We collectors, sooner or later, will find a model that is better than the one we currently have. So what do we do? We “upgrade”. That means we buy the better and improved model to take the place of our older and inferior one. The idea is logical, however it’s not something you should do regularly. Why? Because you’re wasting money. Over here I wrote a short essay on why you should try to avoid it. Well, unless you have really DEEP pockets 🤑.
1962 Porsche 356B Carrera GTL Abarth #34 Pilots: E. Barth, H. Hermann Team: Porsche System Engineering Race: 7th GC (1st in GT 1.6 class) at Le Mans in 1962 Spark - S1876 (resin)
Review HERE
This Monday was W-143’s third anniversary 🍻! I first uploaded a page (“About W-143”) here on June 14th 2018, at 4:13am to be more precise. I worked on the site throughout the previous night, and was eager to get things rolling. Despite the god-awful time, I was ecstatic to finally see W-143 online. On that same June 14th, later on in the afternoon, I also published my first post here. About six (!!) new models that my dear friend Gary Blythe had helped me get…😥 Back then, most of my reviews were published at Scale 143, and for the next couple of weeks I had a bear of a time “translating” that material to the format I use here. Boy, that was a lot of work (almost 200 reviews!), but good times.
It has been a long road this three years. Heck, we even went through a pandemic! Nonetheless, a very gratifying road for me. I can only hope to have many more June 14ths to celebrate. And I also hope to next time not forget the date 🙄.
Just a few days after I found that 1953 film, I stumbled upon this one. Keep in mind that this story was never officially confirmed. However, I don’t have much difficulty in believing it 😅😅😅.
2010 Audi R15 TDI+ #9 Pilots: M. Rockenfeller, R. Dumas, T. Bernhard Team: Audi Sport North America Race: 1st overall (LMP1) at Le Mans in 2010 Ixo - LM2010 (diecast)
Review HERE
First time I see a more “personal” view of a Le Mans race. From 1953, with color and black & white footage.
2006 Lamborghini Murciélago RG-1LM #53 Pilots: M. Apicella, K.i Yamanishi, Y. Hinoi Team: JLOC / Isao Noritake Race: DNC (GT1) at Le Mans in 2006 Ebbro - 43784 (diecast)
Review HERE
Last year, around April when this bloody pandemic was becoming serious for us here, I found this video on Porsche’s YouTube channel. It seemed to be pretty good, so I downloaded it to watch on a big screen. I saved the file to my “Race Videos” directory and then, well, totally forgot about it 😣. Yesterday I was going over my hard drive and found it among other saved files. I ended watching it on the laptop and yes, it is awesome. And should be seen on a big screen.
In a nutshell, it’s 91 minutes on Porsche’s effort in GT racing at the 2019 Le Mans and 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Specially interesting for the Porsche fan boy however good enough for all endurance racing fans.
1954 Ferrari 375 Plus Spider Pilots: J. Gonzalez, M. Trintignant Team: Scuderia Ferrari Race: 1st overall (S) at Le Mans in 1954 Ixo - LM 1954 (diecast)
Review HERE
Richard John Beattie-Seaman was more than probably England’s best racing driver of the 1930s. Despite that, his name is relegated to footnotes in history books. This 47 minute-long video by the Discovery Channel tells his story. A little bit over-dramatic at parts, and also not 100% historically factual, however a thoroughly delightful film. I really enjoyed seeing actual Golden Era race footage, specially of the 1937 Avusrennen.
All in all a very interesting window to the Silberpfeile and the Golden Era of GP racing.
