a young'n I'd very probably have hyperventilated and haemorrhaged until I was a hopeless convulsing mess on the floor of Woolworths toy aisle. I've a feeling that mine came in the wave after this one, in packaging that, while still wildly evocative, wasn't quite as saliva-inducing as the above.

Today, my justifaction for buying this one was twofold; it's the initial 1982 "THE SIERRA IS NEW" packaging, as far as I can tell, and it was also far from the priciest I've seen on the 'bay. I actually had it shipped over from France. The plastic film is absolutely shafted, but it should be easy enough to replace, and the box is otherwise in decent shape.

As, of course, is what's in it.

This, to me, is optimum spec XR4i. An approximation of Ford Strato Silver contrasts really well with the medium grey that Matchbox did the bumpers and lower cladding in, and I'm slightly gobsmacked at the fidelity of the rear bi-plane spoiler, which looks spectacular in a matching metallic grey finish. 

Being brand new, the wheels are are gorgeously shiny in all their almost-pepperpot loveliness, and the blacked-out B-pillars are present and correct – a feature that doesn't show up on the black car, of course, and that seems to have been deleted on later releases, despite being a vital part of the XR4i's character. 

It even has the twist-lock thing that secures the base to the packaging; a thing that I'd totally forgotten about, but which explains the strange keyhole-shaped slot on the bottom of the chassis.

So that, dear readers, is the end of my toy Ford Sierra odyssey, for which my bank account is grateful.

[sierraman]

Went by the Tesco but the queue, unsurprisingly, was ridiculously long so scrapped that idea. The earlier Tesco will probably restock so I’ll make it a port of call in a week or so. 

[Shite Ron]

Today’s find (in the attic)

 

[BL Bloke]

Finished my 1/43 Airfix/Heller XJ-S a few days ago. A nicely detailed kit which will look good on the shelf.

DSCF1417 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1418 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1419 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1420 by timothy jones, on Flickr

 

I've also finished another Airfix boxed Heller kit in the shape of a 1/24 Xsara WRC. It's a bit bigger than the Jaaag.

 DSCF1428 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1424 by timothy jones, on Flickr

DSCF1427 by timothy jones, on Flickr

 

 

[outlaw118]

I've got a couple of LLedo Days Gone Eddie Stobart liveried vans on The Bay at the moment. Shiters discount will apply, just make yourself known, and I'll knock some pennies off. Linkys:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293598509404?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293603944174?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, RoadworkUK said:

So that, dear readers, is the end of my toy Ford Sierra odyssey, for which my bank account is grateful.

But do you have all the 1:64 versions?

 Matchbox XR4I

Corgi in civilian and police guises

Majorette

MC Toys

Hot Wheels (there's a 1:36 too)

Yatming

 

I'm sure there are plenty more

[bunglebus]

Also there's a bargain* price estate

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BoS-BEST-OF-SHOW-MODELS-FORD-SIERRA-MK-1-ESTATE-SILVER-1982-1-43-SCALE/183904219127?hash=item2ad18baff7:g:bJMAAOSwEehbP6kp

 

[bunglebus]

Or a Polistil with not-quite matching doors

 

https://www.rmtoys.co.uk/products/polistil-1-25-scale-diecast-model-car-02212-ford-sierra-rally-white-red

 

[Tenmil Socket]

10 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

But do you have all the 1:64 versions?

 Matchbox XR4I

Corgi in civilian and police guises

Majorette

MC Toys

Hot Wheels (there's a 1:36 too)

Yatming

 

I'm sure there are plenty more

That yatming looks like a granada?

[Bren]

This arrived today. I cannot remember the last time I bought one apart from receiving them as christmas gifts. Not my usual cup of tea - I have a matchbox 75 shop display that I need to fill - the tractor shovel is one that I need. I am waiting for another superfast to turn up.

[Tenmil Socket]

The hot wheels one looks good ?

[bunglebus]

2 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

That yatming looks like a granada?

It does - but apparently it's means to be a Saphire

 

[bunglebus]

2 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

The hot wheels one looks good ?

It's one of the ex-corgi castings - I think the wheels suit it

[Remspoor]

After looking at Fleabay links. I too can confirm there are many more.

XR4i Tizer. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MATCHBOX-SUPERFAST-FORD-SIERRA-XR4I-TIZER-UNBOXED/254583950829?

Then this one with red wheels.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-MATCHBOX-1983-FORD-SIERRA-XR4i-with-RED-WHEELS-Unboxed/233608759704?

 

[Tenmil Socket]

Behave. I feel like going on a Sierra spree ?

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

Corgi in civilian and police guises

Just to muddy the waters further, I'm not 100% convinced that Police version is a Corgi - the casting looks different (headlights, door mirrors) and the wheels don't look quite like Corgi...

[RoadworkUK]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

But do you have all the 1:64 versions?

Nope! Far from it. I have a 1:64 Matchbox XR4i, but it was never one that I played with much, perhaps because I had its bigger brother. Other 1:64 renditions don't really blow my trousers up, TBH. I might be up for a few more of the more detailed partworks (the Argie-spec XR4i in particular), but I reckon my Sierra Safari is at an end.

22 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

Behave. I feel like going on a Sierra spree ?

I love it when the floodgates open; you become acutely aware of what's out there and, pretty soon, resistance becomes futile.

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

I'm sure there are plenty more

Siku made a decent first of Ford's jellymould too, with opening boot and all.

For 1/43, the Vanguards Sapphire is really nicely done though the XR4i still seems a bit 'off' to me...

Bburago also did a reasonable job of the Sapphire in their smaller 1/43 range - I had a Texaco-stickered touring car version that I always thought would make for a good repaint... even if the front looks slightly crude.

Schabak did a nice Cosworth too, but I always found their insistence on adding opening doors etc kinda spoiled the lines a bit. Plus mucho spendy back in the day, about £15 when Solido models were only six or seven quid.

[Amishtat]

Never had the Superkings one, but this has me racking my brains for which Sierras I did have. The small Matchbox XR4 in white and I think a yellow one with black stripes? Somewhere there's my Corgi 2.3 Ghia in red which is one of those toys I can't remember not having, if you see what I mean. I haven't seen it for a few years so I bought a replacement in silver from Bramz a couple of years ago. Even as a child (and I must have been about three when I got it) I loved its detail, the wheels in particular. 

[RoadworkUK]

39 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

For 1/43, the Vanguards Sapphire is really nicely done though the XR4i still seems a bit 'off' to me...

Yeah, it's atrocious. The headlights look like they're bulging out like an excited hamster's eyes, and the proportions are all over the shop. The whole thing looks a little bit overinflated.

In fact, I'm not even sure it's a very good source of pepperpot alloys for the Ghia. 

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Siku made a decent first of Ford's jellymould too, with opening boot and all.

 

I need one of those!

[Split_Pin]

Here is my Guisval XR4i in 1/43 scale, terrible as you'd expect so obviously I love it:

I bought this hideous Guiloy from a model shop in 1995. Unbelievably it's mint and boxed but had a flat tyre from the factory. It's an approximation in every respect including the scale which I'd say is about 1/18. I think it's great.

Nice for accuracy is my 1/18 Minichamps Cosworth, bought way back when they were £19.99. I never worked out the difference between these 'budget' Minichamps in the black window boxes and the others in the smaller card boxes with pictures of the model and a styrofoam insert which were very dear.

But for nostalgia and period charm, none beat my Corgi Sierras of both scales and the black XR4i Superkings example like RUks.

 

[DoctorRetro]

8 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

So, for today's two instalments of the Sierra Love-In; here are some pics of that 1:43 2.3 Ghia.

This head-on aspect is my favourite view of the whole thing. I reckon they got it spot on. The headlights have an odd texture to them, but they did a great job of modelling the integrated driving lights (the inboard section of each headlight, exclusive to Ghia and XR4i at the beginning), and even the mounting stubs are located in such a way that they actually look like headlight bulbs.

The bumper is pretty much dead on, too, and the front fog and indicator units do a good job of looking like individual components even though they're just one moulding.

The rear end is a pretty solid effort, too. Again, the lights are about as good as things get on a 1:43 model that doesn't cost absolute lakes of cash, and the texture on them almost looks like the prismatic texture that was actually present on the inside of Sierra rear light lenses. Ideally these would have slim black horizontal lines on a Ghia, but I don't know whether Argentinian spec machines had that feature. 

Also notable is the (correct) concave angle above the lights and below the badge panel. Whoever modelled this machine really understood the form of the car. Props to the makers for leaving a sliver of metal between the bumper and the lights, too, and the chrome inserts are nicely handled, if a little thicker than to scale. But hey; inexpensive model.

 

You know, it really isn't at all bad. It's a very swings and roundaboutsy kind of model. 

Proportions: Almost bang on. I'm not entirely cock-a-hoop about the way the bonnet slopes, but it only looks awkward from directly side-on. The slightly bulbous wheelarches have already been commented upon, and are slightly bulbous. BUT; the way the rear door shut-line cuts into it is quite nicely modelled.

The windows are all the right size and shape, albeit missing the chrome trim that usually comes with the Ghia, but, again, Latin American spec might have been different. Really nice to see separately modelled wiper blades, too; even if they're a bit on the heavy side.

The only thing that detracts from its realism, in my eyes, are the wheel trims. It's nice that they're the same 'aeroflow' three-grille trims that we know and love, but they somehow look a bit bulbous and moon-disk-like. I might work a bit of black into the louvres with a fine-line marker. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

On the other hand, if I found a damaged, cheap Vanguards XR4i (or, and possibly less likely, given its scarcity, the XR4i that appeared in this very partwork) it could donate its pepperpot wheels to the cause of the Ghia.

Over all, for not many quid at all, it's hard to see how this model could be better. Highly recommended for any fellow Sierra perverts.

 

It's a bloody good model, my son is over the moon with it. He's already expressed a desire to change the wheels mind. 

[AndyW201]

Lovely post lady has just been.

Getting a bit of deja-vu here...

Well hello!

So, another posh dealer model. Having got the saloon, it would be rude not to have the coupé. Same collection, so same nice packaging,

Again, a lovely model, with premium levels of quality and detail,

Loads to like at the rear, the boot hinges look like the real thing, the tiny screen washer, the rear heating elements are really fine, and look how delicate that rear wiper is. The Opel badge is a separate part, not tampo printed.

Like the Senator, the interior is superb. Wood trim, seperate seat belts again, with buckles , speaker grilles in the rear shelf panels, little chrome ashtrays in the quarter panels.

Again, nicely detailed underneath, slightly finer detailed around the front end than the Senator maybe,

And the Autobahn stormers together. Didn't realise there was that much difference in the styling between the two, other than the obvious coupé styling, the front ends are also completely different,

[egg]

Ex @eddyramrod rolls before and after. Some paint issues because the spray can ran out.

Now

[flat4alfa]

Hooray no Sierra content! ?

[sierraman]

16 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Hooray no Sierra content! ?

Just as I was about to go in the loft to look for my Sierras! 

[RoadworkUK]

I've bought one of those Monzas now, too. It's just too delicious not to.

[bunglebus]

27 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Hooray no Sierra content! ?

No Sierras, but how about a Mebetoys/Mattel Escort?

 

20200606_151246 by RS, on Flickr

20200606_151309 by RS, on Flickr

 

And some Dinkys - Corvette appears to have a V4

 

20200606_151412 by RS, on Flickr

20200606_151434 by RS, on Flickr

20200606_151615 by RS, on Flickr

20200606_151806 by RS, on Flickr

 

[DoctorRetro]

Just in case anyone was getting Sierra withdrawal symptoms... 

And a special treat..