FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of an automobile, the Ford Continental Mark IV , made by Tomica . This example is reference F4, included in what is usually known as the "Foreign" series, dedicated to non-Japanese vehicles. It is made in Japan in 1983 or 1984. Metal body painted in yellow, white roof. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic, with the rear-view mirror molded on the windshield. Interior details in red plastic. Plastic wheels, rims with "chrome" finish. With suspension. Opening doors. "FORD" license plate. The nominal scale is 1:77 and the overall length is approximately 3 in. About 1.7 oz. This model represents an automobile, possibly the 1974  Lincoln Continental Mark IV coupe. It is made by Tomica in several versions. In the late 1970s, Lincoln automobiles always evoke, among some of the adults I know, a sort of automotive excellence, even if they are a rare sight on Portuguese roads – and objectively no better than equivalent E...

Scale model of an automobile, the 1966 Oldsmobile 442 , made by Auto World . This example is reference AW64162, included in the Vintage Muscle series. It is made in China in 2017. Metal body painted in turquoise, white roof. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in black plastic. Rubber tires decorated with thin red lines, rims with chrome finish. No suspension. Opening bonnet, revealing the detailed engine. 4FOUR2 license plate. The nominal scale is 1:64 and the overall length is approximately 3.2 in. About 2.2 oz. This model represents an automobile, the 1966 Oldsmobile 442, possibly based on the 1966  Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Club Coupe with the W-30 option, featuring the peculiar air scoops integrated in the front bumper. In the late seventies, when I go to the toy stores, 1:64 models are normally destined to kids, while 1:43 models are more aimed at adults – interestingly, some tiny 1:87 or 1:76 models are also aimed at adults, su...

Scale model of an automobile, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham , made by Yatming   ¹ . This example is reference 1053, included in the Fastwheel series. It is made in Hong Kong, possibly in the 1970s. Metal body painted in dark red. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in dark red plastic. Plastic wheels, rims with chrome finish. With suspension. Opening doors. The nominal scale is 1:77 and the overall length is approximately 3.1 in. About 1.7 oz. This model represents an automobile, the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham sedan, possibly based on the 1975  Cadillac 60 Special Fleetwood Brougham . When, in the late seventies, I come across a 1955 Cadillac 60 Special, I am impressed by its sheer length – 227.3 in. Later, I find out on the pages of the L'Automobile' s worldwide catalog that the 1975 Cadillac 60 Special Brougham is even bigger, measuring 233.7 in. But, as I later realize, this is the end of an era. When, after a h...

Scale model of an automobile, the Fiat X1/9  ¹ , presumably made by CF. This example is reference CF 305. It is made in China, possibly in the 1990s. Metal body painted in yellow, with printed details, a four-pointed star on the hood, and 5000 on the roof. Black plastic base, prepared to accept a tiny pull-back motor. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in black plastic. Plastic wheels, rims with chrome finish. No suspension. Opening doors. CF 305 license plate. The nominal scale is 1:59 and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 0.8 oz. This model represents an automobile, the Fiat X1/9, possibly based on the 1975  Fiat X1/9 , destined to the American market, with the characteristic bumpers. During the 1990s, several low-cost models of Asian origin appear on the Portuguese market. Some are generic vehicles, while others are copies of known castings, often featuring some sort of added mechanical action. This example seems to be a copy...