White_Wolf
Master at Arms
Proud to contribute to such a worthy cause. I would love to build two models, but let's start with this one.
The Romanian made ARO M461 has a long history. Initially, the factory produced a motorcycle, then they started making the IMS-57, a design based on the Gaz 69. All panels were handmade, I read a story from one of the workers saying that, the first panels they produced, the ones covering the front wheels, were not exactly the same because they had been made using nothing but a hammer. Later on they acquired the machinery they needed
Anyway, from the IMS-57, they moved onto making an improved version called M59. Produced from 1957 to 1964, bigger engine, better speed, even electric wipers
Long story short, here comes the Aro M461 in 1964. This was a much better car, produced from 1964 until 1975 Over 80,000 cars were produced in 11 years, over 40,000 exported to other countries. Colombia and China some of the main recipients of these cars.
The car won some international competitions, in Belgium and the US in the 1970's, some 3,000 of them are still roadworthy in Romania. There is a very active club of proud owners too.
I remember them very well, they were omnipresent on the roads when I was a kid and even much later on. In the 1990's and later, every time I saw one on the road, that put a smile on my face.
Sorry for the rant, just wanted to present this little mechanical gem. Here we go, starting pic
Recent photo of a very familiar sight - the M461 feeling at home in the snow
One more, an M461 disembarking from a Romanian Air Force Mi-4 helicopter
By the way, Romanian Air Force was the 5th in the world to incorporate helicpters. First 4 - USA, USSR, UK, France.
Anyway, off we go with the build.
To all our friends and family who have been impacted by this scourge, this is a little gesture of support, a very little one but by no means insignificant. The smallest gesture counts and helps because they all come from people who care, and all their well wishing and prayers matter. A lot. God bless, good luck everyone with this campaign, it's for a very worthy cause.
Laurence
The Romanian made ARO M461 has a long history. Initially, the factory produced a motorcycle, then they started making the IMS-57, a design based on the Gaz 69. All panels were handmade, I read a story from one of the workers saying that, the first panels they produced, the ones covering the front wheels, were not exactly the same because they had been made using nothing but a hammer. Later on they acquired the machinery they needed
Anyway, from the IMS-57, they moved onto making an improved version called M59. Produced from 1957 to 1964, bigger engine, better speed, even electric wipers
Long story short, here comes the Aro M461 in 1964. This was a much better car, produced from 1964 until 1975 Over 80,000 cars were produced in 11 years, over 40,000 exported to other countries. Colombia and China some of the main recipients of these cars.
The car won some international competitions, in Belgium and the US in the 1970's, some 3,000 of them are still roadworthy in Romania. There is a very active club of proud owners too.
I remember them very well, they were omnipresent on the roads when I was a kid and even much later on. In the 1990's and later, every time I saw one on the road, that put a smile on my face.
Sorry for the rant, just wanted to present this little mechanical gem. Here we go, starting pic
Recent photo of a very familiar sight - the M461 feeling at home in the snow
One more, an M461 disembarking from a Romanian Air Force Mi-4 helicopter
By the way, Romanian Air Force was the 5th in the world to incorporate helicpters. First 4 - USA, USSR, UK, France.
Anyway, off we go with the build.
To all our friends and family who have been impacted by this scourge, this is a little gesture of support, a very little one but by no means insignificant. The smallest gesture counts and helps because they all come from people who care, and all their well wishing and prayers matter. A lot. God bless, good luck everyone with this campaign, it's for a very worthy cause.
Laurence
