Monday, November 29, 2010

Datsun Bluebird 310/311

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The Datsun Bluebird 311 was launched in 1961. The 311 model is identical to the 310 model, except for the engine specifications. The engines were basically Austin engines that were modified, which Nissan was building under license during the 1950's.
They were able to produce more powerful engines and at the same time, more reliable than the Austin's. They were also able to solve the oil leak problems which were common in Austin cars.

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The Bluebird's original name should have been Snowbird, until someone told Datsun that "Snowbird" is a slang term for cocaine users. This model car is one of Tomytec's early release. The quality of their models cars have improved since then.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Nissan Skyline RS Turbo Super Silhouette

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Silhouette cars were classified as Group 5 cars which raced in Europe. In Japan, the Silhouette races were very popular during the 1980's. The category allowed heavy modification but the silhouette of the race car should be the same as of the production car, hence, the name.

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The most famous of the Nissan Super Silhouette cars was driven by Masahiro Hasemi. Hasemi drove it to 9 victories from 1982 to 1984. The car is powered by a double overhead cam inline-4 LZ20B race engine with turbo charge. It can produce 570bhp.
Tomica released this model a few months ago. It includes a driver figure (which resembles Masahiro Hasemi) and a detachable hood to reveal the engine detail. This model car is packaged in a small box, identical to some box sets that they have previously released. Tomica will also release the early version of this car in 2011.

Nissan 680 Asahi Newspaper Transport Truck

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The Nissan 680 truck was released in 1959. Its design during that time was very modern. It had four headlights on top of each other (copied from modern cars from that era). The Nissan 680 was also equipped with a new Nissan P engine that can produce 145hp and has a five speed gearbox. The Asahi Shimbun (literally translated as Morning Sun Newspaper) is one of Japan's oldest and largest daily newspaper. It started publication on 1879.

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Tomica released this newspaper truck a few years ago. I wasn't fortunate to get the first release as it was easily sold out. I did, however, get the reissue which was released late this year. I was pleasantly surprised with this model truck. It came with signal lights and side mirrors that you can attach. It even has small newspapers that you can load.

Toyota Corolla 1980

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This fourth generation Toyota Corolla was also the last Corolla to be manufactured using a rear-wheel drive. This is the first Corolla to have power steering. Some variants of this car included square headlights but most markets have the four round headlight setup. The KE70 remained in production till the late 80's in third world countries. In America, Toyota stopped producing the KE70 in 1983.

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This Tomica model was long anticipated by collectors in Asia, since it was a popular car back in the early eighties.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Plastic Protective Cases for TLV's

Plastic protective casing for Tomica Limited Vintage boxes

I bought a lot of these plastic protective cases for my Tomicas. The best quality I have seen so far comes from Hung Hing toy store in Hong Kong. They have thicker plastic than the usual Tomica protective casing. They sell this cheap at 7 hong kong dollars for 10 pieces. Unfortunately, they don't have any plastic protective cases for the bigger vehicles like buses and trucks.

It has been awhile since I last visited Hong Kong. But when I do get the chance to visit, I always make sure that I pass by Hung Hing Toy Store which is located in Tai Yuen Street (or Toy Street). They always have something for everyone. Diecast toys, vinyl toys and collectible toys abound in this store. New stocks are delivered daily from the factories in Guangzou, China. (Deliveries are made every 6:00 pm).
They sell the latest Tomica Limited Vintage cars at reasonable prices.

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How to get there via MTR:
1. If you are coming from Kowloon side, you can take a train at the Tsim Tsa Tsui station or any station before that like Yau Ma Tei, Jordan or Mongkok.
2. Take the Central line
3. Get down at Admiralty and change trains (There will be a train at the opposite side of the platform which is the Chai Wan line)
4. Board the train going to Chai Wan
5. Get off the Wan Chai Station
6. Go to exit A3 which is Johnston Road
7. Cross the pedestrian lane

Hung Hing Toys
Shop C,
19 Tai Yuen Street,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

+852 6206 5040 (from 10.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. HK time)

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Mazda T2000

Mazda T2000 Mazda T2000 trucks, with lumber and cargo boxes  photo mazda_02.jpg

Mazda produced this truck from 1962 to 1974. Little is known about this peculiar three wheeled truck. This is not your ordinary kei cargo vehicle like the Mazda K360 or Mitsubishi Pet Leo, but a full sized truck with three wheels! The cargo space at the back of this vehicle measures around 12 feet.

This truck is big that it can fit a Suzuki Fronte 360 comfortabily on its cargo space! It was also used to transport lumber. Three wheelers as commercial vehicles were popular in Japan during the 1960's. Tomica Limited Vintage released these models in October of 2007 (LV-51a and LV-51b).

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The Toys Club version, which is very limited, was released in June of 2008. They had four cargo variants which are lumber, boxes, jerry cans and gas cylinders.