Gettin' the dirt on the MG 1100-GT*

Condition straight from the ground ...

This Matchbox MG 1100-GT* must be the clown car of diecasts: just when you think all the dirt has come out of this car, even more falls out. This little thing must have been force feed dirt prior to entombment.

There's only one rivet that holds the chassis to the body. Once drilled out, the chassis separates quite cleanly.

The back end isn't attached to the body. You see that green plastic strip clinging to the bottom of the interior insert? That's a spring that pushes against the chassis' free floating back end to give the little thing some rudimentary suspension - although when stuffed with dirt, there's no springiness at all. [JL update: I wonder if the back bumper has been snapped off and is missing? So, maybe ignore the ramblings in this paragraph and stay tuned...]

The interior insert has a trailer hitch molded on, which in turn slips through a metal bit on the body's back bumper. Gently pry on the hitch and out pops the interior.

Look at all that dirt! I kid you not, it was all stuffed in the car.

The axles are the only part that show any sign of decomposition after 50 or so years of being in the ground. They're completely rusted out, seized, and long past being rotatable.

After some gentle cleaning with mild soap, water, and a soft bristle brush, the interior is looking as good as new. It sure doesn't look like it has been buried in the backyard for 50 years.

I like that dog in the back seat. When the interior's installed, the dog's nose pokes out the window!

... and after a good washing with soap and water

And there it is. All the dirt is gone. I was particularly surprised by the nearly scratch-free condition of the windshield insert. It'll likely only need a mild polishing to get it looking shiny and new.

The body is another story. Although intact, and I don't think it's bent, its surface is rough as well as paint chipped. The next job will be to strip it and get it ready for a new paint job.

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* The GT stands for 'Garden Treasure'. Not a Matchbox term, but a suitable name extension for a surprising find.