Finds from the northern woods.

[Bonzothecat]

Just a few new items for the collection:
A decent tanker with black plastic wheels. You don't see them very often In Sweden!
It came in a lot of three, the other ones looking fairly good as well, all for about 10 pounds.
But it is getting harder to find new variations on Swedish eBay. We don't have the massive amount of cars, that you do in the GB.
However, I also found a nice N:o 3 with maroon tipper and grey wheels. Definitely not mint, but acceptable until the One comes along.

So, for better or worse, I have been buying other nice cars that I've come across on my search for Lesneys. I have acquired a pretty nice collection of
Tekno-cars over the years. Even if they are bigger (1/43) they are extremely nice and well built. They also made models that where more
in line with what we had on the streets when I was young (Taunus, Opel, VW, Mercedes, Lloyd and of course Saab and Volvo. We didn't have to many British cars in the 60´s). I also love the trucks from Carlsberg and Tuborg with the small beer-crates. Different times, and different toys!
But they don't come cheap.

Another lot contained two small DAF 66 from Lion Cars in Holland. A bit worn, but complete with nice windows and all their tyres. Have never come across them before. As good as free when the rest of the lot has been sold off. Have an older DAF, a DKW 1000, and an Opel Rekord from Lion Cars, though.

Another favorite is the old Märklin cars from the 50-60´s (also hard to find and not cheap either). Newest find was the Borgward behind the Schucco Porsche Carrera. The Porsche has a tin-plate interior!
And speaking of tin-plate, the little Auto Union is a gem. Has obviously been played with a lot.

And a few days ago, I bought a tiny Opel Kapitän 55-57, but does anyone know its origin? I don't think I have ever seen a car with this baseplate. Its smaller than
Lesney, probably around 1/87, but very detailed. Could it be German? I am all ears!

So its a dangerous, but very rewarding road you can walk, when you go a little astray from the Lesley path. Bigger cars fill the shelves fast, and I love it!

And last, but definitly not least! Who could resist a pig in a tractor, probably Hubley(?) for less than 10 pounds!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Your cast Iron Pig on the Tractor is not identifiable as anything from Hubley but searching for vintage cast iron toy tractors may find something for you.

The little Opel Kapitan is from a very little known company by the name of REX-Juwel and is one of five other miniatures all based on German cars.

Ghosthunter.

[Bonzothecat]

Thank you Ghosthunter! I am really impressed of your knowledge!
I found the other Rex Juwel cars, and they looked a bit crude, the Opel looking rather good.
I will see if I can find out something about the tractor.

[YYS4BOB]

https://jantiques.myshopify.com/product ... -cast-iron



Best I could do. Over to Kevin!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

The model in Bob's link is clearly a modern reprersentation of an original design which I think we can see in Bonzo's first picture above. It looks rough enough to be old and original. These first came out as piggy banks around the time Porky Pig appears in the Loony Tunes cartoons which is the mid 1930's. I do not know much about Porky Pig, but the Loony Tunes connection will ensure some tie-in merchandise was produced over many years the cartoons were popular.

Bonzo, is your example a coin bank or just a toy?

Ghosthunter.

[Bonzothecat]

It’s a toy. However it does not have the new look as in the picture. A bit rusty and paintwear. Underneath it has old screws with a single slot (don’t know what you call them in England?).

[GHOSTHUNTER]

That does look very old and quite a chunk of cast Iron considering it was a toy for Children to play with!
This could be quite an investment for you if you contacted some of the toy auction companies and ask them for further information. Send them some pictures and some notes regards the general size and the weight etc.

The screws look like the 'Countersunk Head' type.

Ghosthunter.

[Malibu]

The Rex Kapitän is a nice model and is quite surched after.
Congratulation to that find.
Here was one on Ebay a few days ago:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Opel-Kapitan-1- ... Sw8~5ef28l

Stephan

[Bonzothecat]

I might just ask an auctionhouse about it. However, it must be a good sum if I am to part with it. It makes me happy just looking at it!
I never showed the tin-plate Auto Union, so here it is. It´s a bit worn, but with a lot of soul to it. My wife sometimes look at my mint Lesneys and say: "That´s not a toy. No kid has ever played with that. It has no soul!" Well, she has a point, even if I look on them as pieces of art, rather than toys. This one on the other hand, has soul to it (all ten centimeters)!

[Bonzothecat]

...and I will probably keep the Opel as well.