THE WINNING PRINCE

Author by Wiwat Chang

Thailand was to have had its first top level race – the Bangkok Grand Prix – way back on December 10, 1939, when Prince Chula Chakrabonsge successfully pitched the idea to the prime minister of the time.

Having won the BRDC Road Racing Gold Star for three consecutive years from 1936 and 1938, Prince Chula’s cousin – Prince Birabongse Bhanutej Bhanubandh, better known as Prince Bira – was set to be the star local attraction.

But things were disrupted with the outbreak early in the year of World War Two, and the plans had to be scrapped.

It was not until 1988 that the Bangkok Grand Prix was actually held as a memorial exhibition drive in Bangkok, and as an historic race at Bira Circuit with MR Narisa Chakrabongse – Prince Chula’s daughter – driving Prince Bira’s most successful car, Romulus, among dozens of participants.

Prince Bira won 16 Grand Prix events between 1935 and 1938 including the 1936 Coupe du Prince Rainier, which later became known as the Monaco Grand Prix.

After the war he continued grand prix racing between 1950 and 1955 but managed to win only the non-championship New Zealand Grand Prix in 1955.

Prince Bira was the son of Rama V, King Chulalongkorn. He was born on July 15, 1914, in Bangkok and was sent to boarding school in England under the care of Prince Chula, who spotted his driving talent and first entered him in a race in 1935.

During the war years, Prince Bira was a glider instructor with the Royal Air Force. After his motor racing days, he represented Thailand at the summer Olympics in yachting in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1972, and was instrumental in having the Varuna Club in Pattaya host a World Championship yacht race in 1978.

He passed away of a heart attack on December 23, 1985, in a London tube station.
His achievements in motor racing and sailing are honoured by the Bira International Circuit and the annual Prince Bira Memorial Regatta.

When the inaugural Bang Saen Thailand Festival of Speed was held last year, a temporary shrine was erected in his honour and will be reopened this year within the street circuit. Thailand no longer has a grand prix driver, so let this image of Prince Bira remind us that without perseverance, success can be elusive.

Article from Bangkok Post Newspaper November 2-8, 2008

1979 POINTAC FIREBIRD TRANS-AM

The Pontiac Firebird was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as its platform-sharing cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. This coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, which shared its platform with another pony car.

The vehicles were, for the most part, powered by various V8 engines of different GM divisions. While primarily Pontiac-powered until 1977, Firebirds were built with several different engines from nearly every GM division until 1982 when all Pontiac engines were dropped in favor of corporate units.

The Pontiac Trans Am, was named for the series. Interestingly, according to SCCA archives, the car which is named for the racing series has only taken 7 wins in the 42 year old series 446 events. The last win by a Pontiac Trans Am was in 1984.

This is a very highly detailed 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am diecast model car 1:18 scale die cast by Yat Ming, opening doors and hood, mounted on plastic stand. See more.

HOT WHEELS 1/18 ELITE FERRARI FXX DIECAST MODEL CAR

Every Ferrari model collectors dream machine, the stunning FXX, this model exclusive to Hot Wheels, features diecast body, opening doors to reveal the superb interior cockpit, lift off engine cover shows the finely detailed engine, moveable wheels, plus many other features which can only be appreciated when held in your hands. See more.

HOT WHEELS 1996 TREASURE HUNT SERIES - #6 DODGE VIPER RT/10

HARD TO FIND Hot Wheels 1966 Treasure Hunt Series #433 - #6 Dodge Viper RT/10 . It is white enamel, black plastic Malaysia base, 2 blue stripes on hood & trunk, black int., gold logo on clear windshield, white 6-spoke wheel. This is a MINT on CARD. Buy it now.

HOT WHEELS 1999 TREASURE HUNT - EXPRESS LANE

This is 1999 Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt Series #940 - Express Lane #11/12 Collector Limited Edition. It is purple plastic body, "Hot Wheels" logo on side with gold "TREASURE HUNT", black plastic seat & butterfly steering wheel, metal Malaysia base, engine & pushbar, gold 5-spoke wheel. Buy it now.

HOT WHEELS TREASURE HUNT 1998 '57 CHEVY

This is 1998 Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt #758 - '57 CHEVY #10/12 Collector Limited Edition. It is metallic green metal body & metal engine through hood, gold-tint chrome Thailand base, gold, black & silver tampo on sides, white Hot Wheels Logo on door, red int., smoked window, 3 sp. Buy it now.

FISHERMAN'S WHARF 1920 MACK AC

If you’ve ever been to San Francisco, you know that one spot everyone recommends is Fisherman’s Wharf. Renowned for both its beauty and savory seafood. Fisherman’s Wharf is the place where the city’s many fishermen dock their boats. In the course of a year, these intrepid seafarers bring in millions of pounds of fresh rock cod, sole, salmon, herring and a variety of shellfish. You can even buy fresh crab and shrimp cocktails from street vendors who cook the just-caught shellfish in metal kettles right there on the side walk. Now the spirit of fisherman’s Wharf is captured in an intricate replica of a 1920 MACK AC delivery truck with a full load of fish—including crabs and clams. This replica captures a vehicle built by Mack Trucks, Inc., the famous truck manufacturer whose roots date back to 1900. The company was born when two Mack brothers took over the Fallesen wagon factory in Brooklyn, New York. The company quickly progressed from making horse-drawn wagons to motorized buses. In 1905, Mack Trucks moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania which soon became known as “the truck capital of the world.” Mack trucks were soon respected around the world for their toughness and reliability. Now portrayed carrying a fresh catch from Fisherman’s Wharf to a San Francisco restaurant, your model is produced by and available only from Matchbox Collectibles.

HOT WHEELS 1997 TREASURE HUNT SET

This is the rare 1997 Hot Wheels JC Penny Treasure Hunt Set. Included in this set is every 97 Treasure Hunt. You get all of these :

#1 '56 Flashsider #2 Silhouette 2 #3 Mercedes 500 SL #4 Street Cleaver

#5 GM Lean Machine #6 Hot Rod Wagon #7 Olds Aurora #8 Dogfighter

#9 Buick Wildcat #10 Blimp #11 Avus Quattro #12 Rail Rodder

Buy it now.

HOT WHEELS 2006 TREASURE HUNT SET

The Treasure Hunt Series cars are well worth the extra efforts of collectors. This is Hot Wheels 2006 Treasure Hunt Set. All twelve hard to find Treasure Hunts in one special edition case. Buy it now.

HOT WHEELS 2004 TREASURE HUNTS SET

Congratulations! You now own what's considered by many to be the holy grail of the Hot Wheels collector series. In 1995 Mattel introduced Treasure Hunt vehicles - a series of 12 cars issued monthly with exclusive decorations and a very limited production run. Nine years and nine series later, these cars are still some of the most sought-after models and almost impossible to fin. This HWC online exclusive offers avid Hot Wheels fans and collectors the opportunity to purchase all twelve '04 Treasure Hunt vehicles in a limited edition set in a stylish display package. You'll treasure this precious collection for years! ['65 Pontiac Bonneville, GT-03, Cadillac Cien, Double Demon, Super Smooth, Splittin' Image, Altered State, Morris Wagon, Whip Creamer, Tantrum, Audacious, Meyers Manx] Set will come in the original white box it shipped with from Mattel. Buy it now.

WHAT IS A TREASURE HUNT?

A Treasure Hunt Car is a series car just like all the others. There are 12 cars per series year, one for each month of the year. Some of these Treasure Hunt cars have synthetic tires and look much different than the other series cars and make them more appealing to collector. These cars are on cards just like the other series cars and have series banners just like all the others. The one thing that make them really stand out is that they have either a dollar sign "$" on them or a picture of a treasure chest along with the series banner has always been he color green. You know, the same color as money

At first, these cars were very limited in production. In 1995, they were released with a production run of 10,000 for each car. This number was printed in the upper left-hand corner of the face of the card. With production numbers being that low, they were indeed a treasure to find and worth all the commotion they created.

In 1996, the production number was increased to 25,000 for each car, giving the collector a better chance of finding them. This number was also printed on the face of the card. This was the last year any production numbers were printed on the cards. It seems as time went on, the production numbers have increased and are not released to the public anymore. (From Hot Wheels Variations The Ultimate Guide : Written by Michael Zarnock)

HOT WHEELS : ELITE FERRARI 599 GTB FIORANO

The new challenge facing Ferrari, the Pan-American 20,000, will start on Thursday 24 August 2006 The expedition will begin from the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte in the country of Minas Gerais.The journey will see two Ferrari 599 Fioranos travel over 32,000 km (20,000 miles), with journalists from around the world behind the wheel on alternate stages. The tour will grant Italy significant visibility: Ferrari is known as a symbol of Italy and for this reasons the cars will visit embassies in the sixteen countries through which the convoy will travel. There they will meet members of the Italian community and the local media. From Brazil, the convoy will travel through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, the USA and Canada, and end up in the United States at the beginning of October. The expedition will then move on to visit several US states until it reaches Canada, before concluding in New York on 17 November. limited edition model of the Fiorano, finished in bright red and white. model length approx 25cm, opening doors enable the interor to be viewed, detailed dash panel with paddle change levers on the steering wheel, moveable wheels with treaded tyres, poseable front wheels, nicely crisp decals with map of America on roof.

HOT WHEELS - FERRARI F40

Ferrari celebrated it's 40th anniversary in 1987 by giving the world the fabulous Ferrari F40. The F40 was the most advanced car at that time with a top speed of 210mph and an acceleration of zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds.

Well detailed 1/18 scale model of the Ferrari F40 with opening doors, opening hood, opening trunk, detailed interior rubber tires steerable wheels. Perfectly modeled engine accurate gauges and dash inside dimensionsL-9 (Approximate)H-3.25 (Approximate)W-4 (Approximate).

1961 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL CROWN CONVERTIBLE

1961 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible. 1:18 scale diecast collectible model car, 12"L x 4.5"W x 3"H die cast convertible. Includes: 24K gold plated coin and certificate of authenticity. Road signature series. Manufactured by Yat Ming; 20138 in white color. Individually packed in a window box.

"Excellent product. I collect 1:18 cars (collection of 70+, all brands and makes) and this is one of the two or three best ones I have. And the others cost 90 or 100 dollars apiece. AN ABSOLUTE STEAL!!!! Better quality than many AutoArt I own that cost 3 or 4 times as much! The windows go up and down, the sun visors flip, the rear center armrest flips down, the front seats flip, the antenna goes up and down. All of this with a thick (for a model car) carpet, amazing detail, and real hinges on the hood (not arms). Compare at other sites for up to 3 times the cost, and this car is an all-around steal. " (Review by J.R. Shaginaw)