FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of an automobile, the Beach Buggy , made by Matchbox. This example is reference 30, included in the "1–75 Superfast" series. It is made in England between 1971 and 1976. Metal body painted in metallic pink with yellow splashes. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in yellow plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. With suspension. The nominal scale is 1:53 and the overall length is approximately 2.6 in. About 1.3 oz. This model, the Beach Buggy, represents a dune buggy , featuring lowered headlights and a quite unusual coupe style. The Volkswagen "boxer" engine looks impressive with its "chrome" finish. Along with the plastic figurines offered by ice cream brands, this is one of those toys I always associate with endless summer days on the beach. Both the Beach Buggy and the Baja Buggy are obvious choices to take for exhilarating adventures on the sand – even in ...

Miniatures of animal figures constituting the series " Animales de la Selva ". This series of 30 miniatures appears in Spain possibly in the mid 1980s associated with the chewing gum brand Tyler's. The chewing gum is sold in a sachet, accompanied by a figurine. Monochrome plastic, various colors. No movable or removable parts. As expected, these figurines are not made to a constant scale and the relation of sizes is sometimes disconcerting – take for example the tiny camel. The tallest and heaviest of my figurines is the rhinoceros, with 1.2 in and about 0.2 oz. These miniatures depict several wild animals and are possibly the reissue of the series "Fieras del Zoo" launched in 1967 and associated with the brand of chewing gum Dunkin.  I don't remember these figurines being released in Portugal, but out of mere curiosity I have been buying some of them at collectors' fairs over the years. They do not show excellent quality and the disparity in the presume...