The beast!
This is my much loved Ferrari Testarossa. Not the real thing, but a prized, die cast and rather rather large 1/8th scale model.
It was made "way back" last century by a company called Pocher, (sadly no longer in business) who made the most amazing and detailed large scale models. This is actually one of the less detailed kits with just over 500 parts. It includes such detail as pop up headlights, fully opening doors, bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk - which is actually at the front of this car, being a rear engined one). The fully working steering wheel is linked to the front wheels and it has full suspension. The engine has amazing detail with real rubber fan belts and the like. It is a treat to view on its own. Inside, the seatbelt material is real, and the gear lever moves through that wonderful chrome slotted H pattern gate. The seats move fore and aft, and even have reclining backrests! It even has a tiny key on a keyring which will unlock and open the doors! Some of the other more detailed vintage models go as far as having working brakes, and have real leather upholstery.
My model is in a bad way and needs some tender loving restoration. Through moving house no less than nine times, it has suffered a little with every pack and unpack. Normally it would have lovely wing mirrors, but both have broken off several times. I still have them but need to do some detailed work to get them back on again.
I will hopefully present it again one day in a better setting and with a little more attention paid to getting the forced perspective right. Here it is in our front garden under the dappled shade of our silver birch tree. In over 30 years of owning this car, this is the first time I have photographed it. I even washed and polished it (with real Meguiar's car polish) just for the occasion! (What a geek!)
The beast!
This is my much loved Ferrari Testarossa. Not the real thing, but a prized, die cast and rather rather large 1/8th scale model.
It was made "way back" last century by a company called Pocher, (sadly no longer in business) who made the most amazing and detailed large scale models. This is actually one of the less detailed kits with just over 500 parts. It includes such detail as pop up headlights, fully opening doors, bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk - which is actually at the front of this car, being a rear engined one). The fully working steering wheel is linked to the front wheels and it has full suspension. The engine has amazing detail with real rubber fan belts and the like. It is a treat to view on its own. Inside, the seatbelt material is real, and the gear lever moves through that wonderful chrome slotted H pattern gate. The seats move fore and aft, and even have reclining backrests! It even has a tiny key on a keyring which will unlock and open the doors! Some of the other more detailed vintage models go as far as having working brakes, and have real leather upholstery.
My model is in a bad way and needs some tender loving restoration. Through moving house no less than nine times, it has suffered a little with every pack and unpack. Normally it would have lovely wing mirrors, but both have broken off several times. I still have them but need to do some detailed work to get them back on again.
I will hopefully present it again one day in a better setting and with a little more attention paid to getting the forced perspective right. Here it is in our front garden under the dappled shade of our silver birch tree. In over 30 years of owning this car, this is the first time I have photographed it. I even washed and polished it (with real Meguiar's car polish) just for the occasion! (What a geek!)