Diecast still doing well at Vectis

IIf Star Wars and Matchbox are not quite your thing, then solace could have been taken in the Vectis June sale. Spot-on took the honours on this occasion, proving that a short-lived range attracts a healthy following. The Presentation Pack Sports Cars, comprising a red MGA, a pale blue Triumph TR3, a dark green Jaguar XKSS and an Austin Healey in yellow were all in near mint to mint condition. Allied to this was an excellent box, and thus you had a recipe for success. Touted at up to £500, this lovely set from the 1960s sold for double that at £1,020.

On to the big screen: Corgi’s The Man From UNCLE Thrushbuster in cream is the unusual hue to look out for (did they only sell this variant States-side?). It was mint, albeit with a couple of very minor factory marks, and came with a good box, plus the all-important Waverly ring: even the packing pieces were present. Estimated at £480-520, it drew in the bidders and was finally knocked down for just over £800.

More on Corgi and the Gift Set Rallye Monte Carlo is always a popular item and here was an example of the whole being worth more than the sum of the parts. The usual BMC Mini Cooper in cherry red, a metallic maroon Rover 2000 and the slightly surreal pale blue Citroen DS19 were all present. Generally excellent to excellent plus (some small marks on some edges and slight wear to decals was noted, however), it was nonetheless a good trio on a good pictorial stand and bidders pushed the set all the way to £792.

Another Corgi favourite is GS37, the Lotus Racing Team. This isn’t rare by any means but the trick is trying to find an example with all the contents (the cones have a habit of disappearing) and with the decals unapplied. If you can find an intact polystyrene packaging, then you’re doing very well indeed. Vectis’ example was as good they come and the two Elans (one green, one yellow), the VW breakdown truck and trailer were all virtually mint. The set also contained the leaflet “Model Car Makers to James Bond” and came with a Mr Retailer packing piece, for those who agonise over such details. Well worth the upper guideline of £280 in anyone’s book, it was no surprise to see the set whizz away to make £744.