It has taken Peter Posner more than ten years and 10,000 hours to scratch-build this unique collection of miniatures. Built to the scale of 1:32 there are, so far, thirty-seven examples of Grand Prix, Voiturette and Brooklands Banked Circuit machines completed - covering the decade of the 1930s in the following fourteen lots.
Each miniature required a detailed examination of the full-size machine and scale plans were drawn up from the photos and data obtained. The exception to this being the 1938 Mercedes Benz W154 as there are no survivors of this type. Here, existing plans were used together with details obtained from the 1937 W125 which has an identical chassis.
Construction of the miniatures closely followed full-scale technique, an accurate wooden buck being formed and the body panel-beaten round it. Materials used include brass sheet, brass and copper bar tubing, aluminium alloy for wheels and brake-drums, stainless steel wire for the spokes, silicone rubber for the tyre moulds and tyres and kid leather for the upholstry.
Each miniature has its own specially made perspex base and cover and inscribed metal plinth. Also with each one comes a heat-sealed card with more detailed description and some personal observations.
The racing cars campaigned in the 1930s are now proving to be most sought after world-wide and Peter Posner's work is the only known detailed miniature collection covering this period of motoring history.
1937 Mercedes W125;
Details
1937 Mercedes W125;
1938 Mercedes W154;
1939 Mercedes W 163;
1938 Auto Union D Type
See colour illustration (4)
1938 Mercedes W154;
1939 Mercedes W 163;
1938 Auto Union D Type
See colour illustration (4)