FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of a taxicab, the Austin Taxi Cab , made by  Tomica . This example is reference T12, included in the "Tomica T-Series" ¹ series. It is made in China, in the 1990s. Metal body painted in black, with printed details. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic with details molded in the windshield. Interior details in red plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (1H). With suspension. Opens the front doors. License plate "F56". The nominal scale is 1:67 and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 1.5 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. As a kid, I saw this London taxi many times in toy stores, but I always ended up choosing other models—until it stopped appearing. Years later, I finally bought it and I'm glad I did. Released by Tomica in 1978 as part ...

Scale model of a bus, the Airport Coach , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 65, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1977 and 1980. Two-part body: the lower part in metal painted in dark blue and decorated with paper stickers on the sides, with graphics and the inscription "British Airways"; and the upper part in cream-colored plastic. Metal base, unpainted. Windows represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in cream-colored plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:98 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.9 oz. This model represents a fictional bus (or coach), presumably operated on express routes to airports. It's interesting—as a kid, I never liked this Airport Coach. There was something wrong with the proportions. Furthermore, a bus that somehow reminded me of my beloved Scenicruiser (or som...

Scale model of a double-deck bus, the London Bus , made by  Tomica . This example is reference F15, included in the "Tomica Foreign" series. It is made in Japan, introduced in 1977. Metal body painted in red, with paper stickers placed on the sides, showing the advertisement "£ 1/2 million VERNONS" and the identification of the London route "94–Orpington". Red plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in white plastic on the lower floor and transparent plastic on the upper floor. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (1H). With suspension. The nominal scale is 1:130 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 2 oz. This model represents a double-deck bus used in urban services, a Daimler Fleetline , introduced in 1960. Although identified as a London bus, some aspects of its configuration remind me of versions bodied by Metal Sections , intended for the Asian market—but I might be compl...