Shite in Miniature II

10,105 · August 16, 2021

49 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

I think that's probably beyond saving then unfortunately. Seen folk use clear plastic packaging to replace windows but it's not something I've tried (well I did but gave up). Easier on flat parts like the sides, curved screen will be harder to do.

I think thin plastic will be easier than attempting to heat part of a cassette box but I'd be happy to be proved wrong.

Other method I've seen is using silicone molds and clear resin, but you need a good part to copy and ideally a vacuum tank to degas the resin, lovely if you have the space and funds to set it all up I'm sure

I wonder if the windows from a Hotwheels Escort could be made to fit?

56,371 · August 16, 2021

Stranger things have happened

August 16, 2021

It's certainly a thought.
Do we reckon the Hot Wheels is still current?

5,241 · August 16, 2021

2 hours ago, Mad Cyril said:

Erm...well..yes..it's actually like this...erm...

The glass was a bit cloudy so I left it in a tub of tyre shine overnight, which seemed to make it worse not better.

Then I tried to T-Cut it, which made it even cloudier.

Next, I tried a bit of acrylic lacquer on an unseen bit which seemed to make it better so I thought I'd lacquer all of it, which made it even worse and was drying a bit creamy so I used a hot air gun on it for some reason I can't begin to comprehend and melted the windscreen.

On a positive note the rear and side windows actually look just about okay but the windscreen is probably going to be made out of an old cassette box and will look absolutely shocking I'm sure.

Harrumph.

You could try laying a piece of thin clear plastic over the original unit and gently heating it with a hair dryer to shape?

42,755 · August 16, 2021

I've been meaning to explore vacuum-forming for a while now

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274715664489

Either pick one up or build a similar one

56,371 · August 16, 2021

53 minutes ago, Mad Cyril said:

It's certainly a thought.
Do we reckon the Hot Wheels is still current?

Not been released lately but they still turn up in Poundland etc. Think I have a couple of the black ones in my project box

10,105 · August 16, 2021

Corgi Rockets Escort with Hotwheels glazing

The HW's glazing is deeper,so needs a bit trimming off the bottom.It's also slightly longer,to make it fit better,you could cut it into 2 parts in front of the B pillar & fit the front & rear parts seperately.If you spent a bit of time,you could get a really good fit.

5,124 · August 16, 2021

Not bought a lot of diecast lately but found some newish Hot Wheels stock in Morrisons.

I like the HW Buick version of the A-body cars. It looks more 'factory' than the Chevy Monte Carlo casting as it doesn't have the bigger rear wheels and hood scoop.

I nearly passed this one up as I thought it was the previous version of the Celica until I realised it's a different shade of green. The wheels are slightly better on this one too IMO.

The newer shape MX5/Miata looks good in this grey colour scheme. But what's that?

Another Then & Now that I'll have to find the older sibling of...

Another colourway for the muddy-boots Volks-Porsche. Got a new release of the Matchbox version of the 914 heading my way too!

And as shown in junkyarddog's post, the brand new Land cruiser casting is an absolute gem.

That front end detail is superb for the scale and price point.

56,371 · August 17, 2021

8 hours ago, 155V6 said:

Corgi Rockets Escort with Hotwheels glazing

I'm amazed that works so well, nice job!

While I was looking at pictures of the two castings last night I found something to irritate completionists - the mainline and 5 pack cars are not quite the same

Fast and Furious 5 pack car has tinted glass and no Hot Wheels logo on the rear quarter. Off to check my collection...

32,179 · August 17, 2021

Such a good casting that, the original blue was still the nicest release IMO.

39,435 · August 17, 2021

Don’t know what seems to be going off with Matchbox again, we are back to the old scenario where there’s months and months of nothing new.

42,755 · August 17, 2021

I've stopped being completionist and things are better now

Still don't understand why Matchbox didn't release an Escort until Mk2 though

Or Majorette, Lone Star, MC Toy etc

56,371 · August 17, 2021

2 hours ago, flat4alfa said:

Still don't understand why Matchbox didn't release an Escort until Mk2 though

Or Majorette, Lone Star, MC Toy etc

No, very odd for such a popular car. Hot Wheels are bringing one out but it'll be a while before it filters down to the mainline and gets thoroughly scalped

56,371 · August 17, 2021

I was given a box of cars recently, there were some interesting bits in there as I'm sorting through it - anyone know what these Corgi trailers carried/were towed by?

42,755 · August 17, 2021

The red one is the twin racing motorbike trailer, dragged by a C7 Jeep or Matra Rancho

The gold one dragged the JPS Lotus F1 in the Lotus Elite set

39,435 · August 17, 2021

21 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

No, very odd for such a popular car. Hot Wheels are bringing one out but it'll be a while before it filters down to the mainline and gets thoroughly scalped

Majorette were very patriotic, it seems their home market wanted the domestic car so perhaps a GS or a Renault 4.

42,755 · August 17, 2021

While Ford Escort Mk1 was current, the Citroens were DS, GS, SM. Renaults were 16, 17, 5. Simcas were 180 and Matra Bagheera.

Majorette had small lines in those days - but for 1969-71 they did produce Merc 280, Porsche 917, DAF truck as the foreigners

For 1972: VW Beetle, Fiat 127, Jaguar E.

For 1973: VW K70, VW Type 2 and the first of the model that became the Dodge pickup/fire truck/snow plough/safari etc.

For 1974: BMW CS, Plymouth Fury.

Simca 1100 and Renault 4 van didn't arrive until 1975!

42,755 · August 17, 2021

All is not lost!!

Just found out SCHUCO did a 1/66 Escort Mk1, 1969-75

It also does have the SUPER SCHNELL wheels and a pubic hair on the door to confirm the growler era.

42,755 · August 17, 2021

On 8/8/2020 at 11:46 AM, bunglebus said:

Only one delivery today, but what a little beauty - Schuco MK1 Escort

And here is one

2,091 · August 17, 2021

Miniature tat sale anyone?

Will update shortly, once I've gone through all the boxes. By which time I'll have decided that I can't part with 90% of them all!

32,179 · August 17, 2021

*SPLIT_PIN INTENSIFIES*

5,241 · August 17, 2021

23 minutes ago, Burnside said:

Miniature tat sale anyone?

Will update shortly, once I've gone through all the boxes. By which time I'll have decided that I can't part with 90% of them all!

You’ll find it’ll be closer to 95% 😆

42,755 · August 17, 2021

With thanks to @Tenmil Socket, there can be another round of WHO DID IT WORSE ?

In the left corner: The Corgi Rockets Morgan Plus 8

In the right corner: The Majorette Serie 200 Morgan Plus 8

The Corgi had a short life, just 1970-1972 as a Rocket and 1971-73 as a Whizzwheel. This is one of the earliest Rocket examples (if the chassis is original!) as it has the all-black wheel set. It is missing the steering wheel, but apparently many left the factory without one...

The Majorette spanned a much longer lifetime through 1979-04. This red example apparently dates to 1986-87.

Interesting to note the Majorette has the second fuel filler, but there are only 6 bonnet side louvres (there should be 8 ) and the bonnet top louvres were never chromed on a real car; perhaps they though it a good idea to brighten it up by carrying the brightwork through.

The Corgi has slightly lower quality casting, but the 'Solarbrite' red paint must have wound-up the giffers in the owner's club, so that's a good thing.