[REVIEW] Tomica Volkswagen Golf GLE

Tomica time again, today we look at a German car. This is Tomica F5-2, the Volkswagen Golf GLE. This casting entered the range in August, 1980, and has remained a very popular item. Further examination shows why people like this model:

This example is a pleasant metallic blue, and has a nice “Golf” tampo that is relatively uncommon (most of these are blue, and most blue examples don’t have the tampo). Scale claims to be 1:56, and I believe it - this model is just a little larger than most. The button wheels look fine, and I am unaware of other wheel types ever being offered on this casting. Many makers had Mk 1 Golfs - I have seen Matchbox, HW, and Majorette versions, and no doubt there were more. The Tomica version exudes quality from all angles, and is definitely as good as any. Of course, this one has the crisp glazing, snappy door action, and springy suspension that we come to expect and love about vintage Tomica:

This casting features a detailed interior and accurate steering wheel, as was common for Tomica of this era:

Front and rear have similarly good detail, the silver trim at front and cast-in badging at rear being nice touches. Accurate fonts on the license plates, badging, and tampo add a quality feel. Small tail lights mean this is modeled after an earlier Mk1 car:

Base is metal, adding heft, and has plenty of detail:

I am definitely happy to have this one, it is a pretty and nicely detailed casting. It’s not rare, and a non-tampo one should be easy to find at an affordable price, as they were sold widely as Pocket Cars:

This model also starts a change in my weekly reviews - unboxed models. I have been showing off the boxes for some time, now to do some showing off without boxes. My next 8 Tomica and Lesney Matchbox reviews will be unboxed examples.

And a couple pics of 1:1 examples, from the VW Museum. It was difficult to find pics of unmodified early run Mk1 2 door Golfs in a similar shade of blue, but this is a good representation: