Shite in Miniature II

[Datsuncog]

51 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I had never heard of Qualitoys. That’s a new one on me, I’ve seen the models before but never knew they were a precursor to the cubs?

I'd seen a few of them kicking around the market stall, but I didn't realise exactly what they were until I got the Great Book of Corgi last year.

"1969 Overview - A new series of 'Turbo' trucks would be launched under the brand name 'Qualitoys'. This new range would in fact be delivered in mid-year, against no comparable competitive product. The initial response to it was very good. Although not part of the Corgi range, they were publicised as being from 'the makers of Corgi Toys'. The revolving merchandising unit headers however, just had the names Corgi and Qualitoy." (p.182)

"September 1969 - The Qualitoys range consisted of eight items as follows:

• 0701 Pick-up Truck
• 0702 Side Tipper
• 0703 Breakdown Truck
• 0704 Tower Wagon
• 0705 Horse Box
• 0706 Giraffe Transporter
• 0707 Fire Engine
• 0708 Pick-up Trailer

This is a range of very robust and sturdy looking vehicles. All these toys used the same basic parts. The idea of the project, apart from providing suitably sturdy toys for the pre-school age group, was to be able to mass-produce on a vast scale, thereby keeping costs as low as possible. The common parts included the chassis, wheels and axles; the cab and its window; the seat moulding, which also gave a styling strip along the sides. The cab itself was a double impression mould in which the cabs were moulded back to back, again to keep unit costs low. The whole range was in great demand by the trade once they had had sight of the pre-production samples and the initial response was very encouraging." (p.190)

"1971 - six further Qualitoy items were introduced during the year, but these would be the last." (p.215)

It doesn't say what these six are, sadly!

There's details of one fella's attempts to track down a full collection on the Diecast Rescue forum:

the unknown Corgi's: Qualitoys turbine series - Diecast Rescue (tapatalk.com)

That was where I stole the above dining table pic from...

[RoadworkUK]

39 minutes ago, Mrcento said:

I started a few years back and sold a couple but the faff of advertising was a nightmare.

Can relate. 1/18s are a mare. I'm rapidly concluding that anything other than those of known value isn't worth attempting to sell. Bburagos certainly aren't worth the bother, sadly;  they're the Days Gone of the large scale world. They're pricey to post, too.

[eddyramrod]

It's surprising what can find a home through these very pages, if the price is right

[loserone]

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Mothercare

I've got that train set at my parents, could probably get some pictures if folk wanted

[Mrcento]

40 minutes ago, RoadworkUK said:

Can relate. 1/18s are a mare. I'm rapidly concluding that anything other than those of known value isn't worth attempting to sell. Bburagos certainly aren't worth the bother, sadly;  they're the Days Gone of the large scale world. They're pricey to post, too.

I tended to have a look at what's already on things like Ebay and what they're selling for/if there's demand before i even bothered listing.

Pretty much reached the same conclusion. There are some Bburagos that seem pretty saleable but we're talking 1-2% of their catalogue. The rest just aren't worth the hassle.

A lot of my smaller stuff is 'shite', Mondeos, Xantias, XM's, Galaxys, SD1's, Sierras, Transits, Dyanes etc. I do have some larger 'Shite' as well, a 1/18 Pug 406 coupe, A Chrysler PT Cruiser, Jag S and X type, 2CV, Alfa Spider (The Fiat Coupe based 90's one), Merc a and M class, LR Freelander etc. I also have things in 1/24 like Puntos, Cinqs, Alfa 156's, Escorts

I'll get around to digging them out some day!

[bunglebus]

3 hours ago, 17-Coffees said:

Last month I talked of the HW stuff I had, I finally got to taking a photo...

That is probably the most interesting one, shame about the card damage

 

[flat4alfa]

2 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

"1969 Overview - A new series of 'Turbo' trucks would be launched under the brand name 'Qualitoys'. "

• 0705 Horse Box
• 0706 Giraffe TransporteR

The casting states a Turbine not Turbo, I think they confused themselves.  

After all, a Gas Turbine on full chat getting to Aintree would scare the horses so much they would be lame before they arrived !

The Giraffes, though might just be out of earshot and be ok.  Probably.

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, Mrcento said:

I'll get around to digging them out some day!

The next Tat Wednesday is June 2nd

No pressure 😉😊

[eddyramrod]

We have all the time in the world...

And then Tracy overtakes us on the way to the beach...

[flat4alfa]

Best Bond film ever

[Split_Pin]

1/24 Bburagos from the 1970s and 1980s are very collectible and certainly worth advertising*

Polistils from the same era are equally if not moreso sought after.

*By that I mean advertising to me personally by PM!

[flat4alfa]

2 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Best Bond film ever

I do like a good Cougar.

[bunglebus]

Well ladies and gents, I know some of you enjoy grubby die casts, so I have a special treat for you. I scored a job lot off eBay, here's the pic:

I thought they must have been in a fire, but they're actually just unbelievably, disgustingly filthy, as if they've been stored in a pigeon loft or something. Genuwin barn finds innit M9?

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They look to have been in pretty nice condition before they ended up wherever it was they were stored, but every man jack has paper stickers, so do I just dunk them and try and replace the decals, or what?

One way or another, they're still a pretty good score considering I was the only bidder...for 1p. P+P added £4.99 but still a bargain I reckon.

And yes, I washed my hands and the worktop thoroughly after handling them!

[Datsuncog]

Yuk, I think that beats the dusty fire engines in terms of sheer mank!

I reckon they've been stored in an attic which has bitumenised felt under the roof tiles. In warm weather, brown tar-like droplets can form and fall onto items in the attic.

Ask me how I know...

I'd recommend dunking in hot soapy water to try to loosen and degrease the glar from the paintwork; sadly the paper decals are probably stained beyond help beneath the mess, so I'd be budgeting for replacement stickers.

Still, a very good price!

[bunglebus]

That Merryweather fire engine is a heavy bit of kit! Is the one that actually works, I seem to recall it getting discussed a while ago. There's a filler on the roof;

 

[Datsuncog]

Looks like it'll scrub up pretty well - the others seem to have sacrificed themselves to mostly keep the muck off this one, except for the nose.

If reproduction ladders and hoses are available, this could look pretty nice very quickly.

They're hugely heavy, aren't they?

[bunglebus]

4 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

They're hugely heavy, aren't they?

Half a kilo. More with the ladder and a full water tank...

[bunglebus]

It's amazing what a bit of elbow grease can do

Started with the Husky as it's beyond saving anyway 

still a bit of tarry stuff on its rear deck but I'm not putting too much effort into it. Then did just the front of the Merryweather

that's enough for tonight but looks promising 

[flat4alfa]

Dinky Merryweathers are keepers.  That one looks well worth the top bid

The Transit will double your money after the scrub down. After all. you still have issue slidey doors?  This time, doors that slide might help win the game 

/ bit jealous

[bunglebus]

1 minute ago, flat4alfa said:

Dinky Merryweathers are keepers.  That one looks well worth the top bid

The Transit will double your money after the scrub down. After all you have issue slidey doors. This time, doors that slide might help win the game 

/ bit jealous

It does seem a shame they've got into this state - but if they weren't I wouldn't have got them for 1P (sorry) 😄

[Datsuncog]

33 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Started with the Husky as it's beyond saving anyway 

The roof's certainly had it, but the front end looks surprisingly intact.

Coincidentally I happen to have one still with its roof and glazing but suffering a busted grille and bumpers...

 

[bunglebus]

1 hour ago, Datsuncog said:

Coincidentally I happen to have one still with its roof and glazing but suffering a busted grille and bumpers...

Do you want this one as a donor/put the bumperless one in my box? I have already redone one of these

I'm still not sure I made the right colour choice

[bunglebus]

Degunked

I can also report the water pump functions perfectly 

 

[bunglebus]

Not tea bag

[flat4alfa]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

I'm still not sure I made the right colour choice

[bunglebus]

Nice

[eddyramrod]

Just now, bunglebus said:

 

I'm still not sure I made the right colour choice

I am!  You totally did!

[bunglebus]

These are improved but not exactly perfect 

[Tenmil Socket]

I'm off to Lincoln tomorrow for the weekend. I'm hoping there'll be some charity shops containing some decent TAT as there's never anything in the local shops. 

[Datsuncog]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Do you want this one as a donor/put the bumperless one in my box? I have already redone one of these

I'm still not sure I made the right colour choice

It's highly unlikely I'll ever do much with it, so happy to bung you over the market find, gratis!

I think the red-orange looks pretty awesome on that one.