1974 Tomica Nissan Cedric Fire Chief Car

The Nissan Cedric is an executive car that was produced by the Japanese automaker across 10 generations from 1960 to 2015. The third-generation 230 (1971-1975), offered in three different trim levels as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and 5-door wagon, was introduced in 1971 and was produced through 1975. Powertrain options ranged from a 2.0 L inline 4-cylinder to a 2.6 L inline 6-cylinder paired with a 3-speed automatic or 4/5-speed manual transmission.

The Tomica Nissan Cedric Wagon was issued in several different versions, starting in 1972 with the No. 47 Nissan Cedric Wagon, the No. 76 Nissan Cedric (in yellow Highway Department livery) and the No. 77 Cedric Patrol Car. The following year, it appeared as the No. 78 Cedric Fire Chief Car and as the Mass Media Tomica 06 – Fireman (inspired by a Japanese hit TV show) and in 1975 it was produced as the No. 102 JAL Cedric Wagon Ramp Car. The casting was reissued again in the 2003 Tomica Birthday Collection and used after that for a few other releases.

This nice example of the No. 78 Cedric Fire Chief Car is another of my Wichita eBay scores. It is stamped on the base with “No. 47 Cedric Wagon” and the copyright date of 1974.

The Tomica Nissan Cedric Wagon features an opening rear hatch.

Click here to see the Cedric Fire Chief Car on the 1973 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

Tomica | 1974 | 47 | Nissan Cedric Fire Chief Car | red, clear windows, ivory interior and horn, red plastic sirens, chrome grille, unpainted metal base | 1/65 | Japan | black tires with chrome plastic hubs

1979 Tomica Toyota Celica Turbo

This is not your grandmother’s Celica. For the 1977 Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft, the Schnitzer team, well known for their success with BMW in European Touring Car racing, decided to make a run at the fearsome Porsche 935. For this daunting task, they developed a turbocharged version of the RA40 Toyota Celica for the Group 5 DRM championship. Rules for Group 5 cars in those years required only that the bonnet, roof, doors and rail panel remain unmodified, so the results were cars with extremely wide mudguard extensions and large wings.

Schnitzer gave it a go with their Turbo Celica for two seasons with only limited success. In 1977, the car, painted blue and sponsored by Rodenstock, was driven by Harald Ertl and managed a 4th place finish at Nurburing. For the 1978 season, now with red paint and driven by the legendary Porsche driver Rolf Stommelen, the Toyota achieved only an 8th place finish at Mainz-Finthen.

The Tomica Toyota Celica Turbo, which features opening doors, was first released in 1979. This nice example is another of my Wichita eBay scores. Though there are other variations of this Tomica casting, this red model with sport wheels and Stommelen Rodenstock livery is a fairly accurate representation of the 1978 DRM Group 5 racer.

Click here to compare to the 1978 Tomica Toyota Celica LB 2000GT. And click here to compare to the Yatming Toyota Celica Supra.

Tomica | 1979 | 65 | Toyota Celica Turbo | red with white Rodenstock racing tampo, clear windows, black plastic interior and base, opening doors | 1/62 | Japan | sport wheels

Click here to see the Toyota Celica Turbo on the 1979 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1979 Tomica Lotus Esprit

The Lotus Esprit is a mid-engine two-door coupe that was produced by the British automaker from 1976 to 2004. With an angular body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Series 1 was powered by a 2.0 L inline 4-cylinder paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Though the Esprit had excellent handling, it was considered somewhat underpowered, so the Series 2 offered a 2.2 L engine and by 1980 the factory turbocharged Essex Turbo Esprit was available.

The Tomica Lotus Esprit was first released in 1979 and was reissued in 2003 as part of the Super Car Hall series. This Japanese-made white model with 5-spoke wheels and Turbo Esprit tampo is an early release and another of my Wichita eBay scores.

Click here to compare to the Hot Wheels Royal Flash, which is based on the Lotus Esprit. And click here to compare to the 1984 Corgi Juniors Lotus Esprit.

Tomica | 1979 | F24 | Lotus Esprit | white with black Turbo Esprit tampo, clear windows, red interior, black plastic base | 1/60 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the Lotus Esprit on the 1979 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1979 Tomica Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T

The Nissan S130 is the second-generation Z-car produced by Nissan from 1978 to 1983. The 3-door sport coupe was sold in various markets as the Datsun 280 ZX, Nissan Fairlady Z and Nissan Fairlady 280Z. The 280 Z-T was the high-end model (presumably in Japan) that featured the 2.8-liter L28E engine, air conditioning, power windows and aluminum wheels.

The Tomica Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T was first released in 1979 and initially produced until 1984. It was packaged individually and also included in sets like the 1979 Everyone’s Town Playset and the amazing 80-car Super Gift from 1981. It was also reissued in later years and included in several other releases including (my favorite) the Western Police Super Machine Special Set from 2001. This blue model with silver and black tampo and 5-spoke wheels is an early release and another of my Wichita eBay scores.

The Tomica Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T features opening doors.

Click here to compare to the 1974 Tomica Nissan Fairlady 240ZG.

Tomica | 1979 | 15 | Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T | blue with silver and black tampo, clear windows, black plastic interior and base, opening doors | 1/61 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the Nissan Fairlady 280Z-T on the 1979 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

1978 Tomica Toyota Celica LB 2000GT

The Toyota Celica was produced by the Japanese automaker from 1970 until 2006 across seven generations. The second-generation Celica (1977-1981) was a front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe available as a 2-door notchback or a 3-door liftback.

The Tomica No. 33 Toyota Celica LB 2000GT was produced from 1979 to 1982. This early release with red paint, silver Celica tampo and 5-spoke wheels is another of my Wichita eBay scores and the third variation of this casting that I’ve added to my collection.

The Tomica Toyota Celica LB 2000GT features opening doors and a sunroof.

Click here to see a white variation of the Tomica Toyota Celica LB 2000GT with 5-spoke wheels and click here to see the same white Tomica Celica variation with chrome-ring sport wheels. Click here to compare to the 1980 Matchbox Toyota Celica XX. And click here to compare to the Yatming Toyota Celica Supra.

Tomica | 1978 | 33 | Toyota Celica LB 2000GT | red with silver Celica tampo, tinted windows, white interior, chrome grille, opening doors, black plastic base | 1/63 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

Click here to see the Toyota Celica LB 2000GT on the 1978 page of the online Tomica History Museum.

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.

1975 Tomica Sigma MC74 Mazda

The Sigma MC74 was a two-seat convertible sports car powered by a Mazda 12A rotary engine. It made history in 1974 when it became the first non-U.S. or European (and the first rotary) engine and chassis to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Not only that, but it has a super-cool, shark-like profile and a striking red and white striped livery.

The Tomica Sigma MC74 Mazda was first released in 1975 and was produced until 1989. Apparently a sticker sheet was included with the model so that racing sponsor labels could be applied. But my example – another of my nice Wichta eBay scores – does not have labels added.

Click here to see the Hot Wheels Mazda 787B, another Mazda rotary-powered racecar that not only competed at Le Mans, but won it in 1991.

Tomica | 1975 | 105 | Sigma MC74 Mazda | white and red, missing 25 label, black plastic interior and base | 1/64 | Japan | sport wheels

Click here to see the Sigma MC74 Mazda on the 1975 page of the online Tomica Historical Museum.

1975 Tomica Nissan Sunny Excellent 1400 GX

The Nissan Sunny was made by the Japanese automaker, initially as a subcompact, from 1966 until 2004. The first generation (1966-1969) Sunny was available as a 2-door sedan or coupe, a 3-door station wagon, or a 4-door sedan. It used the 988 cc A10 inline 4-cylinder in the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. By the second generation (1970-1973), driven by competition with the Toyota Corolla, the Sunny was given a 1.2 L engine and the twin-carburetor GX trim level was added to the lineup. In 1971, the Sunny Excellent coupe was introduced to the Japanese market. The Excellent was powered by the 1.4 L Nissan L, had a modified front end and longer wheelbase to accommodate the larger motor and radiator, and was offered in either the GL (single carb) or GX (twin carb) package.

The Nissan Sunny was introduced to North America in 1971, marketed first as the Datsun 1200, then as the B210 (third gen) and the 210 (fourth gen), and finally as the Nissan Sentra after 1981. Unfortunately, the Excellent was generally not available outside of the Japanese domestic market.

The Tomica Nissan Sunny Excellent 1400 GX, which features opening doors, was first released in 1975 and was produced until 1979. In 2003, it was reissued in the Tomica Birthday Collection. This playworn blue model is an early release that I scored from my Wichita eBay friend.

Click here to see the Nissan Sunny Excellent 1400 GX on the 1975 page of the online Tomica Historical Museum.

Tomica| 1975 | 8 | Nissan Sunny Excellent 1400 GX | blue, clear windows, red interior, opening doors, unpainted metal base | 1/59 | Japan | 5-spoke wheels

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