Tomica

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A contemporary Tomica model in its "red-and-white" box.
A contemporary Tomica model in its "red-and-white" box.

Tomica (トミカ) is the line of die-cast toy vehicles and related products that Tomy Co. of Japan produces. This is not the same as Tomica World, which is a line of motorized trains and vehicles and accessories that Tomy Co. of UK has produced since the late 1990s. Tomica World motorized trains and track systems are based on Plarail, which is the brand of motorized toy trains that Tomy Co. of Japan has produced since 1959, but Tomica World more heavily focuses on Thomas & Friends trains. However, the motorized vehicles of Tomica World are the same as Motor Tomica, which will be explained below. This article is about Tomica, not Tomica World.

Contents

[edit] History

Tomy Co. of Japan (referred to as “Tomy” for the rest of this article) was founded in the late 1920’s and produced various toys throughout its existence, but it’s not until 1970 when they realized the surge of interest in die-cast cars that they started to produce Tomica. Although Tomica of various scales have been made, the term “Tomica” when used alone refers to the 3-inch models. Regular Tomica refers to the mainstream Tomica sold at the regular price—domestic series, foreign series, or common series, depending on the time of release.

[edit] The Typical 3-Inch Tomica

[edit] Tomica Domestic Series (“Black Box”/“Red-and-White Box”)

"Black box" Tomica from the 1980's.
"Black box" Tomica from the 1980's.

Initially, Tomy only produced Japanese cars. This started out with the concurrent release of 6 models in 1970. The seventh model was issued later in 1970. From then on, the Tomica line grew in number until there was a total of 109 concurrently-sold models in 1978—no.1 – 108 plus no.110. The first no.109 model was proposed and seen in catalogue but was never realized. The variety of models also expanded from the initial coupes and saloons to taxis, buses, lorries, work vehicles and other commercial vehicles, to even steam engine and an ocean cruiser. As new models were issued, each was assigned a number within 1 to 110, thus replacing the existing model. The replaced model was called a discontinued model. In the early 1980’s, Tomy experienced financial difficulties. Subsequently, the domestic model line was down sized to only 80 models (no.1 – 80) in 1983. These models were mainly packaged in picture boxes. At first, the boxes used a black background. Since 1984, each new model came with a new style box with red-and-white background, while existing models issued before 1984 kept using the older style box with black background until 1988, when all boxes were updated to the new style. Hence, domestic models are commonly referred to as the “black box” or “red-and-white Box” models depending on their boxes.

[edit] Tomica Foreign Series (“Blue-and-White Box”)

"Pocket Cars" for the North American market.
"Pocket Cars" for the North American market.

To share a piece of the toy car market in the other parts of the world, Tomy had great plans of exporting their models early on, and this was done starting in 1974 with the appearance of “Tomy Pocket Cars” in Canada and the United States of America. But as they found out, Japanese cars weren’t good sellers overseas, so Tomy started producing “foreign” models in 1976. These models included cars from countries outside of Japan and hence they’re “foreign” models. American, German, Italian, British, French, and cars from other countries could be found, making the Tomica product line more colourful. For the ones sold domestically in Japan, their packaging was equally colourful. Each foreign series car was packaged in a picture box that showed a flag of the country of that particular car. Since these boxes have the base colours of blue and white, they are also called the “blue-and-white box” models. At any one time, a total of 70 models were produced under the foreign line, numbered F1 to F70. The same rules for numbering domestic models apply here as well.

[edit] Tomica Common Series (“Red-and-White Box”)

In 1988, Tomy combined their foreign models into the domestic series. Hence, we could no longer call it the "domestic" series. Most of the first 40 models from the foreign series were added to the 80 domestic models. Those foreign models that got transferred were assigned a number that was its F series number plus 80. A handful of these foreign models were discontinued after a few months’ appearance under the new line. And about half of them had been discontinued after just two years. To date, the regular line Tomica has been numbered this way, 1 to 120.

[edit] Tomica Limited Series

Starting in 2001, Tomy produces the TL series targeted for the collector. These models are made with higher details, and one of their biggest features is realistic-looking wheels with rubberized plastic tyres. Although many of them are based on existing or discontinued regular Tomica models, some are new castings made exclusively for the TL line, namely, Nissan Skyline GTB, Toyoda AA, and new MINI Cooper. And in the case of the new MINI Cooper, the model is first released for the TL series in 2004 but later on in 2006 included in the regular line as no.43, which is opposite to what normally happens. Number started at 0001. Each model is produced for a limited period of time, so models with smaller numbers are discontinued while new models with higher numbers continue to appear. These models are packaged in open cardboard boxes surrounded on four sides with a transparent plastic sleeve.

[edit] Special Models

Tomica has produced a number of special models over the years. Herein, special model means a unique model that is not and has never been found in the regular line or the Limited Series. Therefore, a special-release model that has special livery/tampo but uses the same casting as a regular model is not considered a special model. There are four types of special model:
1. An existing regular model with small modifications or additions of accessories. These are commonplace for gift sets. An example is the Mitsubishi Pajero RV found in the 1995 RV 1 Set.
2. A truck model that shares the cab and the chassis of an existing model. These are also common for gift sets although also found as stand-alone model.
3. A model that is based on an existing model but has the major car body modified. Three examples exist (as of Oct 2005, as far as author knows):

The original special model issue of the Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon and its regular model counterpart.
The original special model issue of the Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon and its regular model counterpart.

4. A totally new casting. All of these had been produced under the contract of another model company or another business. Their common fate is that Tomy eventually issue them as regular models. Five examples exist (as of Dec 2006):

[edit] Japan, Hong Kong, and China Castings

Until 1993, Tomica models were almost exclusively produced in Tomy's local factory in Tokyo, Japan. One exception was that six of the models issued in 1971 and 1972 were made in Hong Kong:

Another exception was that a few existing models had their production moved to China in 1990. These were the first made-in-China Tomica. However, all newly issued models were still produced in Japan.

Then in 1993, Tomy Co. of UK contracted Tomy Co. of Japan to produce a line of 36 Tomica cars (the “British Line”) using existing casts. To save on production cost, these were to be produced in China. Since 1994, Tomy also used the facility in China to produce new models, and in May 1995 the production of existing regular line models also started moving from Japan to China. This was done in phases. By July 1997, all regular line Tomica cars were made in China. Old casts that were not used for mass-production of the British line models, regular models, or gift set models during this period remained in Japan. Therefore, special releases that used these old castings were still made in Japan.

[edit] A Glance at the Last Made-in-Japan New Models

With the above said, there were a few exceptions, and they all had a reason:

  • No.9 Komatsu Power Shovel PC200, issued in 1995, was made in Japan because the model was already planned out in early 1994 and also because it shared components with the older no.9. Production was moved to China when the model was produced for a gift set later in 1995.
  • No.20 Nissan Skyline GT-R R33, issued in 1995, was made in Japan because the model was also used for special releases under the contract of II ADO, another model company. Production was moved to China in 1997 along with others during the last phase of moving.
  • No.30 Mitsubishi Pajero, issued in 1999, was made in Japan because the model was concurrently issued as a special model for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan. Production moved back to China after 2 months of production in Japan, when the production of the special model ceased.

Also, the special models Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 Racing, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, Mitsubishi New Canter, and Subary Legacy Touring Wagen mentioned above were made in Japan during the time that they were made as special models.
No.105 Coca Cola Route Truck, issued in 1996, was made in Japan as well. However, this model was simply a different colour and livery on an existing casting, so it was not truly a new model.

[edit] Old Wheelies

A Tomica from the 1970's with 2-piece old wheels.
A Tomica from the 1970's with 2-piece old wheels.

The earliest Tomica cars had one-piece chrome-plated wheels. Starting in 1971, models were produced with two-piece wheels of various styles, and the earliest one-piece chrome-plated wheels gradually disappeared and were no longer seen since 1972 (except that all the models made in Hong Kong had the one-piece wheel). The two-piece wheels were used until 1977, while the newer one-piece wheels of various styles were used since 1976, and they are still used today. The 1970 style one-piece wheels and the two-piece wheels were the “old wheels.” Old wheels can be found on domestic models quite often. But because foreign series models were introduced in 1976 and at that time the modern wheels were in use already, foreign series models are virtually non-existent. Six foreign models had been produced with old two-piece wheels, and they were produced for an extremely short period. These are:

[edit] Everything Else About Tomica

[edit] Long Tomica

Long buses and semi-trailers were models not suitable for the regular small boxes, so Tomy also produced Long Tomica. Except for a double-deck London Bus, all the rest have the same property, that is, long! They were produced as single models under the Long Tomica name from the 1977 until 1993. However, some of these long models can be still be found incorporated into gift sets today.

[edit] Combat Tomica

In early times, Tomy produced the 1/87 diecast Combat Tomica series. The series started with the model M-60 U.S. Army Medium Tank and, later on, models like the U.S. M-60A-1E-1, the German TIGER-I, the Japanese Type 61 and the Russian SU-85 were produced. There were two types of Combat Tomica but they both contained the exact same models. The first one was like regular Tomica models, the models came in a paper box, and furthermore there were some little soldier figures for decoration and a set of wheels to make the model movable (since the caterpillar bands, unlike the present caterpillar Tomica models, did not really function). The second one was the metal model kits. These kits came in larger boxes inside which were the parts of the vehicles, that is to say, the models were to be assembled manually. The production of the Combat Tomica lasted only a few years. When the production of the Combat Tomica series, which included tanks only, ended, Tomy were still producing military vehicles, like rocket launcher trucks, troop trucks, and jeeps for their regular "3-inch" series.

[edit] Tomica Dandy

Tomica Dandy cars are larger scale models. These were produced from the 1972 until 1993. At first, they were all Japanese models. Just like the common Tomica, Tomica Dandy line also received addition of foreign models, starting in 1977. The numbering system was changed in 1984 based on the nature of the vehicles (e.g. emergency, police, Japan, foreign, etc). In 2001, Tomy reissued 6 Tomica Dandy models in limited quantities. Tomica Dandy castings have also been used in gift sets and the Limited S Series, but these models have the “Dandy” name on their base plates removed.

[edit] Motorized Tomica

Tomy started producing motorized cars in 1980s beginning with the Power Tomica series. This series did not last long. And in 1992, they started it again with a series called B/O Tomica (stands for battery-operated Tomica) and numbered from B-01 to B-20 but then they were renamed Motor Tomica in 1997 and numbering started with the letter A instead of B. They were produced and sold as single models until 2003. All the B/O Tomica are made in Japan, while all the Motor Tomica (including the Animated Motor Tomica) are made in China. To fit on the motorized base, these castings often have altered scales. In general, sport utility vehicles appear in their proper scales, saloons appear a bit bulky, and busses and lorries are short and funny looking. In 2005, a new series for motorized Tomica started but this time it contains fictional vehicles like a patrol car which resembleds Toyota Crown but it is indeed not a Crown. This late series targets toddlers and are, surprisingly, made of ABS plastic. For your info, there were also once the "Long B/O Tomica" models.

[edit] Pullback Tomica

First appeared in 1980s and there were totally six models at that time. In the year 2002, they produced pullback models again. But it seemed that it was even less successful; they produced only two models for it, namely the Toyota Altezza and the Volvo V70.

[edit] R/C Tomica

R/C Tomica models using the same bodies of the Motor Tomica models but a new type of chassis.

[edit] Tomica Limited Vintage

Starting from 2004, Tomytec, a branch of Tomy which engages in producing fine and realistic models, has been producing models for the Tomica Limited Vintage series. In the series, there are mostly 1950's and 1960's Japanese vehicles like Nissan Cedric, Prince Gloria and Toyopet Crown. These vintage Tomica models are of very high details when compared to the regular Tomica models or even the Tomica Limited models.

[edit] Specialized Character Tomica

In 1970s, Tomica has a special line of models with figures of characters from the cartoon Snoopy sitting on or in the vehicles. Tomica later on also produced models with Disney characters on them and they even started an utterly new series called Putica for these Disney characters. Circa 1990s, when Tomy has created a cartoon called "Tomica Rescue", they started another series using regular Tomica models and some Matchbox models with some addons like cannons, armors and water hoses put on them. In 1996, a series specially designed for the Japanese comic or cartoon "爆走兄弟レッツ&ゴー" was initiated. And the next came to the "マッハＧｏＧｏＧｏ" series in 1998. In 2005, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary for the renowned Thomas and Friends, Tomy started the Thomas series. And in 2006, they also specially made some models for the "Hyper Rescue" series.

[edit] Specialty Products

Over the years, Tomy has also made more fun products with their regular Tomica cars. These castings have been made as models with sound and light. They have also been made as key chains. In 1999, a few models were made with a scenic display stand. Capsule Tomica are miniature size plastic representations of the vehicles from past and present Tomica lines. These were sold in vending machines worldwide.

[edit] Accessories

Tomy produces pieces of roads and buildings like shops, restaurants, police stations, fire stations, petrol stations, car repair centres, and car dealerships that people can assemble into a city. Among other accessories are working traffic lights, toll booth, car park…Although they are designed for children’s play, they are great for enhancing a collector’s display.

[edit] Guide to Collecting Tomica

[edit] How to Collect Tomica

With the number and varieties of models available, it is a good idea to decide what you want to collect, because otherwise you will end up with an endless pursue of Tomica. This is especially a problem today because in recent years Tomy has got into the habit of making numerous special editions. For example, you may collect only one of each unique model, or models of a certain theme (e.g., private cars, police and emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, work vehicles, Toyotas, Hondas), or you may be interested in obtaining all the variations of a particular casting. Some only collect regular line models while others collect special releases. For some, reproductions don’t matter but for others, they may only want originals.

[edit] The Value in a Tomica

Some collectors collect for making money, while many collect for the pure enjoyment. Although you may only be collecting for enjoyment, you need to realize that your collection will also be your investment. Therefore, you should research to learn about the values of a Tomica before you buy it. In general, reproductions are much cheaper and easier to obtain, but they can hardly grow in value, because Tomy has gone awry in reproducing so many models since the late 1990’s. Reproductions are abundant. They are found as sets or single models and are packaged in different ways. Models that are more likely to retain or even grow in their values are the originals, and especially the ones made in Japan or have old wheels. Besides the model itself, rarity takes into account the wheels and the box. (The box matters more than the car in some cases.) Cars, including police and fire chief cars, usually command higher prices than lorries and work vehicles. Early 1970’s models and early “red-and-white box” models tend to be more sought after than late 1970’s to mid 1980’s models, with some exceptions. The best way to learn about prices is by observing prices on online auctions. Ebay is a good resource. Yahoo Japan Auctions is better yet, but there are difficulties in using it if you cannot read Japanese.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Chan, Danny C.Y., and Vic Davey. The Complete World of Tomy Diecast. Hong Kong: Northcord Limited. May 1997.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../t/o/m/Tomica.html"
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