Shite in Miniature II

[flat4alfa]

No it's definately a grab from tape

However, the hair on the driver in this shot is not Purdey, or even Gambit's hair-do

[flat4alfa]

Well either way, it's a feature car from the series 

Wahayyy

And what a colour!

[flat4alfa]

Alternatively

 

weeeee!

[bunglebus]

Is it...tat Friday?

[eddyramrod]

I just came in here to ask the same thing!

[Datsuncog]

Well then... It's Friday... It's five to eight... It's time for...

BOX O'SHITE!!

(Showing my age there, most likely...)

But it is, so it is.

Although, in my haste to get through the doors and get ALL the bargains, once again the Tat Stall wasn't yet set up.

Still, if nothing else there's been something of an uplift in diecast at the market lately, so at least I could wander off and browse the other stalls while Blokey sorted himself.

The Antiques Shitshow was still peddling its overpriced and messily displayed wares...

I'm not sure whether he's made his prices any more realistic; I'd guess the fact they're all still there would suggest not.

I should probably give myself a laugh and ask what he wants for the Corgi Ford Transcontinental transporter.

The Superkings Dodge van also tickles my fancy, but not at the telephone number prices he was quoting the other week.

He had some more run-of-the-mill collectables available, too. Again, if previous form is anything to go by, they won't be cheap.

Naaah.

But onwards to the Charity Stall revealed just the remains from last week:

Still some decent stuff, mind: the Majorette Jeep, for one.

And that plastic Corvette for another.

Base indicates that the same moulding at some point has incorporated turning wheels; these are fixed, though.

Something makes me think this would originally have been supplied on the back of a large transporter - not sure why I think that, but just seems like a 'bonus vehicle' rather than one you'd have bought on its own.

So, circling back round to Tat Central revealed...

Boom. 

50p shite, as ever, even though it's been picked fairly clean in recent weeks. Some lightly scuffed MoYs had been added, though.

This pirated De Tomaso Pantera amused me though, by infringing Matchbox's patent while simultaneously skirting Knight Rider's intellectual property...

Matchbox original provided a yardstick to measure against.

Mmm.

Not maybe identical, but certainly 'inspired by'. Hilariously smol wheels are hilarious.

Table showed not a lot new, though the big Dinky ERF fire tender wasn't there last week.

Sadly missing all ladders etc, and unlike the earlier AEC version, apparently no squirty functions either. Busted blue lights, though paintwork not all that bad.

But, as I idly prodded, I noticed that Blokey and one of my nemeses were busy hoking enthusiastically through some carrier bags over at the general tat-merchant stall, directly behind...

My diecast spidey-senses began to twitch...

... and with fascination coupled with horror, I watched as The Nemesis extracted a Corgi Bedford TK fire ladder, Holmes Wrecker, Land Rover 109, Whizzwheels Alfa concept car, and a Hillman Imp, before handing over what appeared to be a very small sum...

In one bound (or something), I was over there, possibly making beseeching puppy-dog eyes and whimpering at the stallholder.

Permission was granted for a guddle.

Now, although it didn't look too promising initially, there was indeed gold in that thar bag... no '60s Corgis for me, but there was certainly stuff worth digging for.

...even if the stallholder's own picks were a bit meh.

So - that's how the tat situation in Belfast is looking right now - I'm gonna take another quick turn before scooting on, since I've a shed arriving in about 45 minutes... and I'm half an hour away from home...

[flat4alfa]

[flat4alfa]

How much is that Politzei Opel Senator again?

[Split_Pin]

I'd be interested in the Dinky Mini Clubman if it's under about 4 quid and I also spotted a Matchbox Volvo 760. I thought I had one but I don't. I have the Majorette, Siku and Corgi ones so one of these makes sense!

[Datsuncog]

7 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

How much is that Politzei Opel Senator again?

He's looking a fiver, but the roof is bashed in at the top (like something heavy's been dumped on the roof light) and it's missing its rear lights, with some damage to the back join like someone's tried to prise it apart with a screwdriver. A real pity, as it's otherwise pretty clean.

4 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I'd be interested in the Dinky Mini Clubman if it's under about 4 quid and I also spotted a Matchbox Volvo 760. I thought I had one but I don't. I have the Majorette, Siku and Corgi ones so one of these makes sense!

Clubman has just been procured at target price (along with other requests for this week) - will jog over and see if I can nab the Volvo now!

Oh, and if you'd like another 740 by a manufacturer that you haven't listed above, you may be in luck...

[Split_Pin]

Excellent Tim thank you I'll PM you this evening. Yes please on the 740 model(s) too please, I'll hoover up whatever models I can of those!

[flat4alfa]

39 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

He's looking a fiver, but the roof is bashed in at the top (like something heavy's been dumped on the roof light) and it's missing its rear lights, with some damage to the back join like someone's tried to prise it apart with a screwdriver

[eddyramrod]

On 10/9/2020 at 11:44 AM, Datsuncog said:

CRACKERJACK!

I should probably give myself a laugh and ask what he wants for the Corgi Ford Transcontinental transporter.

Yes, you definitely should, although it might make me cry.  I would actually rather like one of those.

[Datsuncog]

8 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Yes, you definitely should, although it might make me cry.  I would actually rather like one of those.

If Paddy The Swizz is ever actually at his stall, I'll ask him... I hung around for a bit after posting that up, hoping to get a price, but he was nowhere to be found.

At a guess, he'd be asking anywhere between £30 and £50 for the Transcontinental rig.

It's nice, but it ain't that nice...

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Excellent Tim thank you I'll PM you this evening. Yes please on the 740 model(s) too please, I'll hoover up whatever models I can of those!

Tragically, the Matchbox 760 had been nabbed in the space of time between taking the pic and heading back over... sorry about that!

They do crop up reasonably often though, so I'll be sure to grab the next one I see.

Better news incoming on the Mini Clubman front, at least!

[sierraman]

Local charity shop has a Matchbox Tank Transporter in at £5, it’s the battle kings one in military green. Looks in good nick, trying to decide if it’s worth going back for.

[eddyramrod]

What cab, and what wheels?

DC, if those are his prices (which I agree is likely) then he will have it a long time!

[Datsuncog]

So then... What did come home with me this week?

This lot.

First up, the shopping list items:

A Dinky Eagle Transporter, all the way from Space: 1999, I understand, for @andy18s

It's the white version, with some functional rather than finessed touching-up, and missing its cargo pod and a leg.

£3 paid for this one - hope that's ok!

Next up, one for @Noel Tidybeard

It's the Corgi MGC GT, in Very Yellow.

For some reason I thought that the bonnet opened on these, but apparently not.

Everything else does, though.

It's sitting a little low, but it's complete and doesn't seem to have been messed about with.

Market Blokey charged me £7 - happy enough for me to add that in with your other selections?

Then more of a restoration candidate for @Split_Pin

The Charity Stall Clubman must have been sold last week, so this one was from the Tat Stall - fairly playworn and lacking a steering wheel, but the screw-in base hopefully makes it a relatively straightforward fixer-upper.

£3 paid for this!

Stuff for my own Cabinet of Greed and today's red hot up-for-grabs items to follow, once I've sorted out these lads with the shed...

[Noel Tidybeard]

ta muchly- won a whizzwheelz one in red/orange as well

[bunglebus]

Finally, got myself a Minissima! 

What a strange beast. Almost as strange as this that came with it

Another Kidco Dinky for my collection 

And a Whizzwheels Dyane

Late 50s Thunderbird isn't in too bad shape

Finally got my 2002 done with some inspiration from the turbo version, and squinty eyes getting 1mm stripes straight!

[bunglebus]

6 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Dinky MK2 Transit, nice. How's the A pillars and spotlights on the Matchbox fastback?

[Tenmil Socket]

@bunglebus Nice!

[Split_Pin]

Clubman is perfect @Datsuncog everything that needs to be intact is there.

I think I'll restore this one in black and white like earlier normal front Dinky Minis!

No worries on the 760, they're common as muck so one will turn up!

[sierraman]

47 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Finally, got myself a Minissima! 

What a strange beast. Almost as strange as this that came with it

Another Kidco Dinky for my collection 

And a Whizzwheels Dyane

Late 50s Thunderbird isn't in too bad shape

Finally got my 2002 done with some inspiration from the turbo version, and squinty eyes getting 1mm stripes straight!

Often wondered how a cabrio might work out. Might pick one up and do a conversion. 

[andrew e]

@bunglebus The 2002 looks the dogs danglies! How long did the stripes take? 

[Datsuncog]

So in addition to the Eagle, the Charity Stall yielded up yet more Dinky goodies today...

Yup, it's a slightly ropey example of their late 70s Mk2 Transit LWB, in police trim.

Missing its tailgate and quite a bit more ratty than the Mk1 example picked up last week, it could still make a decent restoration.

I think I primarily picked it up so I could do a three-way comparison with the Mk1 and also the messy Mk1 facelift I've owned for years now (once AA yellow, now with about four coats of paint on it).

I don't mind holding on to this one myself, but if anyone particularly wants it, then £4 will take it.  [**TAKEN!!!!**]

Also from the Charity Stall (and making up a round tenner) was this, which I've had my beady eye on for a couple of weeks now...

In all honesty, I'm not particularly into construction vehicles - but I thought this might pair well with the Corgi Volvo BM cement mixer from the other week. I'm pretty sure the engine should be silver, not green, so dunno if it was put to work in an environment hostile to vacuum-plated parts.

This one's a keeper.

Moving back onto my Tat Stall haul, I picked these out from the 50p Tat Box, while fruitlessly searching for the maroon Volvo 760...

I have a childhood example of this Chevy 4x4 in slightly worse condition, having erroneously bought a mint boxed US version of one similar, but not the same, last year.

Still looking a decent one of these; this'll do for now until a better one shows up!

I also have a later two-tone version of the Thunderbird; I think this is the original Lesney release though. Not in brilliant shape, but worth picking up for 50p, mebbe...

Also at 50p:

These Ford GT40s crop up fairly often, though never in great shape. This one has a single good tyre, and rampant underbody corrosion (so pretty much like every Ford I've ever owned, then).

The no-name Porsche 911 Turbo was picked up simply because it's actually quite a nice rendering of the real thing - better than the slightly clunky Corgi, Matchbox or Hot Wheels efforts. Shame the paint's not too great.

Both available at 50p each!

Now... here's where things got interesting. The carrier bags belonging to the general tat stall...

Well, ride me sideways. Rockets. And not just any old Rockets...

I believe we're looking here at the Mercury Cougar from the 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' 007 gift set?

While bent double over a carrier bag, with my glasses steaming up merrily from my facemask, I couldn't be sure if this was a repaint or not - since the paint looks pretty thick and the white paint showing through the chips alarmed me a bit.

But on closer inspection, it does seem to be a factory paint job - and the holes in the rear screen (for the plastic ski rack) mean this appears to be legit.

As with anything Bond-related, these things tend to fetch a bit of coin... so I'm gonna put this one aside while I have a think about what to do with it.

How Tat Fridays work for me is as follows: withdraw cash; buy tat; sell tat at cost price to shiters; use PayPal balance to fund online purchases (typically, boxed 70s and 80s Corgi 1/36 stuff, as that's what's attracting me these days).

It's kinda like a TSB savings account, only with more battered Lesneys involved. It's not really a money-making enterprise; it is just for the fun of it, and it gives me a kick to send something unloved off across the sea to someone who really wants it. Knowing this tat is giving pleasure to others, both in the finding and in the eventual receiving, really is enough - cheesy though that may sound.

But every now and then something unusual yet cheap like this Bond Cougar crops up, and when its value works out at roughly equivalent of a boxed Corgi... well, maybe you can appreciate my dilemma.

So I'll have a think.

I don't know why I feel so guilty about that.

If anyone wants the Jensen though, it's up for 50p. [**SOLD!!**]

ANYWAY...

There were also these:

Corgi Whizzwheels Beetle rozzermobile, and an unusual Kidco key car in the form of the Magnum P.I. Ferrari 308GTB.

As a thoughtful touch to the skirting boards of the world, the front of the Ferrari is made of rubber.

One tyre is missing and the axles need straightened, but could be a nice addition to anyone's TV cars collection?

50p each on these. [**Vee-Dub TAKEN!!!**]

Some no-name mystery cars now - Welly, mebbe?

Ovlov is set aside for @Split_Pin

...but what I think is meant to be a Lexus LS400 (though sporting a JDM Toyota grille badge) is available for 50p - if you know better than me what it is, let me know! [**BOTH NOW TAKEN!**]

Moving on to Lesney products now:

Mercedes ambulance rolling on regular wheels, and a Superfast Mercury Commuter complete with DAAAGS.

50p each! [**MERCURY TAKEN!!**]

Then we have some heavy commercials:

Later variant of the Dodge tipper in ok shape, and a Ford Heavy Wrecker with Esso transfers.

The Ford has a fair bit of metal in it; nicely chunky. Both up for 50p a pop. [**BOTH NOW TAKEN!!**]

And then finally, here's some more Dubbers' Delight:

Matchbox Superfast Beetle and Type 3 coupe. Nice.

I've never had the Beetle in my hot little hands before, so I might clean it up and see how I feel about it... the purple skinny-Superfast Type 3 I already have, so this is surplus.

I thought it was all intact, and indeed the spotlights are all there, but closer inspection reveals a typical crack on the offside A-post, annoyingly. Plus, it's filthy.

50p on the Type 3? [**SOLD!!**]

Crikey, that's it for this week... and the other good news is that the shed is up.

I say shed... it's probably a bit fancy for a shed. But very possibly a good outdoor sales room for tat...

Til next time!!

[Split_Pin]

I think I speak for all of us when I say Tat Fridays aren't just appreciated, they're the highlight of everybody's week.

Personally I dont really have anywhere like this near me, apart from a car booty but prices and choice there are poor. With your pictures of the buckets of delight and layouts of some pretty decent stuff, we can all have a virtual scout round the Market!

I've lost count of the numbers if cars that are in my house from NI now!

In addition to my 2 already I'll take the Dodge and Ford trucks , together with the 'Lexus' please!

[sierraman]

Can I add the Type 3, the Corgi whizzwheels beetle, the mercury commuter to my order please?

[sierraman]

I’ll add the transit as well if that’s ok? Something to restore over winter!

[Datsuncog]

4 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

In addition to my 2 already I'll take the Dodge and Ford trucks , together with the 'Lexus' please!

Sure thing - and cheers for the kind words!

4 hours ago, sierraman said:

Can I add the Type 3, the Corgi whizzwheels beetle, the mercury commuter to my order please?

You sure can - will move those three over to your box!

4 hours ago, sierraman said:

I’ll add the transit as well if that’s ok? Something to restore over winter!

Daaah, the Transit was claimed via PM about an hour ago, based on the group pic - sorry! But I'll keep an eye out for any more Transits that might crop up - there is A LOT of diecast appearing at the minute; seems to be maybe down to a people finally getting around to clearing out the attic/ shed/ garage, plus there seems to be a lot of house moves going on... So hang on to your hats, we could be seeing some top minishite appearing week on week!

[bunglebus]

@Datsuncog if another MK2 Transit appears with an intact side door I'd be interested - I just don't trust white metal reproductions. 

The Volvo and its friend (yes a Lexus) are Zylmex by the way