You learn something every day....

[Mash]

Remember all those weird and wonderful Matchbox cars you had as kid that were really futuristic looking but were by mainstream manufacturers? Well, the Datsun 126X is well documented as a show car but today I learnt that the Vauxhall Guildsman was in fact a real concept car too:

 

 

 

More info here:

 

http://www.breithaupts.com/totc597.htm

[VWPowered]

love those wheelarches

[Ratdat]

In case you ever wondered the origin of the Matchbox Freeman Intercity Commuter...

 

 

It was from an illustration by a Mr. Freeman entered in a Telegraph competition...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[garycox]

Seems a rather odd choice of a car to make a model of...When was that competition?

[Ratdat]

If I can find the papr i'll check but I think it was 1969. Matchbox did choose some real oddball stuff. The Mazda RX500 concept is another odd choice as was the Siva Spyder which was a kit car built in Blandford Forum of which they only made 12!

 

[Station]

They don't look too far fetched. They have only not considered advanced metal pressing and safety features.

[Ratdat]

Here's another one that puzzles me. The Matchbox "Whoosh 'n' push" which clearly must be pure fantasy...

 

 

Or is it? A closer look reveals a familiar face! Unlikely though it is I'd love to think this was modelled on a one of customised Maxi

 

[garycox]

LOL! I've never noticed that, I have that model somewhere...I've always wondered what that Siva Spider was, is that what it's called on the model? The only one I've got is one of those shitty 'Super GT' ones from the 80s.

[MrRegieRitmo]

That 'Boxcar' isn't far off some of the weird Asian cars we have on the road now - Nissan Cube anyone?? Suzuki Wagon R??Bizarre how they just decided to model a random vehicle from the competition - did Mr Freeman enter into an additional competition in order for that to happen? He'd have hopefully collected at least a share of future sales of the model, like the winner of the chosen flavour of the Walkers crisps "Do Us A Flavour" competition - seriously, who thought 'Builder's Breakfast' was the best?! :?The main conclusion is that design hasn't really changed as much as they thought it would looking at that lot!

[Mash]

  garycox said:

Seems a rather odd choice of a car to make a model of...When was that competition?

The Telegraph magazine is dated October 15th 1965. I also have a copy which I got for the super-early photos and factory visit of the Triumph 1300, but this competition article was a bonus.

[MrRegieRitmo]

The 1st prize Inter-city car reminds me of a Panhard I think....