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.