A very brief ancient history of miniature car retailing

If you are talking Vauxhall Cresta from the late 50s and early 60s there are some nice Vanguards saloons and Oxford Diecast estates on Ebay for not outrageous prices.

If anyone wants an entire set of AQs, I'm ready to let mine go. 

@ed-glorius Ed; if you have a Lansdowne want list I may have them.  jackdodds@shaw.ca

Posted by: @john-quilter

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If you are talking Vauxhall Cresta from the late 50s and early 60s there are some nice Vanguards saloons and Oxford Diecast estates on Ebay for not outrageous prices.

Lansdowne produced a Vauxhall Cresta Series E (1954–1957) and Cresta PC (1965–1972). Vanguards and Oxford Diecast produced a Cresta PA (1957–1962). Lansdowne also produced the Viscount (1966–1972) which was an upmarket Cresta PC. The Cresta PB (1962–1965) was available as a toy car by Spot-On and contemporary when the real car was in production.

What is needed are Vauxhalls from the mid-1970s - perhaps Lansdowne will oblige in the very near future. 

A more recent publication, Collecting Toys magazine (Kalmbach Publishing) had a total run of 29 issues from 1993-1998 and had a bunch of diecast articles (and a regular diecast column) including some Wayne Moyer "how to" articles, etc. And naturally the magazine had lots of ads from diecast dealers from that era. I thought it was a great magazine and sorry that it did not enjoy a longer life.

@chris-sweetman  Chris;  I'm not certain, but I believe Lansdowne is rather dormant in model production in the past couple of years.  I did hear a few comments a year or more ago about Brooklin rejuvenating the Lansdowne series, have you heard anything of late?

Here are a few ebay ad pics of early 70s Vauxhalls made by Lansdowne.

@stewil Well said Steve. Several years ago Bob came to the Countryside show in Chicago and it was a pleasure meeting him in person.

@jack-dodds Lansdowne has been dormant for far more than a couple of years and there were concerns whether there would be further issues under this brand. Being in the present other than the 1984 Austin Montego in saloon and estate versions, which was a great surprise when announced, now on pre-order on the Brooklin website the only other confirmed Lansdowne offering from SMTS is for a Hillman Avenger Tiger which is due for release later this year. I guess if there are any other models for the Lansdowne range it depends on the success of both the Montego and the Tiger.

Also in consideration is whether collectors of British Outline models in 1:43rd scale want to spend £135ish to secure a model for their collection when they have been spoilt in recent times from issues by Vanguards and Oxford Diecast costing £40 from the former and £25 from the latter.

BTW the Hillman Avenger Tiger has been made in a limited issue by John Roberts who produced, I think six, based on the standard Lansdowne Avenger but this was some time ago.

Vanguards produced the Hillman Avenger Tiger with the original issue in Sundance Yellow being highly sought after but now virtually unattainable. So, perhaps this explains the Lansdowne version but the detailing needs to be at the same level of recent Brooklins and not that of the last Lansdowne releases. 

Vanguards also produced the Hillman Avenger Tiger in Wardance Red which when seen sells for £70ish and a competition version which sells for around £100. 

@jack-dodds @chris-sweetman Here is another recent Lansdowne from last year - could not resist it!

Morris Minor Million