My wife is, if not supportive, certainly tolerant of my 1:18 collecting habits. Though no doubt wary of the increasing demands that my 100+ boxed models place on our attic storage resources, she is sensible to the joy and pleasure that I derive from them. Though I usually unbox them in private, (lest she find out I’ve bought another one), if I do brazenly open one up in the living room, she eyes me in the same kindly, understanding way as she might if I were a toddler.
This time, though, when the wraps came off she showed less patience, and instead issued, “great. Now just what the f*** are you going to do with that?”
And I don’t really know.

Images can be made bigger if you really want to

eBay, eh? Terrible place. The mobile phone app is actually downright dangerous as it preys on the idle and intoxicated. Indeed, I was at a distant wedding, nicely lubricated by a combination of Orcadian Whisky and local beers, when I began flicking through the diecast listings during a slump in festivities.
Being just about sober enough to still understand the value of being laughably tight-fisted, I had entered the parameters “Norev, as cheap as possible”. Among the 1:18 scale Velosorexes and other French fancies, this appeared, described as 1:18 paperweight by Norev.
Cheap, and with a description like that, how could I possibly pass it up?

I was excited to find out exactly what it was, but wouldn’t know until I received it. Inevitably, I actually rather like it. Its construction method remains a mystery – I assume it is largely made from wood (or a derivative therof) and is laminated with a thin veneer of a metallic substance that feels cold enough to the touch to actually be metal. The base is upholstered with felt, in the manner of ‘decorative’ knick-knacks the world over.
The shape, though, is perfect and without blemish, providing you keep it free of fingerprints- which is impossible. Being by Norev, the detail – what there is of it – is superb, with the front grille and Lion emblem appearing prominently as if being driven out through a silver latex envelope. And no doubt that was the stylistic aim of the piece.

It’s a strange product and one whose history I find intriguing. Presented in Peugeot branded packaging, with no part number and only a makers name for Norev and wholly inaccurate “model has small parts” warning for under 14-year olds, I can only assume that this was either gifted to customers on their ordering of a Peugeot 307CC, or my favourite hypothesis, given as a sweetening memento to journalists at the press launch.
I’m guessing it’s actually 1:24 scale. I would measure the wheels for a calculation but there ain’t none.
I like it. I like its sculptural form, its minimalist style and its feeling of substance. It’s like a scale model of a statue in honour of the car.
Do you like it?
Probably not.
(All images Chris Haining / Hooniverse 2016)