HENRI BAIGENT MODEL OF SWB #3605

I remember Baigent's models and also models by Mauel Olive Sans and Michele Conti appearing in many US modelling magazines in the early 60s, but I can not give you magazine names and dates. All my old modelling magazines are long gone....

 

I remember those as well...got rid of all my old 60's mags...cars, models, mad, playboy, whatever...around '80, after my brother and I were finally out of the house for good and my mom downsized to an apartment. I regret it now.

 

I'm sorry but can't help you with your question. However do you know if the model was commissioned by the then owner of s/n 3605 and if so, is it still with the real car? Maybe the owner of s/n 3605 still has a copy of the model magazine as well.

Ciao, Peter

p.s. stunning model! Even the lights work?

 

Mark,

The UK model magazine Miniature Auto published and article of the Baignet model in the October 1966 issue.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hi Mark, I am Henri Baigent's only son, Ray. To finish off my memorial web-site for my father and his work, I have been scouring the internet. Hence, I came accros this thread. I know you started it a long time ago, but I think we should talk. I have a load of photos of this model and cuttings of this model and I did know it's whereabouts at the time you wrote. I am not sure now, but I do expect to see it very soon. I have dedicated a whole section on this car and I have dedicated another section on a 250GTO which Henri made. I will let you know whether there will be a book and when I have set up the web-site. I have written to the Playboy organisation twice, to ask for permission to publish their article, but so far no reply. I shall need to ask the author, Sir Stirling Moss if he can help. I will be seeing him next month as he has 2 of Henri's models on his desk and I want to photograph him with them in his office. How did you get permission to pulish the Playboy article in this thread, or did you not ask them! If you are still interested in this subject, Please let me know. Ray

 

Further Mark, I see you say that the model was commissioned by ERIC PORTMAN. That man was a famous british film actor!!! It was com'd. by the Late (now) Edward Portman who had the full-sized car made for himself at Ferrari. He said that it was the best car he ever owned. I do have the mags., with the article, that have been mentioned in vg condition, but I can' part with them, but I could make you really good copies, or, you will see them on the web-ste very soon where you can print them off, if you ask nicely!! I will be asking for small subscription for the Oxford Transplant Fund as it I am conected in so many ways with them. regards, Ray

 

I have a sense of "deja vu" about this - I know I've had this discussion before, but I can't remember when....

Are you aware of the section in "Ken Purdy's Book of Automobiles" which has the article "Model Cars" as originally appeared in "Boy's Life" magazine, December 1968 (according to the book credits)? There are 7 pages in the article, but only the last two paragraphs are devoted to the Baigent model. There is also one black & white picture of the model.

 

I remember there being an article in at least one US model car magazine, circa 1968. I just don't remember which one, nor what date. My model car magazines are LONG gone...

 

Is the website active? would love to get more information on these pieces of art...

 

near the perfection isn t it...

 

Making the mechanics work in a modell this size is a true marvel!
In the same class, as the french PB in 1:3.
And...made in the 1960's !!!!

Recent pictures, please?????

and put me on the list when the book is ready, I would really like to have a copy!
(btw I recently discovered that there is a book in development about the Conti's by an english writer).

 

Hello Raymond,

I echo Hans's comments on your father's model as well. And would like the book too! Please let us all know when the site is up.

Hans: Any details on the Conti book?

 

Reference for the Conti Book,

www.worldcollector.co.uk

Special products section

No publicationdate yet!!

 

For those that may be interested, here is the thread on S/N 3605 as she is today, restored to the same configuration as when the car was modelled.


http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152998&highlight=3605

 

Also material in the book "The World of Model Cars" by Guy R. Williams, first American edition 1976 by G. Putman & sons NYC.
Pages 66 thru 71, great photos and text, but it may just be a duplication of articles you all mention in the magazines. Having been a long time admirer of Mr. Baigents efforts, I find this thread to be of great interest!!!! I personally consider him to have been the master of many, many different areas in miniature automotive engineering..

 

Dear all,

I have published Henri Baigent's Memorial Web-site at last. It was a massive job and already I have been inundated with more facts, so it will need to added to ever week I should think. The comments I have had so far have been very complementary. I hope you all find something of interest there at:
www.henribaigent.org
When it becomes to a steady state, I will most likely publish a book, but I shall have to save up a bit.
With my best wishes, Ray Baigent

 

Very nice work. I like his Lotus 49 best.

Tom Tanner/Scale Designs/Ferrari Expo 2009 model contest-Chicago April 25th 2009

 

Fantastic site Ray! I've learned quite a bit about your father thru your site. Has any of your father's tools and molds survived? Will or have you considered taking up your father's legacy?

Thanks again for the site.

 

Hi Ray,

This is in answer to your query on the car that your father did in his later years section of your site.

Regarding this car it's actually Graham Hill's stack pipe 1 litre GPO car
as described by Christie's:

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?pos=9&intObjectID=1440503&sid=

I hope this helps!

Lawrence

 

Thank you so much for coming back to share this with us! My reaction to the first picture, of your father in his workshop, was that I've seen that picture before. I can only imagine that it was in a model magazine when I was a child. Thanks again and good luck in your endeavor to memorialize your father and his incredible work.

 

Terrific web site, well done Ray.

It was reading of the fabulous models built by your father that inspired me to get into model cars as a kid. I started detailing plastic kits and slot racing based on the superb inventiveness of people like Henri, Rex Hays, and Cyril Posthumus. They lived in a great era when true engineering skills were the only option if you wanted a model, and some fun. Real pioneers.

Steve

 

A true artist! thanks for sharing