Miniatures news, August 1971
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It is always pleasing when a maker of miniatures has one of a brand-new car on the day of the new model’s announcement. This Lone Star did with the Vauxhall Firenza, their 3-in.-long replica having opening bonnet and doors, seats, simulated engine, sprung low-friction wheels, etc. It is available for 25p and Vauxhall Motors had a number to give away on Firenza release day.
Recently Lesney, in their “MATCHBOX” series, seem obsessed with dragsters and hot-rods and, as I am not certain these follow actual vehicles, I ignore them. But they also have a Super-King GMC cement-mixer, 5 3/4 in. in length, the scale being 58 to 1, selling for 55p. The drum C.can be made to rotate as the model moves, by operating a lever under the cab; the Reg. No. is K-6.
Model Cars for July carries an interesting illustrated article about a highly detailed, partially-working scale model made in 1924 by a Mr. M. J. Chambers, to depict a typical, but not an actual make, of luxury chassis of the period. It took over three years to complete, incorporates over 830 parts including over 500 screws and bolts and 364 tiny hexagon nuts, all hand-made. The specification embraces a 3-litre side-valve engine, 3-speed and reverse gearbox, four-wheel brakes and 1/2-elliptic springs. The wheelbase would be 11 ft. in full size and the tyres, on disc wheels, seem to be Meccano Dunlops.—W. B.