Un-mint Appeal?

There is something eccentric having to do this.
Genuinely, I can’t discern why….
…but I’m drawn to this nostalgic connection.

To start with; rat rods are supposed to be,
rough and tough, down and dirty.
What’s the point of a polished model,
it wouldn’t be then a rat Volksrod.

To capture the spirit, I took a dead mint HW.
Scrapped the paint and chipped it at random.
Slapped some well-worn transitional & early
MB Superfast wheels. No more detailing
whatsoever, plain and simple retrograding.

Somehow this rat Volksrod brings me back,
and in touch with my first ever VW,
the Matchbox #15 red 1500 Saloon.
It was well played with and very much loved
that its remaining paint is no less that 60%
intact and the windows broken. Needless to say,
that one is a hands down all-time favorite!
Those front wheels are from that very same toy
I played with as a 7-year old gear head.
That MB VW, is now a Cal-look Bug and is my
most treasured diecast. (Watch out for it soon)

Something old, something new but made old.
I guess it was about lighthearted retrospect.
The aftermath of this reminiscing is an
‘un-mint custom’, a liberating fun exercise
contrary to the norm. A general norm that mint
is the better condition most of the time.
In this case, like a much faded Levis 501 jeans…
well-worn is definitely more appealing to me!

Transitional front wheels for my 1st MB Bug


Rear wheels from my other childhood Superfast MB

Coop Sports Car

Karmann car series

VW and Porsche have a long history of cooperation that started with the first ever KdF car. Both are synonymous to the German version of ‘I scratch your back and you scratch mine’. This close relationship was apparent too in the 60’s when both wanted a transition sports car model. VW for one wanted a replacement of the Karmann Type34, and Porsche for its part a successor to the entry-level 912.

The result is the VW Porsche 914, a car that bears both names of my main passions, as far as the automobile is concern. It too reminds me of how cooperation is made of; a combination of team effort, purpose, compromise, sharing, trials and resolve. Thereby with these representations, I feel it is special!

My 3” version is by any measure special to me as well.
Siku V312 1970 VW Porsche 914/6, the six-cylinder variant of the 914 is one of my all time beloved diecast.

This particular 914 is from the 'Siku Flitzern' series, the German firm’s 1970 response to the transition to faster rolling wheels, meant to compete with HotWheels Redline or Matchbox Superfast. Thus the wheels are sometimes referred to as Flitzern.

A delicate and very charming model IMHO, having the early clear windows that differ from later yellow window releases and those all black Siku R3 wheel are one of my favorites in a Siku.

Another raison d'être why I collect VW and Porsche.
Cheers!

Destination : Simply FUN

Beating the showers, Part 2

To me the trip is as great as the destination.
Truth be told, I don’t expect much from a travel.
My motto : I’ll make the most out of it!
Any simple moment should be simply enjoyed.
And enjoyed, is what we did!

Some snap shots….
These trees sport unusual leaves?

They are actually fruit bats!
Sometime ago, it was told that these bats left for good.
Good thing they came back.

Got a good dose of vibrant colors...

... fun ride on an orange-striped jeepney...

and fed the cat !

The main event is the water fun.

Mammals are having a field day…

…showing their stuff….

and putting a smile on us all !

Enjoy and Have FUN!

Superb Mercury Speedy

Holy grail series

There are things that simply are thought provoking for me.
A deep inquisition on how things were designed and made during previous decades.
Previously powerful PC and CNC tools weren’t available then, and yet much masterpieces of product designs were achieved in the 60’s or even later decades.
I start to imagine a 1966 Porsche Carrera 6 - the epitome of street legal Stuttgart race car; its 6 cylinder boxer engine, drive-train and shapely bodywork are marvels of car design and engineering. Every part is hand drawn and then manufactured. From plans in paper, to its realization in metal; an awesome feat in every respect.

This applies to my amazement of the Mercury Speedy’s version of the Porsche Carrera 6.
From my point of view, it is unbelievable that this is 4 decade old product.
Wonderful detail abounds, and those wheels are a sight to behold! Having rubber tire threads for a 3” inch car from that era is commendable.
I really don’t know if it just me, but surely those who made this Speedy earns my admiration and respect!

The Speedy’s box is as delicate as the model

Every angle …

…is a joy to glimpse.

Italian made masterpiece.

Bravo!