MODEL BEHAVIOUR

Andy Pearson puts his driving ambition down to some of his favourite roll models. No wonder we could write what he’s achieved on a Matchbox...

A Mersey Tunnel Police Land Rover

Early memories of die-cast model cars will, for me, be forever be associated with 50s Superman artist, Wayne Boring, who was partly responsible for breaking my arm. To elucidate; at the age of ten a chum and I were playing at being superheroes. The props involved were a set of step-ladders and, in my case, one of my mum’s tea towels as a cape. Having read the comics avidly, wearing a costume of sorts and with a launching platform to hand, flying seemed a logical next step.

During my subsequent stay in hospital, thanks to Mr Boring and a somewhat complex fracture, my folks visited regularly, bearing gifts, one of which was a Dinky Mersey Tunnel Police Land Rover. It was magnificent. Once I was out of traction and free-range in the ward its four-wheel drive capacity enabled it to negotiate every available surface in my area of what is now Trafford General Hospital, doubtless spreading infection to all and sundry.

During primary school years (up to eleven or twelve) playground pastimes have seemingly ritual seasons. Some, such as conker competitions, were dependent on nature’s schedule as the requisite fruits of the horse chestnut tree were only available for a limited period. Marbles and racing cars also seemed to follow a schedule of sorts and it was in the latter case when Dinky or, latterly, Corgi model racing cars were engaged in competitions where distance covered, rather than speed, determined the winners.