Shite in Miniature II

[Burnside]

Recently unearthed this sad Schabak 1:43 Ford Sierra Sapphire from the loft. I've previously had two attempts at painting this 4 years ago, both ended in failure.

So I've put it away until I was ready to try again. Unfortunately I've lost the left front headlight, but by luck my brother had a broken Vanguard's Sierra.

The light will fit, expect that the joined indicator section fowls on the pin for the Schabak's separate Indicator. If that makes sense? ( Picture of both below )

So does anyone have any ideas, on how best to cut the replacement lights down?

As I only have a Stanley blade and one shot without ruining them at present! 

[Split_Pin]

My tactic for this sort of thing is to gently clamp the part and twirl a very small, sharp drill bit twixt finger and thumb to carefully make the hole.

Alternatively you can get a pack of jewellers files from places like The Range for a fiver to file off the pin.

[bunglebus]

A small arrival at casa Bunglebus. Somehow apparently undamaged despite just one of those grey postal bags to protect them - surely the seller must have known they were in good condition, why not ensure they stayed like it? Anyway rant over.

T3 Ambulance 

Just an "Ambulance" - what's it based on?

Plus a couple of Yatmings or copies of

 

[eddyramrod]

The "Ambulance" is a mid-70s Chevy C10, or more likely C20 pickup; much of the same engineering as the Blazer but (usually) without the 4x4 capability.  Also the same frontal pressings.

[sierraman]

Those VW Transporters make a good camper conversion. I’ve got one I’m planning on doing an eighties tastic Westfalia look in beige and brown.

[bunglebus]

I do wonder why they didn't make more use of the casting, a few different liveries, an all white Graphic Traffic and a black version are all I know of.

[flat4alfa]

13 hours ago, Burnside said:

So does anyone have any ideas, on how best to cut the replacement lights down?

As I only have a Stanley blade and one shot without ruining them at present! 

I would tape a piece of fine sandpaper down on a surface, then rub back the piece in circular motions, applying a spot of water as you go. The patience should pay off with a smoother finish too

[flat4alfa]

Is it Tat Wednesday already?

Miriam is wearing AS colours to celebrate 

[sierraman]

Anyone a Micro Machines botherer and want this XJS for the cost of postage? 

Wheels are a bit wonky but it’s otherwise good. 

 

[egg]

New arrival.

English rose will be restored, but maybe not two tone!

 

[bunglebus]

I got a few bits too.

Majorette Alpine A310 in Police livery

Majo Lancia Monte Carlo - I really need to make a "Giselle" to go with the various Herbies I have

Good job there's a spare

Next up, Norev Pug 505

I had a spare Zylmex MK1 Transit and sold it. So obviously I needed to buy another. I wonder if the tailgate fits the Husky ones?

Back to Majorette with this Autobianchi A112

Corgi Sierra in a livery I hadn't seen before - British Racing and Sports Car Club

Lastly, grabbed this Hare Splitter in a job lot. Has obviously been on garden duty but cleaned up OK

[bunglebus]

On 5/31/2021 at 1:11 PM, egg said:

Anyone ever left a diecast without any primer/paint but just chucked some clear coat on to protect it?

I forgot - left a Majorette R4 van in bare metal too

Here's the Corvette

 

[andrew e]

The corgi pace car comes in 1:36 too.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Just spotted this blurb on a Matchbox listing. Thought I'd share it here as it makes for interesting reading. I didn't know anything about their early history to be fair. 

 

The Matchbox name originated in 1953 as a brand name of the British die-casting company Lesney Products, whose reputation was moulded by[2] John W. "Jack" Odell (1920–2007),[3] Leslie Charles Smith (1918–2005),[4] and Rodney Smith. The name Lesney was a portmanteau of Leslie and Rodney Smith's first names. Their first major sales success was the popular model of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation coach, which sold more than a million models. Lesney co-owner Jack Odell then created a toy that paved the way for the company's future success which was designed for his daughter. Her school only allowed children to bring toys that could fit inside a matchbox, so Odell crafted a scaled-down version of the Lesney green and red road roller. This toy ultimately became the first of the 1-75 miniature range. A dump truck and a cement mixer completed the original three-model release that marked the starting point for the mass-market success of the Matchbox series. The company decided to sell the models in replica matchboxes, thus yielding the name of the series. Additional models continued to be added to the line throughout the decade, including cars such as an MG Midget TD, a Vauxhall Cresta, a Ford Zodiac, and many others. As the collection grew, it also gradually became more international, including models of Volkswagens, a Citroën, and American makes. To make such miniatures, the designers took detailed photographs of the real models, even obtaining some original blueprints. This enabled them to make models with surprisingly high levels of detail, despite the small scale. The size of the models allowed Matchbox to occupy a market niche barely touched by the competition; the associated price advantage made the toys affordable and helped establish "Matchbox" as a generic word for small toy cars, whatever the brand. Moko; growth & development of the 1-75 and other core series In the earliest years of the regular, or 1-75 series – well before the series actually numbered 75 models – Lesney was marketed/distributed by Moko (itself named after its founder, Moses Kohnstam). Boxes in that era mentioned this, with the text "A Moko Lesney" appearing on each. Lesney gained its independence from Moko in 1959[5] by buying out Moko's share in the joint enterprise, leading to a period of growth, both in sales and in size. Early models did not feature windows or interiors, were made entirely of metal, and were often about 2" (5 cm) in length. By 1968, Matchbox was the biggest-selling brand of small die-cast model cars worldwide. By this time, the average model in their collection featured plastic windows, interiors, tyres (often with separate disc wheels), and occasional accessories; spring suspensions; opening parts; and was about 3" (7 cm) long. Some even featured steering, including the pressure-based AutoSteer system debuting in 1969. The line was very diverse, including lorries, buses, tractors, motorcycles, and trailers as well as standard passenger cars. A 1968/1969 Lesney-Era Matchbox Ford Pickup The three dominant brands in the world at the time, all British-made (Dinky, Matchbox and Corgi), were very successful. Each had its own market niche and its own strong reputation, while innovations and advances by one were adopted by the others within a matter of a few years. Each also expanded to some extent into the others' territory, though this never seemed to seriously affect the sales of any brand's core series. As part of Lesney's expansion activities, four further die-cast model ranges were introduced during the 1950s and 60s. The Models of Yesteryear, introduced in 1956, were renditions of classic vehicles from the steam and early automotive eras. These were often about 3½-4" in length. Accessories Packs were also introduced in 1956 and included petrol pumps, garages, and the like. Major Packs, which were larger-scale models, often of construction vehicles, were added in 1957. The King Size series of larger-scale trucks and tractors was added in 1960 and was diversified from 1967 onwards to include passenger car models in a scale similar to that used by Corgi and Dinky. Major Packs had been absorbed into the King Size range by 1968. Competition and crisis However, the main focus at Matchbox continued to be their smaller cars. Other brands, including Husky/Corgi Junior, Budgie, and Cigar Box, attempted to compete with Matchbox, but none were particularly successful until American toy giant Mattel introduced the revolutionary low-friction "racing" wheels on its Hot Wheels line of cars. These models, although less true to scale and often featuring fantasy vehicles, were attractive, painted in bright metallic colours and fitted with racing-style "mag" wheels and slick tires, and were marketed aggressively and with numerous accessory products, such as race track sets and the like. The Hot Wheels line often featured models that were decidedly American. In 1969, a second competitor based in the US, Johnny Lightning, entered the market, and the bottom effectively fell out of Lesney's US sales. At the same time, the other major market (the UK) was also under attack by competitors.[2] Lesney's response to this was relatively quick – but not quick enough to avoid major financial worries – by creating the "Superfast" line.[2] This was effectively a transformation of the 1969 line to include low-friction wheels (at first narrow, since the company needed time to retool the series to accommodate wide tires), often accompanied with new colours. The result was, at first, a strange but interesting line of fast-wheeling cars, trucks, and trailers, basically complete in 1970. Racing track sets and the like were also released to allow children to race their cars. Starting in 1970 and particularly in 1971, new models appeared with wider tyres, and older models (including trucks still in the line) were retooled to fit slicks. The King Size range was similarly updated, including a division into Super Kings (mostly trucks, but also with mag wheels) and Speed Kings (cars). A short-lived series of rechargeable electric cars, called Scorpions, was released as well, to compete with similar products from Hot Wheels (Sizzlers) and Corgi (ElectroRockets). By the mid-1970s, Matchbox was again a force on the world market, having completed the transition and having even updated its line to include some fantasy vehicles. The 1-75 series was also amended to include the Rola-Matics (featuring mechanical parts that moved when the vehicle was moved) and Streakers, the latter an attempt to compete with Hot Wheels' newest innovation, tampo-printing on the vehicle itself.

[WillCarter]

I wonder why no company has ever tackled a 'Bucket' Rover 200? Seems like it would be a no brainer in the right shade of blue. 

[eddyramrod]

It would appeal to Shiters, but honestly?  Who else would buy it?

[Amishtat]

I probably oughtn't to ask having had a good one last week, but is it Tat Friday? 

[bunglebus]

Hope so! Tesco Hatfield have just restocked Matchbox if anyone's looking

[RoadworkUK]

Ngggg. I'm supposed to be decluttering with a view to a potential house move. I might have to personally rename this part of the week as Marital Strain day.

[egg]

I wondered if.... instead of restoring the Spot On, could I actually just get rid of the overpaint...several hours later...well I never!

[bunglebus]

Awesome colour!

[Amishtat]

How did you get the newer paint off? 

[Datsuncog]

On 6/4/2021 at 7:07 AM, Amishtat said:

I probably oughtn't to ask having had a good one last week, but is it Tat Friday? 

Ehhhhh... well, it seems that since last week was so profitable, Market Blokey's jetted off to his private island in the Maldives. Or something.

Friday, yes. Market, yes.

Tat - no.

Most disappointing, you'll agree.

Hopefully all's well with him, though - he did say last time that he'd see me again next week, so this doesn't appear to be a planned leave of absence.

So I've been kicking around the market with a degree of disgruntlement, and sadly there's not much else to interest.

The Junkman, normally adjacent to Nostalgic Collectables, has a few carded Hot Wheels of recent provenance.

The Irish Tat stall over the way had the usual small array of Vanguards and Oxford Diecast, and it wouldn't be the first time I've sought diecast succour from their wares when Blokey hasn't showed, but I'm not really feeling it today.

I hadn't seen this set before, though at £70, they can keep it.

Paddy's Overpriced Market did have some new items: this mahoosive 1/12 Jaguar XJ220 by Maisto, for one.

Doubtless, he knows what it's wurf m8, and has it priced accordingly - although I expect he has it book-priced against a real one.

And it's missing a spoiler.

This semi-novelty was also fresh in:

No prices, and predictably enough no-one around to ask. But, if you fancy a good laugh, I can make enquiries.

The Charity Stall had nothing at all of interest, save a very large Tonka crane truck, while both Alan and his Emporium seem to have gone AWOL, as this is the third week on the trot he's been absent.

So! In an effort to cheer myself up, I went and got a salted caramel latte from the decent coffee place on Oxford St, only to discover I don't really like salted caramel lattes after all.

A morning of disappointment all round!

I'll be heading back over shortly, just in case Market Blokey's alarm didn't go off and he's rushing through the doors in his jim-jams with a load of Spot-On under his arm, but I sadly doubt it...

Oh well. Next week, tat fans?

[flat4alfa]

Ah well

[egg]

18 minutes ago, Amishtat said:

How did you get the newer paint off? 

A combination of gentle application of brake fluid, autosol, soap and water, cocktail stick and sharp craft knife. The process did create some of the damage you can see above, as the paint was very well adhered and thick in places. All it needs now is a new front number plate from model supplies...

[egg]

17 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

I hadn't seen this set before, though at £70, they can keep it.

Thanks for trying. Only £43 on ebay!

[Amishtat]

I reckon Market Blokey has been waylaid by the Nemesis.. 

[RoadworkUK]

Those enormo-scale XJ220s are peculiarly uncoveted on eBay. I'm rather fond of mine, which was only a few handfuls of quid, despite its lovingly giffer-crafted wooden plinth with genuine gold-plated growler inset.

[bicycle repairman]

57 minutes ago, egg said:

I wondered if.... instead of restoring the Spot On, could I actually just get rid of the overpaint...several hours later...well I never!

HERE ONE AS BEEN RESTORED IN MY SAD COLLECTION 

[barrett]

1 hour ago, egg said:

I wondered if.... instead of restoring the Spot On, could I actually just get rid of the overpaint...several hours later...well I never!

That's a great transformation! Let me know if you ever want to move that on...