I've told the story many times before around here...my first car was a '71 Toyota Celica, and that is still a model that appeals to my sense of aesthetics. The first two years to land stateside had the flat, solid red taillights that make a significant difference in overall appearance to my eyes. The later, multicolor boxes that stood out did nothing for me. It was a fun car while it lasted, but it was a doomed relationship from the start. For one, it ran high octane *leaded* gas (remember that stuff?) at a time when even leaded regular was harder and harder to find as stations switched to unleaded. Eventually the engine failed, and my fun little go cart sadly went to the parking lot in the sky.

Tomica to me are mostly the Pocket Car era models that were easy enough to find in the late 1970s and early 1980s around here, the "F" series. Those are the models I had for a time in the early iteration of my collection. It too sadly came to an end as life happened, and I parted with them. I've since managed to replace many of the models I once had.

I am happy for Tomica collectors, as I've said before - "there is no incorrect way to collect." To me, and I insist this is merely my opinion and nothing more, the intense focus on JDM tends to limit my appreciation of Tomica. Credit where credit is due, their models are exquisitely done on the whole, I can't think of a single model that was not well done, though some of the more comical and cartoonish models are clearly playthings aimed at children. I simply don't relate to the vast majority of the models they cover. I am truly grateful there are those who can and do appreciate Tomica.

Aside from Hot Wheels and Matchbox, Tomica is perhaps the most well covered line of diecast models, certainly there are fan sites around the world. And now that the parent company TOMY controls Ertl, Racing Champions and Johnny Lightning (those brands and tools are currently leased by Round 2 - with the exception of the Ertl brand), Tomica is in a very healthy position compared to Mattel in terms of variety of models and tools available.






Since Tomica does make perhaps the best example of my first car, it is a model I do enjoy collecting