Heres a a few of my previous code 3 Dinky.






































A model can be painted in all sorts of colours and can cut and shut depends if you would rather keep it stock or go for something different. Something different always works for me.

In fact I like mint boxed, battered ones, in played with condition ones and everything in between.


I can see both your point Hupps and Hugh, I restore a lot myself and for now, I certainly am not going to sell them. 


Participating in hobby fairs, I always take a few of my restored ones with me, people react mostly very positive


So keep up the good work

I have a few Dinky toys which survived my childhood with all the usual bumps and scrapes, plus a number of rather terrible examples that I picked up on eBay, usually for les than the cost of the postage! I enjoy doing them up for my own pleasure, the finished ones (like the Minis pictured below) sit in my display cabinet amongst many more legitimate models.


Originality is not my thing, I spray them in colours of my choice and use Humbrol or Revel model paints to add the finer detail. My hand isn't always that steady and I clearly need more practice, but I like to think that any toy which abuses the term "play-worn" can enjoy a new lease of life!



Fit for nothing but the knacker's yard:





Cleaned up and primed:





Sometimes I use real paint that the real cars would have used, but these are generic model paints which look suitably 1970s for the Mini Clubman, and since I have had no luck finding the correct spray colour for the police car, it became a later all-white model:





The finer details added (here is where I need the most practice!):





Almost complete, the green Mini's doors ar a poor match dispite having the same treatment so secondary attack is in order there, and the police car just needs to dry hard enough for the decals to go on:





The purists may scoff, but they keep an old man happy!

I think you have done a great job, and to be honest you will find people here that do code 3 restorations as collectors and restorers on this forum

Nice work, they all came up really well, code 3's are a great hobby and welcome aboard here...

To me, all kinds of 'states' have their justification, it just depends on the specific purpose in each case.


Mint Boxed: For the authentic, museum-like feel of stepping back in time and admiring the achievements of the past, exactly as they were, you can't beat a mint/boxed model. It really is like 'going back'. Unfortunately it's also prohibitively expensive, so for most of us, it's really not an everyday-option, but something reserved for a very few selected favorites from our childhoods - for me, this was something like the Dinky 179 Opel Commodore. I don't regret for a single moment that I bought it, but it's one out of just a very few.


Restored: Great for creating an overview of larger series, collections, eras. What models dod Corgi release in 1967? What did they look like? What features did they have? Illustrating this with mint/boxed models would cost an arm and a leg and playworn examples would often give the wrong impression, since many features would have broken, extras missing etc. so you don't get the correct view of the play value. Also, one shouldn't underestimate the 'emotional power' of seeing a wreck brought back to full glory. I know I truly enjoy some of the examples shown here on TC.


Code 3: If you collect something specific, like cars in a certain livery, you'll be almost certain to find that some real-life cars in that fleet are unavailable in miniature... code 3's to the rescue! It can really mean a lot to finally be able to fill a gap. Another great use is for the "what if's" - models that we know were planned in a certain way, but came out differently, a prime example being all the models made in the "wheel transition"-period with the switch from old style wheels to whizzwheels/speedwheels etc. - isn't it great to be able to see what a certain Corgi model would have looked like with the Golden Jacks wheels originally intended? Code 3 is also ideal for creating a miniature replica of your first 1:1 car, and so on. Or what about just good old fashioned joy of creating small 'pieces of art'... modyfying to your hearts content, choosing any color you like, painting details that the original didn't have, replacing primitive wheels with better ones. There are so many things that can be done and tc has shown us countless great examples.


The question of 'losing value' through modification, is really "in the eye of the beholder": what do you want from a particular model? what are you trying to show? If the modification takes you closer to your own personal goal, then the value will increase with the change, at least it will to you, and that's what matters here. Whether or not the world agrees is totally irrelevant as long as the model stays in your possession.

Well written there Mr Tee.

Welcome to TC wmspillet good to see some of your handy-work.

Well expressed Teebodk
What is a code 3 according to all the books a model (i wont call it a toy ) that was not done with the manufactures permission , if you want code 1 manufactures OK code 2 modefied with permission OK
code 3 useing the model to make something that the manufacturer did not think would sell in volume or a one off. each to there own.

that's why I like being in this forum... likeminded people bringing new life back to an overhauled toy.

a month ago had a major blow out in Vintage.British.Diecasts literally calling all the purists there a bunch of arrogant bigots.
Then I left.

The reason??? ten against one. When one arrogant purist voiced their unwanted opinion why they would never collect a Code 3 Modified or restored model they would chuck it in the bin and deem it worthless.
The rest jumped on the band wagon lauding agreement.
So I blew my top and told these bigots the truth.

Lets just say I haven't been back. Apparently they weren't too happy, and they were too blind to notice I was hurt by their comments.

I think of myself as an all-rounder collector. Modifying a toycar is an absolute must especially if its already busted or badly repainted.
Also collect MIB and original, but am a lot kinder to those who modify.

You tell them Richard, you tell them and I agree hole heartily with you.

Long Live Freedom of Speech and down with those negativities of judgement calls, while we must respect everyone's wisdom of thought, no matter if they are right of wrong. However, they are my toys and I'll do what I like with them. I'll have it entered into my Will and Testament that all my modified and Customised toys that I have rebuilt to be buried with me six foot under when I leave this planet.

Cheers what a lovely world we live in.

Hear hear. I earn a living at repainting models. Well, that isn't the only thing but I do a lot and it puts food on the table and pays the bills some. If I was a purist, I would not be in this game. I have had a number of people question me and even call me down over a toy I have restored. A long time ago, I decided the toy is not mine, it belongs to my customer and he can do what he pleases with it. If that is filling it with firecrackers and trying to blow the roof off or a full restoration back to original or even a code three, it matter not to me. His toy.


Glad I was not on the site you were on Richard as I would have put my 5¢ worth in and left too. Already been there, done that. Good for you to put them in their place. Each to his own I say.

WMSPILLETT,  welcome aboard.


                    Your cars 'LOOK FACTORY TO ME".   Well done.     dinkyboy

Thanks for the comments everyone.


It must be awful to be the child of one of those perfectionists:


Father: "Happy birthday, little Jimmy, here is your gift!"


Son: "Wow, a 1:18th scale Bugatti Veyron. Thanks Dad! How do I get this tape off?"


Father: "No, son, don't open it otherwise it will be worthless when you are old and grey..."

wmspillett well written.

Delighted that there are like minded individuals on here, you do get fed up hiding away in case some of these purist's find you and expose your deviant ways when doing code 3's..Arrogance is one word to call these guys, there is also an element of elitism here, not everyone has pockets deep enough to buy only mint and boxed...Me I shall continue to chop and change.....