It is no shame that as we get older our eyes can't keep up. I wear glasses for outdoor use, a second pair for reading, a third for TV. Tried bifocals but after bouncing off a telephone pole and falling into the curb decided they wouldn't work. I may be prejudiced because, when bifocal glasses were relatively new, ex-girlfriend Dolores (yes, the gorgeous French-Canadian model Dolores Duquette) persuaded me to try a pair. Believe me, this is true: The glass maker delivered them upside down. Close-up on top, distance viewing on the bottom. A hugely embarrassed Montreal shopowner offered a replacement but I gave it a pass. Stupid, really, as I've since been forced to carry two pairs when on the road.

My rationale for mentioning this is that I've come to appreciate large-scale models as my current 1:42's seem to be shrinking. Soon I'll offer them on e-Bay in favor of 1:24's. Which brings me to this week's Hemmings newsletter with its commentary on Yatming's classic pickups. "Yatming is exploring the '30s and '40s with its line of small-scale pickup trucks" says Hemmings. "The barrel-nose '38 is a first in this scale, save for some wild custom haulers. So are the '37 Studebaker pickup and the '37 Mack Junior's." Hemming's commentator Jeff Kotch adds "prototypical wheels and tires, soft rolling stock with wide whites, and detailed chrome plastic chassis incorporating the (painted) running boards and bumpers are all part of the package."

You can find these modified pickups at Everstoystore or from the manufacturer at Vatming.com.