VEHICLES & WORKBENCHES

The vehicle and workbenches section is a bit like busses – none for ages then several all at once! I am an opportunist buyer of diecast metal models but as they are no longer produced, the supply is irregular. I have expanded the range to include several workbenches – Garage, garden, and shoe cleaning and the new silver cleaning ones. I have also added a mechanic, odd job man and valet polishing shoes or silver and a new gardener and wheelbarrow to go with the potting bench.
With the cars, after buying I evaluate each one to decide what I should do with it. My favourite options are: Geoffreys Bric a Brac – an old man who ‘buys tat and sells antiques’ according to his name boards on the his vehicle which has seen better days (like its owner!) it is packed with all his latest finds including a mystery sack on the running board. I also regularly produce trucks – usually packed with food and household provisions, Other styles include a broken down car with mechanic doing a restoration on it, a smart car with young man off for a weekend at a country house with luggage and gun cases, and a woman and her little girl being chauffeured home from a shopping expedition. It really depends on the vehicles available.

As most of the the vehicles (apart from the new 1886 Tricycle) are cast metal collectables they are incredibly heavy, and, as they were originally sold as collectables are incredibly detailed. For example the bonnet/hood opens to show a replica engine, and the back doors of the truck open. These models are 1:16 in scale but are dressed with 1:12 scale people and items so the difference in scale is minimised.