The 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z432 is a beguiling blend combination of the twin-cam S20 six (shared with the hakosuka 2000GT-R) and sexy S30 Fairlady Z looks, making it a blue-chip Japanese collector car of the highest order. And now Jeweler Ginza Tanaka has made a one-off replica of the Tomica Z432 model in platinum! It’s 7cm long, weighs 210 grams, and everything down to the opening doors and the wheels (which can spin) and even the box has been faithfully replicated. It took a month to make by hand and a great deal of that time was spent polishing it to the high lustre you see right there. There’s only one made, it’s not for sale, although if you did want one, Tomica estimates its cost at a cool $80,000.
This very special model was made to celebrate Tomica’s 40th anniversary this year. Since 1970, over 800 different models have been made, and over half a billion of the little toys have made their way into the eager hands of young kids (and not-so-young kids) all over the world over the past four decades. The model will be displayed at the Hong Kong International Jewelery Show this month, and will return to the homeland to be displayed at the Osaka Tomica Fair in late April.
We know many JNC readers are already aware of ABC Hobby’s awesome Genetic R/C lineup. But for those that aren’t, these are extremely high quality radio control car chassis from Japan, and the best part is they have a wide selection of nostalgic car bodies! There are a few examples after the jump, but they also have old school faves like the AE86, hakosuka and kenmeri Skyline, FC RX-7, along with some new school ones you’d never think of like the Toyota Estima! Check out the ABC Hobby website for details. (more…)
You would never graft a sharknose onto a real kenmeri Skyline GT-R, would you? Instead, live the gurachan life vicariously with Aoshima Gurachan Series R/C cars. There are two cars so far in the series, the other one being a Skyline Japan. Someone from Japan send us one, please! (more…)
For a car, a diecast replica is the equivalent of having a bronze bust in the shape of your grinning head sitting in a museum. So when John postedMaisto’s new Fifty-5s, it was further proof that the 1972 Datsun 510 and 1975 Datsun 620 have staked their place in automotive history. The 510 has already been honored in recent years, but as far as we know this is a first for the 620. And dare we say it looks better than the 510 in BRE livery?
The Fifty-5s lineup, new for 2010, also includes a 1995 Toyota SR5 pickup, Nissan 370Z, Scion xB, and 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, all shod with Watanabe-ish wheels. Does the existence of more diecast nostalgics mean that the real ones are finally getting some respect?
Tamiya’s tradition of fine plastic model craftsmanship extended to R/C Cars in 1976, starting with a Porsche 934 RSR Turbo. This poster was created a few years ago to mark their 30th anniversary. We would commit great crimes to get our paws on a mint condition Group 5 Toyota Celica Liftback.
Our favorite minicar chase maestro Luxe37 is at it again. This brief pursuit reveals an alternate ending for the Abunai Deka Nissan Leopard F31 (Infiniti M30).
When even mainstream media sources like USA Today are talking about nostalgics, you know our beloved J-tin is finally getting some props. Here’s another barometer: diecast cars. (more…)
So Transformers not your style? Here’s our first open kidney offer that doesn’t involve an actual car. It’s a vintage Tomica Grand Prix Circuit set that we came across while skimming the Tomica Fan Club forums. Talk about cool… just look at that gorgeous box art, that beauteous orange plastic! (more…)
If there’s two things Japan is known for its robots and cool cars. Put them together and you have Transformers. And even if you’ve been living under a rock for the past 9 months you can’t avoid the barrage of advertising for the new Transformers movie that’s debuted yesterday. Most reviews say avoid it at all costs and bang your head against a gong for 2 and 1/2 hours to achieve the same effect as you would seeing the movie.
Here’s something way cooler. In Japan the franchise is not beholden to General Motors and instead has a tie in with Nissan. It’s called the Transformers Alternity line and now you can get an Optimus Prime that transforms into a Nissan GT-R and a Megatron that changes into a Nissan 370Z. Optimus comes in red, silver and black while Megatron is either silver or blue. True, this is a butchering of the original where Prime is a truck and Megatron a gun, but can it be worse than what Michael Bay has already done?
Fueled by the sponsorship of toy car maker Tomica, Masahiro Hasemi’s original fire-spitting KDR30 Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette was at the forefront of every Japanese child’s fevered imagination. The outrageous bodywork inspired legions of bosozoku-style ride-pimpers, countless diecast models, and even made an appearance in Gran Turismo 2. Walk into any hobby shop in Japan and you’ll find at least a few scale replicas of the 570PS monster, emblazoned with the word “Tomica” even if it might be made by a rival minicar company. And now, the iconic livery is back. (more…)
