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 taxicab, the London Taxi , made by  Corgi . This example is reference E71, included in the "Corgi Juniors" series. It is made in Great Britain, introduced in 1980. Metal body painted in black. Metal base, unpainted. Glazing represented in transparent yellow (amber) tinted plastic. Interior details in yellow plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Two opening doors. The nominal scale seems to be 1:63 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.6 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. Properly refined by Londoners, I never managed to master the technique of getting into and sitting elegantly in an Austin FX4 taxi. Furthermore, I never considered it particularly comfortable or quiet. But, as a kid, long before I ever saw it in person, I found it visually appealing, and...