Latest projects (restorations & customs)

[Tinman]

I liked the first one of these I made (& sold), so I made one for myself.

[misterpop]

Thats me favorite and I'm not alone I'm guessing..

[GHOSTHUNTER]

What is a classic casting by Lesney this looks good in most colours and right, you should keep one for yourself.

Ghosthunter.

[Tinman]

I'm still putting my race team together

[Tinman]

I bought a beater / play worn lot of racers. Here is the before and after shots

[Tinman]

I liked the "after restoration" group shot so much I decided to add a few more and use it as wallpaper for my computer. Feel free to use the pics for your own wallpaper if so desired. I made two different ones and decided I liked the one with the two GT40s the best.

[Tinman]

The evolution of the Gift Set display.

This first display was purchased off the net for $15.00 USD. It is all cardboard and I had to reinforce it with some foam board to make it sit right and be functional. It's OK, but the head board photos are not that great and one wished they were better laid out and of better quality.

This is my first attempt as making a similar display. I wanted better graphics and a simple sturdy design. It's constructed of foam board, the header board is held on with two sturdy but thin L brackets. The foam board is painted and the box cover is a photo printed down and applied to the head board. Nice enough, but I wanted more.

Here is my latest Gift Set Display.
I wanted more of the three dimensional feel for the base like the cardboard display had. I thought the lettering across the front of the base gave it a better look.  The latest stand needed to have the right Matchbox colors combined in a way that enhanced the display so that it had a professional design that was pleasing to the eye (and not so cobbled together as the back board art on the cardboard display). The foam board was a good medium for something that was lightweight and could be mailed inexpensively. But I wanted to up my game and have a sturdy stand that was not prone to warping (as foam board is prone to do) and have nice visual dimensions. I opted for 1/2" cabinet grade plywood (which is a light weight plywood) for the base and 1/4" ply for the header. Instead of painting, I did a "wrap" on all the pieces and made the lettering on the base a contrasting trim band.  I am pleased with the results.

[Tinman]

While some may view these display stands as a cheap knock-off of an actual Gift set, I think it's literally the best of both worlds.  It captures the box top's art in all its glory and places in on display in a "front and center" way.  The models are no longer hidden inside delicate ancient card board dividers and out front and in glorious view.  Those early "A" and "B" series models deserve respect and should be displayed in all their glory (in my humble opinion).

This is also a wonderful way (again IMHO) to capture the look and feel of those wonderful early Gift Sets without the expense involved to acquire one and without the burden and worries required to preserve that very expensive cardboard over the passage of time.  I think of it as preservation rather than imitation.

[Squid]

I agree. While I have vintage die-cast in their boxes, all but one of the boxes have at least moderate wear...and the one that doesn't is very fragile. This way you can display the models and the box art, too!

[CrazyDave]

Anyone want a delicious chocolate drink?

Those decals look delicious, where can I get them? Just kidding.