The Very Best of 2020

[Tinman]

I have to add this Major size No10 Mechanical Horse this year as one of my best for 2020.

No10 Mechanical Horse b.jpeg

J

A truly stunning model with some serious "wow!" factor. Such excellent condition too. I'm positively green with envy

[francipe]

It's been a strange year for everyone but two major auctions and a couple of friends from the MOYBOYZ Forum added numerous rare models to my collection. Many of these were unique Code 2 models but all were funded by my eBay sales which would probably not have happened without Lockdown.
The Doug Osborn auction in September contained over 70 MICA Convention models most of which I'd never seen before. So let me say up front if my choices aren't Vintage or British enough, delete my posts and I'll start again.
I always use phone bidding on Vectis as I feel more in control. I give them a long list and skip a lot depending on how much I've spent. So this model was to be skipped but the girl on the other end of the line said 'That's yours for...' I'd bought it without bidding so like a horse or a dog it found me. A rare colour trial bright pink Matchbox Collectibles Citroen H Evian van. I've always wanted the two pink versions listed in the White Book and now I've discovered this isn't what I thought but it's wonderful. It's the only model Mary has bought me, or will so in many ways very special to me.

It's only 27 years old, very French and although it doesn't say it, Made in China. Otherwise I think it meets the specification to a T.

If this choice is acceptable I'll post my other selection otherwise I offer my apologies and I'll pick something different.

[Diecastmolester]

It's a 'yes' from me.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Yes, I'm keeping it in!

[francipe]

As nobody has rejected my first selection here's the second.
I have a growing collection of MICA Convention models and the Doug Osborn auction provided me with numerous additions. The majority of these were for UK Conventions and many were of very limited editions. I even managed to acquire 12 unique models, as from the 20th UK Convention numerous different donor models were used. I was lucky enough to get most of them at a reasonable price but unfortunately one Australian collector is especially interested in the models from the 25th and last Convention. Blinkee Bill has outbid me previously on 4 unique models and like the Kraken rising from the ocean he put in an appearance and hates being outbid. Another 4 unique models went his way but I was determined to get this one. It's obviously unique but differs from all the others in that it has been remodeled as well as re-liveried. It's also easily the most expensive model I've ever bought but it was quite satisfying to finally beat Bill.

The illustration on the box shows how the van looked before going under the knife.

As previously, if this is outside the parameters for this thread I'll delete the post and pick something else.

[DrJeep]

Here’s my second. Because of the painted small wheels it was sold as a repaint in a box thought to be a reproduction. It’s not a repaint, and the box, though battered, looks real to me! Greg found one like this in the USA back in 2017 but I’m not aware of another.

[Idris]

Very nice, Glenn, and two examples are all that's needed to meet Martin's Maxim and qualify as a confirmed variation. (How has such a blindingly obvious variation as this managed to remain under the radar for so long?)

[DrJeep]

Thanks, Hugh - I thought you'd like it. It could just be that a handful of these randomly missed the hand painting process on the big wheels, which would make it a very interesting error model but not a new variation. However, I wonder if it's a crossover model, with a single small batch using up existing stock after the decision not to paint the wheels had been made. It's great that new variations are still turning up after nearly 70 years.

[tractorboy]

Two models for my best of 2020, for similar and differing reasons. Both models had additional detailing added but patient time spend cleaning restored them to original condition.

The Ecurie Ecosse was a model from childhood and i'd been looking for a reasonably priced one for years but always outbid, I was fortunate to win this mainly because others may have been put off by the silver detailing that had been added over the model but I was confident I could clean that off. Also purchased some beater racing cars to complete.

The Hillman was another model that had been detailed around handles, trim lines, rear number plate added which again may have put bidders off. Again really pleased how it finished up. Just awaiting box to arrive from UK to complete.

hillman.jpg (34.31 KiB) Viewed 2522 times

Made up for disappointment of not securing turquoise faun crane which turned out to be regular green.

[Tinman]

The Hillman came out super nice! Congrats.