"doodon2whls" (doodon2whls)
12/26/2013 at 17:25 • Filed to: 1/24 models, bburago, porsche, ferrari, opporeviews
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"doodon2whls" (doodon2whls)
12/26/2013 at 17:25 • Filed to: 1/24 models, bburago, porsche, ferrari, opporeviews | 14
| 15 |
I spent some quality time at my parents' place over the Christmas Holiday and did the normal things like decorating the tree and digging out the 30 year old HO trains to be set up on the platform below. Little did I know the treasures I would discover in the process.
In the boxes accompanying the old EU and domestic HO rolling stock were some of my old toys. I'm not exactly sure why my parents still have this stuff from 30 years ago, but I was happy to find some of these gems - it was a trip down memory lane.
I rescued two of my Bburago models from the crusher... My early 1970's era Porsche 911s 2.4 and an equally impressive Ferrari 512BB - Berlinetta Boxer. These two models have been raced over the green hell known as 'my childhood backyard patio' and through numerous 'car washes', and late night cruises under the cover of darkness after 'lights out' in my bedroom.
Exterior:
The Porsche and Ferrari are showing their age, but have thankfully not been molested by overzealous restoration hacks with sharpie pens. The base sheet metal is in reasonable shape and rust free although there are a few spot-paint patches. The fit, finish, and gaps are out of spec, but that can be expected after several years of abuse at the hands of an adolescent and 25-30 years of sitting ignored in a garage. The cars are far from perfect examples and each has several exterior imperfections - scars from a long time ago when impossibly wide bell bottom pants and patched elbow shirts ruled the day.
Interior:
The interiors of the cars are stark. Barren. Frugal, even. Either the owner removed the steering wheels before putting them in storage, or thieves made off with them in the mean time – the owner couldn't recall. There is limited chrome. Black trim blankets the interiors. These were serious machines for serious drivers with leather driving gloves and buster brown shoes. No frills European land rockets they are. The interiors are dusty and dried out, but that's an easy fix.
Acceleration:
These cars accelerated as if the hand of god thrust them forward. This uncanny acceleration came in surges and caused the cars to powerslide during almost any corner.
Braking:
The braking on these European sports cars was incredible. They were able to stop on a small button, and the brakes never faded. Ever. In fact, the brakes survived through several years of abuse without requiring service.
Ride:
The ride quality in these cars was punishing. Even though the cars came from the factory with street-tuned suspension, the owner regularly drove these cars off-road. This regular rally abuse would destroy any other vehicle, but the Ferrari and Porsche motored on. The dampers and springs are worn, but still serviceable.
Handling:
The Ferrari and Porsche cornered on rails, sometimes on two wheels, amazingly. It wasn't unusual to spot these cars sliding on two wheels around corners next to one another while law enforcement followed close behind. From the front porch to the patio was a scant 6 meter sprint along a circuitous path and these two machines of speed navigated this route with aplomb – outrunning the LEOs every time, naturally.
Gearbox:
The shifters on the cars were balky, and had long throws. Mastery of the gear changes was a challenge, but young and old drivers alike reaped the benefits once the roads opened up across the backyard.
Toys:
Again – the interiors of the cars were minimalistic and stark. Only the necessary CB radios and scanners were installed to listen to the police frequencies and assist in evading Law Enforcement.
Audio:
None, aside from the CB & scanner.
Value:
It's hard to put a value on these well used cars. Some would say that they drew attention of the owner from his schoolwork and chores around the house. Yet others would say they inspired the owner to aspire to greater things in life. LEGO construction, mechanic training, odd jobs (lawn mowing, paper routes, and small engine repair) to pay for upgrades and maintenance, and Vo-Tech School. Later on, military service, engineering degrees, and a job at one of the 'big three'. Anyway you look at it, these two beauties have a storied past, inspired a young man to pursue a successful career, and now have bright prospects for a new beginning. The owner is gifting the cars to his godson – a young man that is already showing promise in the ways of mechanical wizardry. Godspeed, son.
Takuro Spirit
> doodon2whls
12/26/2013 at 17:28 |
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MonkeePuzzle
> doodon2whls
12/26/2013 at 17:34 |
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"Even though the cars came from the factory with street-tuned suspension, the owner regularly drove these cars off-road."
HOW AWFUL!
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MonkeePuzzle
> Takuro Spirit
12/26/2013 at 17:35 |
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can I get a vote for this article to go to the front page? :D
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doodon2whls
> MonkeePuzzle
12/26/2013 at 17:37 |
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When this gif appeared on Oppo, all I could think about was me rallying my 512BB.
McChiken116 - Patrick H.
> doodon2whls
12/26/2013 at 17:46 |
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I have the same 911! Except mine's blue, and it was my fathers
Bad Idea Hat
> doodon2whls
12/26/2013 at 18:04 |
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Rust alarm going "weeeoooweeeoooo" and I hope all of the rubber is okay and..
Nah, just kidding. That's pretty cool. Have a fun 1/24 Christmas.
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Bad Idea Hat
> doodon2whls
12/26/2013 at 18:05 |
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I'm so glad I wasn't the only person considering rallying a Ferrari when I saw that.
fintail
> doodon2whls
01/10/2014 at 23:25 |
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Just found this via the front page, had to comment. Bburago used that 1:24 Porsche casting through at least the mid 80s - I remember buying one new in 1986 (I was 9) at a mall toy store, along with a Bburago 190E, which also had the hard tires. A year later, I found a 1:24 Bburago 500SEC with rally livery, which is pretty rare today. I played with the hell out of my cars, none of the Bburagos survive today, not that I know of anyway. I loved Bburago models when I was a kid, at the time, the detail at a low price was unmatched. They were meant for display, but I played with mine.
EL_ULY
> MonkeePuzzle
03/11/2015 at 18:38 |
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fintail
> doodon2whls
03/11/2015 at 20:43 |
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Very cool. I also remember this era Bburago having those hard plastic tires that were best suited for rolling around on carpet. The 911 was made for a long time - I remember picking one up new around 1986, along with a W201.
shop-teacher
> doodon2whls
11/14/2020 at 21:25 |
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Whoa! A blast from the past!
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doodon2whls
> shop-teacher
11/14/2020 at 22:38 |
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Right? It seems like I just wrote these articles like last year ! Crazy how times flies...
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shop-teacher
> doodon2whls
11/14/2020 at 22:40 |
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No doubt!
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doodon2whls
> shop-teacher
11/14/2020 at 22:48 |
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Th is was 5 years ago, fer cryin’ out loud... Long time !
https://liveandletdiecast.kinja.com/1996-dodge-viper-sr27-1-18-scale-bburago-1690963784
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shop-teacher
> doodon2whls
11/14/2020 at 22:52 |
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I can’t even wrap my head around where the time went.