FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of an automobile, the Nissan Laurel 2000 SGX , made by Yatming   ¹ . This example is reference 1007 in the Fastwheel series. It is made in Hong Kong, possibly in the 1970s. Metal body painted in blue. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in white plastic, left-hand drive. Plastic wheels, rims with chrome  finish. With suspension. No nominal scale indicated, but taking the wheelbase as reference, it seems to be around 1:65. The overall length is approximately 2.8 in. About 0.9 oz. This model represents an automobile, the Nissan Laurel 2000 SGX coupe, possibly based on the 1972  Nissan Laurel 2000SGX. I only know this blue version. At the end of the 1970s, when Yatming models start arriving in my garage, I find them appealing, although lighter, less realistic, and less well finished than some competing models. The wheels are narrow and on some models the suspension is barely noticeable – and fragile. Some are go...

Scale model of a police car, the Mazda GT Police Car   ¹ , made by Zylmex. This example is reference P306  ² , included in the " Dynamights " series. It is made in Hong Kong in the 1970s. Metal body painted in black, with white doors and roof. Paper labels on the doors showing a five-pointed star, and on the boot reading " POLICE ". Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in yellow transparent plastic. Red roof light. Interior details in yellow plastic, left-hand drive. Plastic wheels, rims with "chrome" finish. With suspension. Opening doors. The overall length is approximately 2.8 in. About 1.2 oz. This model represents a police car based on the 1970  Mazda Capella coupe. It is made by Zylmex in several versions. In the late 1970s, I find the Zylmex miniatures attractive, in spite of some annoying imperfections – this example is in mint condition, straight out of the box... Surprisingly, some are very good rollers. I'm not sure if Zylmex tri...

Scale model of an automobile in the "hot rod" style, the '32 Ford , made by Hot Wheels . This example is reference 6, included in the "2017 HW Flames" series. It is made in Malaysia. Metal body painted in red, with yellow and orange flames on the sides. Exposed engine. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in "chrome" plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims (5SP). No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:64 and the overall length is approximately 2.4 in. About 1 oz. This model represents an automobile in the " hot rod " style, the '32 Ford, based on the 1932  Ford Model 18 or B coupe. It is made by Hot Wheels in numerous versions. The 1932 Ford Coupe is an icon among the "hot rod" enthusiasts community – and you don't even have to associate it with the 1963 Beach Boys "Little Deuce Coupe" song or with the 1973 Francis Ford Coppola ...

Scale model of a panel van, the Model A Ford Van , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 38, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England in 1983 or 1984. Metal body painted in dark blue, black fenders and running boards. Cargo compartment with white plastic roof and paper labels on the sides reading "CHAMPION – SPARK PLUGS". Black plastic base. Glazing represented in yellow transparent plastic. No interior details. Plastic wheels, rims with "chrome" finish. No suspension. "KG 6567" license plate. The nominal scale is 1:52 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 2.5 oz. This model represents a panel van derived from the 1931  Ford Model A . It is made by Matchbox in several versions. As you can see, this model has a broken front bumper. As a modeler, I could have redone it a long time ago. But there is a personal episode that goes back to the 1980s behind this broken front bumper. So I decided to leave ...

Scale model of an automobile in the "hot rod" style, the Straight Pipes , made by Hot Wheels . This example is reference 12, included in the "2007 New Models" series. It is made in Malaysia. Metal body painted black, with yellow and orange flames on the sides. Exposed engine, with long exhaust pipes passing over the roof. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in red plastic. Plastic wheels, rims with "chrome" finish. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:64 and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents an automobile in the " hot rod " style, the Straight Pipes. It is made by Hot Wheels in several versions. I'm usually a rational and sensible type – but I have my sins. Like the visceral taste for "muscle cars", "hot rods" and "custom cars". Foolish and loud, some almost impossible to drive, as thousands of young people find ou...

Scale model of an automobile, the Model A Ford , made by Matchbox . This example is reference 73, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England in 1983 or 1984. Metal body painted in beige, brown fenders and running boards. Black roof top. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in yellow transparent plastic. No interior details. Plastic wheels, rims with "chrome" finish. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:52 and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in. About 1.9 oz. This model represents an automobile, possibly the 1931  Ford Model A , in a somewhat customized form with oversized rear wheels. It is made by Matchbox in several versions. As a kid, I see this little metal car as a muscled version of the Ford Model A, which features more rounded and gracious lines. And I don't like the oversized rear wheels, with a different rim pattern. Interestingly, a few years later, Matchbox takes advantage of this feature, offering this model as a ...