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.
For ages, if you wanted vintage Japanese steel rendered in small scale, you’d have to get your hands on a Tomica. But even Hot Wheels, the long-held bastion of miniature street rods and muscle cars, has added a little nostalgic flavor with their recent Datsun Bluebird 510. Complete with BRE spook spoiler, the latest metallic bronze color is the best yet. They’ve also introduced a Datsun 240Z and Toyota Corolla AE86.
Matchbox is the other brand most of us grew up with, and they’ve just come out with a 1968 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. It’s got all the correct details as well – white roof, leaf spring suspension, and exposed hinges. The rumor mill says they’ll be following it up with a 1980s 4Runner.
Are kids really clamoring for old school Japanese cars, or are these concessions for adult collectors? Either way, the classic status of the cars we love is being cemented and we’re okay with that.
I have the 510 in blue the 240Z and an R32.
Just need for hot wheels to make a Hakosuka GTR.
These look really cool
You guys must not have kids! Some of these have been out for a while, but it’s still pretty cool to see them. I’m waiting to see if some of the more “upscale” toy makers like Muscle Machines or the makers of those Rides cars with the rediculous huge wheels on them have anything coming up!
If these were true to scale that Cruiser would be crushing the Bluebird!
I concentrated in collecting Tomica early this year but I couldn’t resist that HW 510, got 2 color variations now and I’m waiting for that orange. The Mbx LC is another model to look forward to. Thanks for sharing photos! =)
I have the blue, black and orange 510s as well as the slightly bigger Jada Toys “For Sale” 510. Hopefully more to come – I’d love a remanufacturing of the Hot Wheels 240z mould.
I got the black Hotwheels 510 for 97 cents at Target 🙂 I also got the white Hotwheels AE86.
Autoart just released a diecast 1:18 scale Toyota Celica 1600GT (TA22). I believe it’s a 1970 stock Celica GT with a 2TG engine and lots of detail. I just got a white one as a birthday gift for myself, but it was expensive 🙁 Hopefully Autoart will make a tuned version of the TA22 Celica with RS Watanabe wheels like their tuned diecast 1:18 AE86 (Initial D version).
Just bought the 510 in black. Love it; its sitting on my desk at work as I type.
Yes!
Very good!
Me likes.
Keep ’em comming!
Me want MORE!
Please tell the boys n girls @ HW & MBX to make more Japanese cars.
But PUHLEEZ, no ridiculously huge wheels, cuz Bling just ain’t my thing!!! 😀
Everyone knows if you want a more accurate scale, you stay away from Matchbox. The Tomica Limited collection has some of the nicest detailed miniatures. I recently posted up on my own site the first gen. 1/64 Prince Gloria I bought off YAJ. Makes the Matchbox and the non-Limited Tomica look sub-par.
You’re actually refering to the Tomica Limited Vintage (the Tomica Limited are really just spruced up Regular Tomica). Anyhoo… YES, the TLV are much, much nicer than any Hot Wheels or Matchbox or even Regular Tomica. I have almost every TLV Toyota produced to date as well as a number of other marques and they are all fantastic. I also have hundreds of Regular Tomica, because they are just about the only one that makes numerous Japanese cars, including Toyota. However, I’m still happy to collect other car model makes, simply because they are available – and, there’s room for all levels of quality and design in my collection. 😉
Tomica Limited Vintages indeed have exceptional quality. When they cost 10x as much as much as a Matchbox they’d better! 😛
And of course Tomica’s a Japanese company. The fact that Matchbox and Hot Wheels are including J-tin says a lot about how the real cars are gaining acceptability and recognition and that’s what I was trying to get at, though perhaps not very effectively.
This is awesome! I’ve been waiting for years for HW and MB to come out w/ some more old school Japanese cars.
I wonder,if they did a 1/64 scale Toyota Sports800,would it be visible to the naked eye? 😉
If these were true to scale that Cruiser would be crushing the Bluebird!