Die Cast MG models

[SupraBob]

Perhaps it was in the mid '90's and my wife and I were touring the U.K. Difficult for me to remember when as we have made 6 or 7 trips. Anyway, I remember seeing some die cast MG models in a store front window. I'm pretty sure it was in Windsor as we were walking up the hill from the Eton Riverside station back to our B&B. I believe 1/24 or 1/25 scale. One in particular that I vividly remember and have been kicking myself ever since for not purchasing when I had the chance was an MGB GT towing a trailer with a collectable MG, perhaps a TC or maybe a pre-war model. May have been an MGC GT that was towing the trailer. Anyone know who made those models, and if they show up for sale anywhere?

I did find this MGB at a flea market in Exeter on one of our trips. It is pretty much identical to the '65 B that I owned while in school and the first few years in the Air Force. It is even left hand drive! It is 1/43 scale and has the name "Hongwell" on the bottom. I doubt if it is UK manufactured.

Thanks for any help,
Bob

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The Windsor shop window model may have been one of these.

and being in Windsor it was probably this shop, the only shop in the area selling collectable model cars.


Originally made and marketed by Wills Finecast but a name change in the 1990's to Eastern Finecast. These are still available here...http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/Contents.htm

The Hongwell is probably from Hong Kong/China.

Ghosthunter.

[jeff f]

there was a model shop just down from the castle opp a car park but sadly long gone, it 1 43rd could had been smts models, they have a webb site or rae models

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I believe it was the same company, they moved into Windsor from Eaton Wick.

Ghosthunter.

[jeff f]

hi, not sure about that, never seen the richardsons there

[SupraBob]

Well, in any case, the one's that I am remembering were already assembled models, not kits. We did not go into the store. Perhaps someone had assembled an example of each of the kits for display purposes. Thanks for the input. Bob

[jeff f]

yes the shop i am on about did sell made models not kits, as indeed do smts, but are a lot moremonet than the hongwells, they did a honwell mgb towing a teardrop caravan, but never seen a hongwell model like you saw

[SupraBob]

The Hongwell is a 1/43 that I found in Exeter on another trip. The models that I remember from the earlier trip were 1/24 and much better quality. Probably Finecast. Looking at the link that Ghosty provided indicates that the early MG Finecast models are NLA.

[jeff f]

yes finecast were/are very nice models, but as you said not for sale at mo

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I've contacted Robert Newson and he confirms the model shop in Windsor just down from the Castle was not run by the Richardsons but can not remember the name of it.

Ghosthunter.