10 toys that fuelled our love for motors

My passion for all things motor started from a very early age and I don't think it's a coincidence that my bedroom floor was littered with tiny replicas and stray bits of kid's mechanic sets. With Christmas fast approaching I found myself reminiscing about the kind of things Santa would leave me under the tree and, although I've graduated to requesting slightly more ambitious gifts from the big guy in red (if you're reading this, Santa, you can just leave the keys to my new Aventador wrapped up under the tree, I can't imagine pulling one of those down the chimney is very practical), I would be rather pleased if someone were to play the nostalgia card and leave me one of these for me this year. Which one was your favourite?

1. Matchbox Cars & Hot Wheels

src: fotothing.com
                      

Is it just me who used to keep these in an old margarine tub secured tightly with an elastic band? I am sure I was convinced that I would one day become a stuntman with a penchant for breaking the laws of physics because these little cars would be run over just about every surface in the house and, once they were out of road, perform gravity defying leaps through the air (with appropriate sound effects provided of course) onto the treacherous sofa or the slippery glass coffee table.

More after the jump...

Classic Car of the Week: Chevrolet Impala (1958)

My pick this week is the Chevrolet Impala.

The Chevrolet Impala evolved from the Bel Air range and was the first hardtop convertible of the series. Styled for the time, the Impala pandered to the fashion for longer, lower and wider automobiles. Original models were in a similar style to the Bel Air models but took on so called 'Sculpuramic styling' which defined crisper lines and sculptured rear fenders. Dual headlamps were added as well as three - yes three - tail lights.

More after the jump...

Product Feature: Nova Car Care Extending Car Wash Brushes

It's that time again folks as Granville welcome a new product to their exclusive Nova Car Care range. The Extending Car Wash Brush is designed to make washing high-sided vehicles a doddle with a reach extending up to 1.65m on the standard model and 1.70m on the deluxe model but, of course, it is suitable for use on any vehicle and produces the outstanding cleaning results you have come to expect from the Nova Car Care range.

The new look brushes can be connected securely to most hose pipes and the built-in adjustable flow control gives you complete control over your vehicle's wash routine. The brush heads are tough on dirt whilst being kind to your paintwork.

More after the jump...

Classic Car of the Week: Triumph Spitfire (1962)

My pick of the week is the Triumph Spitfire.

src: classicperformancecar.com

It's the entry level sports car that almost never was. When Triumph first penned the Spitfire the financial outlook did not look good and they were unable to begin production. It wasn't until the Leyland buyout that it became a viable project again, hitting the market in 1962.

More after the jump...

Classic Car of the Week: Lincoln Zephyr (1936)

My pick of the week is the 1936 Lincoln Zephyr.

This little stunner first rolled off production lines in 1936 and when it did, design wise it was well ahead of its time featuring an aerodynamic shape made it one of the first successful streamlined automobiles available on the market. Taking inspiration from the 'monocoque' structure, the aptly named Zephyr was surprisingly light for its size which gave it that extra edge when it came to areodynamism.

More after the jump...

Classic Car of the Week: Plymouth Road Runner (1968)

My pick of the week is the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner.

src: carlustblog.com

'Beep, Beep!' as a well known speedster would say, and boy did Plymouth pay through the nose for the rights to imitate him, something to the tune of $50,000 dollars to use the name, image and his trademark 'Beep' which, naturally, was used as the horn sound. The Road Runner was first produced in 1968 as part of Plymouth's mid-size range, with the Road Runner taking up position as the performance model.

More after the jump...

Classic Car of the Week: Pontiac Firebird (1967)

My pick of the week is the Pontiac Firebird.

src: carbuffs.com

The Pontiac Firebird represents one of GM's first forays into the emerging pony car market when the original intention to make a more commercially viable version of the Pontiac Banshee concept would have left them in direct competition with their own Chevrolet brand. That being said. when it first rolled off production lines in 1967, a lot of the Firebird was composed of parts which paid homage to the Camero but thankfully there was enough of the Pontiac about it to carry a unique feeling to the car, particularly under the hood.

More after the jump...