On upcycleDZINE you can find impressive upcycle design. From small pieces all the way up to big very impressive ones. We’re always searching for special products. Personally I don’t care if it’s a big or small design piece. For me it’s all about the story and the upcycled object or material. And there are quite some fantastic upcycle designs with a unique story or history. And this history gives the design character.
When I discover these stories they are often about an upcycled object that you didn’t recognize. Just like the design you’re seeing in this post. It’s made of an object that you wouldn’t expect to turn out this way.
New racers with a vintage character
These beautiful and vintage looking toy race cars are part of a series called ‘Mantelpiece Racers‘. The design is by The Rag and Bone Man, founded by Paul Firbank at Tent London 2011 as part of London Design Festival and based in London.
He took classic 1947-1953 MG Y-Type inlet manifolds and reworked them. An inlet or intake manifold is the part of an engine that supplies the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders. The word manifold refers to the multiplying of one (pipe) into many.
The windscreen of the racer was formed by heavily modifying a section that was removed. The axel tubes were created from aluminium scrap and pierce the manifold. The use of pre war Meccano wheels give these cars such a great look.
Paul Firbank is a designer who uses his crafts to transform discarded metal parts and vintage machinery into timeless lighting, furniture and in this case toys. He finds his materials and objects by sorting and shifting through London’s scrap yards, railway arch grease shops and thrift markets. In order to upcycle an object he restores, welds, turns, strips, brushes, polishes and varnishes it so it can get a new life.
Photos © The Rag and Bone Man Ltd
The Mantelpiece Racers are available in a limited edition of 20 toy race cars. Wheel colors include Red + White, Blue + White and Red + Black. The dimensions are 22 cm x 8 cm x 10 cm and each car weighs 200 g.
These racers are just one example of Paul’s craftsmanship. Please visit the website of The Rag and Bone Man to see many other unique upcycle design products.
Design by The Rag and Bone Man | Facebook
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