[REVIEW] Tomica Toyota Celica 1600 GT

Tomica time, Land of the Rising Sun-day, is here again. Today’s installment is similar in color to last week’s featured vehicle. This is Tomica 26-1, the Toyota Celica 1600 GT. This casting entered the range in October 1971, remaining until July 1978, and is the kind of car that made both Tomica and Toyota popular:

The original Celica, one an unloved ordinary old used car, now a sought-after collectible. This car and the fastback variant were both heavily influenced by Mustang styling, but with a Toyota take on it - well-made and reliable, easy to live with, but dissolved in harsh climates.  I reviewed a fastback a little while back:

The notchback coupe also has some appeal, being kind of a JDM style pony car. As expected from Tomica even of this vintage, quality is excellent - ample fine line casting detail with cast-in nameplates on the rear quarters being a nice touch, along with realistic proportions. Scale is a claimed 1:60, likely accurate.  Typical for older Tomica, there are no side windows, but this model features otherwise crisp glazing, springy suspension, and (somewhat) snappy door action we all enjoy from Tomica of this era, while the metallic green/gold color is very period correct. With the “old wheels” which suit the car very well, resembling hubcaps, this is from earlier in the production run. From all angles, this is a well-crafted model:

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

Front and rear are of similar quality, with the cast plastichrome bumpers containing considerable detail and realistic nameplate fonts:

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

No doubt I am pleased to have this in my collection, I have a few of this casting. For Toyota fans and admirers of vintage Tomica, this is a must-have, and does not appear particularly rare, as it was sold in earlier runs of Pocket Cars. A nice looking trip back in time:

A couple 1:1s from wheelsage.org and wikimedia :