FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a dump truck, the Dodge Dumper Truck , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 48, included in the "Matchbox 1–75" series. It is made in England, between 1967 and 1969. Metal cab-chassis assembly painted red; metal cargo box painted red. Sub-base (under the cab) in "chrome" plastic. Cab windows represented in transparent blue tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Black plastic wheels. No suspension. Tilting cargo box, capable of holding the unloading position. The nominal scale is 1:85 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.6 oz. This model represents a dump truck ¹ . The cab-chassis assembly is based on that of the Dodge D truck, introduced in 1961. Yes, I have to admit—this little truck didn't have an easy life in my hands. It hauled real dirt, rocks, and sand and bravely withstood it all. Offered by Matchbox between 1967 and 1969 with "regular" wheels and then, between 1970 and 1971, with "Superfa...

Scale model of a bus, the Carpenter School Bus , made by  Tomica . This example is reference F5, included in the "Tomica Foreign" series. It is made in Japan, between 1976 and 1980. Metal body painted in yellow, with printed details on the sides, including the inscription "SCHOOL BUS". Base in black plastic. Glazing represented in transparent plastic with a molded detail in the windshield. Interior details in red plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (1H). With suspension. The nominal scale is 1:108 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 1.7 oz. This model represents a school bus , possibly based on a Carpenter Classic mounted on an International Loadstar Schoolmaster chassis. As a kid, after receiving the lovely Isuzu Bonnet Bus in my garage, I started paying more attention to all the buses that were appearing in toy store windows. And this Carpenter School Bus, produced by Tomica between 1976 and 1980, didn...

Scale model of a crane truck, the 8-Wheel Crane , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 30, included in the "Matchbox 1–75" series. It is made in England, in 1966 and 1969. Metal cab-platform assembly painted green; metal crane painted orange, hook in yellow plastic. Sub-base (under the cab) in metal, unpainted. Cab without glazing in the windows; no interior details. Black plastic wheels. No suspension. Crane with rotating motion; pivoting hook. The nominal scale is 1:114 and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in (3.1 in, including crane projections). About 1.9 oz. This model represents a crane truck. Several sources mention that it is based on a Faun model, but it must be a rather obscure vehicle, as I can't find anything from the German manufacturer that resembles it, even considering the 8x4 Faun Typ L 1400 introduced in 1958, and equipped with a 175 hp (129 kW) Deutz engine. As I mentioned in another post, in my childhood games, the need for a crane tr...