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Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 1:29 am
by cody6268
At one time, there was an antiques dealer selling on Amazon who was often listing moderately playworn diecast for around $5 shipped. I got a Lesney Drott Excavator (minus treads, which I replaced with ones from the Snow Tracker model) and this Midgetoy ambulance.

I have no idea what this thing's supposed to represent. Looks like a Forward Control Jeep Truck mixed with the middle section of a panel van and the rear section of a Chevy Nomad!

ImagePhoto0399 by cody6268, on Flickr

ImagePhoto0400 by cody6268, on Flickr

ImagePhoto0401 by cody6268, on Flickr

ImagePhoto0402 by cody6268, on Flickr

ImagePhoto0404 by cody6268, on Flickr

Note that axles appear copper plated. Also note paint on tires, which probably means it was painted after it was completely assembled or repainted (given condition, highly unlikely).

ImagePhoto0403 by cody6268, on Flickr

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 1:40 am
by GHOSTHUNTER
Thank's Cody for the pictures of your Midgetoy Ambulance, I think this is a fantastic toy despite it's basic design and method of construction, it is very Gerry Anderson and that's why I like it, straight out of 'Thunderbirds'.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 8:53 am
by Ewan
GHOSTHUNTER wrote:Thank's Cody for the pictures of your Midgetoy Ambulance, I think this is a fantastic toy despite it's basic design and method of construction, it is very Gerry Anderson and that's why I like it, straight out of 'Thunderbirds'.

GHOSTHUNTER.
I'm with you there Ghosty, quite a few of their models have that look - my favourite is a car that looks straight out of a 50s Sci-Fi movie
il_570xN_591854755_25gg (450x360).jpg
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Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 4:48 pm
by karl
I talked to one of the brothers who founded Midgetoy in Chicago years ago. he said the rocket car was the only one they designed themselves. The rest they went to manufacturers and copied them. Not sure about that ambulance though? It's very cool. He was selling old stock at the ;large toy show so I had to get this one, because of his story!

Image

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 5:38 pm
by GHOSTHUNTER
Thank's Karl for showing the 'Rocket Car'. If you don't mind me saying, it looks as if it is a later version, did they re-issue this with new tooling because there are differences between your Green model and the Red model.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:11 pm
by karl
My eyes are bad - I do not see any obvious differences. They could have used 2 molds for this car, but I would doubt it. The two brothers sold the whole business and lots of warehouse stock was left over. They bought the stock back (later?) and started selling it as collectibles. Some in nice woodgrain boxes, etc. Not sure if they cast more or painted raw casting or what they did exactly.

What differences do you see? i am curious now!

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 12:14 am
by GHOSTHUNTER
Medium Red.jpg
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The 'A' pillar here is thinner than the Green model.
The central divider is thinner here than the Green model.
The windscreen has a larger open area than the Green model.
The rear side window here is larger than the Green model.
Pale Green.jpg
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That is what I see, maybe other members can see the same.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 12:59 am
by karl
Oh, OK now I see it. Perhaps it is just the dirty casting with burrs in the openings? Mine is pretty rough. Or the mold was changed/repaired over time?

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 3:36 am
by toysnz
The story of Midgetoy can be found at http://www.esnarf.com/MTstory.htm

Ian

Re: Midgetoy Ambulance.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:41 pm
by fixer
"b" pillar is also thicker on the green one and there is a join line around the roof
as the green is direct from the company owner could it be a prepro