Crash and Burn : The Proton Saga

Just when you are happy by NOT buying toys, Hotwheels knows how to take my money by releasing the 1/64 scale of our beloved Proton Saga. The Proton Saga is domestically produced here, a joint venture with Mitsubishi Motors. Based on the second-generation 1983 Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore four-door saloon and powered by a 1.3-litre Mitsubishi Orion 4G13 engine, the five-speed manual transmission Proton Saga was a pride and a bargain at around RM18,000.


As usual, when it was released, it's snatched by all dumbasses all over the town. Originally priced at MYR9.90, ultimage babi scalpers all over took the opportunity to resell it at a higher price. The cheapest one i got is MYR25 for the basic mainline release. 

(right) - mainline basic car release (left) for Malaysian market release

 

Just when you thought its ok to have one, they re-released it with another packaging. The one with KLCC and Hornbill is only for the Malaysia market. Then i again i took liberty to hunt a reasonable priced. Its hilarious and pretty sick seeing all these opportunists wanting to cash in with this.

Talking about opportunists and scalpers, this reflect to Proton too....

 

the idea mooted in 1979 by then-deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, some even called it the nation's second Merdeka when the car hit the road. Mind you venturing into the automotive industry was a costly feat, what more for a little-known country. 

Bear in mind, our country went and over - developed herself so fast until we burned out and crashed. 

in order to control Proton's market, other imported car was slapped with an outrageous tax.

The basic model were sold with no passenger-side mirrors. Radio and air-conditioning were optional add-ons.

fast forward today - China now owns Proton.


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