Tokyo Motor Show 2013

This is the first time I am attending a major international motor show. I did not really plan for this show because my air ticket was booked months ago and Tokyo Motor Show 2013 did not cross my mind at all. I was supposed to attend Omocha Carnival on 1st December but it was cancelled at the very last minute that I don't have the chance to make amendment on my schedule for the Wonderland Market 2 weeks later. Anyway, since I am already in Tokyo, I do like to visit this major event too.

When we stepped out of the train station, we are welcome by a fleet of JDM cars. I can't help but to take photos of some of the cars there. We have to walk a fair bit to the event hall at Tokyo Big Sight so these cars did entertain us while walking towards the hall.

Took a shot of this car for my colleague who is driving a Swift Sport.

 

This is one of my favourite car displayed there. A first generation Mitsubishi Lancer and it looks like a rally car for the African Safari Rally back in the 70s.

We used to have lot of these old Lancers on our road but they are almost extinct now. I don't know if it is a 2000GSR EX Turbo but this one looked really cool.

Another classic Lancer on display outside the event hall.

This car looked familiar to me because Tomica made this.

Patrol car complete with a policeman, nice uniform.

 

The JSDF vehicle. It's really build like a tank.

They will dress you up like a soldier if you like.

Reached the ticketing booth finally.

Although it's the last day of the show, there are hundred of thousands visitors too.

Suzuki Hustler, it looks so much like a shrunk down Toyota FJ Cruiser. I like it very much.

Versatile little car which is good for camping or picnic.

Toyota Aqua Air, a convertible version of the Toyota Aqua aka Toyota Prius C.

This Toyota Corolla Wagon wear jeans!

Electric cars are a focus in the show. This is the most promising one, the Toyota iRoad.

I am not a fan of supercars but for you guys, the Pagani Huayra.

There are lots of concept cars at the show. I saw a familiar name at one of the stand, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. I even spoke to the German gentlemen at the stand asking him about NTU project for the future of Singapore.

 



This is the future electric taxi of Singapore. They are looking at production in China so that they can sell to the Chinese market. Nothing is firm but this is what they are planning.

Mitsubishi has a few concept cars at the show. This is the AR concept.

This is the Daihatsu Deck. It looks like a truck to me but I don't know how it can carry goods.

Tomica stand at the motor show.

Tomica city attracting both small and big kids like me.

 

Queue up to purchase Tokyo Motor Show edition Tomica. The 86 and the Evo X are sold out so I have to make do with balance models. Will do an update on my trip in Japan once I have the time.

 

 

 

 

 

Chevrolet Optra

Due to the current high price of COE (Certificate of Entitlement), my father had to make do with his old ride. This is the first time he had driven a car till end of its 10 years live span. Registered on 14th January 2004 and we have to de-register the car by 13th January 2014. On 28th November 2013, we finally had to see her off to the car mart where my father traded in for a used car. This is also the first time he bought a used car as all his previous cars are bought new.

Don't be surprise to see the mileage to be only 58293km after running the car for 10 years. My father is the only registered owner and we can't be tempering the meter. His Singapore is just from Jurong West to Jurong East and vice versa. Most of his cars have very low mileage and under utilised.

The Optra is the first car to be fully badged as the Chevrolet in Singapore after Daewoo was taken over by General Motor. This car was badged differently in different countries. In South East Asia, it is known as Chevrolet Optra, Daewoo Lacetti in South Korea, Buick Excelle in China, Suzuki Forenza in North America and Holden Viva in Australia. Badge engineering indeed.

I actually brought my father to the Starauto show room 10 years ago because I was driving a Daewoo Nexia then. He liked the  car instantly and bought it a week later without any test drive or checking out other cars in the same range. I think what I like about the Optra is the spaciousness. Comparing the Elantra and Cerato of the same era, the Optra look much more upmarket as well. Well, time flies and we had to say goodbye to the Optra. The used car dealer said that it will definitely be scrap as the COE price is too high to renew and the body of our car look really bad because my father did not take care of the outlook. Rest in peace, Optra.

Tomica Share Holder Set - Kumamon

I am not so much into "cute" stuff but since this is a Takara Tomy share holder set, why not? If you own 100 shares, you will get this set. 1000 shares will get similar set with addition of a doll which looks like a Jenny doll.

Good news for Singapore Tomica character collectors, Tomica will have this Kumamon as a regular release next year. The bad news is, Kumamon will be only a domestic release in Japan, not for export. Share holder variant has no decals while the regular one will have some decals on the car but no bear to go along with.

 

 

 

 

Tomica Fair Singapore 20th~25th November 2013

The Tomica Fair starts today and I made a trip down to United Square during lunch hour.

Staff of the fair doing last minute setting up before the fair opens officially at 11am.

 

If you are a town set person, this fair will send you crazy. If you are after special models, you will be disappointed.

Top view of the miniature Tomica & Plarail town. Not the largest but good enough for local scene since we do not have many of these events for Tomica.

Close up on the Tomica town. You will see trains and Tomica running round the town set.

If you spent a minimum of $40.00, you will get to play "fishing" and win prizes.

Special deals you get in the fair.

You can pre-order your Initial D car. I have many already so did not order any today.

These event cars are not the latest edition, some are from last year or 2 years back. Good enough for local Tomica collectors.

I did earn one try on the fishing game.



The special edition diecast is a Isuzu 117 (Japan Made) which was actually an old model or overstock from 10 years ago. If I remember correctly, it is from "冒险王". Nothing special as it is not made for this event and local collectors don't collect cars they never heard of. Lastly, hope you enjoy your Tomica shopping for this event.

Official Opening of "Let's Play"

The big day finally arrived for Chern Liang. His "Tomica Shop" opens officially on 2nd November 2013. Moments before the official opening when Chern Liang becomes an instant "celebrity" in the lime-light.

The auspicious hour arrived at 1028hrs, time to unwrap the red paper cover for the shop signage.

Taa daah....... "Let's Play" is born. Finally a shop dedicated to Tomica minicars in Singapore.

Next step and final procedure is to roll the pineapple into the shop and HUAT AH!

Next moment, a swarm of customers invaded the shop which lasted for almost 2 hours before I can take some proper photos of the shop.

Besides the regular Tomica, you will find some vintage and Tomica not available in local departmental stores. There are Disney or character type of Tomica available in the shop too. If you are a train person, there is Plarail and Thomas & Friends too.

This should be the largest Tomica display case in Singapore. If your eyes are sharp enough, Apita and Toy Project Series are available as well. Chern Liang will make these series available in his shop whenever there is a new series released. He will try to release the regular series as to date as possible since he was selling the Mazda Atenza already since yesterday. If you are also looking for discontinued items, you might find some town set or Tomica that are still available in his shop.

A smaller Tomica display case with older Tomica in it.

This is "The Boss" sitting at the cashier. "Chink Chink" $$$$. You can pay him a visit at the following address:

Let's Play
91 Bencoolen Street,
#01-86,
Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/letsplay.sg

Remember to join membership in order to enjoy discount for the entire year.

Hong Kong 2013 - 7 Days 6 Nights

7 Days 6 nights sounds a little long in Hong Kong but that wasn't the longest record for business trip in Hong Kong. On the first day upon reaching my hotel in Wanchai, Ken of Ken's Garage picked me up from hotel to his "office". His shop is near the Transformer's film scene but I didn't have the chance to see that as it took place days after my visit. Ken's Garage is located in the building as shown in above photo.

Some of the cars available for sale. I wanted that Civic but I couldn't afford it. Hehe....

I met Ken's brother in his shop but I didn't know that until Ken walked me to take a taxi by the road side after my Tomica shopping in his shop. I thought that he is a seller renting a "pigeon hole" as shown above because he was displaying some stock on the shelf on the bottom left (the one with opening glass door). He was squatting in front of me arranging his Tomica when I took photo of the display in the shop. He has almost all the Tomica variants and I totally miss my chance to pay my respect to the Tomica god. I bought all his loose Tomica Camry and Lancer Evo as I ask him which series the cars were from since they are of a different colour variant. I still thought that he is a seller renting a shelf after I bought the cars from him.

Here is Ken in the photo as I secretly snapped a photo of him while he was talking to a friend in his shop. They were customizing Tomica in his little workshop at the inner end of the shop.

This is the first time I went to Aeon. I didn't know that it's so near to Toyzone. They have a Tomica corner which resembles a Tomica shop. The range is quite complete and much better than the range in Sogo.

I heard from Ken that the Tomica display was updated recently. Finally got to see this display which was always uploaded by some collectors in my group.

 

I also get the chance to meet Harold of Hong Kong (or Canada). We got a great time together and we visited all the toy shops in Tai Yuen Street together.

I didn't buy many cars in Hung Hing this time because I couldn't find any cars that I am willing to empty my wallet for. The price of Tomica in Hung Hing is also higher than before so I am buying with more caution now.

Although I did mentioned 7 days in Hong Kong but you wouldn't want to see how I work for the 5 days there. So it's good bye Hong Kong and hello Japan in a month's time.

Tomica vs Majorette - Audi A1 & R8

It's been sometime I have not done any die-cast comparison. I wanted to do a cover for Majorette for a long time but finally found the right car to do it. Majorette has many common cars with Tomica and I will cover that next time once I get enough cars from Majorette. As this year is a heavy import car year for Tomica, there are 2 Audis this year which comes as a surprise. Tomica has only made one Audi in Tomica history and it has been a gap for more than 30 years. The Audi 5000 (200 in some market) is actually a small casting (although a large Audi) but it is nicely made comparing to today's shrinking Tomica. I think Tomica has addressed that issue as I have not see any extraordinary small size midget appearing yet. Okay, I know the VW bug is a little small but it's 1/60 and it still can't beat the Avensis at 1/75. Since both Majorette and Tomica made the Audi A1 and Audi R8, I will do a comparo for the pairs.

We will start off the competition with the A1. Tomica (left) has a scale of 1/60 and made in Vietnam while the Majorette is slightly bigger at 1/58 and made in Thailand. Although I am more of a Tomica collector rather than Majorette, I have to say Majorette excel in the casting of the car. It looks just like an Audi A1. As for Tomica, you might have to crack your head a little especially from the side profile what car it actually represents. The Majorette has sharper lines on its casting too comparing to Tomica

Representation:
Tomica: 3 / 5
Majorette: 4.5 / 5

Detailing on both cars is totally on different class level. Tomica has very basic "trim" levels. It has no side mirrors like Majorette, no rear windows, no front and rear registration plates and no sport rims (but I am fine with that since I love button wheels, only Tomica collectors appreciates that). The frame from A-pillar to C-pillar on Tomica is painted white while the Majorette is painted with light silver. Most of the red A1 (real car) I saw are silver, I am not sure of white though. Majorette goes the extra mile to have plastic headlights similar to what Siku has done on their current production. Both cars do comes with suspensions. Both cars has an opening feature. Opening doors for the Majorette and opening hatch for Tomica. Tomica is never good in making rear opening hatch ever since the production shifted to China. If I ever been able to drive a Tomica, I can't do my reverse parking with fake rear windows.

Detailing / Features: 
Tomica: 2 / 5
Majorette: 4 / 5

Majorette uses suspension similar to that of Norev. A little too hard but at least Majorette still incorporate suspensions in their line of cars.

We saw that Majorette has improved in its line of regular cars comparing to those made in the last decade. How about the quality? Majorette which are made in Thailand suffers on poor paint quality. I have seen cars had paint chipping off even when they are still in their blisters. Majorette improve slightly on the paint used but the method of applying the paint still need some improvement. The A1 has some uneven paint finishing on the right side of the hood, the roof suffer some slight scuff marks. I realised that some cars in Majorette range had some problem on the roof. Take for example the Majorette Audi A5, I had a few of these A5 and they have scuff marks on the roof. Fortunately, they are only visible under sunlight. Tomica on the other hand excel in the paint department. No complains for Tomica here.

Paint Quality:
Tomica: 4 / 5
Majorette: 3 / 5

I will do a closer inspection on the fit and general finish. All opening parts opens and shuts well. Rolling the cars across the table made me spot some similarities between the 2 cars. The Tomica rear left wheel refuse to rotate and it seems like someone pulling the handbrake while driving it. The Majorette rear right wheel wobbles. The axle could have been slightly bent when fitting was done in the factory.

Fit & Finish:
Tomica: 3 / 5
Majorette: 3 / 5

Results:
Tomica: 12 / 20
Majorette: 14.5 / 20

It was rather impossible that a Majorette beating a Tomica in the past but the new line of Majorette cars are a far cry from those which are produced in Thailand during the 90s. The price of Majorette in Singapore now almost double from what they were 5 years ago. If the quality is good, I don't see why I will be rejecting this brand. What Majorette need is some repackaging and some good marketing in Asia in order to be successful.

The Majorette A1 wins almost hands down. Let's look at cars in the higher end of the scale, the Audi R8. The Tomica R8 (left) is made in Vietnam and scaled at 1/62 while the Majorette is made in Thailand and you see no scale on the base. The body of the Tomica looks sharp and pronounce. It looked proportionately made too. Not a bad effort after tons of critics on Tomica cars for the past 2 years. The Majorette is the total opposite of the Tomica. The design of the mould looks like it is made on a budget or inefficient time given to the designer. It doesn't even look like a Majorette. It reminds me of a Welly or Maisto. You don't have to touch it to know that it is a cheap toy, visual inspection will be more than sufficient. At times, I even thought the Majorette is build up from a Hyundai Coupe to look like a R8. No offence to Hyundai Coupe as I like this car as well especially the first generation.

Representation:
Tomica: 4 / 5
Majorette: 1.5 / 5

Detailing on the Tomica is good, you get a nice grill and nice rear end. The Tomica has no opening features but I am fine with it. You seldom see super cars having opening doors. If the doors open, it could break the flow of lines on the car. The car does come with workable suspension. No major flaws on the Tomica so far. The Majorette is certainly made on a budget, not much detailing and it has no suspension which I am now suspecting Majorette could have bought a cheap mould from a maker in China. The C-pillars looks fat and the whole car looks it is made on estimation since no scale is mentioned. What the Majorette offers in addition to the Tomica is a pair of wing mirror and a pair of wipers but those are awfully made too.

Detailing / Features:
Tomica: 3 / 5
Majorette: 2 / 5

The Tomica is finished in deep dark red and it's an awesome colour very close to the real thing. The paint is even and finished in good Tomica quality. The Majorette has the same problems like the A1. Uneven painting, slight scuff marks on roof and what is worse that it has tiny chip off on its hood near the windscreen. It's brand new and I didn't even play with it yet.

Paint Quality:
Tomica: 4 / 5
Majorette: 2 /5

General fit on finish on Tomica is good. Every detail is accurately painted without going over its boundaries. Car rolls well although the rear left wheel wobbles a little. Majorette is rather disappointing in the quality. I realised that the base is not punch riveted, it has screws to secure the base which is rather unusual. Only cheap toy cars from China use screws on base. To see it more positively, you can custom this R8 easier.

Fit & Finish:
Tomica: 3.5 / 5
Majorette: 2 / 5

Results:
Tomica: 14.5 / 20
Majorette: 7.5 / 20

I am kind of sure that the Majorette R8 is not a Majorette design but a cheap mould from China. Majorette has done a number of nice cars recently and I hope that I have the time and enough cars to cover them in next post.