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!

Solo Fun Run

Beating the showers: Part 1, The Trip

Impromptu out-of-town trips are always the best.
Not only are they thrilling, they are usually the ones that do materialize.
Sometimes we plan too much for one, but they end up just that, mere plans.
Deciding at the spur of the moment is the way to get this done. Pronto adventure!
This best describe this road trip; one that is meant to beat the coming of the rainy days.

So we set out to test how well our old-school VW waterwagen eat up this road meal with gusto. All captured from inside the vehicle at high speed, the travel scenery is a joy in itself.

The road fun views

Nice road cut through the hill

More hill cuts

I love the country-side...

...and the mountains

Trip curiosity made me smile

The destination's first view...

...and a sneak preview...

...why we came here...
up next in future post!
Enjoy!

Japan-released MB VW

The first wave of Superfast MB’s are really charming pieces of diecast miniatures.
More so is the era they represent for a certain age of collectors.
Most of us have in one way or the other share a common experience with them.
A point in time of childhood memories and carefree clean-fun days!
During the 70’s and 80’s, this enjoyment broadened worldwide.
It’s exciting for collectors to acquire versions of their favorite MB’s,
released specifically in another country, to understand its worldwide appeal.
This, I do share the fascination.

My Collection of and Fascination with Japan-released Superfast Matchbox.

VW Bug in Japaneses box



VW Bug in Japanese blister



VW Golf 1 in Japanese box



VW 4x4 in Japanese box

Cool Gama Minette

Holy grail series

After 3years of looking and waiting…
Finally got this Gama Minette Porsche Carrera.

It’s a bit dirty, some nicks and all, but I’m very pleased with this one.

Decals have yellowed already, the front one torn thus showing cleaner paint.
Should I restore the torn portion? Come to think of it, I’ll keep this as is!

The Minette’s shape captures the Porsche 906 very well…although

…the wheels are curious in their proportion. They looked like push-pins!
But then again, I liked these very unique wheels. They won’t roll fast, the rods are thick.

I’ve been also searching on detail info about this model before I got this, but the web doesn’t have much. So I’m sharing some for others that might be interested. The rear plastic has an “H” marking of sorts, …really don’t have a clue what it means.

Engine bay showing the gold paint cover and the carb stacks.

So much joy having this already...and the trill of the hunt that went into it....
This the next holy grail!

Gulf Thing

Now the team is complete.
My previously done McQueen race bug has a matching car for the pit crew .
The MB VW Thing color is perfect, even the license plate color….
and good for a ‘lazy custom’ quickie transformation.

VW Notchin'

Our friend is definitely enjoying his '65 VW Notchback!
One Cool California Ride!
Gotta give it to Don for keeping our favorite Type 3 sano clean!

Successor to the the KG

Karmann cars series

VW was in need of a successor to the Karmann Ghia.
They wanted the formula right, as a previous attempt,
was not to their usual expectation.

The formula was such that it must be; like the 1st KG,
An Italian designed 2+2 body,
Power/Drivetrain/Platform by VW,
Built by Wilhelm Karmann GmbH in Osnabrück, Germany.

The result was the VW Scirocco.
Designed by Giugiaro of Ital Design.
Mechanicals from the 1974 VW Golf
And built by Karmann.
The outcome is the most successful VW coupe, of which
800,000 units were sold. A true worthy heir to the KG.

My Paul Model Art 1/43 of the 1976 VW Scirocco.
Single wipers, quad-lamps, front air dam = 70’s sporty
BTW, Honda copied this to make the 1st gen Accord!

Love that wedge look, which is signature Guigiaro design.
Sporty VW OEM wheels are beautiful on this coupe.
My brother has the 1:1 of it.

Regarding PMA’s formula = detail is always done right!
In typical early watercooled VW, exhaust tailpipe
is angled. You got to give it to PMA for accurateness!


Delineation