Of metal and plastic

Cars of yesteryears were predominantly made with metal.
Progress and evolution have made this practice not the general rule anymore.
More and more plastics of different compositions have gradually replaced metal.
Good examples are bumpers, car exteriors and interiors...and by that, it's a lot!
The engine bay hosts a lot of these plastics as well.

There also exist, parallels in small scale car miniatures.

Those Lesney Matchbox for example, has metal bases then, now they are mostly in plastic.

I guess plastic will continue to exist side by side with metal, as both have their distinct advantages when used in cars. Whatever the scale is!
I have recently been receptive of the appeal of plastics as well.

They are mainly vintage plastic cars, and I’m delighted to have broaden my horizon.

Diecast metal is a staple in my collection, but I’m open to other materials nowadays.

This pair of VW 411, illustrates the individual charm of each material.

Diecast in 1/66 by Schuco, Made in Germany

Typical of vintage diecast cars are opening features like doors,

and diecast base chassis.

Plastic in 1/64 by Stelco, Made in Germany

Typical of this vintage are the lack of interiors,

and no base chassis!

Both wonderful examples of the curious VW 411

White Car Black Wheels

Wheel fetish 2

There is a renaissance of the color white in cars. Not that white was absent as a dealer option, actually it has been there ever since. In the era of metallic paints and fancy mix, it has persistently survived. Recently, I have noticed that luxury rides, sport cars and even exotics are cloth in white paint; this trend has fueled the resurgence. White is the new silver nowadays!

Ironically, I even see it as the new measure of vanity. It is one of the cheapest paint per se, but on the maintenance front, it is the opposite. A frequent trip to the carwash and wax detailing are norms in owning a car painted in white. It rakes in more effort and expense to keep pristine. But going through all of this, one is rewarded with a stunning looking car; it is classic at the same time avant-garde. A cool combination!

There is an even more stunning combination IMHO!
Like this classic 911 turbo,

…same recipe on a modern 911 turbo!

Similarly on a classic Golf GTi’

…and its later reincarnation!

How, about on a Jetta GLi…

…or this MK4?

Some really great inspirations! Don’t you think?

So, here’s my take on the theme…

White car,

Black wheels.

New car,

Old school wheels.

BBS from the Sportline Golf GTi

Wheel Fetish

The love for cars has different versions of fixation.
Some love them for their flashy chrome stuff and bling.
Others go for the pumping audio equipment and electronics.
People spend their money on wild paint job and bodykits.
It all boils down to this; your money, your style.

I for one am a bit conventional on styling of 1:1 cars.
Sure I prefer Lambo or Porsches any day, if I have the dough.
But, would rather keep them bone stock. That is my preference.
None of the fancy cosmetics to modify them, I’d keep them original.
Apart maybe for one exception; the proper wheels!

I’m a self confess wheel fetish, literally and figuratively.
I like a car with a great set of rim/alloy wheels on it.
I can actually remember some wonderful rims on VW or Porsches that came standard on them. The aftermarket wheel that perfectly suite a VW, is a must have for me.
Thus, from my point of view a great set of wheels make a good car, great looking!

An example is this VW Golf IV GTi

The paint is perfect for this car

All the more, sporting the BBS wheels, model RS771!

Love the stance and overall look.

Paul Model’s Art 1:43 version

The start of something good!

An event that is a prelude to something life-changing (for the better) is always a great time to remember. All of us have them in abundance, and these make it worthwhile when looking back. I’m compelled to share examples, which are the prerequisite of the best journeys taken. Such is the development of the Porsche 907 in 1967 by Ferdinand Piech (now the VW Chairman) for the 24 hours Le Mans race. It was a David among the Goliaths, as it was powered only by a 2000cc engine as opposed to the all conquering 7000cc of the reigning champ, the Ford GT40. But Porsche saw fitting to forge ahead, and came 5th overall in 1967 only bested by the much bigger engine Ford and Ferrari. In 1968, saw the winning streak of the Porsche 907. First winning the 24 hours of Daytona with the staggering 1-2-3 sweep of the podium finish! Next was the 12 hours of Sebring with an equally impressive 1-2 finish wins. Winning the legendary Targa Florio was subsequently in the list of impressive victory of this mighty mite. Then all it needs was the Le Mans win that would make the icing on the cake…but that didn’t happen. The Porsche 907LH (Langheck aka Longtail) would take the 2nd spot after the winning (3 year, grand-slam) Ford GT40. At the end of the 1968 season, the development of the 907 and its subsequent prelude to Porsche’s ambition for an overall Le Mans win, has taken serious root. The 907 opened the doors and has paved the way for the development of the greatest racing car in history, the legendary Porsche 917!

Ironically, my search for the 3 inch scale of the Porsche 907, was a wonderful start of something good as well. I have posted my search for the only known manufacturer of it, that being Majorette of France. A kind-hearted gentleman heed my call and thus as we say ‘’the rest is history’’. The wonderful Porsche 907 has led and brought me a very good friend! I can’t thank him enough for these charming Majorette cars!

Solid Red with the early regular wheel variant. Marked; #8, BP (British Petroleum) & Dunlop

Metallic Red with the 5-spoke wheels. Marked; #3, BP (British Petroleum) & Caltex

Orange with the 3-spoke wheels (background).

Light Blue with the 5-spoke wheels. Marked; BP (British Petroleum) & Shell

Metallic Blue with the 3-spoke wheels. Marked; #3, BP (British Petroleum) & Elf

Baseplate says 1/63 scale.

There are more colors and combinations apart from these....

... all are very good examples of the mighty mite 907!

Setting the record straight

In the olden days, whenever a mention of ‘Volkswagen’ was made… you automatically think of the Beetle. A small car which was cheap to buy and cheaper to maintain. A perception that is connected to the brand, up to today in our shores. New VWs have been sorely absent here for a considerable time, so a lot of us are not up to date with, where the brand has gone to nowadays. Most still think, VWs are cars with aircooled engine at the back. What I can tell you from the everyday use of my watercooled VWs, is that; (1) good examples aren’t cheap to buy here and, (2) they are expensive to maintain as parts are from few specialized importers.

And speaking of how far VW has been to…here is one of the extreme case in point.

The Volkswagen W12 Coupe which set 7 world 24-hour speed records at the Nardo Circuit near Lecce, Italy in February of 2002. http://www.vwvortex.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=2&num=37

This is not your dad’s Beetle :-)

Mean machine in matte black body.

Designed by Georgette Giugiaro of ItalDesign, same genius behind the VW Golf & Scirocco.

Not your dad’s rear engine Bug

The mean W12 powerplant, 12 cylinder 600HP behemoth.

It rolls on my favorite alloy wheels, BBS of Germany.

Ran a record 7,749.4 kilometres at an average speed of 322.89 km/h….
Not bad for a Volkswagen!

Shown is the miniature by SPARK, from my 1:43 collection.

Here Comes The Sun

…and I say it’s alright! You've heard of the Beatles, of course. I’ve taken a line from their song, which easily comes to mind, about being in the state of cheerful bliss. I’m curious about the reference to “little darling” and of its endearing reference. Ok, I’m thinking about small and cherished. So many similes exist in our miniature hobby and the warmth of joy it brings to collectors. Hey,  George, Paul,and Ringo, must be talking about us for all you know!


Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Time to bring out the Sun of joy then!

A pop-up roof wagon to enjoy the Summer.

80’s Vintage Hotwheels, the Sunagon.

A play of the words VW Vanagon and Sun.

Modeled after a 80’s VW Vanagon Wesfalia Camper.

And I say it’s absolutely alright!

Name First

Mention the word Targa Florio to vintage road racing aficionados, and you’ll get them excited! This famous race in Sicily, Italy dates decades back and has Porsche history written all over it. So much so that Porsche’s success in that course, paved the way for the name ‘Targa’ permanently etched in its line of road going production cars. Thus when the Stuttgart firm decided to pursue an innovative semi-convertible sports car, the ‘Targa’ badge was adopted.

The very first Porsche to carry the ‘Targa’ nameplate was on the 1966 Porsche .

A first generation 911 Targa

Captured in essence by this vintage SIKU of Germany.

Special thanks to my good friend for the Targa! 

Missing Max!

Part 1

By now you’re wondering; why the affliction with Volkswagen?
Let me go back to a bit of affliction history. It’s because of ‘Max’.
‘Max’ is the name of my parents’ 1963 VW 1500 S Notchback. This was my very first long term encounter with a 1:1 VW and my dad gave it that name. 'Max' is like a well loved family pet. Everybody knows it by name.

I missed it so much today. Why? He's been gone missing! Why again? More of that next time…
To be continued….

Meanwhile....
My good friend sent me this, last year. It’s one that is in his dad’s collection. I’m so happy on the parallel of sorts and that I’ve finally got this wonderful miniature (been looking for an example, all of these years!).

A model of a 60’s VW Notchback.

A small scale of ‘Max’.

Has the same old-school appeal…

and period feel that is hard to come by today!

It’s a vintage piece by LEGO!

Hey, ‘Max’ got shrunken!