FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of an automobile, the T-Ford 1919 , made by Best Box   ¹ . This example is reference 2505, included in the "Best Box Series". It is made in Holland, in the 1960s  ² . Metal body painted gray. The lower part of the body forms the seats, hood, fenders, and running boards, and also serves as the base of the model. The top side is painted dark blue; the bottom side is unpainted. Windshield and windows without glazing. The only interior detail is the seats, made of metal painted dark blue. Plastic tires reproducing the shoulder blocks, unpainted metal spoked wheels. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:62 and the overall length (including wheel projections) is approximately 2.2 in. About 1 oz. This model represents an automobile, the 1919  Ford Model T  coupe, possibly equipped with the 176.7 cu in (2896 cm³), 20 hp (15 kW) Ford "L4" engine. Top speed around 40–45 mph. In the seventies, my feelings about Efsi models were contradictory. I liked the realistic...

Scale model of a garbage truck, the Refuse Truck , made by  Matchbox . This example is reference 36, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, in 1981. Metal body painted in dark metallic red, garbage collection module in yellow plastic. Metal base, painted in aluminum. Cab windows represented in transparent orange tinted plastic. No interior details in the cab. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. The garbage collection module features moving elements that allow for "automatic" garbage disposal, activated by sliding side flaps. License plate "GSK 77T". The nominal scale is 1:86 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.8 oz. This model represents a garbage truck equipped with the Heil Colectomatic system, which could be mounted on chassis from various manufacturers. In this case, the chassis-cab assembly appears to be based on that of the 1975  Berliet GR  260 or 280 truck.  ...

Scale model of a minibus, the Mercedes-Benz Bus "España 82" , made by  Corgi . This example is reference E116, included in the "Corgi Juniors" series. It is made in Great Britain, introduced in 1981. Metal body painted in red, with "ESPAÑA 82" stickers on the sides. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparen plastic. Interior simulated using printed paper placed near the windows, showing passengers and other details. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. With suspension. The nominal scale seems to be 1:82 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents a minibus, possibly the 1977  Mercedes-Benz O 309 , equipped with the 3780 cm³, 63 kW (85 hp) Mercedes-Benz OM 314 "L4" engine.  The summer of 1982 was particularly happy. Besides the usual days at the beach, two World Cups were being played—one in Spain, broadcast on television, and the other, on a smaller scale, played ...

Scale model of a radar truck, the Badger , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 16, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England, between 1973 and 1980. Metal body painted metallic bronze; cream-colored plastic radar. Metal base, unpainted; gray plastic sub-base. Windows represented in transparent green tinted plastic. No interior details. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Thanks to the "Rola-matics" system ¹ , the vehicle's forward or backward movement transmits a circular motion to the radar. The nominal scale seems to be 1:75 ²  and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 2.3 oz. This model presumably represents a fictional radar truck, or target acquisition vehicle, associated with anti-aircraft defense systems.  I've always liked this Badger, a radar truck—with a striking metallic bronze paint job! Sometimes I created adventures for it in a terrestrial military contex...