FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a taxicab, the London Taxi , made by  Corgi . This example is reference E71, included in the "Corgi Juniors" series. It is made in Great Britain, introduced in 1980. Metal body painted in black. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in yellow plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Two opening doors. The nominal scale seems to be 1:63 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.6 oz. This model represents a taxicab , possibly the 1969  Austin FX4 , equipped with the 2178 cm³, 41 kW (56 hp) BMC "L4" diesel engine. Top speed around 59 mph. Properly refined by Londoners, I never managed to master the technique of getting into and sitting elegantly in an Austin FX4 taxi. Furthermore, I never considered it particularly comfortable or quiet. But, as a kid, long before I ever saw it in person, I found it visually appealing, and...

Scale model of a tank truck, the Freeway Gas Tanker "Burmah" , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 63, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1973 and 1978. Tractor with a metal body painted red; base and sub-base in black plastic. Cab windows represented in transparent purple tinted plastic. Cab with no interior details. Trailer with a white painted metal top, combined with a red plastic bottom, black plastic base. "Burmah" stickers on the sides of the tank. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. Typically, all versions of the Freeway Gas Tanker came with "Maltese Cross" wheels on the tractor and "5-Spoke Square" wheels on the trailer. No suspension. The tractor has a small round spike that fits into the base of the trailer. License plate "DWC 447L". The nominal scale seems to be 1:90 ¹  and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 1.7 oz. This mo...

Scale model of an automobile, the AMC Pacer , made by  Corgi . This example is reference E62, included in the "Corgi Juniors" series. It is made in Great Britain, introduced in 1977. Metal body painted in metallic blue. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in white plastic (with a subtle blue tint). Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Tow hitch. The nominal scale seems to be 1:60 and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in, or 2.9 in including the towing device. About 0.9 oz. This model represents an automobile, possibly the 1975  AMC Pacer  D/L 232 Hatchback, equipped with the 3801 cm³, 74.5 kW (100 hp)  AMC 232 "L6" engine. Top speed around 90 mph. As a kid, I never felt much enthusiasm for the "Corgi Juniors" series. With a few notable exceptions, the models were lightweight, with flimsy suspensions and delicate functional elements—I still remember the annoyi...

Scale model of a dump truck, the Atlas , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 23, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1977 and 1980. Metal cab and chassis painted in a purplish-blue color, metal cargo bed painted in orange. Metal base (clear coated?). Cabin windows represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in the cab in beige plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Tilting cargo bed. The nominal scale seems to be 1:88  ¹  and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in. About 2.2 oz. This model represents a fictional  dump truck  in a futuristic style. I've always liked robust dump trucks, especially the titanic examples associated with mining operations, always loaded to the limits of their capacity. Regarding this fictional Matchbox model, I suspect the original design wouldn't have lasted long in a construction yard, with its large glazed surfaces exposed to ...