[REVIEW] Tomica Toyota Crown Super Deluxe

Tomica time, Land of the Rising Sun-day, is here once again. Today we examine a model that had been on my list, and is now in the hoard. This is Tomica 3-1, the Toyota Crown Super Deluxe. This casting entered the range in September 1970, remaining until October 1974, and is a nice example of the early days of Tomica:

1970, the infancy of of Tomica, and here we see some of the traits of early models. Old wheels, no side glazing, casting quality that while nice, isn’t as precise as a few years later. However, this model is still nicely cast with excellent proportion, and ample detail. It features crisp glazing on the windows that have it, less snappy door action than later models - but still precise, and nice soft suspension, though not as bouncy as some later models. Scale is claimed to be 1:65, likely accurate. From all angles, it is a nice quality model:

Doors open to reveal Tomica hallmarks of a detailed interior and accurate steering wheel:

Front and rear, with sections cast in metal attached to the base, also feature pleasing detail:

The base is metal, the standard of the time, and features technical and identifying detail. I have noticed some of these early bases acquire a patina kind of like lightly tarnished silver:

This example is lucky enough to live in its crisp original black box. This model came from old stock, and has likely not spent much time in the fresh air in its life:

I am definitely glad to have this in my collection. As mentioned, this was one on my wishlist, I think Small Scale Sydney and I discussed it a while ago. For some time, I had been seeking one of these, but they always went for big money on ebay (some variants of this are quite expensive), and I was a little leery to deal with the Japan-based sales portals, as condition matters, and I fear shipping weirdness with no recourse. Finally, a seller I have bought from offered one of these, and I snapped it up. Not cheap, but I have seen them for more, so I am pleased. This is just the kind of nice looking yet ordinary everyday car I like in small scale. This one is also appropriate for leading into Thanksgiving week. I have a lot to be thankful for, and this model just brings it home that much more:

A few 1:1s in period sales literature from japanclassic.ru along with 1:1s from toyotareference.com . These were actually sold in small numbers in NA, but are unicorns here now: