1977 Tomica Ohara Snow Tiger SM30

The Ohara Corporation got its start in 1917 when Ishimatsu Ohara started a foundry to cast components for drilling equipment. In 1924, machining and assembly plants were added and the company began producing complete machines. It wasn’t until 1951 that the first prototype snow vehicle was created, but very soon Ohara began to supply the Japanese National Police Agency as well as the Self-Defense Forces. These days, in addition to snow vehicles and groomers, the company still produces drilling equipment and products for recycling and water treatment.

The Tomica Ohara Snow Tiger SM30 was first released in 1977. It was packaged individually and also included in the Land, Sea and Sky Set (1981), the Big Collection of Interesting Vehicles Set 1 (1991) and in the 30th Anniversary Best Selection Various Vehicles Set (2000), among other releases. This example, which is missing one set of tracks, is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to see the Ohara Snow Tiger SM30 on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum. And click here to compare to the Matchbox Snow-Trac.

Tomica | 1977-1989 | 84-2 Ohara Snow Tiger SM30 | red with white Snow Tiger tampo, clear windows, ivory interior and wheels, missing one track, black plastic base | 1/73 | Japan

1977 Tomica Type-T Ford Coupe Variation

In 1977, Tomica released three different versions of the Ford Model T: the No. F11 Type-T Ford Coupe; the No. F12 Type-T Ford Touring and; the No. F13 Type-T Ford Commercial Van. All three models share the same metal piece that makes up the running boards and fenders, the same plastic base, and the same grille. But each casting has different parts to make them either the coupe, the convertible or the delivery van. This blue variation of the Type-T Ford Coupe is the second of this casting that I’ve added to my collection and another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to see my maroon variation of the Tomica Type T Ford Coupe. Click here to see my Tomica No. F12 Type-T Ford Touring. And click here to see my Tomica No. F13 Type-T Ford Commercial Van.

Tomica | 1977 | F11 | Type T Ford Coupe | blue body, amber windows, black plastic top, gold chrome plastic grille, black plastic base | 1/60 | Japan | black wood spoke wheels

Click here to see all of the Type-T Fords on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1977 Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP400

The Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP400, based on the first production Countach, was first released in 1977. This red model with 4-spoke wheels is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to see the Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP-500S in my collection.

The Tomica Lamborghini Countach LP400 features an opening engine cover.

Click here to see the Lamborghini Countach LP400 on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1977 | F37 | Lamborghini Countach LP400 | red, clear windows, tan interior, opening engine cover, black plastic base | 1/61 | Japan | 4-spoke wheels

1977 Tomica Lancia Stratos Rally Type

The Lancia Stratos HF was a 2-door, rear mid-engine sports car created by the Italian automaker specifically for rally racing. With a body designed by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini and powered by a 190 hp Dino Ferrari V6, the Stratos HF made its debut at the 1971 Turin Motor Show and went on to win the World Rally Championships in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Less than 500 of the cars were produced from 1973 until 1978.

The Tomica Lancia Stratos was released in 1977 as both the No. F27 Lancia Stratos HF and the No. F19 Lancia Stratos Rally Type. Comparing photos online, the only difference I can see is that the F19 has rally lights cast into the front. I picked up this nice example from my Wichita eBay friend. While the base is stamped F27 Lancia Stratos HF, this model has the rally lights and livery of the F19 Lancia Stratos Rally Type.

Click here to see the Lancia Stratos HF and Rally Type on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1977 | F19 (F27 stamped on base) | Lancia Stratos Rally Type (Lancia Stratos HF stamped on base) | white, red and green rally graphics and door labels, clear windows, red interior and rear window louvers, black plastic base | 1/57 | Japan | sport wheels

1977 Tomica Chevrolet Corvette Variation

The Tomica Chevrolet Corvette, based on the third generation (C3, 1968-1982) of the classic Chevy sports car, was first released in 1977. This yellow model with 5-spoke wheels is an early example and another of my Wichita eBay scores. It is the second variation of this casting that I’ve added to my collection (click here to see my later version).

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

The Tomica Chevrolet Corvette features opening doors.

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

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

1977 Tomica Tyrell P-34 Ford

The Tyrell P-34 was a Formula One race car that used four smaller wheels at the front and two regular-sized wheels at the rear. Designed by Derek Gardner for the 1976 season, the radically-designed six-wheeler was powered by a Ford Cosworth V8. It had some success in its first season, the high point of which was when two of the cars finished in both the 1 and 2 spots in the Swedish Grand Prix. Design changes made the car less competetive in 1977 and by the next year Formula One rules outlawed 6-wheeled cars.

The Tomica Tyrell P-34 Ford was first released in 1977 in Elf racing livery reasonably accurate to the real car. This nice example is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to compare to the Hot Wheels Lickety Six, an unlicensed vehicle inspired by the Tryell P34.

Tomica | 1977 | F32 | Tyrell P-34 Ford | blue with white tampo, elf labels on sides, chrome plastic engine, black plastic base | 1/52 | Japan | sport wheels

Click here to see the Tyrell P-34 Ford on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1977 Tomica Porsche Turbo 935

The Porsche 935 was introduced in 1976 as the factory racing version of the 911. It employed a 3.3L twin-turbo flat-six engine with mechanical fuel injection. A 935 won the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans and the car was dominant in the major endurance racing circuit until FIA rules changes in 1982.

This is the second example of this model that I’ve scored from my Wichita eBay friend, and being in better condition, it will replace the previous one in my display. (As he gradually liquidates his collection, he seems to be getting to the cream of the crop.)

First released in 1977, the Tomica Porsche Turbo 935 features opening doors.

Click here to compare to another Martini Racing Porsche in my Tomica collection, the Porsche Turbo 936.

Tomica | 1977 | F31 | Porsche Turbo 935 | white with blue, light blue, orange and black Martini Racing labels | 1/61 | Japan | sport wheels

Click here to see the Porsche Turbo 935 on the 1977 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1977 Tomica Fiat X1/9 Variation

The Fiat X1/9 was manufactured by Fiat from 1972 to 1982 and by Gruppo Bertone from 1982 until 1989. The design of this two-seat sports car was heavily influenced by the Bertone Runabout concept car.

Based on the real-life 1975-1978 U.S. model, which had front and rear impact-absorbing bumpers, the Tomica Fiat X1/9 was first released in 1977. It was packaged individually and, in 2000, it was included in the 30th Anniversary 24-car gift set. This nice, green example with 5-spoke wheels is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to to see the orange Tomica Fiat X1/9 in my collection.

The Tomica Fiat X1/9 has a diecast metal base and features opening doors.

Click here to compare to the Playart Fiat X1/9 in my collection. And click here to compare to the Corgi Juniors Fiat X1/9 in my collection.

Tomica | 1977 | F28 | Fiat X1/9 | green, clear windows, black interior, opening doors, unpainted metal base | 1/59 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

1977 Tomica Volkswagen Microbus

The Tomica Volkswagen Microbus was first released in 1977. It was packaged individually and was also included in the 1981 Vacation Set. I found this example in the $1 tub at J & J’s Treasures.

Click here to compare to the 1970 Matchbox Volkwagen Camper Dormobile.

The Tomica F29 Volkswagen Microbus features a plastic opening side door.

Tomica | 1977 | F29 | Volkswagen Microbus | yellow orange, clear windows, blue interior, plastic onpening side door, unpainted metal base | 1/67 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

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

1977 Tomica Chevrolet Van Variation

The Tomica Chevrolet Van casting – based on the real-life third generation (1971-1996) General Motors G-series van – was first released in 1977. The model was used that year for both the No. F22 Chevrolet Van Ambulance and No. F23 Chevrolet Van (civilian version). In 1980, the Chevrolet Van casting was used again for the No. F9 Chevrolet Van Sheriff. This nice dark metallic blue example of the No. F23 Chevrolet Van with 5-spoke wheels is another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to see the other example of the Tomica No. F23 Chevrolet Van in my collection, a model with similar paint and tampo but with chrome-ring sport wheels. Click here to see my example of the Tomica No. F22 Chevrolet Van Ambulance, and click here to see my Tomica No. F9 Chevrolet Van Sheriff.

Tomica | 1977 | F22 | Chevrolet Van | dark metallic blue with silver and red trim, red interior, unpainted metal base | 1/78 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

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