Shite in Miniature II

[bunglebus]

OMG Hot Wheels have made a MK2 Escort. I expect the set will be £ridiculous but hopefully the casting will end up in the mainline eventually 

 

[eddyramrod]

On 6/26/2021 at 9:35 AM, bunglebus said:

OMG Hot Wheels have made a MK2 Escort. I guarantee the set will be £ridiculous but hopefully the casting will end up in the mainline eventually 

 

EFA

[andy18s]

These sets are available to pre order for £40

[eddyramrod]

Thus proving @bunglebus's point!

[andrew e]

£40 isn’t dear when you think how much RRP is on a single vanguard Cortina…. It’s 2021 folks!

[andrew e]

Just a heads up for any Essex mini-shitters who were visiting  Rayleigh Sunday 

[sierraman]

1 hour ago, andrew e said:

£40 isn’t dear when you think how much RRP is on a single vanguard Cortina…. It’s 2021 folks!

It is expensive when you think about it but I suppose it depends how much you are devoted to your hobby I guess. 

[barrett]

Had my own personal tat friday with a package a long-desired 60s diecast. It's another one from 'the bible' which always intrigued me as a kid, if only because I had never seen one in the flesh

Yes, the 1967 Corgi MGB GT. Perhaps not a particularly shite subject, but one that struck me as particularly well-modelled and interesting because, whilst the real thing is one of, if not the most numerous old cars around, the toy version seemed like some rare exotic jewel. This is certainly the first time I've had one in my hot sticky hands in the 20-odd years since I first learned of its existence

So, does it live up to my own personal hype?

Absolutely! It's not only remarkably accurate and detailed, but it really seems to embody the spirit of the prototype. The front end in particular is beautifully done with an accurate grille, the little bump in the bonnet, jewelled headlamps etc

The rear lamps are a little lost with the red paint, but the badge tampo is superb (if, perhaps, not quite to scale)

The opening hatchback is inspired and has a really nice sprung action. Rear screen still in place, but the luggage is missing

It just looks great from every angle, and the wire wheels are a nice touch. I'm still not sure why this model seems to scarce - a quick search of ebay suggests about 30 examples are currently for sale, mostly MIB examples for loads of money. Searching for the approximately contemporaneous Lancia Fulva Zagato shows at least twice that number on offer in every possible condition. Why did a common, popular car like an MGB seemingly sell much worse than something 99% of kids would never have seen in real life?

Anyway, I'm really pleased to finally own this one. Thanks to @155V6 for making my dreams come true

[Amishtat]

They're a nicely done little thing aren't they? I didn't know they were particularly rare. 

[flat4alfa]

On 7/9/2020 at 5:28 PM, flat4alfa said:

 

Am also surprised the Corgi MGB is rare.

Ought to get Eddy's old one finished-off then!

 

[barrett]

Well, a rare Corgi is still pretty common. It does seem to be much less easily available than most of the late 60s output though. Even in 1985 the authors of that book claimed 'It will not be particularly easy to find'...

If there was a choice of 30 Politoys Lancia Flavia Sport Zagatos on ebay at any one time I'd be more than happy, so I guess everything is relative

[Jon]

Hi everyone.

Had a slightly easier time at work this week (only about 60 hours, this time) and I even managed to go to my favourite model shop, too - cheered me up no end, that did. So there'll be more photos to come as and when I have the chance.

That said, the thing I present to you today, I bought on Trademe a couple of weeks back.

 

The box art, though nice, tells many a lie:

Said contents are neither this shape, nor have opening doors. Not sure what the number 2 and accompanying arrow are telling me here.

 

A nice bit of 'back-o-the-box' art work, to jazz things up. No guesses for what the contents are, if you've read the bumf above - indeed, I revealed on this thread what it was last week!

 

And ain't she a little beauty! Sincerest apologies for low grade potato images, as these were snapped whilst Mrs_Jon was out for a 'run' - about 20 mins jog 'round town.

 

I'm pleased to say that it's absolutely flawless and nary even a sniff of the dreaded zinc pest. The images on Trademe weren't clear enough to decipher the numbers on the base, to see if they corresponded with known good/bad issue numbers but I figured that it looked vaguely Lada shaped still and seemed to be in one piece, so I bought it.

I mean, it's only money, eh?!

 

I will say that the blocks which represent the door handles are a little bit disappointing but that truly is nit picking; on the plus side, I simply can't think of a better shade it could've been painted in. That said, this isn't truly representative, as it's a little darker in real life.

 

Jeepers, this is really a very low grade photo here but it does show the opening bonnet, so I hope you'll forgive me. I promise to update in the distant future with it framed in some borderline dystopian backdrop, with some funky brutalist concrete backdrop, or next to some withered old ladies scrabbling for potatoes or something.

 

For now though, enjoy my line-up of current Novoexport castings. I'd love a Zil and one of those forward control vans (Zaz? Vaz? Something like that) and one of those hatchback Moskvitch things but I'll bide my time until they turn up - after all, it's as much about the thrill of the chase as the acquisition, eh 'shiters?

[Jon]

Actually, I just remembered - I DO have a Zil - and I've photographed it!

 

Sadly, it's not the 'real deal', just a James Bond partwork I bought some time last year, during a miniature shite drought period. Still quite nice though and not too expensive. Plus points for brutalist architecture. I imagine the person in the backdrop had no doubt just finished scrabbling around for potatoes, or something.

 

And here it is, not at all looking imposing, or striking fear into passers-by, through its sheer existence. 

 

It'll do, until @datsuncog feels like he's had enough of his kosher one...

 

 

[Jon]

And whilst I'm spamming with photos and looking through my archives, I remembered I have this one, too:

Again, nifty box art.

 

Contents not quite as nifty, especially with that high top. It is suitably wonky though, unlike later issues.

 

Perhaps a little too wonky, in hindsight. No zinc pest, just a missing screw and a front bumper.

 

I've also got this modern issue Tatra 613, which despite paying over the odds for and having no age, I can forgive as it's BLOODY LOVELY.

 

Almost makes me wonder how much a real one would cost - and how tricky it would be to get over to NZ...

[flat4alfa]

17 hours ago, stuboy said:

That trainer looks lonely.

[eddyramrod]

1 hour ago, flat4alfa said:

Am also surprised the Corgi MGB is rare.

Ought to get Eddy's old one finished-off then!

 

Yes you should! 

The reason the B is so rare is simple.  A couple of years into production, Corgi decided to convert the casting into the new MGC version, and that's how it stayed right to the end.  Usually in yellow and black.

[Amishtat]

That explains why all the MGCs I've seen have Whizzwheels then. Never knew that. If this post-hangover lethargy would sod off I'd go and dig out my MGB and take a proper look at it, but it's all the way out in the garage.. 

[Amishtat]

26 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

That trainer looks lonely.

Stuboy might be the Nemesis.. Fair play to him if so, that's an arduous journey every Friday. 

[AndyW201]

Get in! Success achieved at B&M!

Finally got the W124 Merc and it's brilliant. 

As already mentioned, the tampos are great, check out the headlight wipers! (On all the 190s I owned with them fitted, I made a point of making sure they worked. The amount of washer fluid they used though was unreal!)

Nice AMG ducktail on the back too.

Will have to dig out my real riders 190 Evo now, see how they compare.

Also got the '96 Carrera variant that I was missing.

Slippery slope, wha......

 

[egg]

Cheers @eddyramrod, super cellar, wud buy agane

To open or not to open?

[sierraman]

Picked up this Alfa 33 for 30p the rear wheel was missing so I rummaged through to find another Bburago to cannibalise. Unsure whether to paint this one or to leave it original? 

[bunglebus]

Doesn't look tea bag as it is - but I thought Alfas had to be red by law?

[sierraman]

Just checked out the prices on eBay, they seem to go for £10 unboxed in similar condition so I’ll keep it as it is. It can go next to the FIAT Regatta and the Norev Renault 18 in the collection of unsaleable cars in the 90’s. The cars you were ostensibly warned away from in any contemporary buyers guides. 

Also picked this Corgi Manta as well for 30p. Spared from the death being chucked about on a concrete patio.

[bunglebus]

What's the story with the grey windows on the Manta?

[sierraman]

I don’t know but looks factory. Can’t usually stand Hot Wheels but had to have this Anglia at 25p

[junkyarddog]

Bargain,Those are bloody hard to find!!

[flat4alfa]

18 hours ago, sierraman said:

Picked up this Alfa 33 for 30p the rear wheel was missing so I rummaged through to find another Bburago to cannibalise. Unsure whether to paint this one or to leave it original? 

Silver, like the one I've got sitting out there on a neighbour's driveway

Might even kick me into touch and make me get it fixed

Probably not, as I keep playing with miniature shite like these two

Peer inside yours and you'll see a faithful MK1 weirdo dashboard

Those above are the Bburago 1:18 and 1:43

30p is brill

[bunglebus]

Right, up at sparrow's fart to head to the boot sale - large plastic Merc and dealer Fords in my gunsights as requested 

[bunglebus]

Well that was a slightly odd morning, didn't check the weather and it was pretty grey. This seemed to affect attendance of both buyers and sellers, usually there are stalls all along the sides as well as the rows, today just the dog burger van and a few sellers of plants etc taking up the spots. Did get a few sprinklings of rain which sent a few sellers home early if they couldn't cover their wares.

For a while the most interesting thing I'd seen was this, not that I have any use for it

I thought I was going to come back almost empty handed, having just picked up a few 50p oddments like this Majorette bus

I did find a guy with some interesting old cars in the £££ glass case, one of which was a clockwork Schuco Beetle similar to this in lovely condition - turning it over revealed a sticker saying £125 - even at the seller's offer price of £80 I politely declined. I did try and find him again later but he'd disappeared

Then right at the end I found a big box of toys, seller offered me the lot for £20, I just took what I wanted which was 18 cars and some oddments, should have taken all of it and sold the Action Men really but never mind. Some were a bit broken but here are some interesting ones

I have no idea if this is old or some modern knock-off but it was in the box

Corgi Porker in a colour scheme I hadn't found before

Matchbox 5 series is another casting I didn't have

This one is f*ck*d but - don't Corgi Range Rovers have sliding covers over the rear windows normally?

Lucky Toys...something

Matchbox Bedford skip lorry, found the skip in the box luckily

Two mildly mangled Matchbox Merryweathers

Yet another Hydraulic Excavator

Mostly complete Scammell

Fairly good Commutator

Fair Bertone Runabout

A trio of Bandoleros, none with scoops of course

Fire Chief Dodge Monaco, I have the standard version already so this was a pleasing find

AA version of the K-6/11 Pick-Up Truck

Best of the bunch is this K-7 Racing Car Trainspotter, with ramp and plastic canopy intact. One of the doors stays open too!

 

[Datsuncog]

22 hours ago, barrett said:

Yes, the 1967 Corgi MGB GT. Perhaps not a particularly shite subject, but one that struck me as particularly well-modelled and interesting because, whilst the real thing is one of, if not the most numerous old cars around, the toy version seemed like some rare exotic jewel. This is certainly the first time I've had one in my hot sticky hands in the 20-odd years since I first learned of its existence

That looks lovely - great that the Minishite Distibution Network managed to come through!

Quote

 I'm still not sure why this model seems to scarce - a quick search of ebay suggests about 30 examples are currently for sale, mostly MIB examples for loads of money. Searching for the approximately contemporaneous Lancia Fulva Zagato shows at least twice that number on offer in every possible condition. Why did a common, popular car like an MGB seemingly sell much worse than something 99% of kids would never have seen in real life?

Anyway, I'm really pleased to finally own this one. Thanks to @155V6 for making my dreams come true

 

22 hours ago, barrett said:

Well, a rare Corgi is still pretty common. It does seem to be much less easily available than most of the late 60s output though. Even in 1985 the authors of that book claimed 'It will not be particularly easy to find'...

If there was a choice of 30 Politoys Lancia Flavia Sport Zagatos on ebay at any one time I'd be more than happy, so I guess everything is relative

Interestingly, a quick check through the Great Book of Corgi indicates that the MGB - and MGC, in both regular and Whizzwheels formats - sold in roughly equal numbers to the Fulvia (approx 700,000 each), and both castings were in the range for pretty much the same length of time.

327 MGB GT: launched March 1967, withdrawn 1969 - 555,000 sold in 1967/68 (1969 sales figures lost in a fire)

345 MGC GT, regular wheels: launched January 1969 in overprinted MGB box, withdrawn 1970 - sales unknown

378 MGC GT, Whizzwheels: launched September 1970, withdrawn 1972 - 118,000 sold

 

332 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato, regular wheels: launched September 1967, withdrawn 1969 - 467,000 sold in '67/68 (again, '69 figures lost)

372 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato, Whizzwheels: launched September 1970, withdrawn 1972 - 182,000 sold.

 

I'd guess that the main reason for relative scarcity of the MGB second-hand (and why the Fulvia's not all that hard to find) is the nostalgia factor - possibly a lot of people sorting through their childhood toys during a clear-out decided to hang on to their old Corgi MGB  'like the one Uncle Jim/ Auntie Liz/ the headmaster owned', but were happy enough to sell on their Fulvia Sport Zagato as they'd never seen one in real life, so there's no real personal link.

I think I came across this theory on Matchbox forums about why some castings of popular saloons and sports cars seem to be quite scarce on the market, even though they were made in huge quantities - while others (especially commercials and construction vehicles) seem to crop up all the time, even though they sold in smaller numbers.

The theory goes that thousands of them are still being kept by their original owners and their descendents, stored away in attics and cupboards and drawers, and so there are just fewer of them in circulation.

The ones up for sale are the ones people don't want to keep!

 

21 hours ago, Jon said:

Actually, I just remembered - I DO have a Zil - and I've photographed it!

Sadly, it's not the 'real deal', just a James Bond partwork I bought some time last year, during a miniature shite drought period. Still quite nice though and not too expensive. Plus points for brutalist architecture. I imagine the person in the backdrop had no doubt just finished scrabbling around for potatoes, or something.

And here it is, not at all looking imposing, or striking fear into passers-by, through its sheer existence. 

It'll do, until @datsuncog feels like he's had enough of his kosher one...

An original Radon Zil 117's here with your name on it - I already have a boxed one, so this was only ever surplus!

It's cleaned up nicely, though the suspension remaains saggy at the back. Chaika is now officially part of the DC collection, however.

Also, the Novexport Moskvitch Aleko's in the JonBox too...

 

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Right, up at sparrow's fart to head to the boot sale - large plastic Merc and dealer Fords in my gunsights as requested 

Chodspeed!