Before JDM is a buzzword, Johnny Lightning and others came up with a few selected Japanese casting. On my 151st post is one of Johnny Lightning’s best known Japanese casting, the Land Cruiser.
I remembered buying my first JL Land Cruiser at Walgreens when they were still selling a variety of die cast brands. It was yellow and from then on I was on the hunt for every Land Cruiser JL has ever produced.
Then one day Johnny Lightning exchange hands and Tomy bought RC2 and acquired the Johnny Lightning brand. The releases were far and few in terms of the variety of their models and they now have plastic base instead of metal. Also I don’t recall ever seeing this casting released under Tomy. Then one day Tomy was going to cease production and ended it in 2013. I don’t remember where I got the news but it feels almost the same as to what is happening with ToysRus. After several years the brand is back and so did their Land Cruiser castings.
This was from the Truckin’ America release 1 under the former RC2. I like how it place the spare tire on the top of the hood just like some of the early Land Rover.
Also release by RC2 under their Classic Gold Collection release 39. This is I believe where they first used wider tires on this casting.
Both the black and white are the more recent Hobby Exclusive release of their Classic Gold Collection version A and B now under Round 2. It does not include a release number.
Another Classic Gold Collection but now it indicated as release 4. This is probably due to it not being a Hobby Exclusive.
These Land Cruiser pickups are Mijo exclusives Classic Gold Collection version A and B by Round 2 as well. To me they are the rare breed as these were not often release back in the days.
When it’s time for maintenance, they only trust one place.
