Lone Star Rarity

[Ewan]

Apologies in advance to those of you who have checked out this thread expecting to see a Firenza! I may well be alone on this forum in being a fan of the Roadmaster Major Artics, perhaps their very 'toy-ness' is part of the appeal. Although lacking in detail somewhat, the tractor units are recognisable as being based on the Austin 'WE' as used by British Railways amongst others and modelled by both Budgie and Spot-On, characterised by a long front overhang. Similarly, the 2 axle rigid found in the Lone Star Military range, and also as a civilian 'Sand Quarry Truck' (I think) looks like an Austin Loadstar. Therefore, when I chanced upon this tanker my immediate thought was that it was some kind of Code 3 cut n'shut job.

The seller had included the word 'rare' in the listing title which is a word I tend to ignore completely as it is usually inserted when the item it refers to is either Custom/Code 3 or common as muck.... Figuring that nobody in their right mind would try and fraud buyers with dodgy Lone Star trucks when they could make far more with dodgy Matchbox and Dinky I took a closer look. It's no custom. It isn't a Roadmaster Major either. According to the listing, it is from the Lone Star Military range and was part of the 'Thor Rocket Set'. I have only found one other, which was on Vectis some years ago and has an identical trailer but blue tractor. I have to say I love it

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[starni999]

Hi mate,
Personally I love these old LS lorries, I had a few of the later ones on old Woolworth's cards with clear plastic coverings back in the 70's, about 50p each if I recall!
Never seen that Tanker before though, it's lovely!
CW.

[Ewan]

50p I've only seen one on ebay since I started looking and it's 75 quid

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LONE-STAR-MOD ... 5d4031c1e5

I'm also seeing a few tankers with 'Esso' and 'BP' decals - are these aftermarket? It's birthday time soon and I have sent a link to the Lone Star book to a family member

[Ewan]

Thanks to some real (as in 1:1) car trouble this looks like being July's one and only addition to the collection and I've included it here for a comparison. It's a 'standard' Lone Star artic Milk tanker. As I mentioned in my original post, these are not the most loved diecast in the world (at least Chris is a fan too ), and if you have any kicking around I'd be very happy to do a swap deal with anything from my shop. There do seem to be lots of loose tractors kicking around, probably because of the ease in breaking the trailer axle clips. Anyway, I'm interested in any of them, trailers, tractors or sets.

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[tjlglass]

These are nice but anyone paying £75 for a carded one of these needs shooting.

[starni999]

One of the reasons I love these is as a kid my Mom would drop me at my Nans while she went shopping up the Town (West Bromwich), if it was my Birthday or Xmas I'd get a Dinky brought back, if I had been "good" or to the Dentist a Matchbox, or otherwise.........one of these Lone Stars from Woolworths. Or a lucky bag with a colouring book and some uneatable substance that might have been toffee. I prefered the Lone Star. I think remember a lot of these being very cheap as they had old money prices printed on and were on clearance after new money came along?

Happy memories, wish I still had them all!

Chris Warr.

PS, I fully understand that to anyone under the age of 45, or living outside the UK the above post will mean nothing at all. Sorry Guys!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I'm with you Chris on the memory side, I remember 'Lucky Bags' and the 'old way' of selling such goodies to the children at that time, as you say, such good memories some simple toys can bring back to us.

Ghosty.

[motorman]

I remember "lucky bags"....does that mean i am an old fart!!

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Will you tell him Chris, or shall I...

Ghosty.

[johnboy]

I remember "lucky bags"....does that mean i am an old fart!!

Definitely a trades description job because mine were never "lucky" they were full of old rubbish