Well, the ol’ USPS, which I had nothing but praise for during those dark days of the scamdemic, is sure screwing things up now; I had this really cool, unusual Italian made 1:43 die-cast on the way that was supposed to get here days ago, but the latest tracking update is “No access to delivery location.” That’s odd considering the “delivery location” is my front porch! So alas, the coolest model that was supposed to lead off this post is not here, but lets’ look at the bright side of what is here: a quintet of terrific bargains that are all new arrivals for my NON-collection of 1:43’s!
As with the last couple of entries, most of these models are Corgis from England, but they vary in age, rarity, and condition; there is one, however, of a different brand. What they have in common is that I got them all at bargain bin prices, and getting cool old toy cars for cheap makes me happy!
#264 Oldsmobile Toronado
A beautiful model of a beautiful car: I keep buying copies of the Aurora slot car version of this whenever I can, but this larger scale die-cast is a great rendering of the original 1966 GM front-driver. It could use a new set of tires (I do have a spare set lying around!) but about the only thing wrong with it is the front bumper is damaged, which, I admit, is pretty major, but I got it so cheap I can’t complain, and look at the paint! I love the elaborate dual-gear mech to open the pop-up jeweled headlamps, and they even crafted the steering wheel accurately!
This model was also released in metallic copper with the “Golden Jacks” wheels that were designed to be removed for tire changes; that version is a little more valuable than this one, and I’m sure I’ll eventually get it, as well, but for now, this is a great start!
#232 Fiat 2100
In my last “1:43 Detour” post I mentioned a toy fair I went to as a kid of maybe 13 or 14 in California when I was looking for vintage Matchbox cars, which I was avidly collecting at the time, and saw a table full of mint boxed Corgi models that captivated me. I couldn’t afford any of them at the time, but I never forgot some of the models I saw on that table, like the turquoise and white Aston Martin DB4 and the red MGB GT. This was another one I saw on that table that day, and I was entranced by it’s odd color combination, but what really stood out to me was the unique feature of the little mini-blind in the back window. I’d never seen anything like that on a model car (and, come to think of it, probably not a real one either, at least not anything made after WWII). 40 years later, here it is!
This one was a little expensive, but I still get it for less than I usually see it sell for, probably in part because it has a casting imperfection, an ugly lump on the hood. But I just figure that’s modeling the rust that’s inevitable on a Fiat! 😀 Despite a few chips and one dull headlamp, it’s a cool model, because it’s another example of how a realistic representation of even a dull car IRL keeps things interesting!
#320 Mustang Fastback
Well looky thar, another of these ‘65 Mustang FB’s! This is now the 4th one I have acquired, this time in dark blue, and as chance would have it, it also has wire wheels just like the other 3. This one had quite a few paint chips, although a blue Sharpie helped improve its appearance a little, but other than that and the one tip of the rear bumper being missing, its not bad, being completely in-tact with no broken or missing parts and still has some spring in the suspension.
There are still 2 additional colors, the lavender-blue “psychedelic” model and the very rare mint green one, both which tend to sell for high prices, but you just know I’m gonna get them, because I always get the toys I want sooner or later….usually later…
#271 DeTomaso Mangusta
A very popular model which is easy to find today, I got this car almost for pennies, and what a deal, because just look at how cool it is! Perfect proportions, a great color scheme, fantastic detail: just a beautiful model all around: no wonder they sold so many of them! This, of course, is that famous one with the body that lifts off the chassis and its structured in a way not unlike the real car! I wish the hood opened, but even without that, the Ford small-block V8 is nicely detailed, and the interior features a shift lever that actually moves!
Now, keeping with the theme of Italian sports cars, this last one may be the most interesting, being the only one here that is not a Corgi…
#K24 Lamborghini Miura
This one is a Matchbox “King Size,” and I’ve been wanting this one for a long time because I can just barely remember having one of these as a very young child, probably no more than the age of 3. I didn’t want to pay too much for it and found when I went looking for one that good copies of it are rather expensive, so this was the best one I found for what I was willing to pay: most were missing tires, and almost all were missing the black insert in the hood. The paint is pretty rough, but it has no broken parts other than the tie rod is missing, which causes the front wheels to wobble and drift. It displays OK, though.
This is little more than an enlarged version of its 1:64 sister which was #33 in the 1-75 line, and that small version is one of my all-time favorite Matchbox castings of the golden era. The one real difference is that, while the 1:64 version had opening doors, the 1:43 version cast the doors shut and instead went for an opening hood.
This is the earlier “regular wheel” model before it was reconfigured with “Superfast” wheels just like the smaller version, when the name of the 1:43 line was changed from “Super Kings” to “Speed Kings” Most Matchbox larger scale models were trucks, which made them nicely compatible with the 1:64 cars, but they did make a few cars, and this is one I had to have to recapture a missing part of my youth.
My only regret here is not getting a better one, but I will, eventually. In the meantime, a little touching up with red Sharpie dulled some of the paint damage a little, and it displays OK even with the broken tie rod.
Well that’s it for a little weekday detour to the 1:43 section of the toy room, but don’t encourage me: remember, I don’t collect these!
LATE BREAKING UPDATE:
Naturally the very next day after this post hit, the USPS figured out how to get to my house and that missing car I mentioned in the opening belatedly arrived…
However, a more in-depth look at this interesting model will have to wait for our next “1:43 Detour!”
These are some great little cars and I don’t think the condition is too bad at all. They have character and are still way cool. I remember those extra large Matchboxes. I love that Fiat and the rear window blinds are a cool touch! I haven’t seen that before though I do have an original rear window blind for a real car. It is still in the box and was left in the shop by the previous owners. I of course have that as a display piece. Another cool post with lots of great information. Hopefully your other car will show up. I’ve had items before that get lost in the ether only to sometimes mysteriously show up.