COLLECTORS SPOTLIGHT

Collectors Spotlight will be a new feature here at Toyotageek’s Garage. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but never got around to starting. I know I’m not the only Toyotageek around, there are lot’s of us. So Collectors Spotlight will be an opportunity for me to share information about other collectors.

I was recently contacted by our first ‘guest’ collector in regards to a post I made about the Matchbox MBX 4×4. Our correspondence eventually brought up his collecting habits, which made me finally decide to go forth with my idea to do a collectors spotlight. This probably won’t be a regularly scheduled feature, as it will depend on me getting the story of a collector to put on the spotlight. However, I will be making this a permanent feature on my website as soon as I have some time on my hands.

So, now without further adoo, in his own words, let me introduce to you,

LAND CRUISER BILL

My interest is in collecting the FJ40/BJ40 models although I do have some other Land Cruisers thrown in for good measure.  My current collection of Cruisers is up to around 560. 

Well I guess it all starts back in the early ’70′s when I saw a light blue Land Cruiser at the Toyota dealer and had to have it.  I was only 21 years old at the time so buying a new vehicle was a big deal for me.  Anyway, after the first Land Cruiser in 1973 came a used 1970 Corona Mark II for a second car and it kept rolling from there.  I have owned three FJ40′s, the first was the 1973, the second was a 1968, and the third which I currently own and purchased new is a 1978 with 59,000 original miles.  I have also owned four 4Runners, a 1986, a 1992, a 1995, and currently own a 2000 SR5.  I also currently own a 1982 Corolla SR5 Liftback that I also purchased new and it has 45,000 original miles.  My most recent purchase was a 2007 FJ Cruiser in Black Cherry.  I had seen these advertised and ordered one from the dealer without even a test drive.  So I guess it goes without saying that Toyota has been a big part of my life. 

My first collecting began in the early ’80′s when I was given a Radio Shack remote control 1/10 scale Land Cruiser as a gift.  Shortly after that I found five Majorette diecast model FJ40′s at the local mall but my collecting kind of stopped there.  It wasn’t until 2004 that we got our first home computer and I discovered the wonderful world of eBay and the collecting began in full force.  At this point in time I have around 560 models in my collection with no duplicates.  Some have wheel variations or different interiors but they are all unique.  My primary interest is the FJ40/BJ40 models but I do have a few different ones such as FJ25, FJ45, BJ70, and a few FJ Cruisers.  These range in size from the tiny Micro Machines to 1/10th scale remotes. 

I like all of the brands I collect but probably have the most Majorettes as there were many of them produced and they were readily available in 1/53 and 1/36 scale, especially their promo models which advertised products and companies.  It’s hard to pick which one car is my favorite but I would have to say the most special ones are those I have refinished or customized myself.  These custom models are a big part of my collecting interest as it is fun to take something that looks like it has no value and turn it into a beautiful display piece.  I really like the Micro Machine models but there is one I am still trying to find.  It is from 1990 and was in the #47 Driving Fun set and is a turquoise blue Land Cruiser with a Pennzoil emblem on the hood and stripes on the side.  Oh well, maybe someday I’ll find it!!  Well, that’s about the extent of my Toyota ownership and diecast collecting story.  It’s a good thing that some new releases have been coming out such as Johnny Lightning, Matchbox, and Hot Wheels because it’s getting harder and harder to find the old models that I don’t have.  Thanks and it’s been a pleasure to share my story with all of you.

Here are some of Bill’s customs…

And here are some custom Micro Machines!

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Thanks to Bill for sharing some of his collection with us!

If you are a Toyotamobilia collector, and would like to be featured in a future Collectors Spotlight, please contact me.

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TOYOTAMOBILIA
STICKERS

The final Toyota related items that Harry sent me were these Toyota car club stickers.

The first one is quite obvious:
Old Skool Toyota

The next one isn’t so obvious, as it it written in Kanji:
Vintage Toyota Classic Car

That’s it for this shipment of German Toyotamobilia! 
Thanks again to my friend Harry for all the cool goodies he sent me!

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MAGAZINE

TOYOTA MAGAZIN

A German magazine for Toyota owners. The father of my German friend Harry recently purchased a new Toyota, and as a Toyota owner he receives this German Toyota magazine. The magazine is published quarterly. My German is not so good, so I’ll have to mostly enjoy just looking at the pictures!

Herbst 2010
(Fall 2010)

Front cover.

Back cover.
Contains a story recounting 40 years of Celica.

Winter 2010

Contains a story about a Russian found Toyoda Model AA.

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DICKIE TOYS

Also from Germany is this neat little playset. Although it is not licensed and the van seems to have some minor differences, it appears to be based on a Toyota Estima. No scale is indicated on the package or on the model.

DICKIE TOYS
SPEED CHAMPS
SPORT VAN with trailer and Power Jet
Made in China

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MAJORETTE

Next from Germany are these Majorette. The Honda NSX and one of the Toyota Pick-ups will go to Ben @ JNC. The RAV4 and other Pick-up are for me.

I removed the price stickers of my cars. For now they will stay in the package. I’m still not sure if I will set them loose or keep them packaged. Since we do not get these here in the US, I like to keep them packaged becuase it is interesting to see how products were marketed around the world.

MAJORETTE
TOYOTA RAV4 with trailer and go-cart
Scale 1/50

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MAJORETTE
TOYOTA PICK-UP
Scale 1/56

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MATCHBOX

Next from Germany are a few Matchbox. Two are for Ben at JNC – Honda Ridgeline and Honda Insight.

For myself there was one Lexus and one Toyota. Again, I already have these in US versions – both on card and loose. However, since these are on short cards I will keep them that way for comparison.

LEXUS GS 430
#34/75
Scale 1:64
Made in Thailand

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’08 TOYOTA PRIUS
#26/75
Scale 1:62
Made in Thailand

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PACKAGE FROM GERMANY

Now the minicars and other goodies from Germany.

The package from my friend Harry from Germany included a fine assortment of goodies – Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Majorette, Dickie and more. A few of the minicars were not Toyota, and are meant for our friend Ben over at Japanese Nostalgic Car. Besides the minicars, there were also a couple of magazines and some Toyota/car club stickers, and a few souvenires from Harry’s workplace. I’ll review everything seperately in the next few posts.

First up…

HOT WHEELS

RACE WORLD – DESERT
2010 #187 TOYOTA BAJA

I already have two of the US version of this truck (one still on the blister, one loose), so this ‘Euro short card’ version will stay in it’s package for comparison.

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PACKAGE FROM SPAIN

Next is the package I received from Spain.

Last year, on the Matchbox Collectors Community Hall (MCCH), I learned about another minicar manufacturer that has a few Toyota in their line-up. The manufacturer is Guisval, and they are from Spain. After I voiced some interest in this brand, one of the members at MCCH, Verbigracia, contacted me and asked if I would like to obtain some of these models. I answered with a resounding “Yes!” It took a few months, but he was eventually able to find four examples for me. During that time we worked out a trade agreement for some Tomica that I would get him while I was in Japan during November 2010. When I returned from Japan, I sent him his Tomica, and late in December he sent the Guisval to me. It took almost 2 months for the models to reach me, but reach me they did!

The models do not have the scale imprinted on their bases, however, they are in scale with Hot Wheels and Matchbox, and the manufacturer’s website lists them as 1/64. These Guisval came in blisters similar to some Majorette that I have. Soon after I photographed them in their blisters, I set them free for better photo opportunities.

GUISVAL

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TOYOTA CELICA TURBO 4WD

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 TOYOTA CELICA TURBO 4WD

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 TOYOTA HILUX

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TOYOTA LAND CRUISER

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TOMY TEC

The final item from Japan is this Hino KB324 type Truck.

I know Hino isn’t really Toyota, but since Toyota has more or less owned Hino since 1966, I use that as an excuse to get a few Hino minicars/trucks now & then.

TOMICA LIMITED VINTAGE NEO
LV-N44a HINO KB324 type TRUCK (Raised Floor)
Scale 1/64

Accessories include crates and mirrors.

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