[REVIEW] Tomica F68 Jaguar XJ-S

Tomica time again, this time we get to examine a nice disco era cruiser that embodied the British ability to make a car that was both unexplainably attractive and dangerously unreliable. Here we have Tomica's casting of the Jaaaag XJ-S (it lost the dash later in life). This model entered the range in 1978 as number F68, and is a nice period correct shade of green that one can imagine seeing on a nice Buick or LTD. Scale is a relatively small 1:67, and as the real car isn't gigantic, the casting itself seems small too.

And as to be expected...the quality is immense. I know of other XJS castings by Hot Wheels and Corgi, and this beats them in detail and proportion. The doors snap shut with precision, suspension is nice and springy, paint is excellent, glazing and interior likewise. It's a common model - I see these regularly in old collections, so if someone wants one, they shouldn't have to pay a fortune. Most are green, although I have seen at least one in a silver livery with tampos. Anyway, on to the model - pics are from yet another dark day with maybe too much artificial overhead light, oh well:

Interestingly, Tomica chose to give their casting US-style headlights:

And they did a good job with it, this thing is right from every angle. The buttresses on this car interested me when I was young - as most here probably know, it enjoyed about 20 years in production, it was an odd design when new, so it didn't really age. Interior is good and steering wheel looks correct:

Front and rear are what one would expect:

Metal base has some detail and adds heft:

Overall, a fine quality model that well represents the brand and the real car.