Tomica in its early days produced models of just Japanese cars numbered up to 110; in 1976 Foreign brands started being issued prefixed by an F and up to 70 different models were available at any time. The Japanese models were in black faced boxes, with the model depicted on the black face with yellow sides - the opposite more or less of Matchbox which had started off with Dark Blue and Yellow boxes, but the models image appearing on the yellow side.
I will here show my collection of F series models which were in blue and white boxes along with the flag of the country of the model.
These were all made in Japan. However, later when production was transferred to China, some models were reissued using the old number on the base, but with a new standard number.
No. F1 - Porsche 930 Turbo Type, 1/61 scale
This model was a later re-issue Made in China, under No. 81 but the base shows No. F1 with the year of release in 1979.
No. F2 - Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
No. F6 - Rolls Royce Phantom VI
No. F8 - BLMC Mini Cooper S Mk - III
I bought this in Manila, Philippines around 1981 for 27.95 PHP. Model was initially released in 1979
No. F11 - Fiat 131 Abarth Rallye
No. F18 - Dodge Coronet Taxi
No. F20 - Volkswagen Beetle
No. F23 - Volkswagen 1303S Convertible.
The variations in which Tomica kept issuing the models in was bewildering, as you can see below. Different exterior as well as interior colours.
No. F24 - Mercedes 450SEL - Polizei (German Police)
I bought this model in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
No. F24 - Lotus Esprit
The green and orange versions came in the original blue and white box. The yellow version was issued for the 30th anniversary and is made in China. I am a little disappointed that Tomica saw fit to produce the version with the ugly US standard bumpers...the original version for other markets were much more dainty and elegant. Still, the proportions have been captured admirably and the model has better balance that the contemporary Corgi Juniors version.
No. F28 - Lamborghini LM1 Cheetah
No. F34 - Citroen SM
If one looks carefully, the version depicted on the box is the US version without the fairings over the headlamps; at the time, the US had some strict rules about the size of lamps that could be fitted on cars so the US version of the SM had no aerodynamic fairing over them and neither did they steer like the standard version. Fortunately the actual model reflects the standard version.
No. F35 - Ferrari 308 GTB
My blue metallic and gold version with golden wheels must have been issued after the initial release which inevitably must have been red.
No. F39 - Ferrari 512 BB
No. F40 - Lamborghini Miura SV
Initially released in 1977 I acquired this model in the early 80's in Manila.
F44 - Citroen H Truck Police Car - German Police
No. F56 - Austin Taxi
No. F66 - Lancia Stratos Turbo Group 5
This model depicts the Stratos as raced at the Giro d'Italia in 1977. Apparently the real version of this car was shipped to Japan! Maybe that's why it was honoured by Tomica and other toy producers as well? I have a 'transformers' version of it made by Takara in Japan in 1982...
A Swiss variation I have is depicted below showing a Zürich Stadtpolizei decal on the doors:
This closes this section for now. Obviously there are big gaps but one can't have everything...
I will here show my collection of F series models which were in blue and white boxes along with the flag of the country of the model.
These were all made in Japan. However, later when production was transferred to China, some models were reissued using the old number on the base, but with a new standard number.
No. F1 - Porsche 930 Turbo Type, 1/61 scale
No. F2 - Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
No. F8 - BLMC Mini Cooper S Mk - III
No. F11 - Fiat 131 Abarth Rallye
No. F20 - Volkswagen Beetle
Here a couple of variations:
I don't know in which chronological ordered they were released.
No. F23 - Volkswagen 1303S Convertible.
The variations in which Tomica kept issuing the models in was bewildering, as you can see below. Different exterior as well as interior colours.
No. F24 - Mercedes 450SEL - Polizei (German Police)
No. F24 - Lotus Esprit
No. F25 - Lotus Europe Special
Note the JPS logo on the bonnet/hood. It was mimicking the Gold Leaf Team Lotus colours which were red and white with a gold belt in between; the authentic JPS colours were gold on black...
No. F27 Lancia Stratos HF
This was the original issue but its in a Ferrari red colour rather than the prototypes fluorescent hue...it was a popular Tomica model which captured the essence of the real car quite well.
This particular model was made in China but still bears the F27 number on its base. The first iteration of the model was released in 1977.
No. F28 - Fiat X1/9
No. F28 - Fiat X1/9
The green and orange versions came in the original blue and white box. The yellow version was issued for the 30th anniversary and is made in China. I am a little disappointed that Tomica saw fit to produce the version with the ugly US standard bumpers...the original version for other markets were much more dainty and elegant. Still, the proportions have been captured admirably and the model has better balance that the contemporary Corgi Juniors version.
No. F28 - Lamborghini LM1 Cheetah
No. F35 - Ferrari 308 GTB
No. F39 - Ferrari 512 BB
No. F40 - Lamborghini Miura SV
F44 - Citroen H Truck Police Car - German Police
This model was purchased in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Initially it must have been produced in French Police colours as per the box but obviously a German version was also produced. The baseplate shows No. F17
No. F70 - Volkswagen Police Car
A Swiss variation I have is depicted below showing a Zürich Stadtpolizei decal on the doors:
This closes this section for now. Obviously there are big gaps but one can't have everything...
Very nice collection! I like former Tomica's too, those thin wheels are unique!
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