FUTURE MEMORY | TOYS & MODELS

Scale model of an automobile, the Renault 4CV , made by Norev . This example is reference 423395, included in the "Renault Toys – Les P'tites Mythiques" series. It is made in China, I don't know its production period. Metal body painted in cream, with printed details. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic with details molded in the windshield. Interior details in black plastic. Detailed plastic rims with "chrome" finish, plastic tires with molded details. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:54 and the overall length is approximately 2.7 in. About 1.1 oz. This model represents an automobile, the 1946 Renault 4 CV ¹ , equipped with the rear mounted 760 cm³, 19 hp (14  kW) Renault Billancourt "L4" engine. Top speed around 56 mph. In the mid-seventies, when my interest in vehicles intensified , the heyday of the Renault 4 CV, or " joaninhas " (ladybugs), as I heard them called in Portugal ² , was already a distant...

Scale model of a baler, the John Deere Ballenpresse , made by Siku . This example is reference 1473, included in the "Siku Super" series. It is made in China since 2012—this example is possibly from 2018. Body in green plastic with printed details; movable rear flap in black plastic. Metal base painted green combined with green plastic elements. Detailed rims in yellow plastic, rubber tires with molded details; front support wheels in black plastic, center painted in yellow. No suspension. Coupling device. The rear section (or flap) of the baler opens to unload the round bale. The nominal scale is 1:74  ¹  and the overall length is approximately 2.8 in. About 0.8 oz. This model represents a John Deere  990 round baler , manufactured in 2011–2017.  As a kid, during my visits to the countryside I always took the opportunity to examine the various types of agricultural machinery, to decipher how they worked. And I was always captivated by the pragmatic ingenuity of the...

Scale model of a police car, the Renault Dauphine Police , made by Norev . This example is reference 423395, included in the "Renault Toys – Les P'tites Mythiques" series. It is made in China, I don't know its production period. Metal body painted in black and white (" pie " scheme), with printed details. Emergency lights in amber tinted transparent plastic. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic with details molded in the windshield. Interior details in black plastic. Detailed plastic rims with "chrome" finish, plastic tires with molded details. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:54 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents a police car  operated by the Préfecture de police (Paris) , possibly the 1958 Renault Dauphine , equipped with the rear mounted 845 cm³, 32 hp  (23.5  kW) Renault Ventoux  "L4" engine. Top speed around 71 mph. I don't know if the first Renault D...

Scale model of a tractor, the John Deere 7530 , made by Siku . This example is reference 1009, included in the "Siku Super" series. It is made in China since 2008—this example is possibly from 2018. Metal body painted in green, with printed details and black and green plastic applications. Cabin in black plastic with printed details, green plastic roof. Green plastic base. Details of the driving stand in grayish brown plastic. One-piece molded tires and rims in black plastic, rims painted yellow. No suspension. The nominal scale seems to be around 1:74 and the overall length is approximately 2.6 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents a farm tractor , possibly the 2007 John Deere 7530 Premium , equipped with the 414.4 cu in (6788 cm³), 180 hp (134.2 kW) John Deere 6068HRW77 "L6" diesel engine. All-wheel drive. Top speed around 31 mph.  Even those who know little about tractors and agricultural machinery know what a "John Deere" is. It's true that the ...

Scale model of an automobile, the Renault Dauphine , made by  Norev . This example is reference 237439, included in the "Renault Toys – Les P'tites Mythiques" series. It is made in China, I don't know its production period. Metal body painted in blue (" Bleu émeraude "?), with printed details. Black plastic base. Glazing represented in transparent plastic with details molded in the windshield. Interior details in cream and beige plastics. Detailed plastic rims with "chrome" finish, plastic tires with molded details. No suspension. The nominal scale is 1:54 and the overall length is approximately 2.9 in. About 1.3 oz. This model represents an automobile, the 1956 Renault Dauphine , equipped with the rear-mounted 845 cm³, 32 hp (23.5 kW)  Renault Ventoux "L4" engine. Top speed around 71 mph.    I've always liked the Renault Dauphine , its rounded lines, its peculiarly friendly and even elegant appearance—its smiling face. The miniature...