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Internet, what a great invention!
When I created this website back in 2001, I wanted to do something
useful for those who, like me, are cars lovers. Starting point:
my small collection, some knowledge of computers, a camera,
a bit of good will and nothing else. I was convinced that with
time the site would grow at a much faster rate than that of
my own collection, thanks to the synergy set in motion by the
network of visitors. Initially, the web-site visitors would
just leaf through the pages to find some pictures or some interesting
fact about this or that model. Then they started suggesting,
proposing, requesting, offering etc., A sign that the site hosts
many visitors and that it is considered very useful.
I often receive e-mails of compliments and inquiries from collectors
all over the world, but sometimes my experience as a collector
is not sufficient by itself to ensure appropriate responses
to all. Many questions, for example, applies to models of Dinky
Toys, which I think are by far the world’s most collectible
models.
I've had lots of both English and French Dinkys, but for economic
reasons and lack of space I was forced to make a choice and
to focus my resources on other brands. Therefore, not without
great suffering, all my Dinkys ended up on the pages of eBay,
making many other collectors happy.
In June 2009, while the summer was getting
very hot, Internet Explorer delivers me an e-mail from the collector
Paolo Tondo, from Lecce, one of those "children" that
in the early sixties understood that car models were not just
toys, but items to be collected and, therefore, to be dealt
with care. To learn more about my friend Paul and his passion
for Dinky Toys I had a small interview with him, which I propose
to the site visitors. Just click on the picture below.
From the first breech-loading
cars bought at stalls to the love at first sight for Dinky Toys,
particularly the French ones, the words of Paolo were warm and
convincing. Gladly, therefore, I accepted his proposal to also
include, with its valuable collaboration, the Dinky Toys on
the pages of this site. There was no need for big explanations
or special arrangements and we went straight to work, like old
friends: Paolo photographed his cars and collected information
to be reported in the datasheets and I reworked the photos and
data and set up the web pages.
The result is visible to all. Of course suggestions, corrections
and proposals for the integration of missing models or colours
etc. are very welcome.
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Half a century ago, one year more, one year less, at half
past four in the afternoon, the child had already completed
his homework and set aside his case of colors and his folder.
The table was completely clear and clean as the guests were
arriving soon, all very important and wealthy people. The
security team was already in place, ready to intercept the
cars and let in only the authorized vehicles. A haughty, dove
gray Bentley S2 Cabriolet, personally driven by his owner,
had already passed the security check and went quickly away
leaving behind a small blue cloud and the sound of the tires
rolling over the gravel. Then it was the turn of a Mercedes
Benz 600, colored ox -blood metallic. The chauffeurs in uniform
slowed down and stopped for the security check. One of the
agents opened the back door to identify the illustrious passengers,
a man and a woman, both young, sprawled on the vast leather
sofa. Who were they? In the meanwhile, an imposing Rolls Royce
Silver Wraith, with two-tone gray and dark gray livery, slowed
down and pulled up, and behind we could see the huge hood
of a Lincoln Continental, certainly of some American guest,
perhaps an actor.
"The snack it's almost ready!" grandma called from
the kitchen, while she opened the sandwitch to insert the
omelette gilding on the stove.
”Damn, now that even the television crew is arriving”, thought
the child, while the BBC van was pulling up at the roadside
with the cameraman already in action, looking out through
the trapdoor of the van roof, like a soldier from the turret
of the tank. On the opposite side of the road a Pathe News’s
black Fiat 2300 station wagon also arrived. The cameraman
was already on the metal platform and was setting the camera
for shooting.
"Wash your hands!" grandma relentlessly continued,
heedless of the importance of the event taking place in the
child's room. But because the cameraman did not finished yet
his arrangements and as many of the guests still had not arrived,
the child walked quickly to the bathroom to wash his hands.
Before the kids tv shows, even the grandma’s omelette has
its charm ...
That's right! Car models were born for play. Sometimes we
think they were born to be collected, perhaps it is just because
today we collect them, but they were born for play. And sometimes
I play with them and it annoys me when right in that moment
the phone rings or someone knocks at the door. I want to have
the right to play in peace and dream. Not everyone understand
me, but I think my friend Paolo Tondo, author of the wonderful
photo shown above, understands me perfectly. I wonder if that
photo illustrates the story I have just told you or if it
is the story which describes the photo. The answer, after
all, it is not very important.
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