Shite in Miniature II

[Split_Pin]

19 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Dinky Volvo, has a plastic base but still made in England

 

20200701_185557 by RS, on Flickr

 

Earlier Corvette is plastic

 

20191221_103644 by RS, on Flickr

 

Corgi R5 Turdo is also plastic

 

20200615_184346 by RS, on Flickr

 

As is the standard car - it forms the bumpers

 

20200706_150316 by RS, on Flickr

 

 

Right enough, some did indeed have plastic bases, just checked the Polo and indeed the R5. I can't remember if the Porsche 924 and Fiat X1/9 did or not. Still much nicer in quality and weight than the Dinky models of the time.

Some Corgis of the period were much nicer than others then. The Ford Gran Torino, Kojak Buick Century Regal and Chevy Van all had plastic bases, these all seem to be firmly Mid 1970s. The Mercedes W114, Senator, Mini and MK3 Escort had metal bases, but the Sierra and Metro were plastic. I can't work out why this would be as both had the same level of detail and, in the main, opening features and detail so it doesn't appear to be a cost saving measure.

 

[bunglebus]

Yes there's a bit of both with Corgi and Matchbox. Metal bases add a nice bit of weight to the model and usually mean suspension, plastic is ok if it's detailed, sometimes like the R5 you can see why it makes sense to do it that way.

On the 1:64 stuff I like plastic bases as they're easier to modify for silly wheels and lowering etc.

[bunglebus]

HOWEVER. No modifications whatsoever were made to the Dinky Zodiac - I was more nervous than a nine tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs putting this back together - I take my hat off to the people who had a few seconds to do it on a production line, getting all the doors, boot and bonnet in the right place and the base on is seriously tricky!

I've ordered the missing headlights, NSR door card might be a bit harder.

No new bits were used - even got the paint off the tyres

I've also got the same problem as my Dinky MK1 Escort that I started years ago - the doors won't close without damaging the paint. I don't understand why as there's less on there than from the factory

20200516_192242 by RS, on Flickr

20200516_192250 by RS, on Flickr

[Split_Pin]

That looks as-new now. Brilliant job.

[flat4alfa]

What a resurrection!   I don't know why paint rubs off on doors either, the Silver Wraith fought me there, so just left it.  I think it's the softness/cheapness of the paint rather than thickness.    Go on then, tell us how much you bagged that Zodiac paint bomb for...?

Nice sock, BTW  ?

[Datsuncog]

2 hours ago, C1am said:

Is there anything worth having in this lot? I'm intrigued to know what the green car is at bottom right? Only photo unfortunately.

If you're talking about stuff that might shift on eBay or whatnot, then the Dinky Supertoys Coles Crane Truck (orange/yellow, bottom right) and the Dinky Supertoys Foden Tanker (blue/red, above the fire station) should be of interest if they're reasonably undamaged... I'm guessing this is a lot at your local auction rooms?

But the Lesney Matchbox MF1 fire station is a rarity, as others have pointed out! Despite the crack in the roof, buildings can fetch surprising amounts of coin. Doors unlikely to still be there, though.

The green car under the crane truck looks to be a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, in about 1/24 scale - Maisto, maybe? Probably not worth more then a coupla quid, but might display well if the windscreen's still intact.

If it were me buying this with a view to resell, I'd probably bid up to £35 on this, mebbe £40 - would be interested to see what's lurking under the (worthless) Reader's Digest Days Gone 'classic trucks' box set, as there's clearly some 70s Matchbox in there...

[bunglebus]

14 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Go on then, tell us how much you bagged that Zodiac paint bomb for...?

Nice sock, BTW  ?

£4.85 posted. And about 40 new grey hairs.

Yeah didn't noticed I'd become a foot model

[Jon]

Hey, check out what I won last week!

Only a flipping mint/boxed Husky Commer Walk Thru van!!

 

But seconds into getting my mits on it.... I notice a staple.....

 

Oh.

I'll admit, I was quite crestfallen. I'll also admit, I did a quick Ebay check to see what these go for unopened, prior to bidding and I paid only a fraction of what an actual mint/boxed one was being offered at. So, no retirement fund but on the plus side, I could take a proper look, guilt free!

 

I'd forgotten how small these Huskys were! I reckon you could slap this trackside in a Hornby raliway layout and it wouldn't look out of place. I've fond memories playing with a couple of these round at my grandparents' house back in the 80's. I'd forgotten quite how vivid the yellow/green colour was! The driver's door slides freely but the passenger side one is quite stiff, still.

 

Unlike other Huskys, this Commer has a metal base. I don't remember the 'suspension' when playing with these 30+ years years ago but I guess they would've been quite playworn.

 

Let's take a closer look - apologies for the crappy close-ups, my phone camera isn't great at this, it seems. It looks like the suspension is hollow rubber tube or suchlike.

 

The rear of the packet mentions oiling the axles to aid free running - presumably, this was a quick solution to the emergence of Hot Wheels and the like? There seems to be a few Husky releases I wasn't aware of, too.

 

One thing I'd totally forgotten about was the lack of rear door! I was convinced these came with a red roller door but I think I was just getting muddled with the Lesney Rentaset van I also played with round at my grans. It does beg the question why you'd make a van like this that you couldn't load stuff in?!

 

Check out the 'glass' top though, which highlights the vast, empty space just waiting for marbles and suchlike, had there been an opening rear. Unlike here, in reality the plastic shines beautifully - I'll admit, it is as mint as fresh as the day it was made.

 

Lastly, I cracked open the proper camera, to get a 'scene' shot. I'll admit I've used this one before but this one just seemed perfect for the task. Ulitmately, I'm much more interested in handling my die cast rather than staring at them through yellowed plastic bubbles. I feel like I was slightly taken for a ride on this one by the seller but not so much as to elicit a complaint - life's too short and I've probably learnt a lesson in the process, so all good.

It still scores highly on the nostalgia front, even if that central windscreen pillar is bent. I'm sure that's just a sign of Corgi's high quality back in the day, so I won't risk chipping the paint, attempting to straighten it.

Anyway, sorry for all the words. I did also receive another die cast parcel that day that I was excited to open!

[Bren]

10 minutes ago, Jon said:

Hey, check out what I won last week!

Only a flipping mint/boxed Husky Commer Walk Thru van!!

 

But seconds into getting my mits on it.... I notice a staple.....

 

Oh.

I'll admit, I was quite crestfallen. I'll also admit, I did a quick Ebay check to see what these go for unopened, prior to bidding and I paid only a fraction of what an actual mint/boxed one was being offered at. So, no retirement fund but on the plus side, I could take a proper look, guilt free!

 

I'd forgotten how small these Huskys were! I reckon you could slap this trackside in a Hornby raliway layout and it wouldn't look out of place. I've fond memories playing with a couple of these round at my grandparents' house back in the 80's. I'd forgotten quite how vivid the yellow/green colour was! The driver's door slides freely but the passenger side one is quite stiff, still.

 

Unlike other Huskys, this Commer has a metal base. I don't remember the 'suspension' when playing with these 30+ years years ago but I guess they would've been quite playworn.

 

Let's take a closer look - apologies for the crappy close-ups, my phone camera isn't great at this, it seems. It looks like the suspension is hollow rubber tube or suchlike.

 

The rear of the packet mentions oiling the axles to aid free running - presumably, this was a quick solution to the emergence of Hot Wheels and the like? There seems to be a few Husky releases I wasn't aware of, too.

 

One thing I'd totally forgotten about was the lack of rear door! I was convinced these came with a red roller door but I think I was just getting muddled with the Lesney Rentaset van I also played with round at my grans. It does beg the question why you'd make a van like this that you couldn't load stuff in?!

 

Check out the 'glass' top though, which highlights the vast, empty space just waiting for marbles and suchlike, had there been an opening rear. Unlike here, in reality the plastic shines beautifully - I'll admit, it is as mint as fresh as the day it was made.

 

Lastly, I cracked open the proper camera, to get a 'scene' shot. I'll admit I've used this one before but this one just seemed perfect for the task. Ulitmately, I'm much more interested in handling my die cast rather than staring at them through yellowed plastic bubbles. I feel like I was slightly taken for a ride on this one by the seller but not so much as to elicit a complaint - life's too short and I've probably learnt a lesson in the process, so all good.

It still scores highly on the nostalgia front, even if that central windscreen pillar is bent. I'm sure that's just a sign of Corgi's high quality back in the day, so I won't risk chipping the paint, attempting to straighten it.

Anyway, sorry for all the words. I did also receive another die cast parcel that day that I was excited to open!

A walk through van - looks like it has being stolen by the T1000 from terminator.

[Split_Pin]

Its a great little model and I like how it has the slightly longer nose presumably for the diesel engine.

Mine is a wee bit more careworn but still looks great, I think I bought it from a shiter actually.

[quicksilver]

The Husky Commer is 1/87 or HO scale so you're right, it wouldn't look out of place on a model railway, albeit a continental one rather than Hornby. The Dutch firm Efsi did one in exact OO for UK railways, but interestingly chose the flat-fronted petrol version.

[flat4alfa]

35 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

The green car under the crane truck looks to be a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, in about 1/24 scale - Maisto, maybe? Probably not worth more then a coupla quid, but might display well if the windscreen's still intact.

Good spot.  I struggled on that, rolled around the interwebs and gave up.

[warch]

It might be something innocent like a mint boxed example with defective glue on the blister that was shop or factory stapled back on to the card. Shops were often a bit more robust about stocking policy back in the day, so product with crushed or damaged packaging would still go on sale rather than being returned.

[C1am]

42 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

I'm guessing this is a lot at your local auction rooms?

Yes, thanks for the info, I thought there must be something of interest in there!

[bunglebus]

I don't really like boxed stuff unless it can be opened without damage - seems a bit sad that a toy was never played with and enjoyed.

Think you've got the best of both worlds there, I was having a look through my Huskys this morning and few have metal bases as you say

[MarvinsMom]

2 hours ago, quicksilver said:

The Husky Commer is 1/87 or HO scale so you're right, it wouldn't look out of place on a model railway, albeit a continental one rather than Hornby. The Dutch firm Efsi did one in exact OO for UK railways, but interestingly chose the flat-fronted petrol version.

i can confirm that the Husky Commer Walk Thru van does indeed look ok when parked up with 00 trains....

[Datsuncog]

27 minutes ago, Jon said:

Hey, check out what I won last week!

Only a flipping mint/boxed Husky Commer Walk Thru van!!

 

But seconds into getting my mits on it.... I notice a staple.....

 

Oh.

I'll admit, I was quite crestfallen. I'll also admit, I did a quick Ebay check to see what these go for unopened, prior to bidding and I paid only a fraction of what an actual mint/boxed one was being offered at. So, no retirement fund but on the plus side, I could take a proper look, guilt free!

 

I'd forgotten how small these Huskys were! I reckon you could slap this trackside in a Hornby raliway layout and it wouldn't look out of place. I've fond memories playing with a couple of these round at my grandparents' house back in the 80's. I'd forgotten quite how vivid the yellow/green colour was! The driver's door slides freely but the passenger side one is quite stiff, still.

 

Unlike other Huskys, this Commer has a metal base. I don't remember the 'suspension' when playing with these 30+ years years ago but I guess they would've been quite playworn.

 

Let's take a closer look - apologies for the crappy close-ups, my phone camera isn't great at this, it seems. It looks like the suspension is hollow rubber tube or suchlike.

 

The rear of the packet mentions oiling the axles to aid free running - presumably, this was a quick solution to the emergence of Hot Wheels and the like? There seems to be a few Husky releases I wasn't aware of, too.

 

One thing I'd totally forgotten about was the lack of rear door! I was convinced these came with a red roller door but I think I was just getting muddled with the Lesney Rentaset van I also played with round at my grans. It does beg the question why you'd make a van like this that you couldn't load stuff in?!

 

Check out the 'glass' top though, which highlights the vast, empty space just waiting for marbles and suchlike, had there been an opening rear. Unlike here, in reality the plastic shines beautifully - I'll admit, it is as mint as fresh as the day it was made.

 

Lastly, I cracked open the proper camera, to get a 'scene' shot. I'll admit I've used this one before but this one just seemed perfect for the task. Ulitmately, I'm much more interested in handling my die cast rather than staring at them through yellowed plastic bubbles. I feel like I was slightly taken for a ride on this one by the seller but not so much as to elicit a complaint - life's too short and I've probably learnt a lesson in the process, so all good.

It still scores highly on the nostalgia front, even if that central windscreen pillar is bent. I'm sure that's just a sign of Corgi's high quality back in the day, so I won't risk chipping the paint, attempting to straighten it.

Anyway, sorry for all the words. I did also receive another die cast parcel that day that I was excited to open!

That Commer's absolutely flippin' lovely, well scored Jon! One of those is deffo on my wants list, even if the driver does look a bit freaky.

Yeah, blister packs pose a horrible conundrum... I'm an opener, but still feel guilty about it (though I've yet to try the acetone trick to dissolve glue while keeping the card backing undamaged - should give that a go on the Hot Wheels stuff upstairs).

I can understand your mixed-blessing feeling about the staple fastening: not quite as decribed - but still cheap - better in some ways cos it's now removable - and worse in others, as it's not untouched. As there's clearly been cutting done, I think it's been an owner decision rather than a shop repair; but as it's in great shape maybe it offers the best of both worlds, if the price was right.

Enjoy your 'new' van (with the usual Corgi casting issues)!

[MarvinsMom]

oh no! its no longer a mint collectable!!

and this is why i will never, ever buy anything nice in a blister pack. i wanna take it out to play with it, its no longer a mint collectable.......

[flat4alfa]

On 6/20/2020 at 10:44 AM, flat4alfa said:

What sort of money did that fetch as I was looking to cash-in on mine, but didn’t want to give it away (cock-up the auction)

Sold on 'bay for almost £30.  That's this months' lockup fees paid for, phew!

[flat4alfa]

Anyone know of Portugese brand met Osul?

Had this

Let it go as well for £15 top bid. 

It's nice enough but I can't fathom why it's really worth multiple times more than the complete Dinky Silver Shadow sold the week before

[DoctorRetro]

So, the Renault 25.

I dug out the brown resin? or whatever it was, to discover the screw hole had been mangled and was not fit for use. Also, the screw thread was almost non existent. So I tapped a new thread, and added a panel on the base of the car to take a screw. Not pretty, but functional. Just now need to think how to make new headlights... If I design some on CAD, do you reckon they will come out OK on a 3D printer? 

 

[bunglebus]

3 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Anyone know of Portugese brand met Osul?

I've got one or two but not that bus, lovely!

[bunglebus]

Been after one of these for ages, MC Toys MK2 Granada.

Also couldn't resist a Majorette buggy with the bizarre hypnotic wheels

[bunglebus]

5 hours ago, Jon said:

One thing I'd totally forgotten about was the lack of rear door! I was convinced these came with a red roller door but I think I was just getting muddled with the Lesney Rentaset van I also played with round at my grans. It does beg the question why you'd make a van like this that you couldn't load stuff in?!

 

Only red door is the sliding side ones - just checked mine out and one has suspension and one does not - might be missing?

 

20190805_161725 by RS, on Flickr

20200707_171416 by RS, on Flickr

20190805_161631 by RS, on Flickr

20200707_171337 by RS, on Flickr

[warch]

More Britains stuff, the ubiquitous 70s Ford 6600 (left), and the 2000s Ford 5000 (right).

Britains made several versions of the Ford 5000, including the pre Force 1964-68 and Force 1968-75 models The example I have is the new model of the Force 5000 from the 00s. It was a medium sized tractor of it's day with a Fieco safety cab and a four cylinder engine making about 70hp. It is a nice model but lacks working steering. The quality is a bit off, with rubbed off paint, and peeling bonnet stripes. I've added a driver to my one.

The Ford  1000 range was rebranded as the X600 series in 1975 which looked basically the same as the previous models, until 1976 when they all got huuge Q (quiet) cabs fitted. My 6600 is therefore representative of a 1975 model year tractor. The 6600 was the next model up from the 5000/5600 and had a whopping 5hp more (wow!). Mine has clearly been restored and repainted with a replacement resin cab, but has been finished to a high standard. It's a lovely model and very realistic. I had one with my toy farm which I got on my 2nd Christmas so I had to buy this one when it came up on Ebay. 

There are still plenty of 1000 and X600 Fords floating around on British farms 50 odd years after their introduction, although the larger 5000 and 6600 models were widely exported, especially to developing countries. Farm tractors usually lost the cab doors as they made the cab rather stuffy in summer and difficult to get in and out of all year round.  

[155V6]

I just found out that there is a model hearse(Steve Hearsell) in the Disney Pixar model range

 

Has anyone seen one,or even got one for sale or trade?

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, warch said:

Britains made several versions of the Ford 5000

One of these does the local show scene.   Did Britains ever do one?

[flat4alfa]

How about a Fordson Major Duo?   They have one of these at the local airfield 

[warch]

 

3 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

One of these does the local show scene.   Did Britains ever do one?

Britains did only one County tractor, the range topping 1884, (below) which was based on the Ford TW 30. Both the real tractor and the Britain model are highly sought after by collectors. 

Universal Hobbies currently do several County Tractors in 1/32 scale like the rather nice 117/4 (below) . Very much models rather than toys at 40-50 quid a go though (this is probably cheaper than a played with Britains one would cost).

[warch]

24 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

How about a Fordson Major Duo?   They have one of these at the local airfield 

Britains never did a Doe Triple D, although there are quite a few conversions and at least one kit (Scaledown Models) in 1/32. Universal Hobbies did one in 1/16 scale though

These were genuinely successful and sold quite well in certain areas with heavy wet soil conditions like East Anglia. They were still used commercially well into the 80s believe it or not.