1977 Tomica Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette two-seat sports car has been produced since 1953 across eight generations and is known for its performance and distinctive fiberglas bodies. The third generation model (C3, 1968-1982) introduced a completely new body and interior styled after the Mako Shark II concept. While the engine and chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous generation, the 350 cu. in. LT1 was available in 1970 as part of the ZR-1 high performance package. The 1978 25th Anniversary edition was the pace car for that year’s Indianapolis 500.

The Tomica Chevrolet Corvette was first released in 1977. This yellow variation with sport wheels and 8 racing graphics is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to compare to the Hot Wheels Corvette Stingray from my childhood.

The Tomica Chevrolet Corvette features opening doors.

Tomica | 1977 | F21 | Chevrolet Corvette | yellow with red trim, 8 labels on doors, black plastic base, opening doors | 1/64 | Japan | sport wheels with chrome rings

Click here to see the Tomica Chevrolet Corvette on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1995 Majorette Volkswagen Golf (Mk III)

The Volkswagen Golf, having been in production through eight generations since 1974, is one of the world’s top-selling models. The first-generation Golf (Mk I) was a front-engine, front-wheel drive 3-door hatchback sold as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the U.S. and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico. The convertible Cabriolet was introduced in 1979, the Jetta notchback saloon in 1992, and a 5-door estate in 1993. By the third generation (Mk III, 1991-1996), the Golf had crossed over from the economy market to the high-performance market, with engine options that included a Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel and a 2.8 L VR6.

So far, Majorette has released castings of the first 5 generations of the Volkswagen Golf. The Majorette Volkswagen Golf (Mk III) was first released in 1993, cast in Thailand, and was produced in at least 4 different variations in both the 200 and 300 series. This metallic silver version with black interior and 8-dot wheels – another of my Wichita eBay finds – was released in 1995 individually as #264, but also as #325 pulling the Caravane, and as #338 pulling the Sailboat.

The Majorette Volkswagen Golf (Mk III) features a tow hitch and an opening rear hatch.

Majorette | 1995 | #264 or #325 or #338 | Volkswagen Golf (Mk III) | metallic silver with black stripe on sides, clear windows, black interior, opening trunk, metal base | Thailand | 8-dot

1977 Tomica Volkswagen 1200LSE

The Tomica Volkswagen 1200LSE was first released in 1977. It was packaged individually as well as included in several different playsets, such as the 1986 Everyone’s Town gift set and the 1992 Leisure Car Set. In 1979, the casting was modified and released as F70 Volkswagen Police, which was also sold individually and in various sets.

This yellow model with orange and black trim is another of my Wichita eBay finds. It has what I think of as “racing wheels” (because they appear mostly on Tomica race cars or sports cars) which, I believe, makes it a later variation. Notice how the headlights on the Tomica Volkswagen are cast into the unpainted metal base.

Click here to compare to the Hot Wheels VW Bug. And click here to compare to the Matchbox Volkswagen 1500 Saloon. And click here to compare to the Husky Volkswagen 1300 Police Car.

Tomica | 1977 | F20 | Volkswagen 1200 LSE | yellow with orange and black trim, unpainted metal base | 1/60 | Japan | sport wheels with chrome rings

Click here to see the Volkswagen 1200LSE on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1977 Tomica London Bus

The Daimler Fleetline (Leyland Fleetline after 1975) DMS was a double-decker bus that was manufactured from 1960 to 1983. In Britain, London Transport purchased more than 2,600 Fleetlines, making it the “London Bus” of its era.

The Tomica London Bus was first released in 1977. It’s not surprising that there are a large number of variations, with the broad sides of the bus used to promote a variety of different brands and events. This example, with “Welcome to London” labels on the sides, is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to compare to the Matchbox version of the London Bus. And click here to compare to the Corgi Juniors Daimler Fleetline Double-Decker Bus.

Tomica | 1977 | F15 | London Bus | red with Welcome to London labels, red plastic base | 1/130 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the London Bus on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1976 Tomica Fuji Semi-Decker Type Bus

Fuji Heavy Industries was incorporated in 1953 when five different Japanese companies joined together to become one giant manufacturer of transportation equipment. At one time, the company produced everything from cars, buses, railroad cars and garbage trucks to commercial engines, pumps and generators to airplanes and helicopters. A division of the company began manufacturing Subaru cars in 1954, and by the late 1980s, 80% of FHI’s sales were coming from automobiles. The production of buses was discontinued in 2003 and in 2017 Fuji Heavy Industries changed its name to Subaru Corporation. The company does, however, still operate an aerospace division which makes helicopters and drones while also supplying parts for various Boeing, Hawker and Airbus aircraft.

The Tomica Fuji Semi-Decker Type Bus was first released in 1976. In addition to being sold individually, the casting was also included in several airport and bus playsets. This example with Tomy Tour Lines livery is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Tomica | 1976 | 41 | Fuji Semi-Decker Type Bus | off-white with TOMY Tour Lines labels, unpainted metal base | 1/148 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the Fuji Semi-Decker Type Bus on the 1976 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1976 Tomica Mercedes Benz 450SEL

The Mercedes-Benz W116 is a series of luxury sedans produced by the German automaker between 1972 and 1980. All models in the series – including the 280 (2.8 L I6), the 350 (3.5 L V8) and the 450 (4.5 L V8) – had 4-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes. In 1975, the limited-production 450 SEL 6.9 was introduced with the 6.9 L V8 and self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension.

The Tomica Mercedes Benz 450SEL was first released in 1976. This silver example is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

The Tomica Mercedes Benz 450SEL features opening front doors.

Tomica | 1976 | F7 | Mercedes Benz 450SEL | silver with unpainted diecast base, opening doors | 1/67 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the Mercedes Benz 450SEL on the 1976 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1974 Tomica Nissan Diesel UNIC Truck Crane Variations

UNIC truck cranes had their origin in the Kyoei Kaihatsu K.K. company, which was established in Japan in 1946. In 1961, the company developed their 1-ton and 2-ton capacity truck-mounted crane, followed by a 3-ton crane in 1963. The name of the company was changed to UNIC Corporation in 1970, and changed again to Furkawa UNIC Corporation in 1989. Current products include a variety of truck-mounted cranes, mini-crawler cranes that look like robotic spiders, and ocean cranes used for loading and unloading cargo from ships.

I’ve recently acquired these two different variations of the Tomica Nissan Diesel UNIC Truck Crane from my Wichita eBay friend. The model was first released in 1974, and this first example with a yellow boom has the early two-piece wheels. The body is metal with a black plastic base. The cabin of the boom is also metal, while the boom arm and hook are plastic.

The Tomica Nissan Diesel Truck Crane features a boom that telescopes and rotates.

Tomica | 1974 | 72 | Nissan Diesel UNIC Truck Crane | yellow with yellow plastic boom, black plastic base | 1/150 | Japan | black tires with chrome plastic hubs

This next example has a black plastic boom and a later two-piece wheel variation.

Tomica | 1974 | 72 | Nissan Diesel UNIC Truck Crane | yellow with black plastic boom, silver plastic hook | 1/150 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

1974 Tomica Nissan Fairlady 240ZG

The HS30-H Nissan Fairlady 240ZG was released in 1971 in order to qualify the 240Z for Group 4 racing. The 240ZG had fairly aggressive aerodynamic features which included an extended nose, riveted over-fenders, headlight covers and a rear spoiler. Available in Grand Prix Red, Grand Prix White or Grand Prix Maroon, the ZG had fender-mounted rear-view mirrors. Although it was produced only in Japan, Nissan did sell a nose kit (or G-nose) as a dealer option in order to make it eligible for competition in the U.S.

The Tomica Nissan Fairlady 240ZG, released in 1974, does a pretty good job with the G-nose and the headlight covers, but leaves off the rear spoiler and the fender-mounted mirrors. Also, this could probably pass for Grand Prix Red, but the racing graphics are most certainly aftermarket. This fun model is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

The Tomica Nissan Fairlady 240ZG features opening doors.

Tomica | 1974 | 58 | Nissan Fairlady 240ZG | red with blue and white 1 trim, black plastic interior, opening doors | 1/60 | Japan | sport wheels with chrome rings

Click here to see the Nissan Fairlady 240ZG on the 1974 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1974 Tomica Nissan R-382

The Nissan R-382 was a race car built in 1969 to Group 7 specs for the Japanese Gran Prix. The R-382 featured Nissan’s first V12 engine, the 600 hp GRX-3. The scratch-built body included a large air intake behind the open cockpit, and a wing that was incorporated into the rear fenders and tail. Of the three R382s entered into the 1969 Japanese Gran Prix, two shared the winning position.

This yellow Tomica Nissan R-382 with 21 labels is a fun addition to my collection and another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Tomica | 1974 | 22 | Nissan R-382 | yellow with 21 labels, red plastic interior, chrome plastic engine | 1/59 | Japan | sport wheels

1980 Corgi Juniors Fiat X1/9

The Fiat X1/9 is a two-seat sports car that was heavily influenced by the Bertone Runabout concept car. It was manufactured by Fiat from 1972 to 1982 and by Gruppo Bertone from 1982 until 1989. Its transverse mid-engine and rear wheel drive gave it exceptional handling and it featured retractable headlights and a removable hardtop. The X1/9 was originally given a 1.3 L inline 4-cylinder with a 4-speed manual transmission but was upgraded to a 1.5 L with a 5-speed in 1978.

The Corgi Juniors Fiat X1/9 was first released in 1978 and was produced in about 27 variations up to 1983. The Corgi Juniors Fiat X1/9 was also included in the Little/Large series, packaged with a matching larger scale Corgi model. Ten more variations of the Corgi Junior Fiat X1/9 were issued between 1984, after Mettoy sold the brand, and 1990, before it was acquired by Mattel.

This gold variation with red, white and blue 4 labels and a black plastic base is a 1980 release and another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Corgi Juniors | 1980 | 86-A | Fiat X1/9 | 73mm, gold body, 4 and stripe label without Fiat, clear windows, black interior, chrome engine, black plastic base | Great Britain | chrome foiled double spoke Whizzwheels