Shite in Miniature II

[155V6]

A few more recent car boot/charity shop finds which I haven't shown

The Barbie scooter?,that's for my Pink Panther to sit on 😁

[andy18s]

My ex's first car was a mk1 Astra in that shade of pea green

She drove it hard and soon had perfected lift off oversteer in it

[bunglebus]

My favourite charity shop have restocked, came away with quite a few bits - but I had to have a word with the woman behind the till as she was literally throwing each one into a bag on the counter. I explained I wanted to keep them nice and could she not do that? She had a grumble but did put them in gently afterwards. I don't get it, if I was buying crockery or even books they wouldn't get bashed about. Anyway rant over, here's my haul.

Majorette Pompier complete with extending ladder

The "not a Matchbox" Majorette Model A van

Majo Transit - looks like the creations banger racers parade around on after a race

Corgi ovloV

Not seen the Buick Regal in these colours - a later multipack release?

911

LR

Matchbox AMC

Clean T3 ambulance 

HW Beetle cab - never really liked this casting but I think with decent paint and less sticky-out wheels it could work

This is probably the best score

I grabbed these thinking one of you lot will probably want them?

Next up, Matchbox Specials Mustang

And a Corgi Jag

This one I haven't ID'd yet - anyone?

Lastly - bloody hell, it's a Buddy L!

There were a few of the larger MC Toys efforts in there but they don't do much for me generally 

[andrew e]

Want to do a swap on the Vitara?

[bunglebus]

Sure! 😁

[Tenmil Socket]

1 hour ago, bunglebus said:

My favourite charity shop have restocked, came away with quite a few bits - but I had to have a word with the woman behind the till as she was literally throwing each one into a bag on the counter. I explained I wanted to keep them nice and could she not do that? She had a grumble but did put them in gently afterwards. I don't get it, if I was buying crockery or even books they wouldn't get bashed about. Anyway rant over, here's my haul.

Majorette Pompier complete with extending ladder

The "not a Matchbox" Majorette Model A van

Majo Transit - looks like the creations banger racers parade around on after a race

Corgi ovloV

Not seen the Buick Regal in these colours - a later multipack release?

911

LR

Matchbox AMC

Clean T3 ambulance 

HW Beetle cab - never really liked this casting but I think with decent paint and less sticky-out wheels it could work

This is probably the best score

I grabbed these thinking one of you lot will probably want them?

Next up, Matchbox Specials Mustang

And a Corgi Jag

This one I haven't ID'd yet - anyone?

Lastly - bloody hell, it's a Buddy L!

There were a few of the larger MC Toys efforts in there but they don't do much for me generally 

I visited 6 charity shops on Saturday and didn’t find one flipping due-cast 😞

[Remspoor]

21 hours ago, barrett said:

Right. We've all seen some Pilen models here before, and the company has been discussed a little bit in the past. As with lots of these smaller European makers it's difficult to find much information about them in English (although there is a pretty good wikipedia page, as it happens) but in summary, the firm's 1:43 range was almost entirely made up of second-hand castings from other European manufacturers, with some crossover with the last of the 'proper' Dinkys built in Spain, which either started as Pilens and became Dinkys, or more likely the other way round. Of the Spanish 'big three', Pilen seemed to have the jump on quality over both Joal and Guisval (and Mira, actually) although most of the recycled models were a drop down from the originals.

Still reading? Well, Pilen did release a small handful of original models in the early '70s. These are particularly interesting because most of them were subjects that were not modelled in 1:43 scale by any other manufacturers, and they all fit loosely into my self-imposed GT/prototype/coachbuilt theme. And now I have two of them!

Both pretty unfamiliar, huh? The pinkish one is the 1970 Vauxhall SRV concept car, and the green one is an Intermeccanica Indra. Hardly the most obvious choices for diecast toys I'd say.

The Vauxhall is a great little thing, despite the odd colour choice (the real thing was silver, which was also available on this model). Note particularly the accurate wheels and engine area (although, bizarrely, the two banks of dials and switches in the engine bay are reversed from the real thing).

The Indra, too, is really well done, with great proportions and excellent details. The wheels are also accurate to the prototype and unique to this model, and that looks enough like a big Chevy V8 under the bonnet to satisfy me. Both of these are pretty rare, but not incredibly so. The Indra is more often seen in other, less attractive colours, so after months of watching this one I took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.

I think this goes to show the designers in Spain could come up with stuff that was just as nice as their Italian and French counterparts. It's a shame there weren't more 'genuine' Pilens, but at least the small range gives me something to aim for... the other models were a lovely Monteverdi Hai (which, if I ever find one, means I'll have to spalsh out on the Dinky 375 to go with it), a brilliant AMC Javelin (oddly, the even more obscure Spanish Inter-Cars/Narcoral company made an AMC AMX, which would be a great pairing. That one's often described as a copy of the Pilen, but they are clearly representing two different models), a Seat 124 coupe (I don't think this was a re-make but I'm not certain) and a Seat Bocanegra (other companies made these - every Spanish company did, in fact - but the Pilen is by far the nicest). So, er, watch this space

If you are interested there is this concept made by Pilen.

Very little money, maybe P&P to be added.

https://en.todocoleccion.net/model-cars-scale-1-43-pilen/pilen-ref-315-chevrolet-astro-i-1-43~x193169983

 

[bunglebus]

37 minutes ago, Tenmil Socket said:

I visited 6 charity shops on Saturday and didn’t find one flipping due-cast 😞

Most don't seem to, one I used to frequent literally chucked them all away. I wonder if there's some 'elf and safety thing meaning they don't put them out. They must all get given them, I might ask in some of the other shops and hopefully save some from the bin.

34 minutes ago, Remspoor said:

If you are interested there is this concept made by Pilen.

Very little money, maybe P&P to be added.

https://en.todocoleccion.net/model-cars-scale-1-43-pilen/pilen-ref-315-chevrolet-astro-i-1-43~x193169983

 

That's lovely, as is the Probe 16 the site suggested too. Anyone going to Spain?

[barrett]

I'm not sure whose Astro that's a copy of, but it is a particularly nice version. The Probe is really nice too.

I haven't bought anything at all from Europe since the new rules came in in July, I'm quite apprehensive as, even ignoring the insane new postage prices, I'm never quite sure how much extra I'm going to have to pay on anything coming in when it arrives, or whether the vendor will even bother with all the customs forms etc

Assuming we're allowed to travel to France, and they revive Rétromobile next year (I think 50% chance of either at the moment) then I'll be going with a long want list and some cash. The diecast toy bit is actually insane but not something I normally pay too much attention to, but now I'm genuinely excited just about buying a load of old models from smelly French dickheads.

[eddyramrod]

2 hours ago, bunglebus said:

My favourite charity shop have restocked, came away with quite a few bits - but I had to have a word with the woman behind the till as she was literally throwing each one into a bag on the counter. I explained I wanted to keep them nice and could she not do that? She had a grumble but did put them in gently afterwards. I don't get it, if I was buying crockery or even books they wouldn't get bashed about. Anyway rant over, here's my haul.

Majorette Pompier complete with extending ladder

The "not a Matchbox" Majorette Model A van

Majo Transit - looks like the creations banger racers parade around on after a race

Corgi ovloV

Not seen the Buick Regal in these colours - a later multipack release?

911

LR

Matchbox AMC

Clean T3 ambulance 

HW Beetle cab - never really liked this casting but I think with decent paint and less sticky-out wheels it could work

This is probably the best score

I grabbed these thinking one of you lot will probably want them?

Next up, Matchbox Specials Mustang

And a Corgi Jag

This one I haven't ID'd yet - anyone?

Lastly - bloody hell, it's a Buddy L!

There were a few of the larger MC Toys efforts in there but they don't do much for me generally 

Mystery car is a 1982 Pontiac Firebird (like KITT).  Can't tell who made it though, sorry.

[eddyramrod]

PLEA!

Does anyone have a mangled one of these knocking about?

I've just done a restoration on one, but a bit has gone missing (some time ago, not during the process!)...

Front grille and headlights.  Obviously I can't finish the restoration until I get this.  Steve Flowers doesn't list it.  So I'm hoping one of the fine gentlemen and ladies frequenting this thread might be able to help me out.

[bunglebus]

10 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

Mystery car is a 1982 Pontiac Firebird (like KITT).  Can't tell who made it though, sorry.

Turns out it's by Summer

[Datsuncog]

15 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Majo Transit - looks like the creations banger racers parade around on after a race

Strange choice by Majorette - modelling the Transit TUG, a Ford concept from 1986.

[bunglebus]

Well I got my Corgi Porsche Carerra 6, and figures. Another lovely casting!

OI

[sierraman]

18 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

PLEA!

Does anyone have a mangled one of these knocking about?

I've just done a restoration on one, but a bit has gone missing (some time ago, not during the process!)...

Front grille and headlights.  Obviously I can't finish the restoration until I get this.  Steve Flowers doesn't list it.  So I'm hoping one of the fine gentlemen and ladies frequenting this thread might be able to help me out.

Never seen one in the flesh Eddy, I think you might have to make one. 

[bunglebus]

19 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

Does anyone have a mangled one of these knocking about?

Complete cars do come up on eBay but that kind of defeats the point unless it's squashed or something. I do watch them now and again as I have the yellow/black version 

[bicycle repairman]

some pics off my chop shop the bentley gold pa[nt reacted so back to drawing board,try it without prima

[egg]

22 hours ago, barrett said:

I haven't bought anything at all from Europe since the new rules came in in July, I'm quite apprehensive as, even ignoring the insane new postage prices, I'm never quite sure how much extra I'm going to have to pay on anything coming in when it arrives, or whether the vendor will even bother with all the customs forms etc

Might have mentioned before, but my Uncle had some diecast for me I'd bought from Leboncoin and had sent to him in France. Posting them to me post Brexit was about 15 euros I think, and he had to sign in triplicate on three different little forms. Daft.

[eddyramrod]

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

Complete cars do come up on eBay but that kind of defeats the point unless it's squashed or something. I do watch them now and again as I have the yellow/black version 

Yes, that's what mine started as.  And yes, I'm aware that a squashed one is what I need.  There'll be one somewhere.

[Remspoor]

On 8/4/2021 at 9:59 PM, bunglebus said:

Most don't seem to, one I used to frequent literally chucked them all away. I wonder if there's some 'elf and safety thing meaning they don't put them out. They must all get given them, I might ask in some of the other shops and hopefully save some from the bin.

That's lovely, as is the Probe 16 the site suggested too. Anyone going to Spain?

I live there but BCN is over 10 hours drive away (one way). Cost of shipping to the UK is quite variable. Slowest around 3 or 5 working days and ranging from 25 to 80€. The shipping is a killer. Maybe even VAT at the UK end.  Forms maybe be difficult but not a real barrier. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users

[Remspoor]

Goodnight all and happy Fritat.

[flat4alfa]

As usual, can’t sleep

Is it Tat Friday yet?

[flat4alfa]

Still awake grrr

[Split_Pin]

To salve my recent lack of good fortune with 1/1 cars I hit The Entertainer at the right time with these. They still have their 3 for 2 offer on Hot Wheels.

I'm particularly pleased with the Audi. Matchbox released an Rs6 and I remember being disappointed as the box artwork depicted an S2.

[flat4alfa]

[eddyramrod]

Popmaster's finished, and still no report.  Should we be worrying yet?

[bunglebus]

Hopefully not. I tried a few other charity shops today, found mostly cheap Chinese tat. But I bought some anyway, mainly for this

Don't know who made this Shove-It, but I'd like to compare it to the Kidco/Dinky version. Not a copy, opening doors are unusual on these basic castings

I also pocketed this BMW

A 300ZX

And a Fiat 131

 

[Datsuncog]

Friday indeed, with much rain... and again, no time for hanging about today, I'm afraid.

Some new old stuff on the stall again this morning:

Mmm, Lesney, Corgi and Dinky stuff.

Under the loading ramp for a Dinky Bedford OB Transporter lurked another decent Corgi LaFrance aerial ladder.

The Thompson price guide for Dinky Toys was published in 1983, so maybe a little out of date these days.

Corgi crane missing its tracks, but otherwise complete in terms of jibs.

If memory serves, this model was made for Corgi in Hong Kong, rather than in the Swansea factory.

Yet another Ford H-Series wrecker, in reasonable cosmetic fettle (and, unusually, with its fragile mirrors still intact) - but completely missing its towing booms and gantry, somehow.

Corgi Majors Midland Red Motorway Express Coach a bit tired looking, but complete.

Dinky caravans were new in, though missing their doors, as per usual. Draughty holidays ahoy.

This Dinky MGB roadster's been kicking round the boxes for a while now; the basic casting's fine, though requires a windscreen, steering wheel, driver and tyres to complete. I think this was the first Dinky model produced with opening doors.

Other boxes behind were just the same stuff you'll have seen in the previous weeks:

One or two new things, but nothing to get overly excited about.

Lesney stuff also down to the last remnants now.

Mk3 Zephyr rolling on metal wheels was a bit chipped, but otherwise alright.

Early plastic-base DS Safaris by Husky in different finishes:

Bumpers not that great, mind.

Lesney Thames minibus suffering paint loss, but still quite appealing all the same.

Superfast Dodge Cattle Truck one of the latest Matchbox in the trays, alongside some Fairlane police cars.

Difference in scaling and toymaking over the course of ten years can be seen - with the 27-A Bedford introduced in 1956, and the Dodge cab casting dating from 1966.

Also, note the difference between the original Type A (1956-57)and later, upscaled Type B models (1958-60) of the Bedford S tractor unit.

Oh, and a crew of firefighters had also arrived since last week.

Up top, not a great deal of novelty:

Some of the boxed Budgies and that Hong Kong BA airport bus were back on the stall again, but that was about it for the Tat Stall this week...

I took a quick spin past the Charity Stall, but there was nothing at all with wheels this week.

Paddy's Overpriced Market did have some new items, though...

Beautifully displayed, as ever.

Despite first appearances, there was actually some stuff worth poking for...

Well, there were some middling Bburago 1/43, '80s Corgi Juniors and '60s/'70s Lesney items hiding at the bottom - but in all honesty nothing particularly clean or particularly interesting, and definitely nothing worth the usual £5 asking price he's previously quoted me for playworn Matchbox.

Weird Firebird-esque police car may have been some sort of slot car, but seemed to be missing most of its motor/guide mechanism.

The only item of real note was this uncommon Matchbox Superkings Toyota HiLux, though it was fairly well played-with.

These caught my eye on the same stall:

('50p' refers to the box of postcards behind, NOT the models - more's the pity)

A quick shuffle through revealed a curious mixture of pound-shop no-name tat and some interesting stuff too:

No-name Suzuki SJ is a new casting to me - doesn't appear to be quite the same as the MC Toy/Maisto one.

Tomica Pajero and (rather tall) Nissan ZX police were powered versions, though I'm not sure how they operate.

Interesting though these were, there was no price and no stallholder to ask, and I was on a deadline- so I had to scoot before I could find out.

Given that he's yet to sell many of the items that were on the stall last year, I wouldn't imagine he's yet reconsidered his pricing policy.

File under: Probably Ambitious.

So I had to dash to get home again before 9, but did come away with these:

I think @egg had previously expressed an interest in a Lesney 10a Scammell Mechanical Horse?

Yours if you fancy it - and he only charged me £1, which wasn't bad going.

I've been after a decent Lesney Major Pack M-6/ King Size K-5 Racing Transporter for years:

It's not perfect - but it's complete, the paint and stickers are in an acceptable state, and the glazing is uncracked.

Good enough.

M-6 Major Packs designation indicates that this is an early release from 1965 or 66 - after this, it was re-numbered in the range as King Size K-5. So this is at least 55 years old.

Loading ramp still works, too.

Snug fit, but it'll carry a Ford GT.

There were two of these M-6 transporters on the stall, as it happens - the other one wasn't significantly worse in terms of play wear, but this one had all its tyres so it just about edged it.

A keeper, for now anyway.

Corgi No. 420 Thames Airborne Caravan is a pink/purple variant of the blue one found early last year.

Little bit tatty, maybe, but this precise version came up in conversation with CogSr the other week as one of the much-missed Corgis he'd owned as a kid, so it'll be going down to him as a gift.

Who knows, it could even be his exact one?

Slight difference in profile between the back doors, mind - not sure if this is a flaw, a spot of damage, or a design feature.

Lastly, this:

It's a trailer for the Lesney M-2 Bedford box van.

Which, conveniently, matches the M-2 Bedford tractor unit I picked up the other week.

The trailer wasn't knocking around in previous weeks (I've been checking), so at a guess it's been languishing in another box somewhere and hadn't appeared on the stall before today.

Nice to reunite these two, even though the rear doors are missing, as tends to be the case with these.

Still, it's a lovely little thing and should display well - another keeper, for now anyway.

So there we have it - a steady state, rather than a tat supernova, but worth trailing in this morning.

Course, all hell had broken loose by the time I got home and logged on, but that's a whole other thing...

Til next week (hopefully)!

[junkyarddog]

4 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

To salve my recent lack of good fortune with 1/1 cars I hit The Entertainer at the right time with these. They still have their 3 for 2 offer on Hot Wheels.

I'm particularly pleased with the Audi. Matchbox released an Rs6 and I remember being disappointed as the box artwork depicted an S2.

Nice finds,

I can't find that Mercedes anywhere!

Got the Audi,and the Celica is an old casting that I have a few of,but the Merc is proving elusive.

Maybe it's a sign to stop collecting,it's starting to become a bit of an obsession now.....

[RoadworkUK]

That racing transporter is stunning. Lovely find.