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I luck out this summer when we wnet with a bunch of friends to a small town in BC for the weekend and I came across a model railroad display warehouse which happened to be selling off someone's estate collection of old Bburago and Matchbox cars, brand new in boxes.
I picked up about a dozen of new in box Models Of Yesteryear cars for about $5 a pop, and a 1:18 scale Bburago Ferrari Testarossa, brand new in box from late 80s for $20. They also had brand new Majorette car sets from early 80s (cars and trailers) which I should have grabbed but didn't, but the best purchase was a Bburago 1:14 scale Gilles Villeneuve F1 car, new in box, absolutely mint, never opened, box in mint shape, also for $20. Last one of these that sold anywhere was for about 350BP at some auction, and there are none for sale anywhere.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I have about 20 boxed 70s-early 80s Yesteryears that I'll sell you for half that, if you want them,
I'll check which yesteryears I have to compare what you want to get rid of.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Here's a pic of the YYs - probably more play value than collectible value, but they are nice models for the money, half the price of 30-35 years ago:
Another neat toy from back then was Tonka trucks. They looked very realistic and were very durable things as well. So many of the competitors like Buddy L didn't really look that real.
Also if you're going to come up to the Auto Show this year I'd recommend you get your tickets online. Last year there was a 45 minute long line up at the show to buy tickets. I would think a big show like this would be more organized to have more than just 2 booths open (one cash, one debit), and a handful of credit card ticket machines.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I remember being able to find whitewall-tired Structo trucks at yard sales pretty often up into the 90s, but they are harder to find there now.
blockquote class="Quote" rel="berri">I think the advent of slot car racing sets in the 60's kind of influenced that change. Also the Tootsietoy cars were just metal shells, but they held up pretty well to abuse.
Another neat toy from back then was Tonka trucks. They looked very realistic and were very durable things as well. So many of the competitors like Buddy L didn't really look that real.
I bought from a kiosk last year, but I got there right at opening. I'll try to remember the online thing.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
My anecdotal experience is that you get the third degree barked at you much more going south than north.
Andre1969, here's a set of 1957 Mopar miniatures for you! The DeSoto is a Fireflite, but looks similar to your ride. I'm not sure who makes them. It may be Corgi.
Check out this 1965 Imperial convertible with golf bag and passengers by Corgi.
Speaking of British diecast DeSotos, Corgi competitor Dinky had a nice one back during the period, but a sedan:
I have a small scale diecast 1963 Imperial, by Lone Star/Impy:
On a somewhat automobilia related note, I recently had an old radio restored. I found this at an estate sale when I was a teenager, and bought it for the "car grille" design - some call it the "International Harvester" radio. From what can tell, it maybe was only sold in 1939-40. Over the years, the swirled bakelite didn't age well, and it started playing poorly. Not many people can restore bakelite, I had to send it to the midwest. It was worth saving, and it looks and plays like new. It's apparently fairly collectible and has some value:
Guess they felt sorry for me because the fired up their old pinball machine and I got a game in. Didn't feel the urge to buy it for $1,000 since I have a free pinball app on the iPad that even gives me palm calluses like the real thing.
That style of race car was popular in both F1/Indy and Sprint cars for a long time in the 40s and 50s.
I bought a ton of stuff from there over the years, including many out of print car magazines and buyer's guides that are unobtanium anywhere else, even ebay.
I can see why they might be closing their brick and mortar store as they probably do a lot of online business and their store is overstocked to the ceiling. Plus I think the guys running it are doing it as a hobby, not because they really need to for the money.
If I go there the last week maybe I can snatch up some magazines and brochures at a good price.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Many sellers separate the cars and boxes, as they'll maximize profits. I couldn't do that.
So far, boxes have been pretty hard to fake - the printing is distinctive when viewed up close, the paper is unique, and they usually have a slight smell to them via the passage of time.
I know old boxed Lego sets bring a big premium, too.
I was at a Lego store few weeks ago with my son and was looking at what they have stored on their upper shelves that wasn't visible. One of the Lego staffers noticed me doing that and said everything they have is on display and visible. I jokingly said that maybe I'll find an old vintage set from the 80s laying around. He said, that actually they have a set that was recently returned (they accept sealed returns no matter how old they are) that I can buy. It was a 5 or 6 year old Lego space shuttle new in box. He said it was only $20. I immediately snatched it up because the set was old and discontinued, it was cheap, it retailed for about $40-$50 new, and people were selling them new in box on Amazon for $150.
I told my son we'll flip it on Craigslist and I'll get him the bog Lego Mini (about $120) but we had to keep it sealed. He said ok. The set was sitting in our house unopened for a week or so, and it made me wonder if someone just didn't restuff the box with random stuff and resealed it or if it was a fake Lego set. Anyways my son got impatient and wanted to open the set so we did. It was all original. The Lego Mini will have to wait for now.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Many years ago, I found these small 70s era sets. I think I paid about $80-100 for the lot, sold them for around $300, I think
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I have a younger brother, so most of my Legos and cars ended up getting passed down or destroyed. I do have a few Lego houses of my own design I built ages ago, placed on a shelf, and they survived the years relatively unscathed.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
My parents definitely bought into 80s consumerism, and were much more willing to buy junk for their kids than I would be now.
Each city had one or two. You could pay for the products there only with government issued notes that were equivalent to US dollars.
Now that I think about it, the stores reminded me of modern day duty free stores, with the type of appearance, and products they carried. Except one big difference was that everything was behind counters and you had to ask a lady to show it to you. Back then actually there was no self serve stores (ie you walk in put things in a shopping cart and then pay). Even large department stores kept everything on display behind counters and you had to ask attendants to get it and show it to you.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Probably couldn't be repeated as easy today - I can't imagine paying for a house and kids on anything less than 2 decent incomes, but I live in an expensive area.
Dad retired from the post office and was in the Marine Corps reserves, and we lived in a small town--we did OK. Dad would never buy a house though...they rented a house that Mom was in for 29 years and when she moved into assisted living she was still paying $200 a month--little ranch with basement and one-car attached garage built in 1956 with probably 2/3 an acre of land. They could've bought a house of course, but I think he always feared another depression.
He did buy himself a new Chevy probably every three or four years. That was his one extravagance. He'd always buy Mom something new, like an appliance, at about the same time. After he retired, they travelled on bus trips a good bit. They loved Atlantic City, where they'd drop a grand gambling in one weekend, which drove me nuts! But it was their money.
My wife and I both have good jobs, but mine is straight commission and I am always aware it could change at any moment. We're practical and wish to put both our kids through college with no loans if at all possible, but it's tough. I also don't want to worry about money in retirement but I think we'll be OK.
Times sure have changed. Sorry for the ramble; I think personally the worst thing to happen in this country is the loss of so many manufacturing jobs here. That has largely decimated my little hometown.
My wife tells me I should buy another Studebaker when the kids are out of school, but the problem then will be there will be NOBODY that'll work on them.
The loss of many working class jobs certainly has been a misfortune for many regions in the US, and it is an issue some still won't really admit or address.
A decent sized town should have a garage that'll take in a Studebaker, they aren't really different from old cars in general. I know a couple local shops here that aren't scared of the fintail - and it's a weird old car with MFI and such.
There are Stude vendors who sell dual-M/C disc brake conversion kits and also flanged axles for Studes. I'd be compelled to get both if I bought another.
One reason I bought my '66 was I thought with the flanged axle and GM 283 (very close, but not exactly like the Chevy, I'm told), more shops would be willing to touch it (I think they hear 'Studebaker' and get scared). But the fact is, as rock-solid and nice as it was, I just didn't like it as much as my earlier cars. You couldn't get a hardtop in '66, and my previous two Daytonas were hardtops.
I'd think a specialty vintage shop wouldn't be scared by the Stude - you won't be able to take it into a mainstream quickie lube place, but someone should be able to handle it.
You're giving me some hope on having another Stude at some point. I think a fair number will come up on the market in the next decade or so, if you catch my drift.
I'm a stickler for maintenance, like bleeding brakes and using new fluid every couple years or so; repacking of rear wheel bearings; etc., but most Stude guys I know are like "Ahh, you worry too much"....LOL.
I keep the fintail maintained to what I think is a reasonable standard - yearly oil change and inspection, coolant and brakes flushed every several years. It's probably overkill as the car isn't driven a huge mileage, but it's peace of mind, and makes me think I am not mistreating the car.
BTW, I don't know if I've ever told you this before or not, but in 1993 I was at an Avanti meet in South Bend when I overheard an older lady say "My husband brought Mercedes to the States" and "I was Sherwood's secretary" (meaning Sherwood Egbert, president of Studebaker). I got up the nerve to approach her and she was a very polished, delightful lady and although she lived in Newport Beach, CA she did come to at least two events in South Bend where I spoke briefly with her. Her husband was Lon Fleener, president of Mercedes-Benz Sales at Studebaker starting in the fifties. They were married in 1966 per Social Security marriage records online.
http://www.scottcountyfoundation.org/inspirationalstories/friendship-leads-to-gift-from-estate-of-martha-jane-brunton-fleener/
The MB-Stude relationship will always be an odd coincidence to me, given the Stude-Packard link, and that MB can be argued to have taken the Packard spot in the domestic market - downmarket moves included.
It's Dinky 186, a vintage model that was apparently patterned after my car:
On topic - I always thought Dinky Toys were interesting, but like the more realistic looking 1/24 plastic model promos personally. I thought you could see the details and interiors better on them.