Thursday, July 06, 2017

Filling the dream garage

Toy cars

Most of us have a dream garage. Sensible people plan to fill theirs with supercars. Me, I'm going for something rarer than a Ferrari. 

Obviously I can't do this in real life. Cost and space issues preclude buying the real thing so I have to, like most people, make do with models. 

Recently, I've added some non-Volkswagens to the "collection" - a Scalextric TR7 and Corgi Talbot Rancho.Both were cars I loved the look of as a child and I think my youthful opinions are still valid. 

Of course, the common factor with both cars is that in real life they were terrible rustbuckets. I read recently that there are less than 10 Ranchos on the road in the UK. Being made of toothpaste tubes and rust apparently isn't a recipe for long life. 

The TR7 has fared better in that the really duff ones are long gone. There are still a few to be seen at classic car shows. I suppose if I really wanted to, I could own the real thing. Mind you, I'm not sure I'd fit in the tartan seats. 

Both models are projects as I disliked the colours. That TR7 is especially horrible, but I can fix that. In fact I have some ideas and parts are ordered. The Rancho is sort of OK, but I always thought they looked better in bronze and I have some paint in stock which I've never experimented with in the airbrush...

6 comments:

  1. For me in the 80s, it was the Shell/Corgi cars that I loved, sadly I played with them and they got bashed up before being lost to the ages.
    However, I have found someone selling them on ebay, I may have to go put a bid or 2 in

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  2. Anonymous10:22 AM

    Phil
    You need to look at the site https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/

    It shows 3 Ranchos on the road in 2017 and 6 registered as SORN from https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/talbot_matra_rancho

    So less than 10 "legal" Ranchos

    George

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  3. Fascinating that there are more than 20 times the number of TR7s on the road than Ranchos! Just shows how rare a car it is.

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  4. I think I'm pretty immune from the 'dream garage' in the traditional sense.

    I'd love a Huneligger though: http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2010/11/what-is-huneligger.html

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  5. Oh, yes please. That's top pedal powered transport.

    Also, I might want to fill the garage, it doesn't mean I like driving. Still prefer the train or bus.

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  6. clive8:37 PM

    I used to work as a receptionist at a local Chrysler UK dealer and I always liked the Matra Simca Rancho, as it was then badged. I sometimes took one out for a road test and it always seemed so much bigger then the 1100 it was derived from. With a 1400cc engine it had quite a good acceleration.

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