Shite in Miniature II

[Isopon]

15 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

At first squint, I thought it was a Peugeot !

I am not at all sure what it is.

If you mean that peculiar grey thing, then it's a Citroen ami quadricycle

[bunglebus]

Matchbox Calibra is another sought-after casting!

New F+F set spotted. Didn't excite me enough to buy it

 

[flat4alfa]

28 minutes ago, Isopon said:

If you mean that peculiar grey thing, then it's a Citroen ami quadricycle

Thanks.

Still looks like it's been chasing parked cars

[Remspoor]

2 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

At first squint, I thought it was a Peugeot !

I am not at all sure what it is.

Here you go.......

 

[Spottedlaurel]

10 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Oh!  It's GOT to be THAT blue !

It was available on 'my' generation too:

A few of the other Japanese light commercials are a similar shade too. But I've got beige in mind for it.....

[bunglebus]

Beige, on a Toyota van? Daft idea

 

 

[RoadworkUK]

So, I'm going to do that thing again, where I take a 1/18 car from my attic and take photographs from various angles. I find it a satisfying hobby; it doesn't take any skill, unlike @Spottedlaurel's gorgeously finished model kits or the meticulously restored or modified 1/64 s that so many of you turn out with humbling regularity, but there's something extremely gratifying in visualising a model car as if it was full-sized.

And some models are easier to do that with than others. There are certain AUTOart, Norev and even Revell models that are uncannily accurate and detailed, and so they should be for the exalted values they command. It's the other end of the market, though, where Maisto and others dwell, where the most fun can be found. Sometimes there's no hope whatsoever, but some are just correct enough to stand a chance of sleighting the eye.

I give you the 916 Alfa Romeo Spider.

 

eBay is usually chock-full of these for comfortably under the £20 mark, and mine was rather less than that. I didn't buy mine out of any specific desire, but out of curiosity to find out if it was any good. And the answer to that it's "good enough".

I've always thought that the 916 Spider looks kind of all wrong. The fixed-head GTV is genuinely lovely, but lopping its roof off cripple it. A prominent journo (I can't remember for the life of me which one) described it as having a "broken backed" look, and I think that's close to the money.

Anyway, the Maisto rendition captures its "stunning from some angles, disastrous from others" shape rather well.

Certain key details are remarkably well captured, the wheels in particular. And the tyres are nicely Goodyear branded. The lights aren't quite as artfully done as they are on some Maistos; the front fogs are just weird, being depicted by clear lenses through which red metal paintwork plainly shows.

Everything's in its right place, though. And that's the most important thing.

The interior is a bit of a mess. All the shapes are accurate enough, and the seats are beautifully contoured. There ain't no way those bolsters are letting you go mid-corner. The biggest problems are the unremitting use of grey plastic, and surface textures that are way too coarse to be close to scale-accurate. 

So the best way of fooling the eye is to show as little of it as possible. Instead, highlight how the cockpit corresponds with the bodywork, and that's something this model captures nicely.

There's more interior unpleasantness noticeable on the seatbacks and the backs of the headrests, where the presence of injection moulding witness marks is absolutely inexcusable in a "decent" model... and this further hints towards this not being intended as a "decent model".

Yeah, that's a thing with Maisto. Perhaps not now, but in the late 90s / early 2000s, they were certainly priced at "toy" money, and more than one of mine has come from the toy department at Tesco. A goodly proportion of the range, though, rather overachieved in the role of mere toy, as we've seen previously, not least in the Jag S-Type a few weeks ago.

The pic above is the boot. It's, you know, great, as models of car boots go. Not much to say about it, really, save for the fact that the vinyl spare wheel cover is far more accurately depicted than would be strictly necessary in a "toy".

But that's truer than ever under the bonnet.

No child, no player-with of toys, could possibly need a Busso V6 that's anything like as faithfully represented as this one. Yes, there's a little bit of crude flashing around those intake ventricles (OH GOD THAT'S A SEXY ENGINE), but the Alfa script on the cam cover, the wiring, the warning stickers are all superb. Somebody who was into detailing models could turn the above into something quite incredible.

So that's it, really. I love 1/18 models because of just how representative they can be. Even without unfeasibly crisp detail, when models of this scale are right, they embody the spirit and character of the 1/1 to a tee. Collecting them genuinely feels like collecting the essence of the original.

My pretentiousness for today ends here. Cheers all.

[WillCarter]

Found myself in my Mum's loft this weekend and decided to retrieve some of the boxes of models that I've not seen in circa 15 years. The plan was to sell most of them, but predictably, a lot have made it to the 'save' pile. So here's some photos of the more choice items that have avoided the chopping block.

If anyone is interested in the stuff I'm selling, I'll be gradually listing them here.

[Datsuncog]

59 minutes ago, WillCarter said:

Found myself in my Mum's loft this weekend and decided to retrieve some of the boxes of models that I've not seen in circa 15 years. The plan was to sell most of them, but predictably, a lot have made it to the 'save' pile. So here's some photos of the more choice items that have avoided the chopping block.

Some lovely stuff in there, dude! Polistil(?) Mk1 Escort and Schabak(?) Orion are particular highlights... and is that a Vitesse Trabant with the tinplate base? Look forward to seeing any more from your 'reserve collection'!

59 minutes ago, WillCarter said:

If anyone is interested in the stuff I'm selling, I'll be gradually listing them here.

Crumbs, there's quite a lot in there of interest...

If you've any other Matchbox Dinky or late 80s Corgi Classics not yet listed, do let us know... I managed to shift about 80% of my surplus diecast through these beige pages; it's not a bad place to buy and sell, and saves on eBay fees...

[WillCarter]

34 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Some lovely stuff in there, dude! Polistil(?) Mk1 Escort and Schabak(?) Orion are particular highlights... and is that a Vitesse Trabant with the tinplate base? Look forward to seeing any more from your 'reserve collection'!

Crumbs, there's quite a lot in there of interest...

If you've any other Matchbox Dinky or late 80s Corgi Classics not yet listed, do let us know... I managed to shift about 80% of my surplus diecast through these beige pages; it's not a bad place to buy and sell, and saves on eBay fees...

Correct on all three, I've nearly repurchased the Trabant a few times so I'm glad I have my original back. I'm pretty sure it was purchased from a shop in Uxbridge in the early nineties, I have a memory of having buyers regret on something a bit more generic and my Dad taking me back to swap it for the Trabi. Clearly a child of discerning taste. 

There's still a few more boxes at my Mums which may well have more Corgi Classics and/or Dinkys in them but that's about it for the boxed ones in this lot. There is some Ertl stuff of a similar vintage though and there may well be a few loose ones, as well as a few more modern Vanguards. 

There was quite a lot of Corgi Minis in these boxes which I was originally planning on selling but when it came down to it they held too many memories. They used to be a fixture of my Christmases, I think Woolworths stocked them most years but since they don't seem to be worth much and they hold some nice memories, they're sticking around. 

Happy to put up some more pics tomorrow, and I'll let you know if there's anything of relevance once I get hold of the rest of the boxes.

[eddyramrod]

Vanguards, you say?  If there's a mk3 Zephyr or PA Cresta in civilian colours, I'm interested!  Not worried about boxes as long as the cars are intact.

[WillCarter]

4 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Vanguards, you say?  If there's a mk3 Zephyr or PA Cresta in civilian colours, I'm interested!  Not worried about boxes as long as the cars are intact.

I'll get some pictures up tomorrow, but I know there's no Zephyrs or Crestas in this bunch. 

[Bear]

Don't suppose anyone would want to split these with me?

I want the Tavria and maybe a coupe of others....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153042691075?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[bunglebus]

9 hours ago, WillCarter said:

I definitely need to know more about that MK1!

I was looking at one of the boxed Polos on eBay but pineapple tax has seen it out of the price range I'm happy in

[Split_Pin]

£3 in the Entertainer this morning. 

I baulk seeing something for £6 which would have been a mainline feature 35 years ago for 72p.

I couldn't say no though as the exhaust clamp for my 75 was only £1.60 so I had some smash rolling around from the fiver I burst for it. That's my excuse anyway.

[WillCarter]

As promised to @eddyramrod here's some pics of the surplus Vanguards. Also managed to dig out a couple of Dinky Stags as well as two Corgi Classics era boxsets for your perusal. Let me know if anything piques your interest.

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I definitely need to know more about that MK1!

It's a Polistil, approx 1/43 scale. Purchased circa 25 years ago from a Toy Fair I think, they did various colours and they're not too tricky to come by and not that expensive if you don't mind an unboxed one. I can definitely see me delving into buying more Polistil models if I take up collecting again, they did some fantastically weird subject matter. 

[eddyramrod]

Talk to me about the three Triumphs and the Boy Racer Anglia please! :)

[Datsuncog]

14 hours ago, WillCarter said:

Correct on all three, I've nearly repurchased the Trabant a few times so I'm glad I have my original back. I'm pretty sure it was purchased from a shop in Uxbridge in the early nineties, I have a memory of having buyers regret on something a bit more generic and my Dad taking me back to swap it for the Trabi. Clearly a child of discerning taste. 

There's still a few more boxes at my Mums which may well have more Corgi Classics and/or Dinkys in them but that's about it for the boxed ones in this lot. There is some Ertl stuff of a similar vintage though and there may well be a few loose ones, as well as a few more modern Vanguards. 

There was quite a lot of Corgi Minis in these boxes which I was originally planning on selling but when it came down to it they held too many memories. They used to be a fixture of my Christmases, I think Woolworths stocked them most years but since they don't seem to be worth much and they hold some nice memories, they're sticking around. 

Happy to put up some more pics tomorrow, and I'll let you know if there's anything of relevance once I get hold of the rest of the boxes.

Never seen the Trabi in rally format before; I probably bought my civvie one around the same time though, in plain blue.

I think there was the option of the same in pea-green, also in the 'Berlin Wall' box. Nice one!

 

2 hours ago, WillCarter said:

As promised to @eddyramrod here's some pics of the surplus Vanguards. Also managed to dig out a couple of Dinky Stags as well as two Corgi Classics era boxsets for your perusal. Let me know if anything piques your interest.

It's a Polistil, approx 1/43 scale. Purchased circa 25 years ago from a Toy Fair I think, they did various colours and they're not too tricky to come by and not that expensive if you don't mind an unboxed one. I can definitely see me delving into buying more Polistil models if I take up collecting again, they did some fantastically weird subject matter. 

Cheers for posting those: the MB Dinky Triumph Stags do pique my interest somewhat, as I've had one of those on my 'wants' list for a while now; and the standard blue 105E Anglia also.

The green version looks rather better and is a little more uncommon, though a fella down the road used to own a white one when I was a kid, so there's a certain nostalgia factor there...

By all means have a chat to Eddy about the Triumphs - I've lobbed a few bids on some of your eBay listings earlier today, and while I don't expect to win all of them, a couple of them will hopefully come through for me!

Once the auction dust settles next Wednesday evening, depending how things stand we might be able to agree a price for some of the others shown above, if they're still available?

[WillCarter]

6 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Talk to me about the three Triumphs and the Boy Racer Anglia please!

Prices are baffling to me, just had a quick look on the completed auctions on eBay and they seem to be a little bit all over the place, but how would £50 posted for the lot sound?

Just now, Datsuncog said:

Never seen the Trabi in rally format before; I probably bought my civvie one around the same time though, in plain blue.

I think there was the option of the same in pea-green, also in the 'Berlin Wall' box. Nice one!

 

Cheers for posting those: the MB Dinky Triumph Stags do pique my interest somewhat, as I've had one of those on my 'wants' list for a while now; and the standard blue 105E Anglia also.

The green version looks rather better and is a little more uncommon, though a fella down the road used to own a white one when I was a kid, so there's a certain nostalgia factor there...

By all means have a chat to Eddy about the Triumphs - I've lobbed a few bids on some of your eBay listings earlier today, and while I don't expect to win all of them, a couple of them will hopefully come through for me!

Once the auction dust settles next Wednesday evening, depending how things stand we might be able to agree a price for some of the others shown above, if they're still available?

Yeah, they did a few Trabi variants it seems, I recently picked up a cream one in the usual Vitesse square case, but I think all were available in the packaging above too. 

I've just passed on a price to Eddy (above) but I'm happy for you to work it out among yourselves. I noticed that the Anglia is in need of a wing mirror repair when I opened the box, but is in otherwise lovely shape, so how would £8 + P&P sound? Happy to bundle a few up to combine postage too. Thank you for the bids as well, they're much appreciated. I still have some more to add on there as well, so keep an eye too. 

[eddyramrod]

5 minutes ago, WillCarter said:

Prices are baffling to me, just had a quick look on the completed auctions on eBay and they seem to be a little bit all over the place, but how would £50 posted for the lot sound?

Compared to ebay prices they are probably in line with current trends.  However, current trends are beyond my budget, so thank you for the offer but I have to pass.

[WillCarter]

Just now, eddyramrod said:

Compared to ebay prices they are probably in line with current trends.  However, current trends are beyond my budget, so thank you for the offer but I have to pass.

As I said, current prices baffle me, so I certainly wouldn't be offended by offers mate. Hence why everything has just been bunged on for 99p, I was happy for everything to find its natural price rather than putting up prices blindly. 

[eddyramrod]

Thank you; they baffle me too!  There seems to be little in the way of a pattern, except that anything I might want (and most of what I never would) shoots up so high only dogs can hear it!

I don't think I could do any better than insult you at the moment, so rather than do that, I'll step aside.  FWIW I think you've done right starting things at 99p and letting them go where they will.

@Datsuncog: have your way with the Stags!

[WillCarter]

8 minutes ago, eddyramrod said:

Thank you; they baffle me too!  There seems to be little in the way of a pattern, except that anything I might want (and most of what I never would) shoots up so high only dogs can hear it!

I don't think I could do any better than insult you at the moment, so rather than do that, I'll step aside.  FWIW I think you've done right starting things at 99p and letting them go where they will.

@Datsuncog: have your way with the Stags!

Well, if there's no takers that's where they will be ending up so feel free to take a punt if/when that happens. The Stags nearly ended up in the keep pile, due to the fact that my Dad had one when I was a kid, but both were the wrong colour really. Anyone know if any company did a Stag in dark red/maroon? 

[bunglebus]

2 hours ago, WillCarter said:

No way!

The Anglia is great but Steve Green's Rover V8 mk1 Cortina, that is so damn cool. I need one in my life

[WillCarter]

19 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

No way!

The Anglia is great but Steve Green's Rover V8 mk1 Cortina, that is so damn cool. I need one in my life

I thought I recognised it! Well, this one is looking for a new home.

[Datsuncog]

35 minutes ago, WillCarter said:

I've just passed on a price to Eddy (above) but I'm happy for you to work it out among yourselves. I noticed that the Anglia is in need of a wing mirror repair when I opened the box, but is in otherwise lovely shape, so how would £8 + P&P sound? Happy to bundle a few up to combine postage too. Thank you for the bids as well, they're much appreciated. I still have some more to add on there as well, so keep an eye too. 

Hey, thanks! Very interested in the blue Anglia, and also interested in the Stags too - could you pop the three of them to one side for now, and see how things fall at close of auction next week? The Dolomite Sprint is lovely, but I already have one!

8 minutes ago, WillCarter said:

The Stags nearly ended up in the keep pile, due to the fact that my Dad had one when I was a kid, but both were the wrong colour really. Anyone know if any company did a Stag in dark red/maroon? 

No maroon ones that I've seen; the only other reasonably common Stag castings I know about was the James Bond collection partwork models, which included a yellow Stag, and the 2000s-era Vanguards versions which included a purplish version.

I daresay there's some high-end white metal versions around in such a colour, but they can be daft prices...

[WillCarter]

3 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Hey, thanks! Very interested in the blue Anglia, and also interested in the Stags too - could you pop the three of them to one side for now, and see how things fall at close of auction next week? The Dolomite Sprint is lovely, but I already have one!

No maroon ones that I've seen; the only other reasonably common Stag castings I know about was the James Bond collection partwork models, which included a yellow Stag, and the 2000s-era Vanguards versions which included a purplish version.

I daresay there's some high-end white metal versions around in such a colour, but they can be daft prices...

Consider it done mate.

Just been looking at the Vanguards Stags, looks as though they did just about every colour but the one I'd want haha. Still, probably saves me some money.

[Datsuncog]

15 hours ago, RichardK said:

Don't suppose anyone would want to split these with me?

I want the Tavria and maybe a coupe of others....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153042691075?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Well, I can see why you might be wanting a Tavria, of course...

Some very nice stuff in there, mind:

I count 31 models in the pictures, so there seems to be a duplicate or two in there (two green Alekos, for a start).

I already have a fair few of these - but I'm interested in your proposition here! 

I reckon we'd be looking at £80 or so delivered from Italy, assuming no further taxes or imports due, putting it in at £2.60 or so per model... now that's tempting.

I've the usual Friday Market Tat happening tomorrow, so I don't want to overstretch myself in case there's diecast galore happening - but maybe have a chat about this tomorrow afternoon?

[Datsuncog]

5 minutes ago, WillCarter said:

Consider it done mate.

Just been looking at the Vanguards Stags, looks as though they did just about every colour but the one I'd want haha. Still, probably saves me some money.

Excellent, thank you!

Some of the Vanguards really do go for big money these days - I can see why, as they're usually very decent models, but I pretty much stopped buying them in the late 2000s once the prices started to creep north of £15 new.

The only model shop near to me now sells new ones at £35, with secondhand stuff online fetching ever-more outlandish prices... but sometimes I strike it lucky with finds at the market, or at Cash Converters (weirdly).

[WillCarter]

3 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Excellent, thank you!

Some of the Vanguards really do go for big money these days - I can see why, as they're usually very decent models, but I pretty much stopped buying them in the late 2000s once the prices started to creep north of £15 new.

The only model shop near to me now sells new ones at £35, with secondhand stuff online fetching ever-more outlandish prices... but sometimes I strike it lucky with finds at the market, or at Cash Converters (weirdly).

Yeah, they seem to be really great looking models to be fair. They only really appeared at the back end of my proper collecting years before the temptations of being a teenager took over so I never delved that deeply into them, but the few times I've been in model shops over the years I've been very impressed with the ones I've seen, particularly the eighties and nineties stuff which is a far cry from what they were making when I was collecting.