[REVIEW] Tomica Mazda Savanna GT - racing version

Tomica time, Land of the Rising Sun-day, is here again. Today we examine Tomica 80-2, the Mazda Savanna GT racer. This casting entered the range in January 1978, remaining until February 1980, and is a fine example of an obscure racer:

This model is based on the earlier 80-1 Savanna, an example of which I reviewed a while ago:

Upon quick examination, the casting differences are apparent - flared fenders, air dam/front spoiler, rear spoiler, no tow hook, and of course the flashy tampo livery. Scale is the same as 80-1, claimed to be 1:59, and likely accurate. As expected, this casting features the crisp glazing, snappy door action, and springy suspension we all know and love from vintage Tomica. The tampos are crisp and bright, we would expect nothing less from this maker. From all angles, it is easy to imagine this zoom-zooming around a track:

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

Front and rear have similar detail:

The base is metal, which adds heft, and contains ample technical and identifying detail:

This is another unboxed model I am pleased to have in my collection. I think I picked this up from a local collector who was thinning out his hoard, and I paid little for it. I believe these have been reissued, but this is an original. Not a rarity, but not the kind of car you see every day:

A couple 1:1 images from rebymazda.blogspot.com and mzracing.jp,  apparently these were a thing in a Japanese racing series: