Ruby's rear.....
As the new year approaches, I thought it would be time for another forced perspective shot of Ruby, my 1/18th scale model 1930 Alfa Romeo parked by the bird pond in our retirement village. She will be 95 years old in the new year - older than most of the residents in the retirement village here!
Ruby looks great from any angle, but the rear view highlights many little details including the instruments on the dashboard which feature real metal chromed surrounds and actual glass faces over the dials. Those wonderful spoke wheels are all removable by undoing the spinner lock. She has real rubber Pirelli branded tyres (tires), and they even feature an air valve - a tiny detail I have not found on many of my other model cars of this scale.
What really stands out for me is the fact that back then (the 1930s) they had the wisdom to include two spare wheels. I know roads would have been rougher back then and tyre quality would not have been as good as today's modern tyres, but it is a stark reminder that these days we are lucky if we get any spare wheel at all. You might get a space saver if you are lucky - most of which can only be used on the rear - but the current trend is to give you a can of spray (useless if you get a gash in the sidewall of the tyre). All so they can save weight to meet fuel efficiency standards.
Most people are probably lucky enough to go through their motoring lives without ever having a puncture, but somehow, I have managed to have at least 50 since I started driving 45 years ago. Give me a full size spare tyre any day. Space savers and repair kits are only good for around 80km before you must find a dealer and have the tyre properly repaired. Fine if you live in a city and are near dealers who can help, but hopeless for rural folks who may be a long way from any tyre retailer or may be on an overnight journey.
The moral of the story from car manufacturers (and government regulators) today is - "please get a flat tyre in cities or towns only, and preferably during business hours.....we have graciously included this advice for your convenience!"
End of rant - I feel better now! ; )
Ruby's rear.....
As the new year approaches, I thought it would be time for another forced perspective shot of Ruby, my 1/18th scale model 1930 Alfa Romeo parked by the bird pond in our retirement village. She will be 95 years old in the new year - older than most of the residents in the retirement village here!
Ruby looks great from any angle, but the rear view highlights many little details including the instruments on the dashboard which feature real metal chromed surrounds and actual glass faces over the dials. Those wonderful spoke wheels are all removable by undoing the spinner lock. She has real rubber Pirelli branded tyres (tires), and they even feature an air valve - a tiny detail I have not found on many of my other model cars of this scale.
What really stands out for me is the fact that back then (the 1930s) they had the wisdom to include two spare wheels. I know roads would have been rougher back then and tyre quality would not have been as good as today's modern tyres, but it is a stark reminder that these days we are lucky if we get any spare wheel at all. You might get a space saver if you are lucky - most of which can only be used on the rear - but the current trend is to give you a can of spray (useless if you get a gash in the sidewall of the tyre). All so they can save weight to meet fuel efficiency standards.
Most people are probably lucky enough to go through their motoring lives without ever having a puncture, but somehow, I have managed to have at least 50 since I started driving 45 years ago. Give me a full size spare tyre any day. Space savers and repair kits are only good for around 80km before you must find a dealer and have the tyre properly repaired. Fine if you live in a city and are near dealers who can help, but hopeless for rural folks who may be a long way from any tyre retailer or may be on an overnight journey.
The moral of the story from car manufacturers (and government regulators) today is - "please get a flat tyre in cities or towns only, and preferably during business hours.....we have graciously included this advice for your convenience!"
End of rant - I feel better now! ; )