Don't you just love meeting classic TV celebrities'! No danger!
Thursday, 30 June 2022
Flower Cars
Hi
This came up in the replies to the article on the Johnny Lightning Coroner's Car last month. The Flower Car is a fairly rare type of funeral car, used to carry flowers and wreaths. There are two main types. Some have an enclosed body, like a normal hearse, with large side windows so the flowers can be seen.
Others have an open rear deck, like a pick-up truck. I only came across the term after buying a book on Professional Cars, which mainly covered ambulances and hearses, but also had a few photos of flower cars. The term seems to be mainly American.
funeral flower car photos - Google Search
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Wednesday, 29 June 2022
ZEROIDS RELATIVELY SPEAKING
Zeroid Zerak is having visit from Uncle Astroid from Durham. Uncle Astroid is Zerak's poor relation, but it doesn't stop Uncle being a bit of a wind-up merchant!
WAGON CRANES
Whenever I see a toy crane like this - a wooden one on Ikeas - it always reminds me of an illustration in one of the neat Project SWORD Make a Model books.
There's some great artwork in them and this is the crane pictured with pals in one of the stories in this one I posted in full years ago [ artist unknown to me. You?]
Do you like toy cranes?
Do you have the Make a Model books or other Century 21 cut-out books?
Tuesday, 28 June 2022
ZEROID TEE-OFF
As the weather's improved Zeroid Zobor is leaving his Cosmobile at home and off to play a round of golf today. He's playing Commander Zogg, and reckons he'll win, as Zogg hasn't got proper hands, but I wouldn't write the Commander off too quickly, Zobor, Zogg's bound to have a trick or two up his metal sleeve!
THE DRUM OF ALL SEARS
I was really taken with this online snap of the Sear's Robot Space Lab.
Looks like it was a carry case full of neat space vehicles and bots, maybe for pre-school astronauts.
Is this something you've seen before readers?
NEW FLYING GETTY
This is the box art for the JR21 New Flying Saucer! How can Getty Images charge for it?
Monday, 27 June 2022
SWAPPING CARDS
I saw a student organising his Pokémon trading cards t'other day.
It was fascinating to see and brought back memories of me doing the same in the late Sixties and Seventies.
I'd like to say I collected iconic Topps sets like Mars Attacks and Civil War News but I didn't. My big brother did so I know I saw them in the house. Oddly enough I have owned both complete sets since!
I did collect ABC Batman and Captain Scarlet cards. I also swapped football cards. Maybe Shoot comic had something to do with this.
I remember little folded Super Hero cards as well. I think they were called folders.
Ah, the meek freedoms and simple pleasures of being a kid!
Did you collect and swap trading cards readers?
ROBOT WET PLAYTIME
It's back to heavy rain showers in planet Southport today which means Zeroid Zerak can't go out to play on his Solar Cycle, so it's back to his Control Station and clean his battery terminals.
Painting by Numbers
I still see lots of Painting by Numbers kits in toy and stationary shops. They really have stood the test of time.
There were always one or two sets on Christmas morning in the Sixties. I can't recall specific designs but nature was always a staple.
I'd like to think I had some Gerry Anderson sets but I just can't remember!
Did you get Painting by Numbers sets readers?
Sunday, 26 June 2022
This Morning's Catch
A meagre haul at the boot sale today but very enjoyable browsing and buying in the sunshine nonetheless.
Lots of toy stands and many fine items. Mego Star Trek reissues. Tons of Corgi and Dinky. Loads of old annuals. The summer brings them all out for the outdoor sales.
Have you been to any car boot sales or any sales of late readers?
MONKEEMOBILE FEATURED IN SISTERS OF MERCY MUSIC VIDEO
'Black Planet' by the English rock band, Sisters of Mercy, written by Andrew Eldritch and Wayne Hussey and taken from the 1985 album, First and Last and Always.
The song is dark, but surprisingly catchy -'Black Planet, Black World!' , - and the interesting, if not inspired use of the Monkeemobile in the video denotes a complete antithesis to the custom car's original purpose, promoting an optimistic comedy/musical series about an aspiring pop group.
The Monkeemobile in the video has small alterations to how it was in the TV series - raised yellow detail around the main headlights, and tinted side windows. Apart from that, still looking as cool as ever!
My grateful thanks to reader Dave C for bringing this video and the song to my attention.
MATSUSHIRO TOYS
Following on from the spy toys post this is a search I did for more Matsushiro toys, of which there are many more than I thunk.
Have you any of these?
Saturday, 25 June 2022
HEY,HEY, HERE COMES MY MPC MONKEEMOBILE
Here's some photos of my MPC 1/25 scale Monkeemobile kit.
It's a fairly easy build as long as you constantly test fit the parts, apart from the bonus key fob which needs a steady hand to paint.
As with most kits I find it simpler preparing each individual component as I go along, right up to the point of giving them finishing lacquer as some parts are gloss, and others satin. I'm still thinking of darkening the front grills, but other than that it's finished,
When it came to the body colour, the general consensus is 'candy apple red', and a very light beige for the seating and canopy. (Although it does look white on TV)
After a little more research it seems modern 'candy apple red' which apparently was originally a flat gloss, is now metallic. It's probable the original car wasn't metallic, as presumably a normal gloss would be easier to touch up if it got scratched during filming. I read somewhere that Dean Jeffries, the custom designer and builder used a colour he called 'lipstick red'.
Even though the two original Monkeemobiles built for the series still exist, over time they've probably been restored, reupholstered, and resprayed, so looking at modern photos of those doesn't answer the question.
I eventually decided on a Halfords 'Mars Red' as it looked right and was a nice flat colour, and after a couple of coats of gloss lacquer it looked the part.
I chose a Hycote Ford Sierra Beige for the upholstery and canopy, and finished them in a satin lacquer.
I don't have access to all the episodes (the Monkeemobile featured in 18 of the 58 episodes) , so I was limited in checking details on the No. 1 car ( The No. 1 car was used in the episodes, the No.2 was used for promotional purposes) . I decided to paint the interior carpet and dashboard black rather than leave them beige, and used the number plate PER 450 which was used in the series.
The kit needed very few alterations apart from lowering the chassis using plastic packers glued to the base of the car floor pan. I needed to do this otherwise the rear wheels would have touched the top of the wheel arches. It also gave the model a bit of a 'hot rod jacked- up' look.
The 'Monkees' logo door decal completes the look. Originally the car didn't have the door logos, until they first appeared in the episode,' A Nice Place To Visit'.
There was no shortage of T.V. custom cars, or 'kustom' cars during the sixties, mainly thanks to the legendary Batmobile, and when the American sitcom The Monkees was in production, customizer Dean Jeffries, who also created the T.V. Green Hornet’s Black Beauty, was brought in during 1966 to come up with a Monkeemobile for the pre-Fab Four. (The Monkees pilot episode had originally used a red & yellow 'Woodie' Station Wagon)
At the time Dean Jeffries was under contract to Model Products Corporation better known to modellers as the kit makers, MPC at the time. (MPC was given the exclusive rights to market a plastic kit of the car, which apparently went on to sell over 7 million) Word of the project also got through to motor manufacturer Pontiac who saw it as a promotional opportunity for their Pontiac GTO. Two cars were supplied to the studio, one to be used as the ‘hero’ car and another for promotional tours, although both did appear on TV. Before it was customised, the second car was apparently used as Major Nelson’s convertible GTO in the sitcom, ‘I Dream of Jeanie’.
The first car originally had a 6-71 supercharged blower engine, a solid mounted rear axle with no springs, and extra weight at the rear to enable it to’ pop wheelies’. However, the excessive power meant the car was hard to drive, so the original blower set up was removed and replaced with a dummy blower covering a Pontiac’ Tri-power ‘ carburettor arrangement used on large performance V8 engines. Frankly, I haven’t a clue what all that means, as I’m not completely au-fait with the workings of superchargers or V8’s, but I imagine, put simply the car could still really shift!
This hippie hot rod has a distinctive convertible top, reminiscent of an exaggerated model T Ford, which certainly gives a unique look,(like it needed one!) although this is occasionally removed during it appearances in the series; there are exaggerated tail lights, and a rear mounted parachute; the front fenders and side panels are modified. The car also has three rows of seats. The rear truck (or boot, as we Brits like to call it) was removed to accommodate the extra third row.
The Monkees do have a connection with Century 21 in that a comic strip based on the TV series appeared in Lady Penelope magazine. The strip was initially drawn in black & white by Tom Kerr, and later in colour by Harry Lindfield. Century 21 also published the Monkees annuals.
Most people of a certain age will know something of The Monkees, and the ensuing Monkeemania.
The Monkees comprised of Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz who were both primarily actors, and Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork who were more accomplished as musicians.
The TV series originally aired in America from September 12, 1966 until March 25, 1968. It ran for two seasons comprising 58 episodes. It was primarily a surreal sitcom inspired by the Beatles’ film, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, and centred on the zany adventures of an aspiring pop group.
Although they were a made-for-TV manufactured band, the Monkees did have chart success with their debut single, ‘Last Train To Clarksville’, written by the song writing team, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It was released on August 16, 1966, just prior to the September airing of the Monkees TV series, and reached No 1 in America. Their second single, ‘I’m A Believer’, released in December, 1966, and written by Neil Diamond was a number 1 smash hit in 13 countries including America and the UK. It went on to become the biggest selling single during 1967.
Monkeemania had arrived.
With the phenomenal success of the TV series and the spin-off musical recordings, a live tour was organised between December 1966 until April 1967, with the Monkees’, themselves providing vocals and playing their own instruments for most of their live set. There was some controversy however, over who provided what during studio sessions, following newspaper interviews with the band, and that session musicians’ were used on recordings. They were greeted with a frosty reception during their summer 1967 tour in the UK, and labelled the ‘Pre-Fab Four’!
The second season tried to redress this by letting the Monkees’ themselves write and produce their own music, and replace their clean cut image with what was considered a more counterculture hippy look. Unfortunately the whole exercise resulted in a big drop in ratings and record sales. It seemed the producers had completely misjudged the audience, and the TV series was finally cancelled in 1968.
A post I did on the Corgi Monkeemobile: https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2019/04/monkeemobile-mania.html
BRABO? GO FIGURE!
These are strange that I saw online.
Odd plastic figures by Brabo and new to me.
They look like key fobs, about 3 inches long and clearly from the Sixties. Sort of Nutty Mad style trinkets.
I would have loved them as a kid.
Do you know these toys readers?
DO YOU STILL SEND BIRTHDAY CARDS?
I try to keep the tradition of sending cards going. Birthday cards especially. But its sometimes hard to remember to do it in time, sometimes expensive for what you get and then you have to have a stamp. I've a big family so I've had a lot of practice with all ths!
Now and then, when I'm feeling creative, I make my own cards. Usually a drawing or some text on the cover using a Rotring pen. But you have to be in the mood to put in the effort.
Sometimes I'll stick a Yorkshire tea bag in the envelope for a bit of fun too. Always good to have a cuppa when reading a card!
In this 'smart' age its tempting to just send a Birthday message by text. Maybe an Emoji or two as well. But I still think a card landing on the mat is more personal. Maybe more old fashioned. Something to put on the mantlepiece for a couple of days.
Do you still send or receive Birthday cards readers? Any memorable ones?
GOOD MORNING FROM ZINTAR
Looks like we'll get a bit of sun in planet Southport first thing this morning , but later who knows..
Zeroid Zintar is firing up his Z.E.M. 21 for a trip out by the sea. Hope he remembers to take his anti-rust lotion!
Hot Wheels Pixel Shaker
Hi
Pixel Shaker is an unusual Hot Wheels model inspired by a 1930s vintage Hot Rod. But done in an odd, squared-off style. It looks as though it is made up of small squares, like pixels or Lego bricks.
It was first released as part of the 2020 Hot Wheels Ride-Ons line, in two colours, red and blue. These were followed by yellow and purple versions in the 2021 Tooned line of cartoonish models. The engines are a different colour to the body.
The baseplate is metal - these two models have the cast-in writing arranged slightly differently. The body and engine are plastic. The top is open, so that a small figure can be placed inside. Although shown on the card, no driver is included. The rear wheels are larger than the front. Underside details include a copyright date of 2019, and Made in Malaysia.
Hot Wheels Wiki page for this model.
Pixel Shaker | Hot Wheels Wiki | Fandom
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Friday, 24 June 2022
MINI THUNDER PATROL
I love this kit art, the Mini Thunder Patrol. There's something effective about placing more or less normal car designs in science fiction settings like this. The background looks almost like a Thunderbirds launch bay.
What do you think?
GOOD MORNING, EARTHLINGS FROM ZEROID ALIEN
Looks like the weather's on the change, here in planet Southport, Rain's forecast later, but for Zeroid Alien and his computer brain it's just another day of trying not to lose his head (and his arms)!
Thursday, 23 June 2022
PAINT THE TONE RED
Picked up this nice old red Corgi at the weekend. I think its a Peugeot. A little reddening and its come up trumps.
One of its headlights was missing so I cut a bit of plastic to size and stuck it in.
Silvering next and then vroom!
Where would you go in a new car readers?
GOOD MORNING FROM ZOGG & THE KIDS
Looks to be another sunny day in Planet Southport. Zeroid Zogg and S.T.A.R. Team, Pilot & Engineer have plenty of sun cream ready just in case!
Bloomin Marvellous!
Summer's splashed right in and people and wildlife are soaking up the rays.
Like Missus Frog in our sink pond.
Like the Fisher Price fireman checking the tiny strawbs.
Like this beautiful green spider.
Are you enjoying the sunshine? Have you wildlife enjoying it too?
Mouldy Old Dough
Hi
Just found this on You Tube (no, I was not looking for it), a Top of the Pops appearance by the British group Lieutenant Pigeon, performing their big hit Mouldy Old Dough - a British No.1 in 1972. Very possibly the worst song of all time. I recall that in the 1970s it was on the radio all the time, and was later used in a New Zealand television commercial, although I can not recall what for - Lotto or a telephone company ?
Lieutenant Pigeon - Mouldy Old Dough • TopPop - YouTube
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Wednesday, 22 June 2022
ROOMS WITH A HUE
Well it has to be said that our decorators are making some headway painting the entire house bar the bathroom.
Here's one of the bedrooms nearly finished. No more cracks and nice new clean beige walls.
Like all painters' jobs the radio gets dotted with paint. Have you a radio like that?
The landing is nearly done too and we can think about which pictures to hang in a couple of weeks.
First we are getting the carpet man in. After 20 years its time we had new carpets for the grandkids to muck up!
Have you decorated recently?
SCOUTING FOR TOYS ANYONE?
I recently caught an episode of Scouting for Toys, the TV documentary about the life and times of Vectis toy auctions in the UK. Vectis are possibly the biggest vintage toy auction house in the country.
The episode I saw was about Matchbox cars. A lifetime's collector of these cars was selling up and his entire collection was up for grabs. It included every model mint and boxed, together with unique one-offs and prototypes. A big deal even for Vectis and that really came through in the programme.
The seller, one Graham Hamilton, was treated like Matchbox royalty by the punters who turned up at the sale, shaking his hand and I even think I saw him signing something. In the world of Matchbox collecting Graham Hamilton is king!
The auction itself, or the highlights shown in the show, was exciting, largely because the buyers were clearly excited by this stunning collection, the amazing quality of everything and the scarcity of some prize items like a reversed colour recovery pick-up, which had everyone jumping.
When the hammer fell for the last time and the bids were totted up Mr. Hamilton had made a staggering half a million pounds! Clearly a huge sale for him and for Vectis too. He explained that he wanted a large American car to drive around in real life now and would use some of the dosh for that.
I enjoyed the show and will look for the others on repeat somewhere. Inevitably the toys themselves take second place towards the finale and it ends up being about the money but it is an auction house after all.
What do you think of Scouting for Toys?
GOOD MORNING FROM ZEMO
Looks like it's going to be another sunny day in Southport, and it's a top 'o the morning to you all from Zeroid Zemo!
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