Stop Motion Animation ~ Bus Stop @ The Docks

   Time for some fun !  Just had to do a little stop motion film featuring the Tootsietoy Greyhound, and a French Dinky Panhard Esso Tanker truck. I found a model railroad backdrop that was suitable,  along with some of the "Homie" figures.   Hope you enjoy !

Tootsietoy ~ 1955 GMC Greyhound Scenicruiser Bus

  As John Cleese would say "And Now for something completely different ! "  Couldn't get much more different from our recent Italian beauties,  a 1950s Tootsie toy GMC Greyhound Scenicruiser Bus !

   Just love these buses,  both the diecast model-toy and the prototype.  My Dad use to sell tickets at SFO during the 60's,  and saw many of these come and go.   Managed to get this example with an original box !  This diecast is a fine example of the typical Tootsietoy,  nice and heavy with some nice touches,  like the engraved Greyhound emblem on the side.  This certainly won't be my last Tootsie !!

 

Mercury ~ Fiat Abarth 1000 Bialbero

Another Italian beauty this week,  this time from Mercury.  Love these models from Mercury,  they have such a distinctive look to them,  like an artist has "painted" each model.   This one features opening doors and an opening engine cover.  Such a classic body shape !

Dinky ~ Alfa Romeo 1900 Coupe ~ # 24J

A very attractive Alfa,  in red of course !  (what else !)  Well Dinky did issue it in Blue, and Turquoise if you can believe it.  

First issued in 1959,  102mm long with cast body, chromed cast or unpainted turned hubs, black tires, black sheet metal base, windows, silver grille, bumpers and headlights, red or orange taillights.

 

Overall this example is in good condition with some paint chips, but not bad.  As Dr. Rampini always said, try to get the most original example, even one that has some wear,  rather then a restored one. This one makes a nice addition to the collection, always loved Alfas !  Ciao

Dinky ~ Renault "Dauphine" ~ #524 / 24E

 

   A recent addition to my very small vintage diecast collection,  this French Dinky Toys Renault Dauphine is my first Dinky with an original box !    Usually Dinky models that still have the original box are way way way out of my price range,  but for some reason this one was low priced and I was able to jump on it !    She looks right at home next to the Café !

   According to the Jan - March 1970 issue of CARS !  -  and Author Georges Pennequin from Paris,  this model was made between the years 1960 - 1962,   as this is the version with windows !    I think Dinky's tooler got the body just right,  love the little side vents near the back wheels.

 Overall an excellent example in good shape with just a little wear on the wheels and axles.

Available Again !

  If anyone is interested in obtaining a set of CARS Newsletters from 1966-1972,  all 32 issues ever published,  they are now available for the low purchase price of $15 USD + shipping ($3 in US),  just to cover cost.  These were intentionally copied with color covers just like the originals,  color coded for volume / year.   32 issues will provide a lot of reading material !

If you'd like to obtain a set,  please contact us via  e-mail :  sleepyhollowmodels@hotmail.com 

Way Back Then - Anyone Remember ?

  Welcome to the Collectors Automotive Replica Society, or CARS !   Is there anyone out there in the world who remembers this publication - newsletter ? It was "published" quarterly from 1966 to 1971, and did not feature any pictures, but news, articles describing the history of the various diecast manufacturers of the time, new releases, and a Want Ads section with sometimes humorous one liners !

  Remember before Ebay ?  When you had to hunt and find that missing car for your collection from actual stores, hobby shops, toy shops, mail order, or trading with friends, conversing with a fellow collector around the world via paper mail, and a French translation book handy ?   Well I don't sadly !   

   I was born in the 80's,   so why / how do I have this connection ?   Well,  my Dad,  was Editor,  Treasurer,  "Publisher",  and Chief Cook & Bottle Washer  from  1968 onto the demise of the newsletter in '71.    This "society" was a group of friendly,  funny, colorful (and well known) collectors of all things diecast.  Some former members include the great Italian historian and collector Paolo Rampini, our own "Uncle Ed"   Dr. Edward Force (Anyone have his books published by "Schiffer"?)  Founding member Lynn Becker, collector Mel Merrifield, Georges Pennequin, and many others I could go on.

  Although it lacked photos,  don't write off this newsletter,  the articles were very informative,  and historical.  The history of Mercury models by Rampini is a perfect example,  or the history of the French Dinky company in multiple parts is a wealth of information for the collector,  complete with full listings,  reference numbers and prices from back in the day ~ (gets me very depressed !)

  I thought it would be a nice way to remember part of this history of diecast model collecting, and to continue the tradition on,  so this blog will follow our personal collection of vintage diecast models.  I collect mostly all vintage,  Dinky, Rio, Dugu, Politoys, Mercury Models,  Brooklin, Gama,  Corgi, Solido, CIJ,  Norev,  and a few others.  Please feel free to post comments,  ideas, or even "Want Ads" or "For Trades",  to carry the tradition on.  
~ We would love to hear from former members !   ~

  I will also make available copies of the CARS Bulletin Newsletters for just a small price to cover paper,  ink,  and postage if anyone out there is interested in obtaining a set.  There is a lot of information,  and maybe even more important,  entertainment and a bit of time travel feel to these articles.

So with the introduction over,  here is a first video of hopefully many,  showing the arrival of my very first Dinky model,  the classic Alfa Romeo Grand Prix Racer # 23F / 232,  first issued in 1952,  what a beauty !       Welcome  to  C.A.R.S.  Everyone !