Category Archives: minicars
This Kyosho Datsun 240Z Safari Rally RC car wants to empty my wallet
It’s been over 20 years since I messed around with radio control cars, but Kyosho’s new Datsun 240Z rally car could suck me back in. The body is based on the S30 Z that won the 19th running of the … Continue reading
Matchbox X JNC Mazda RX-3, 2024 Collectors Series
We are proud to introduce our the latest Matchbox car to feature the JNC inkan, the Mazda RX-3. Introduced in 1971, the early rotary-powered coupe was a pivotal step in Mazda’s ascension to motorsports glory, and has long deserved to … Continue reading
Matchbox 2025 lineup gains Acura Integra Type R, Mitsubishi Pajero, Mazda RX-3, and more
Collectors of Japanese diecast cars will have a lot to look forward to in the Matchbox lineup of 2025. Last weekend Matchbox’s annual convention was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the hosts from Mattel previewed next year’s lineup. There … Continue reading
Lego McLaren-Honda MP4/4 Formula One race car debuts this spring
Lego has announced a new large-scale kit paying homage to the legendary McLaren-Honda MP4/4. One of the winningest race cars in Formula One history, the car kicked off the McLaren-Honda team’s storied 4-year F1 Constructor’s Championship winning streak, which lasted … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: A Toyota Celica Supra is the first ever JCCS “Event Car”
The Japanese Classic Car Show has always had great memorabilia, from dash plaques to T-shirts to stickers. This year the JCCS crew have come up with something truly special, their first “event car”. It’s a 1982 Toyota Supra in TRD … Continue reading
Cutaway Nissan RB30 made out of Lego actually spins
The creativity that people can manage with a pile of plastic bricks never ceases to amaze. The most recent Lego marvel we’ve come across is a completely operational Nissan RB30 engine. Powered by an electric motor, the approximately 1:3 scale … Continue reading
Honda developed a plush S600 to soothe babies with real engine sounds
Every parent knows that there’s one surefire way to get a kid to sleep. Put them in a car and go for a drive. There’s something about the motion and sound that’s extremely calming for a baby. Honda’s research has … Continue reading
Acura NSX Suzuka Circuit safety car is a tribute to beloved Hot Wheels designer Ryu Asada
It’s been a couple of years since Hot Wheels designer Ryu Asada passed away from cancer. His former colleagues at Mattel are honoring him with what is the most detailed 1/64 scale cars the company has ever offered. Fittingly, it’s … Continue reading
Fight 1/8 scale crime with this gull-winged Nissan Fairlady 280Z from Seibu Keisatsu
Last year Hachette released an ultra-detailed model of the DR30 Nissan Skyline from Seibu Keisatsu, Japan’s most popular 80s cop show. Now they’ve followed up with the only logical move, a 1/8 scale model of the show’s Super Z, based … Continue reading
This McLaren-Honda MP4/4 model costs $1,100 and has insane detail
One of the greatest Formula 1 machines ever made, the McLaren-Honda MP4/4, is the latest car to get the 1/8-scale subscription model treatment. Not only does it have full engine and suspension detail, bodywork on the model can be changed … Continue reading
Matchbox X JNC Mazda MX-5 Miata ND
We’re honored to share another great piece by our friends at Matchbox. It’s the latest car to feature the JNC inkan, and in fact it’s the newest car by year, make and model to feature our logo. It works out … Continue reading
Hot Wheels has a tsunami of Japanese cars coming
Our friends at Hot Wheels recently shared with us some previews of upcoming cars. For fans of Japanese diecast, there will be no shortage offerings infiltrating every series the company makes. Here’s a couple dozen peeks at what’s coming down … Continue reading
Matchbox X JNC 1984 Toyota 4Runner
Last year we were honored to have Hot Wheels make a replica of our FJ60 Toyota Land Cruiser shop truck. We’ve often said that the most die-hard Toyota enthusiasts can be found off-road, and the perfect companion to the Cruiser … Continue reading
Building a tiny Mazda 787B model in 1/87 scale
The 1991 Mazda 787B needs no introduction. Its iconic orange and green paint scheme is one of the most recognizable liveries ever to grace a Le Mans winner. Due to its historic nature countless models of this car have been … Continue reading
This huge Toyota AE86 model will cost $1,600 and take two years to complete
The Toyota AE86 is finally getting immortalized in a highly detailed 1:8-scale model kit. Specifically, it’s a weekly subscription kit by DeAgostini in which parts will be mailed to the subscriber every seven days for over two years. At the … Continue reading
Speed Racer celebrates 55th anniversary with 24-karat gold Mach 5
The seminal Japanese racing cartoon Speed Racer debuted in 1967 and became a bona fide worldwide hit. It didn’t just influence a generation of gearheads, but it was one of the earliest examples of anime introduced outside of Japan. This … Continue reading
This Toyota 2000GT model in 1/8 scale will cost $1,700 and take two years to complete
The latest classic from Japan to get the 1:8 treatment is the Toyota 2000GT. Issued by Hachette Collections Japan, the subscription kit will consist of 100 installments received weekly by mail with a retail price of ¥1999 ($17.25 USD) each. … Continue reading
My wife’s Hakosuka Skyline races for JNC glory in the world of diecast motorsports
When we started racing with YouTube’s premiere diecast motorsports league, we had no idea it would come to this. My wife Carrie took the JNC team trophy, after ruthlessly decimating every writer on the staff and also our own two-year-old … Continue reading