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I've dabbled in Airfix, Tamiya RC cars and Scalextric. So the next logical step would appear to be Dinky toys.
Going to have a go at renovating these two 50 year old wrecks.
They aren't in bad condition given their age. But each needs a strip and clean, new tracks and glass work, decals and a coat of paint.
Will do one in the original green and the other in the light blue of the TV show livery.
I've got one of those, plus the box. Currently in my mum's loft.
Is it in good condition?
If so see how much they go for!
I've seen some of these restorations and improvements of basic cars and such on Instagram, and wonder where do you get the spares from? Can't be a huge market in new tracks for those things!
I've got a couple of boxed matchbox cars , they are really nice tactile things. No idea where they came from, I suspect my parents were planning to give them as gifts and forgot about them.
Are they not worth more in original unrestored condition?
Absolute original minters go for hundreds, but wrecks go for around £30-£45 and restorations £60 and above. Neither of my two are original.
You are right about the tactility. The weight and the temperature.
I’ve got a SHADO UFO Interceptor, when I was a kid I scratched the chrome paint off the front panel to show the orange plastic. The paint was flaking off so I helped it along.
There’s some chrome paint in the garage left over from restoring car light reflectors. Might be a little project when the nights draw in.
Cool.
I was looking at them too, but finding a nice one was a bit expensive.
Shame Dinky painted so many of their Gerry Anderson stuff in strange colours. They had their reasons, but as an adult and a fan of the shows I would like to have seen them in their screen liveries.
I wonder if that site had legs for Thunderbird 2? There must be thousands of them in lofts with broken legs. Why they thought legs with the strength of vermicelli would hold a diecast toy.
Several YouTube channels do stuff like this and reveal where they get spares from. Marty’s Matchbox Makeovers is a good one.
I wonder if that site had legs for Thunderbird 2?
Yep. And now I want one!
I had loads of the Stargard stuff as a nipper. The price it fetches today. Yikes.
Starguard.
Sticky heads. How is yours holding up ?
The few I have are in quarantine.
Here's mine, recovered from my mums loft. Plus a cycling related Corgi Citroen DS Tour De France.
What are you using to strip paint these days?
@richmars That Shado in mint! With box is worth an absolute bomb if it is original.
@sam3000 This https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354266790978?var=623654219899
Yes, been looking at prices. I've got a few others I think I'll sell, but keep the Shado (all original, even have the instructions). The Corgi Chipperfield Performing Poodles can go (why did I get this? Must have been a present):
Corgi 511, Chipperfields Poodle truck - Free Price Guide & Review (toymart.com)
but keep the Shado
Don't blame you! I would too.
One of mine is currently looking a bit sorry for itself.
Hope you update us with progress.
Ooops. Just bought another wreck. This one will definitely be sold on after restoration.
Display 1.
Cowboys
and Indians
For those who really know 🙂
The Holy Grail of Britains Deetail.
Fabulous! I need to get mine from my dad's loft.
The wife will be delighted!
A little bit of bleed under the masking, but nothing that can't be tidied up.
Get them out, put them back on parade 🙂
Knights v Turks
And the newer (some) Chinese 00's. Even these are considered vintage.
I'll get them when my dad gets back from his latest jaunt. I think he's in Ibiza this week.
Looking at yours I recognise the mortar team too.
I've not seen them in over 40 years. Will be interesting to see what has survived. They could have been chucked out for all I know.
and Indians
Native Americans. *Winky emoji.
They could have been chucked out for all I know.
🙁 . So many parents sent these armies to Valhalla.
Fingers crossed they might only be MIA and will be found 🙂
Foreign Legion v Arabs
V
Found some of my Dinkies.
And finally ... Crescent ?
eBay is a dangerous place!
I very nearly ended up with a Dinky Alvis Striker and Stalwart to recondition, but I'm over a hundred quid in on the SHADOs, so they'll have to wait until I've moved on at least one of them.
Got a couple of Matchbox tanks and a Corgi SU100.
Pix later.
Thinking about doing a resto on a Mack lorry.
Pix later.
Might need an Airbrush...Oh No.
I struggled with the wheels. I got them off by taking the lip off the axle with a Dremel, but couldn't get them back on by peening the end over with a hammer. All that did was damage the paint.
I ended up supergluing the wheels on, so they were fixed to the axle, but the other end was free to rotate. The axles could still move in the chassis too. Not ideal, but better than having a go at it with a hammer. Especially as the blue paint was from a "rattle can", so harder to patch up than the red, white and black that were airbrushed and brushed.
Top coat is a matt lacquer, again from a rattle can. Paint job now seems fairly robust. I wouldn't want to "brumm" the thing about, but as an ornament it can deal with being handled without chipping.
Could be Airfix ?
Matchbox
King Tiger
One of Fav's
My Corgi SU100
And finally Corgi Mack Truck. Might do a resto on this one. But I do like the playworn look.
oops.
I had one like that! Does it still have the string to extend the ladder?
Don't think so. Hose is missing too.
However, a 50 year old reminder of my childhood is well worth the £16 that it has cost me.
This arrived today.
Well over 45 years old and in near mint condition.
Also, I am 100% convinced that Dinky employed someone who deliberately put the stickers on "on the piss".
Second SHADO done. The idea was to sell it to offset the cost as they are bloody expensive, but I think I like it too much.
Near mint condition. Other than clean it I'm going to do nothing with it.Liking the reg on the fire engine...apt for here!
Found my old Batmobile 🙂
Still has Batman, but Robin is long gone.
Well pleased finding this again 🙂
Especially when I was looking for some lost DVD's and a copy Silent Hunter 3. Let me know if you see them 😉
Another pic.
I've got that, with Batman and Robin. And the missiles. And the Bat Boat, but no boxes.
Found the Bat Copter as well :-), busted wings though :-(.
Found a James Bond Lotus as well :-). All working.