Prices firm at Vectis

In another of the auctions at Vectis, some solid prices for desirable lots were recorded. A good example of this was the Corgi No.GS41 Gift Set Transporter, comprising a Scammell Car Transporter in white and red with cast hubs, with a complement of six cars. These included a rare MGC GT in burnt orange; a Hillman Imp in Rallye Monte Carlo livery, finished in blue with a white stripe; a Volvo P1800 from The Saint series (in white, with a red bonnet label); an example of the bizarre wickerwork panelled Mini in black; another Rallye Monte Carlo entrant, this a Mini in red with a white roof; and finally a Morris Mini in burgundy with cast hubs. Good plus to excellent described the models whilst the polystyrene tray and blue and yellow lift off lidded box were also par for the course. Against an estimate of £500-600, this lovely set went on to achieve £1,440.

An oddity was the Rigby's LSR Models (Mastered by John Shinton) resin 1/43 scale Thrust SSC Landspeed Record car, as driven by Andy Green at Black Rock Nevada on the October 15 1997. Billed as excellent (the front nose cone was in a clear plastic bag, and the model was possibly missing a small detail to the rear tail fin), it was presented in a display case. A modest £30-50 estimate was quickly despatched and the car went on to make £168.

Finally, a Spec Cast (from the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club) 1/16 scale Caterpillar D2 Track-Type Tractor Orchard Model, and another with a tool bar blade, presented an intriguing (large scale) change from the norm. Condition of both was near mint to mint; with appropriate boxes and inserts, these crawled away to realise a creditable £180.