Mercedes Gull Wings - New vs Old

When I know that Tomica is making the new SLS, I was excited because it's another foreign car which Tomica lack of in making them. Beside being a foreign car, the gull wings Mercedes has some placement in my heart. Somehow, I still have some reservations in new release these days. The photo of the car in the official website looks good but will it be another cost cutting model in the Tomica range. Being the first model of 2012, I hope that it will be a good one to start the year rolling.

I got this model last month and it's the most expensive current release Tomica I have paid in a shop during my stay in Hong Kong. I just bought one because I will wait for the "official release" in Singapore (they just did). First the good points, the car looks proportional, have a nice front grill and not so stiff suspension.

For some constructive criticism, I don't want to make it so negatively. I would say some suggestions to make it better. Could the car look a little nicer if it does without the crude ugly wing mirrors? The front of the car looks good until I see the super fat A-pillars, wow, horrendous. Moving to the side profile, the shut lines on the gull wing door has a lot of free play. The gap is a full millimetre which translate into 65mm in the real car. I am not asking for precision but this is a little too much when Majorette is able to produce tighter shut lines even when the material that puts it together is inferior to Tomica. Moving to the rear, there is no clear rear windows. Does it really cost a lot more comparing metal (or zinc alloy) to plastic resins?

Comparing new and old, I still love the classic Mercedes 300SL ever since I saw the real thing in Frankfurt airport last year (regardless of Tomica or the real car). Frankfurt airport was giving classic Mercedes as luck draw prizes last year. Will the new Tomica Mercedes SLS cause a buying frenzy like the Reventon last year? I think it will somehow as some crazy people will buy them out if stock are not replenish faster than the buying behaviour. I would hope Tomica to make a Ferrari after absence from the scene for more than 20 years. It will definitely create a buying frenzy especially if there is a first colour. I will and I know someone else out there will.

Yujin Tomica Upgraded

I hope my title did not confuse you but the latest incarnation of Tomica (Feburary) did (to me). I quite agree with Tomica to down size their cars as Tomica in the past 20 years did put on some weight. They almost close in to Siku size for some of their models at one time, nobody really mind because people see it as "value for money" (VFM).

The designers in Takara-Tomy must have let their imaginations run wild with the Toyota Prius Alpha. Thinking that they could merge Yujin and regular Tomica just like Honda did it with Prelude and Integra. I describe it as a Yujin because the scale went outrageously down to 1/71. To rub salt to the wound, the rear window has no additional piece of plastic. No prizes for the correct answer, it's paint-over-metal again.

I try putting the Tomica alongside with a random Siku. The Siku intimidate the little Tomica with its sheer size.

Next, I park it with its little brother, the Toyota Vitz. The Vitz dwarf the Prius and could owned it anytime.

I paired it with a Herpa and they look really compatible. Don't you think so? You might be asking why didn't I pair it with a Yujin? Honestly, I don't have any and this Prius Alpha will be my first "Yujin".

My Tomica Memories - Yellow Hatch & Flying Car

Some of my toys are bought by my aunt (Gift Greeting's cousin's mum) and that includes Tomica. My family members knows that I like small little toy cars and my aunt together with my grandma are the biggest culprit showering me with these little gems. Every Tomica in my life has a story. Although just a short one but it is part of my growing up during my childhood.
It is another usual visit to my cousin's house in Clementi during the mid 80s. My aunt surprised us (my younger brother and I) with 2 Tomica. The 2 cars are loose so the boxes must have been dumped after removal of the cars. My aunt and cousin told me that the yellow hatch is for me. They says that I love hatchbacks (or small cars) so the VW Golf is chosen specially for me. I was so delighted as it is a hatchback painted in my favourite colour. I started to look at the other car, the Mercedes 300SL, which is for my brother. I find that the car looks amusing especially the gull wing doors so I exclaimed, "Kwang's (my brother's name) car can fly". My cousins quickly shut me up and warned me not to tease my brother's new toy because he will cry, jumped, get mad, reject the Mercedes and took my Golf. I guess I have to shut up (for my own good) and lost a good chance teasing my brother.
I guessed I would have pick the Mercedes if they are real cars. Any car can triumph any car in the Tomica world. Although the Tomica 300SL was not mine then but I paired it with the Golf since then. These 2 cars are inseparable in my memory.

Meeting Sini & Karina in Hong Kong

I was so delighted when I heard Sini and Karina are going to Hong Kong because I am going to Hong Kong too. These are not planned but more of a coincidence. They will be in Hong Kong for 10 days and my 5 days schedule falls just in the middle of theirs in February 2012. I can't imagine myself to stay in Hong Kong for 10 days because I will be broke by the 2nd day in Hong Kong and I will want to go home very much. Believe it or not, I been to Hong Kong for about 15 times but I never been to any tourist spots for sight seeing. No Disneyland, Ocean Park or the peak. Just Hong Kong island, Kowloon, Wanchai, Hung Hing, Ken's Garage, Toyzone, SOGO, Tung Chung and all the locations where my customer's offices are. I was actually late on our first appointment because we agree to meet in Lok Fu MTR at 1500hrs as I have made appointment with Ken of Ken's Garage that we come on 20th Feb (Monday). I touched down in Hong Kong at 1330hrs, reach my hotel in Wanchai at 1415hrs, some washing up and unpacking as I brought some little gifts for Sini. Ran out of my room towards the MTR at 1445hrs. Ken's Garage is now really not so convenient for me now. I will need to change 2 train lines from Wanchai station to Lok Fu. Luckily, Sini and Karina were still there and I apologies to them for being late for 20 minutes. We exchanged gifts (toy cars! what else?) and foodstuff from our countries before hailing down a cab to Ken's Garage. It took about 10 minutes from the MTR to Ken's location.

If you wanted to know if you are in the correct location. There are many garages (real working garages) or car workshops near Ken's Garage. Ken's Garage is in Fung Yu Industrial Building on the 10th floor. To our disappointment, Ken's Garage was closed! Luckily, a guy who I believe might be his partner is there to open the door for us. He wasn't expecting us as he is about to leave the shop. Anyway, he was kind enough to call Ken and Ken said that he thought that it was supposed to be Tuesday. Arrrggghhhh.... Ken Fung, why are you so muddle head! Joking, not angry, just a little disappointed as I wanted to introduce Sini to him.

This is the usual stuff where you might really like to enlarge my photo to scrutinise every car to see what Ken has to offer. Sorry, I have to re size the photo for quick uploading.

Did you realised that there are buses in Ken's Garage now? Almost a depot now.

Tomica Limited and some Tomica Gift Sets.

Sini preparing for a mass toy car massacre with a plastic bag. We had only ten minutes to pick what we want as Ken's partner needs to leave soon. We went to toy street after shopping with Ken's Garage.

I will skip all details at Hung Hing and other shops there. We were too busy fighting a war in toy street and we took a rest in the nearby KFC. This is where Sini started to enjoy the prizes he conquered. He was showing off a TLV Mazda truck to me and Karina. He told me that he collect anything that is Mazda mainly because one of his rides is a 20 year old Mazda 323. Now I know why he done many Mazda custom projects. Sini is a cartoonist, I don't know if that is the right word to use but I know he draws cartoons for newspaper and maybe some other projects as well. During his free time, he will do some toy car custom projects and also restoration on junk toy cars which he still find them worthwhile to rescue them for another new lease of life. I always think he is the master at this although he always tell me that there are people who has much better skills than him. Anyway, he is the best I have known so far. Some collectors in my region think that customs is giving the car a fresh coat of paint, swooping of wheels and adding of decals but Sini done more than just that. You may like to see Sini's work on his website, www.sinicars.at but please do not ask him to do customs for you because it is for his own interest only. We had so many things to talk but we had so little time. I had to be back to my hotel by 1930hrs and we agree to meet on 24th Feb, Friday, for a dim sum breakfast and last minute shopping opposite my hotel (which is Tai Yuan Street) just before I fly back to Singapore.

Friday came. We had dim sum at the restaurant just 4 units away from my hotel. That is the most convenient hotel (for toy car shopping) as compared to numerous hotels I have stayed so I will stick to the same one. Not to forget Karina, I also had a nice chat with this pretty lady as I am always worried if she will get bored when Sini and I are hunting for toys. She is very understanding and not many girls can tolerate their partner with this passion.

We had hours of chat that we forgotten that I had little time that day. We also talk about Jeff as well as I told Sini that Jeff hopes he can sit with 2 of us and we should have endless topics. Jeff, I hope to meet you one day as well.

Such a loving couple! After our breakfast, we did some shopping of toy cars before we bid good-bye. I really hate to say good bye to them. They are very nice people and I hope that I can see them again. I told Sini if they will come to Asia again, I will book a flight to meet them as long as my schedule or budget allows me. This should be the most meaningful Hong Kong trip as meeting a friend who I have known 3 years for the first time.
Back to Singapore, my room. I did not buy a lot of stuff this time as compared previously but my wallet was still broke somehow.

Finally found the Camry taxi and the Lancer EVO X police in Hong Kong. Bought multiples since we do not have it here in Singapore. Planning for next trip now.

Kenmeri Skyline - Mary, Diane Krey-Wesley

I like to thank Jeff for helping me get my Hot Wheels Skyline autographed by Mary. I am referring to Skyline Mary who was once shot to fame because of the Nissan Skyline commercial aired from 1972 to 1974 in Japan. I understand from Jeff that every Skyline has got an unique name such as "Hakosuka", "New-Man" and the C110 is known as "Ken & Mary Skyline" or "Kenmeri Skyline". If you have not watch the 8 instalments of C110 Skyline commercials, you might like to watch the below clip (in case you haven't seen it) which is a compilation of all 8 commercials. Nissan was targeting at American market then so Ken & Mary are born. It's aMARY-KEN, got it?


Mary is definitely not her real name. "Mary" was played by Diane Krey-Wesley and "Ken" by Jimmy Zinnai. I did not managed to get Ken's autograph because he passed away at the age of 17 in a motorcycle accident. That explains why the series of commercials did not continue after Ken's death. I think Ken & Mary would be best of friends today if that tragedy did not happen. As for the song which had a catchy tune in the commercial,I don't know if you like it but I like it so much that I bought the CD from Japan. The song is sung by "Buzz" who should be the "boy band" of Japan then.

When Jeff told me the story of Mary, I got interested and got myself hook since. I bought the Buzz CD as mentioned, I got Jeff to send me magazines which had articles written by him. I even suggested to him to request for Mary to autograph on my Hot wheels Skyline. So, I got it finally after a long wait. This should be the first Hot Wheels I will treasure as there are stories which I can relate to my friends.

Way before Hot Wheels made the Kenmeri Skyline, Tomica did it 40 years ago. Maruka had one too, see my die-cast oddities. I still prefer the Tomica though. I like to thank Jeff for everything or I couldn't have this special Kenmeri Skyline.

Best Tomica of 2011

It has been another year and how time flies. There are some obvious changes for Tomica in 2011. Firstly, most Tomica has shrunk. It all started actually in 2010 December with the released of Nissan Juke. Tomica also revived the "First Colour" edition which they introduced this strategy from 2003 to 2006. More foreign cars being made in 2011 as compared in the last 10 years. In December 2011, Tomica introduced full pledge foreign cars as their regular cars of the month. I started to wonder if Takara-Tomy had read my blog because I did mentioned that I wanted a slimmer Tomica (but they shrink it instead!?) like they used to make. I hope to see more foreign cars as I hope that they revive the "Foreign Series". Maybe it's just coincidence, I don't think Takara-Tomy will ever read my worthless blog.

Before I reveal the "Go! Go! Tomica" edition of Best Tomica of the year 2011, I wanted to stress the point that this is just my own opinion. I am doing this for fun and much of my own consumption rather than to entertain. I saw my "Best Tomica 2010" post was posted in one of the forums and gets some negative comments. It's the usual patriotic Tomican who cannot tolerate my negative awards to Tomica. I don't really mind negative feedback as long as they are constructive. I do post negatively in forums too as long as I do not agree but I will give some explanations to support my claim. So, I will repeat this again. This is just my opinion and if you are not happy with what I wrote, move on, do not read my blog.

June Release of 2011
Overall is well made but not the best. I just do not know how to appreciate some of the odd looking utility vehicles.

May Release of 2011

I do not really fancy air craft. If I do, I will go broke buying Matchbox. It is still a good effort for Tomica to introduce a helicopter. There are fans for almost everything.

April Release of 2011

This can be both interesting and boring vehicle. I believe not many people know this is a custom bike or trike that is made in Japan. Not really mainstream but it will be cool to ride on a real one. It's better made than the Yamaha last year.

March Release of 2011

It's just another Elf to me. There will be more variants coming up for sure.

February Release of 2011

Not really a fan of this kind of rescue vehicle unless it is a model which I really like.

August Release of 2011

The Toyota FJ is nice but it could be better if the scale could slightly increase to 1/64 to have more presence felt especially when park beside the H2 or the Pajero it replaced. The wheels to replace with the ones used on the Pajero. I felt that the downsize of Tomica might be due to the small rim size of the button wheels. The wheels will be hidden under those arch if a bigger body is made. I think Takara-Tomy might be adjusting the scale to fit the button wheels. Just a guess.

September Release of 2011

Another "Honey, I shrink the Tomica" vehicle. The rear of the car has no plastic as window. If Siku can do it and they are retail around the same price as Tomica, I believe Tomica can do similar. The plastic used on a Tomica is also using lesser material as compared to the bigger scale Siku.

June Release of 2011

It's probably a forgettable car if you think "Honda Fit". It was made as it is one of the better selling car in Japan.

April Release of 2011

The new Swift looks nice at some angles but I don't know if my eyes are playing tricks on me. The headlights look a little oversize and the A-pillars look a little thick to me.

October Release of 2011

I applauded Tomica for continuing the Vitz generation as they made the previous two. Besides Vitz, I realised that Tomica also made every generation for Odyssey, Estima, Prius, Fit. The previous Tomica Vitz are better made than this one.

November Release of 2011

The Daihatsu Move is the only Kei car made this year. The previous Tomica Daihatsu Move comes in 2 colours as well. Everything is well put together except for the super stiff suspension and I don't really agree with any cars that has a paint over hatch as a window.

February Release of 2011

I like the new Rex to be made but not this way. Maybe Tomica should start designing slightly bigger wheels rather than shrinking the body. They did it for the yellow 370Z and I have to admit that giant button wheels look weird. Tomica needs to return to the drawing board, work something out to strike a balance.

January Release of 2011

The casting is handsome but suffers the same fate as other smaller Tomica.

August Release of 2011

MOST DISAPPOINTING TOMICA

I was actually looking forward to the release of the Civic Type R but it looks more of a Civic iVTEC. Tomica failed to bring out the spirit of a Type R especially when Matchbox has one which is better.

December Release of 2011

MOST PROFITABLE TOMICA

They churn out 3 variants within 3 months and this is a new casting. 2 of the variants are selling like hot cakes.

MOST POTENTIAL TOMICA
This car has a lot of potential for other variants. They just have to pray that Bumblebee continues to be a Camaro. Tomica Limited version, maybe?

January Release of 2011

WACKIEST TOMICA OF THE YEAR

Doing it once is forgivable but please don't do it again.

November Release of 2011

SMALLEST TOMICA OF THE YEAR

They shrunk cars. Now they shrink excavators too.

December Release of 2011

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TOMICA OF THE YEAR

The Unimog is consider well made for a current day Tomica and the tipping deck does surprise me. The truck is so light that I thought the box is empty when I pick one up.

March Release of 2011

BEST TOMICA SUSPENSION

It bounces although not really on par with the Japanese suspension. The surprising part is this car is made in Vietnam. All Vietnamese made Tomica are well known to have a super hard suspension that doesn't bounce.

September Release of 2011

BEST FOREIGN TOMICA

The Lotus looks ready to take on any car here even the Reventon. The last Lotus Tomica has made was more than 30 years ago.

May Release of 2011

MOST EXCLUSIVE TOMICA

I couldn't buy one here in Singapore.

July Release of 2011

BEST SELLING TOMICA OF THE YEAR

First colour sold out within days in Japan. Both colours sold out within 3 months in Singapore.

September Release of 2011

BRONZE AWARD

This is one of the better example of a recent Tomica. It is one of my favourite car made for 2011 and the proportion looks precise.

October Release of 2011

SILVER AWARD

I surprise myself by placing this truck second as it never caught my eye. It is well made and it looks much better than the Elf.

July Release of 2011

GOLD AWARD

If Kobelco is not in the list of 2011, I will be in a dilema which Tomica to take the gold award. The Kobelco crane was first released in 2008 for Kobelco which is believed as a promo vehicle for the company. This crane has great mass and I personally felt that this is the most handsome crane made in recent years.

The above is the Kobelco promo variant which is first released. The colour is different from the regular release and it has slightly more details on it.