The following toy cars were purchased or received in trade by Doug Breithaupt in the previous month. Some are new but others are older diecast acquired from other collectors. The prices paid are also shown. This addition to 'Tales of Toy Cars'. is intended to share recent finds with fellow collectors. If you have found some interesting diecast cars recently, let me know and send an image if possible, attached to an e-mail.
 2000 Honda Civis Si - McDonalds  1956 DeSoto custom - McDonalds  2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse - McDonalds JOHNNY LIGHTNING  Aston Martin V8 Vantage - $2.95  Aston Martin Lagonda #P908 - $2.95  1970 Plymouth Road Runner #492 - $2.95 MAISTO  Por4sche 550A Spyder - $2.96 |
Recent Additions Tomica continues to be the most consistant diecast producer in the world. They don't seem to worry about the fads or fancies of the diecast market, they just continue to produce wondereful miniatures of real vehicles in the correct colors and primarily, for the non-North American market. You won't find Tomica in large chain or discount stores as they focus on the smaller hobby outlets. Only Siku of Germany comes close to this consistant marketing focus over the years. In 2000, Tomica turned 30 and to honor this anniverssary, they produced a variety of commemorative models and sets. A reecent package from HobbyJapan 2000 provided me with some great new additions to my Tomica Collection. A special set of four cars commemorated the shared anniversary of Tomica and the Toyota Celica. These are our 'Cars of the Month'. A full article on the Toyota Celica and Supra is also in this issue (click here). More manufacturers should do these historical retrospective sets. Of the Tomica models here, the Datsun Fairlady 240Z and the Nissan Skyline were old castings that I had wanted for many years. The NSX and Mini Cooper are color variations that I could not resist. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV WRC, Suburu Legacy Touring Wagon and Toyota Will Vi are recent castings of cars no-one else is likely to do. The Evo IV was the winning WRC pro-rally car in 1999 and features correct rally colors. McDonalds is again offering Hot Wheels with their Happy Meals. The Honda Civic is a different casting of the same model offered in the regular line. It seems that the McDonalds castings must be different from the regular issue models, even if it's the same car! The Mitsubishi Eclipse is welcome and represents the first time this model has been done in 1:64 since it's debut in 1990. Too bad it has to be a Happy Meal version with smoked windows and no interior but beggars... The extra decals for the Civic and Eclipse were not used. The last HW McD HM car is clearly a custom model. I think it looks most like a 1956 DeSoto, although the tail is more '57 Chevy. The base glows in the dark. Johnny Lightning has offered two Aston Martin models in new colors. The V8 Vantage model was first offered in the Bond series while the Lagonda came in the Evel Knievel series. Both sport improved wheels and rubber tires. Too bad the Vantage still has solid wing-windows. A 1970 Plymouth Road Runner was also found from the MOPAR series. Are there any muscle cars JL has not yet done? Maisto has released a new series of it's showcase collection. I bought the Porsche 550A Spyder even thought the truck wheels are a major distraction. I also bought the Oldsmobile 04 concept car as it is likely to be the last Olds ever done before the marque is killed. I still have to remove that one from it's safe-like container. |
 Datsun Fairlady 240Z #6 - trade  Mini Cooper #88 - trade  Honda NSX #78 - trade  Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV WRC #104 - trade  Nissan Skyline 2000GT #8 - trade  Suburu Legacy Touring Wagon #18 - trade  Toyota Will Vi #27 - trade |
