Tomica Limited Vintage NEO LV-N28c Suzuki Alto G-Type

It seems like it was just yesterday I was rambling in the yellow Suzuki Alto post how it took me forever to post it in my blog.  Oh, yeah.  It was yesterday.  This red Alto, probably my "fav", I didn't so much forget to post it?  I was convinced that this car was already in my blog.  

It becomes the truth today.

Old photos, looks weirder than usual.  Sorry.

Tomica Limited Vintage NEO LV-N28b Suzuki Alto L-Type

I've had this for sometime, but I could never remember to post it.  Here it is!

Short & sweet!

Matchbox '15 Mazda MX-5 Miata + '15 Corvette Stingray

Thanks to the intel I received from another collector on GTPlanet, who got his info from the Lamley Blog, I was able to score these from my local Dollar Tree(dollar store chain) on the first try.  :D  I just went there for the new Miata, but I've always liked this Seagrave casting....  and the Corvette, just look at it.  It's the best!

So unlike the other Mattel brand(hot wheels), Matchbox is very precise with their tampo placement.....  Only thing is, I thought these headlights eyes were little to distinctive.  

Stop looking at me Miata!

Corvette's amazing.  Yes, the roof mounted emergency vehicle light bar's weak, but seriously, for a $1 toy cars, Matchbox really continue to amaze.

I said stop, Miata!

Hot Wheels Car Culture Series - Japan Historics - Mazda RX-3

RX-3 is a car I didn't even know existed while growing up in Japan(80's).  I knew of & liked the RX-7, but WTH is RX-3?  Very surprisingly, when I moved to the Pacific Northwest in the U.S., gearheads were very familiar with the RX-3.  Apparently somebody raced it locally back in the day & it was a record breaking car(1/4 mile or something I dunno).

See the rest of the cars here.

I have to say, I love the proportion of this casting.  It's rounded just right, paint & livery looks good.  I wish it had bit more detail with painted lamps, but it's probably asking a lot from a $3.50 car.  For lot of collectors, myself included, we had no chance finding these in local stores.  Between lack of distribution & other collectors, hoarders/scalpers, I spent lot of time & I found exactly "one" Kenmeri Skyline police car.  It had defective front end, so I left it, just like the guy before me.  *tear*

I finally got a set when fellow collector from GTPlanet helped us out finding a set for little over $30(shipped).  So thankful, because with all the boring premiums Hot Wheels brand's been pumping out in their premium line releases like Cool Classics(gags), Pop Culture retread(rolls eyes), Heritage(bangs head on wall), this first in the "Car Culture" series in my opinion is a success.  Anywho, rant over.  I'm posting my favorite of the set first:  Savannah(JDM name) RX-3

Tomica Limited Vintage NEO LV-N22b Honda Ballade CR-X Si + LV-N124a CR-X 1.5i('83)

These recent CR-X releases from TLV has been bittersweet for me.  On one hand, they are fantastic casting.  It's definitely the case of more the merrier.  However, at the same time, they take bit away from my old, prized CR-X; The 5th Anniversary release LV-N22b CR-X Si(w/gray tutone, not silver).  This car was so hard to find.  

*Cool Story Bro Alert*

At the time I was looking for the LV-N22b "Si", going rate was over $100, but you couldn't even find the thing if you lived in the U.S.  I had Japan Booster helping me, but I was advised that I stay patient & wait, because of the said going rate of $100+.  With Japanese market pricing going crazy, I was told that Japan Booster will able to supply one as soon as the market value dropped down to normal.  

I was skeptical, but they were right.  Pricing did come down & Japan Booster have offered them on their eBay store several times since.  

So where did my "5th Anniversary" CR-X come from & why is it in a blemished box?  Lamley Blog to the rescue, that's why.  John from the Lamley Group saw couple of these TLV CR-Xs at Japanese Classic Car Show he was helping out in & long story short, he got me one for $70, shipped!(Thank you SO MUCH, John)

I just eBay searched the "sold" results & there was just one listing of the car recently.  It was Japan Booster & went for just $41(!).  Still, mine came from JCCS by the ways of Lamley & at the time when the car was impossible to find, so I'm very happy with my $70 CR-X.  :D

 *End Cool Story Bro*

 When I first saw the Tomytec stock photo of the new red/silver CR-X(LV-N124a), I couldn't easily tell the difference between my 5th Anniverasry CR-X & this one.  Tutone on one is dark gray, silver on the other.  Duh.  I realize this now.  Anywho, side-by-side:

Now just the LV-N124a(new release):

My beloved Lamley CR-X(LV-N22b):

Some of you may remember me crying about this spoiler on the new CR-X.  This one came installed.

I did a in-hand shot again.  Looks cool with detailed cars.  :D