FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

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 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...

Scale model of an automobile, the AMC Pacer , made by  Corgi . This example is reference E62, included in the "Corgi Juniors" series. It is made in Great Britain, introduced in 1977. Metal body painted in metallic blue. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic. Interior details in white plastic (with a subtle blue tint). Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. No suspension. Tow hitch. The nominal scale seems to be 1:60 and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in, or 2.9 in including the towing device. About 0.9 oz. This model represents an automobile, possibly the 1975  AMC Pacer  D/L 232 Hatchback, equipped with the 3801 cm³, 74.5 kW (100 hp)  AMC 232 "L6" engine. Top speed around 90 mph. As a kid, I never felt much enthusiasm for the "Corgi Juniors" series. With a few notable exceptions, the models were lightweight, with flimsy suspensions and delicate functional elements—I still remember the annoyi...

Scale model of a police car, the Porsche Police Car , made by Corgi . This example is reference E37, included in the "Corgi Juniors" series. It is made in Great Britain, introduced in 1976. Metal body painted in white, with "POLICE" stickers on the sides. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent blue tinted plastic, with molded details on the sides. Emergency lights in transparent blue tinted plastic. Interior details in red plastic. Plastic wheels with "chrome" details simulating the rims. With suspension. The nominal scale seems to be 1:58 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents a police car  possibly based on the 1972 Porsche Carrera 2.7, equipped with the 2687 cm³, 210 hp (154 kW) Porsche MFI "boxer-6" engine. Top speed around 149 mph. Between 1978 and 1982, the Belgian police acquired twenty Porsche Carrera 2.7s adapted for patrolling their highway network. I don't know if there ...