My Favourite / Best Tomica Poll For Week 1

Sorry for taking a long time to announce the results. This is results of week 1 for this 3 weeks My Best / Favourite Tomica poll held between 6th to 25th January. I will stop accepting votes once the clock hits midnight later. I like to thank all friends and readers of my humble blog for your contributions. I will announce the results of the poll plus my own version of Best Tomica of 2012 this Sunday on the 27th January. If you have voted between 6th~12th January 2013, here is the results for week 1.

No. 1 Spot For Week 1: Honda CR-V

This is actually a surprise to me for the CR-V to take the number 1 spot but there are 2 weeks more to go so anything could happen.

No. 2 Spot For Week 1: Toyota FT-86

Not surprising. Let's see if the 86 can hang on to top 3 spots.

No. 3 Spot For Week 1: Lexus IS F

Another nice car in the top 3 spots.


Now you have seen the top 3 of week 1 but keep in mind that the first week is a slow week and it only comprises 20% of the total votes. Final results will be revealed in 2 days times. Stay tuned.

Adovanspirit by II ADO Co - Nissan Cedric 430 Fire Chief

Adovanspirit by II ADO Company - Nissan Cedric 430 Series Fire Chief 
Scale: 1/43
Origin: Made in Japan

White metal toy car is something which I like to add to my collection. They are extreme solid and lots of mass built into the weight of the car. I was in II Ado Company last month when I was in Tokyo. The white metal model cars are offering at a very reasonable price so I must get one for myself. I was actually spending a full 30 minutes going through all the white metal cars deciding to pick Toyopet Crown, Cedric or Prince Skyline. I would like to take one model of each but I am happy with just one since my focus are still 3 inch toy cars.

Eventually I picked the Cedric because I always wanted a Cedric or a Gloria coupe as a real ride. It's rather impossible due to the rarity of this car in Singapore. Even if they are available, they are not going to be cheap and the maintenance cost is going to break an arm or leg in order to drive one. After chosen the model, I gotta pick the variant which I like most. There are patrol car, road car, fire chief, taxi and many more for me to crack my head. I picked the Fire Chief because it has the most presence felt among other Cedric on the display. 

What I like most on the 430 series is the front and rear of the car. It is unmistakeably a Cedric which no other car looks like it. This Cedric reminds me of our Singapore taxi during the 70s and 80s but all are scrapped due to short life span of taxi here. Will I get another white metal model? Yes, if the price is right and only Japanese.

Tomica vs Hot Wheels - Hakosuka & Kenmeri

1971 GP Nissan Skyline KPGC-10 Hakosuka Racing

Japanese GP Racing which was held some 40 years ago on 3rd May 1971.

Gulliver made these 2 Tomica racing Hakosuka in year 2000.

No. 6 car was the champion while No. 8 car the runner up.

Hot Wheels made quite a number of Japanese classic recently such as 510, AE86, TA22 and this year a Toyota 2000GT. It's so maddening because these are cars made by Tomica and Diapet then. Most toy car makers produce the current model line rather than turning the clock back. Most Hot Wheels fans in Singapore don't know anything about classic Japanese cars. They either like it or hate it only after Hot Wheels produced them because they don't know that there's such a car until Hot Wheels made one. They like it because it's made by Hot Wheels. They hate it because they look at it as an old car rather than classic. They are only interested in fast, super or exotic car. I felt that if they know nuts about these cars, shut up! I felt disgusted in a way. Not the toy car but those fans who are shallow.

Hot Wheels actually benefits on the casting because the front grill and the rear spoiler follows closer to the real thing. This is mainly due to a new casting overdue by 40 years. Tomica front and rear is similar to the road car version because the casting is based on an old casting which was lightly modified. When comes to proportions, Tomica is better because all Tomica are made to scale while Hot Wheels are totally not.

The decals on the Tomica Hakosuka follows to the actual racing car. One obvious detail can be found on the tail of the car. "PMC.S" on the Tomica while "JUN.S" on the Hot Wheels. Many Hot Wheels fans don't even know what the hell is that. Skyline was a line of model produced by Prince Motor Company since 1957 and the then Datsun took over this company when Prince Motor wasn't doing that well. "PMC.S" actually stands for "Prince Motor Club. Sports". "JUN.S" because the car is designed by HW designer, Jun Imai.

Many HW fans don't even know how Jun Imai looks like. I am not a even a HW fan at all. Some might be asking what is Hakosuka? Every Skyline has got a name or nickname. As the C10 looks boxy, the Japanese people called it Hakosuka which means "square box". The Hakosuka is also the first GT-R ever produce under Datsun.

The best feature about the Tomica is the special made Watanabe wheels. If you are asking what is Watanabe wheels? I will make it simpler for Hot Wheels fans to comprehend. You watch Initial D right? It's the same type of rims used by the Trueno, 8 spokes nolstagic styled sport rims. You don't find it in Hot Wheels.

This is the 4th generation Skyline but 2nd Skyline to have the GT-R version and it's also the least number of GT-R produced due to the oil crisis during the 70s. 197 units was made to be exact. There are also Hot Wheels fans who doesn't know that this C110 Skyline is also know as the Ken and Mary Skyline or simply Kenmeri Skyline. I have a HW friend who trades HW but he doesn't know much about this car too and said that it is a KPGC-110 so I asked if he is referring to the Kenmeri Skyline? He said that it should be and pretend that he knows it. Anyway, he usually knows nothing about Japanese classic or Tomica but will always continue to talk nonsense hoping to bluff his way through. Usually if I don't know my stuff well, it is best to shut my mouth up.

This is a Kenmeri Skyline made by II ADO Company. It was still made in Japan just before the Tomica Limited series was released and the casting was modified to China. That is why I hate re-issued items especially those which production are shifted to China using the same old mould.

The Kenmeri HW build and quality is nowhere close to Tomica. The HW front left wheels not able to contact to the surface rolled on. It was rolling with just 3 wheels. I do agree that some Tomica had wheels which are undersized but most Hot Wheels has over sized wheels.

The nomenclature of the HW is imprint on the car. Tomica had it moulded on its body. Basically most HW does not have opening doors or working suspensions. I already heard someone saying who the "F" cares about the suspensions. Sour grapes. Why are Hot Wheels priced cheaper than most brands? Simple, no opening parts and suspension, hence, less parts and tools are used in the process. No scale involve so it take lesser time to develop one as number of Hot Wheels models release per year are more than any other toy makers. There are some models which are produced without licence too and rename with a fanciful name. The quality checks are not as stringent as any other brands too so you can find the so called "error cars" easily. I would hope Hot Wheels to stop making these Japanese classic cars as I wouldn't want to see beautiful classic made for people who doesn't appreciate them. I would rather HW to produce current Japanese cars or old Japanese cars Tomica never made such as AE101 or AE111.

This is my friend's Kenmeri. I think it looked really nice but Tonegawa, my friend, send it to the workshop for restoration. He told me it is a 10 months project and he is taking public transport at the moment. I will take photo of his Kenmeri once it is restored.

Dear Philippines

Dear Friends in The Philippines,

As I will be traveling to Manila and Makati City in March, I would appreciate if you can advise which is the best hotel to recommend in terms of convenience and comfort. Preferably 4 or 5 stars if budget allows. I would also appreciate your advice as well what are the things to look out for during my stay as this is the first time visiting Philippines. I can't say it will be a 100% firm to go but everything should be finalised by February. I am the type of person who like to plan ahead when it comes to traveling and I need to submit my proposal early for approval. If any Tomica fans like to meet me, I will try to arrange a time in the evening near the hotel as I will have a heavy schedule during the day time.

Thank you & Regards,
Julian

The Search For The Best Tomica of 2012

Another year passed so quickly and it's time to pick the best Tomica of 2012. I would say that It's a bad year for Tomica. I would agree to the direction of down sizing the scale but it seems that it has been done overboard. Most of the Older Tomica of the 70s till early 80s did not cross the 1/67 mark for a 4 door luxurious sedan (for example) unless it's a Rolls or American.

Take Crown or Cedric, they are approximate scaled around 1/65 range. In the late 80s, most cars of this range grew to around 1/63 which make Tomica of the late 80s looked larger. As most car makers grow their cars when a new generation is introduced, Tomica should scale the cars of these era to the same scale or maybe kept to a maximum of 1/66 depending on model but they are sized up instead. So from late 80s, most Tomica are larger than the earlier ones. It went on with this strategy until 2011 December with the introduction of the Nissan Juke.

The scale of the Juke isn't too bad but somehow the down sizing strategy is much more of a cost cutting movement rather. 99% of Tomica before the Juke does have a minimum of one movable part but the Juke does not have any doors or hatch that opens. If the rear hatch doesn't open, there should be a rear plastic window but there isn't any. The rear window is painted on the Juke rather than installing a piece of plastic to signify as a rear window. This has somehow change the traditions of Tomica.  

Then the new Impreza WRX came along and it has an astonishing small scale of 1/67. The current day WRX should be similar to the size of a Bluebird of the late 80s. The difference in the size department is just too big. Most current collectors who started collecting recently and do not know much of Tomica history are upset by this change as they are so used to big size Tomica. 1/67 is just too small for a car this size.

Sometimes I wonder why Siku is able to maintain their quality and retain its roots but why not Tomica? Both Tomica and Siku cost almost the same. Both cars are design in Germany and Japan respectively but production is either done in China or Vietnam.

It's a really tough decision to pick the best so I have asked my friends, Pooh and Keong to choose their top 5 vehicles in random order. I will take their choice into account which will take 20% of the total score since this is my blog. I do welcome your views and I will take your choice into account as well. Just send your top 5 choices to my email address in random order, 1 being the best and so on till 5. Let's do this together, results will be posted here by end of January 2013.

My email : bonu@starhub.net.sg

Japan 2012 - 18th December, Tuesday

Today is the second last day in Japan as we will be going home the next morning. Tokyo trip will not be complete without seeing the Tokyo Tower and visiting Asakusa. I have been to both but for the benefit of Keong as this is his first trip. Anyway, it could be nice for me to revisit since I have hardly taken any photo of myself wherever I travelled. 

What I like about Asakusa are the shops before the temple. There are different variety of  Japanese food stuff, souvenir, fashion, toys, shoes and many different kind of shops along this street.

Some nice toys found in one of the toy shops in Asakusa.

Reached the main temple, said my prayers and hopefully it will be answered.

We were lucky this time as there was a carnival with around 50 stalls selling local food beside the temple. We tried almost everything which comes along and our lunch was settled there. The amount we spent on food at the carnival was more than enough to visit a decent restaurant.

We tried almost everything at this stall with exception of octopus.

I bought a bowl of stuff from this stall. I call it "stuff" because I don't know what the hell I ate even until today. Initially I thought they were selling braised pork but half way through eating, it tasted like chicken. I look at the stall again and I can understand only one word, "bird".

Taito Station is just around the corner in Asakusa. I was filled with excitement as I wanted to play with the Tomica Catcher Push Table. There is another similar machine with Meiji chocolate stacked like Tomica.

Seriously, I didn't know I played for nearly 2 hours. I did managed to topple most of the Tomica in the machine. I spent a total of 10,000 yen on this machine. It was fun for me as we don't have Tomica theme machine in Singapore. What we get are lousy candies or cartoon character miniature stuffed toys. I didn't know I love Tomica this much.

Tokyo Sky-Tree is just near to Asakusa. It's taller than Tokyo Tower.

After visiting Asakusa, I suggested to visit II Ado for last minute shopping but Keong decide to go to Akiba to buy a spare battery for his out dated digital camera instead. He is too afraid to go to II Ado. He is afraid that he cannot resist the temptation and started buying again.

This time I stayed for 1.5 hours in the shop trying to inspect every corner of the shop. I requested to open every cabinet so that I can see every car better. I tried getting one car from every shelve I opened. First car I picked was a Gama VW Microbus, followed by a Diapet, a Popinica and a Solido. Finally I decided to go for another 6 Diapets from the 90s which are very reasonably priced.

Total damage done was a mere 20,000 yen. Not bad for a last minute shopping to end the trip. I still have not inspecting all my purchase although I am back to Singapore for 2 weeks. I wanted to open them slowly and most of the cars are still in a big box. I plan to re-organise my toy cars in my room so that the new ones can go into my display shelve. I did a more thorough shopping this time comparing to my last trip in 2010. I hope to visit Japan soon. Good-bye Japan and I will be back.

Japan 2012 - 16th~17th December, Sunday~Monday

After the Wonderland Market, we decided to pay a visit to the Motomachi Chukagai (Chinatown) as it's just within walking distance.

I wanted to try their stuffed buns or dumplings if they are different from those we had in Singapore. One distinctive difference is the price, we can buy around 5 to 6 in Singapore for the equivalent. The filling is also a little different from ours in Singapore. In general, they taste good as the skin texture of the bun might be better than some shops in Singapore. These bun stalls are everywhere in Chugakai, it seems like buns and dumplings are the signature Chinese dish in Japan.

This shop is selling souvenirs on Pandas and they are selling Panda shaped buns too! Every shop selling buns enjoyed good business so it's not a surprise that a souvenir shop hopped into the band wagon as well. We had Chinese food in a restaurant for dinner before heading back to Tokyo. We actually quite full after eating buns and after dinner, we could barely walk.

Upon going back to Tokyo, we headed back to hotel for unloading of the toy cars we conquered in Wonderland Market. After unloading of stuff, we headed to Ikebukuro which is a stop away from our hotel for Bic Camera. I bought some Diapet and Bandai transformer look alike robots. I did managed to get some Tomica as well. We walk to Toy'R'Us in Sunshine City nearby as I wanted to buy some Toy'R'Us exclusive Tomica as I do have some of these edition in my collection already. I saw the blister packed Tomica are on sale which prices slightly lower than Bic Camera so I bought 4 at 997 yen only.

Day 5, 17th December 2012, Monday. A day we needed to wait up early for taking the bus ride to Gotemba. We had breakfast in a eatery shop nearby our hotel. I am more relaxed finally as I achieved 90% of my KPI with only Minicar TMT missed in my planned schedule. Hence I have time to spy on Keong because he captured almost anything in his camera behind my back while I was heading the directions during the first 4 days. That includes every meal we had. Nope, he has no facebook or blog.

The JR Kanto bus brought us here, Gotemba premium outlets which the ride took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. We shopped for stuff we like. Bought a Reebok classics, some garment from Gap and a pair of gloves that cost much more than any of my T-shirts. I am still figuring out why I bought this, for trips in Germany perhaps.

There's a food court in the Gotemba Premium Outlets and one of the stall is selling Singapore Chicken Rice. I gotta try this. 

I ordered the Pepper Chicken Rice and it tastes nothing like Singapore. The rice is just plain rice unlike our chicken stock rice, the salad look-alike doesn't taste a single bit like our "ah-cha" and the chicken is totally in a world of its own. Interesting.

Keong in action again. Wha ha....

I couldn't find Mt. Fuji so I look for the information counter to do a verification if I come to the right place. I just want to take photo and in the mean time we can shop here. The lady at the counter is very helpful and courteous. She walked out of the information counter and show us the direction of Mount Fuji, she told us that as it was a raining day, it is not possible to see Mount Fuji. We thanked her for her kind gesture although a little disappointed.

We had dinner in a Italian restaurant in Gotemba before heading back to Shinjuku. The JR Bus is waiting.

You might be thinking we called it a day? No, I rushed down to Minicar Ikeda as I need to check if I can get some stuff here. I also urged Keong to buy the 2 Tomica encyclopedia so that he will not go home with regrets and he can refer to all the variants whenever he needs to. Then we rushed down to Gulliver which is near our hotel for last minute shopping.  Nakata San saw me and asked about the Hong Kong Tomica I have bought as he learn from Bob we bought one each. This is the first time we chat and he is one friendly person. Although I have been to his shop many times but we never chat before. I showed him my Hong Kong made Tomica Sprinter and he said that I bought it at a reasonable price, I thought so too. I also showed him my green Microbus because I brought it everywhere I go in Japan. I requested a carton box from Nakata San as I wanted to pack all my cars to send to myself in Singapore. I have bought too many cars and my luggage couldn't take all. I thanked Nakata San and we head back to hotel as we had a long and tiring day shopping.