Ford F100 Police Paddy Wagon by Trax

G’day model car fans! And Aussie motoring history fans… This is the latest release by Trax. The 1980’s Aussie built F100 NSW Police Paddy Wagon. A lot of my posts have a personal angle, like I have either owned or had some association with the models I post her, however, this is not the case here. All I can say I remember these wagons in NSW police livery but never was thrown into the back of one!

So, let me just say this, some of the recent resin 1/43 releases have not been the best. If you’re interested I can offer some examples, BUT, this is one of their best of late. I have looked closely at this little beauty and its pretty good. Ok so here are a few more photos for your enjoyment. The 1/43 scale F100 NSWPOL Paddy Wagon. Enjoy!

Valiant VH Pacer

I have owned a variety of VH Valiants but never the Pacer. Chrysler Australia produced the VH Valiant with a huge range of models and options from 1971 to 1973. Of course we all know how popular the Charger became but the VH Pacer sedan is for many of us more desirable. And I have owned a VH Charger and VH sedans so I have some reason to comment.

The VH Pacer was in its day the fastest mass produced six cylinder sedan made in Australia. A record it held for more than 15 years. It was powered by a high powered hemi 265 Cubic inch (4.3 litre) straight six. It could propel this beast from Zero to 60MPH (100 KM/H) in around 7.5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in under 16 seconds. Not bad for a large sedan powered by a six cylinder.

Sadly, and perhaps due to the success of the VH Charger, only some 1600 VH Pacers were produced. Most with a three speed manual box. Some with a 4 speed. And a few with an automatic transmission.

Enjoy the photos and remember to leave a comment.

VH Valiant Pacer

Autiobianchi (Lancia) Y10 Fire

Time for another post about my real 1:1 life and little cars. Many years ago I had cause to travel to a nation in the Middle East and to get around that nation I was given a 1 Litre Lancia identical to this model. Well, what an experience. First of all, this little car had the steering wheel in the wrong place. It was on the left. And secondly, and just as alarmingly, the little car had no go. As an Aussie, I am used to driving cars with some power. Some. But this little tyke had none. I swear it could reach around 125KM/H (77MPH) flat out, but only with a tail wind. And as for acceleration, well, it was kind of like ‘push accelerator all the way to the floor, and count to 100’ and then you might reach 100KM/H (62MPH).

As regular readers know, the Resin D’etre for this blog is sharing models which I own that are similar to, or the same as the 1:1 cars I have owned or had something to do with. I have owned this model for some years now so I don’t know about their current availability or price, but I can tell you it is a great representation of the real thing, right down to the colour (see the picture below).

If you enjoyed this post, please comment below. Models like this, which are exactly the same, including the colour of a vehicle I have had some relationship with are what I most like to collect. How about yourself?

Aussie Panel Van: Ford Falcon Sundowner

It could be argued that by 1979 the Panel Van craze, as far as new car sales, was on the wane by 1979. Holden had clearly won the race with their Sandman models, and, Chrysler was very late to the party with their Drifter. Then there was Ford, who had released their Sundowner Van in the XC range for the weekend sun and surf set. This 1/43 scale model by Trax is the 1979 Ford Sundowner van. More than likely it was fitted with a 4.1 litre (250CI) engine with a manual transmission, with other options available.

My 67 VE Valiant Safari Wagon

Well its been some time since I have posted an article. I would consider doing more if there were more interaction in the comments section so if you want to see more articles, be sure to comment and share this blog. There is a dearth of Aussie model car blogs on the web so lets keep the dream alive!

If you have read my previous posts you will know I have owned my share of Aussie made Valiants. So here is another post about another car from my 1:1 real life. This model is the 1/43 scale model of the VE Valiant Wagon by Trax. The VE Valiant was Car of the Year in 1968 and its easy to see why. The Valiants had it all over their competition, especially in the power department. The model shown here is the 160HP Six cylinder version of the slant 225 engine.

I bought my VE off an old bloke in his 80s. He was the second owner, having bought the car when it was just 2 months old. His main use for the old Val was as a tow vehicle, which it was ideal for, since it had the 273 V8 engine instead of the 225 six. It did not set the world on fire but it did make for a great tow vehicle. Mine was exactly the same as this model apart from the engine size and the colour. This model is accurate, right down to the chrome dust deflectors on either side of the rear window. the Safari and 160HP badging. Well done Trax!