Best Motorcycle 2014: Subaru

Showing posts with label Subaru. Show all posts

Model of the Day: Tomica Limited Vintage Subaru 360 Custom...

"Custom" means "Wagon".

Probably a good thing to know when looking at this model. Subaru used the term "Custom" in the 60's for it's "Wagon" version of the 360, and that is probably helpful to us Americans. Use the term "Wagon" here and we picture something else entirely. The little 360 could practically ride in the back back of one of those wood-paneled boats we grew up with.

So how small is the 360? We will show you how small the the 1:64 scale model by TLV is in a minute, but the 1:1 360 is tiny. Here is the standard 360 kei car displayed at Nade Wade Subaru in Salt Lake City:

The Outback behind it looks like it could eat for lunch. The chairs in the nearby office appear almost as big. This car is small, and clearly not very conducive to today's expanding waistlines in the US.

But that is today. Unfortunately no one here in the US wanted them back in the 1960's, either. Several thousand were imported to the US with much fanfare, and no one bought them. Some sat in dealerships, others on boats, and there is even the famous unconfirmed report that several sit at the bottom of LA Harbor, after being dumped overboard instead of being shipped back to Japan.

Now, the 360 is a classic. It gets its fair share of attention at car shows like JCCS, and there frankly is a lot to love in that tiny contraption. We dig the 360 Custom especially, and are more than thrilled TLV decided to make one.

And yeah, it is tiny too. Let's put it next to a Hot Wheels car:

Small enough for you?

(Find the 360 and other TLV Subarus on ebay

. Be prepared to pay a little...)

Tomica Limited Vintage Subaru 360 Custom:

Cool Classics Update: Final two batches apparently coming in 2015...

We caused quite a stir yesterday when we asked if Hot Wheels is killing the Cool Classics line, thus eliminating models many of us were looking up to, including the Datsun 510, Datsun 240Z, Ford GT, Hurst Olds, Subaru BRAT, and Honda S2000.

Since then we have gotten some news from a Mattel insider, stating that those last two batches are still slated to be released, but as part of the "Heritage Line" in 2015. We have no idea what the Heritage Line is, but if it means we will see these models, we are all for it.

So maybe collectors can relax. Of course, making these last two batches 2015 models could mean big box stores won't want them, and we could see these go the way of other Boulevard, Vintage Racing, and Flying Customs models, becoming dealer and discount store exclusives. But maybe not.

Yes, maybe we have to go through dealers, or maybe hit TJ Maxx and Tuesday Morning stores, but as long as they are made and released we won't complain. Too much.

Feeling better?

Lamley News: First-ever Subaru set from Kyosho coming in June...

Say the words "Subaru" and "Kyosho" in the same sentence and you will surely get our attention.

With all amazing sets Kyosho has done in the past, from Skylines to Alfas to Astons to Porsche to Senna to Mazda to Ferrari, we have never seen a Subaru set.

It is finally happening. Kyosho has announced the release of its first Subaru set, coming in June. So if you are a Subie like me, you had better bookmark Daboxtoys and be ready for when it hits.

You had to know the Impreza and BRZ would make up most if the line, but we are very excited to see the Legacy wagon and especially the SVX. (And we have to think there is a certain designer at Mattel who might be slightly excited as well. You know who you are, and we are waiting for that Hot Wheels version...) We are curious to know what you are excited for as well.

This will be a set we will surely feature here, so stay tuned. In the meantime, get those fingers ready to reserve a few from Daboxtoys...

Lamley News: The three j-tin Cool Classics unveiled by Mattel at Nationals...

A quick pop-in here late on Saturday night to let you know of a few tidbits from the Hot Wheels Nationals Convention in Illinois this weekend.

During the Saturday evening dinner, Mattel will preview some upcoming models, and there were a few that surely had the audience oooooing and ahhhhhing. But there were three in particular that interested us here at Lamley, and thanks to our friend John Falk, we have the images. They are all from the Cool Classics line, and we are very happy with all three:

Datsun Bluebird 510

Honda S2000

Subaru BRAT

The Cool Classics line continues to come into its own, and these three models are great examples of that. The Cool Classic wheels, designed by Jun Imai, are perfect for the 510, and that is bound to be a very popular model. Ryu Asada's S2000 is also a popular model, and we are quite fond of the Cool is Cool is Cool Subaru BRAT.

What do you think? Are you in on these?

Lamley News: The remaining models of 2014 Hot Wheels Cool Classics have been unveiled, and some great models are coming...

Something funny happened yesterday while talking to a friend about the list of 2014 Hot Wheels mainline models.

We were discussing what models were in the line, and I noted that one model that a Mattel designer eluded to being released, the Subaru BRAT, was not part of the list. The obvious assumption was that it would be part of the Cool Classics line. Curiosity bested my friend, and a quick google search yielded a tasty tidbit. This online store had this list of the remaining Cool Classics organized by batch, and we really like what we see:

• '65 Ford Galaxie
• Astro Funk
• '84 Ford Mustang
• Volkswagen Drag Beetle
• 1955 Corvette

• '70 Mustang Boss 302
• 1984 Hurst Olds
• Honda S2000
• Ford GT
• '65 Volkswagen Fastback

• Datsun 240Z
• Datsun Bluebird 510
• 1976 Chevy Chevette
• Subaru Brat
• '10 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake

Of course we don't know for sure if this list is 100% correct, but we have reason to believe it is. The Brat is there, as are several models that were previewed to RLC members several weeks ago. Plus many models that have been in premium lines before.

Highlights for us? Well, those two Datsuns in Batch L are no-brainers, as is the Brat. It is surprising to see the Honda S2000 in there, as it is the first time it will sport a metal base. We think a great many of you will be happy to see the VW Drag Beetle and Fastback as well. And finally we have another version of the fantastic '70 Mustang Boss 302, which we have only seen in the premium Racing lines:

So like Hot Ones, Vintage Racing, and Flying Customs, Mattel has saved some of the most desirable models of the Cool Classics line for the end. And while later batches appear to moving off the shelves a little faster of late, we still wonder if the line will make it to the end. It would be a real shame if the fantastic models of Batch L don't see the light of day.

So go to your store and buy those models you want. We did, starting with the Honda CR-X

pictured at the top of this post. Let's make sure Mattel gives this series a full life...

Just Released: A better look at the 2014 Toyota 2000GT and Subaru WRX STI Treasure Hunt...

Two of our good friends in Malaysia, Sani Bagus and Aidil Bazli Abu Bakar, were nice enough to share more pics of their 2014 Hot Wheels Batch A finds. It was Sani's photo we posted yesterday, and now here are some new closeups of a couple of models that interested us the most.

Now I am sure you are asking, why not the Datsun 620? Well, because an official Lamley First Look at that one is coming shortly, so stay tuned. But here is one:

In the meantime, a look at the Subaru TH and the 2000GT in its formal black:

A Lamley Poll: What is your favorite recent nostalgic Japanese Hot Wheels casting?

Every once in awhile a discussion starts, it continues, it elevates, and no conclusions can be reached.

And that is because certain discussions can't conclude with a solution. Conversations like "What is the best movie ever?" (Fargo), "What is the best album ever?" (Music Has the Right to Children), or "Who is the best TV character ever?" (Walter White). And that totally holds true with our little hobby.

We being the JDM dorks we are, the "What is the best Hot Wheels JDM model that they have produced in the last few years" started up, and has not concluded. I myself can't even come up with an answer. So we at Lamley decided to see what you think. We decided to go with nostalgic castings only. While the official cutoff is 25 years, we got a little lax and allowed the R32 Skyline in (it debuted in 1989).

We will occasionally throw out a poll to you guys just for our own entertainment, and we hope you participate. After this one, we are thinking of some Corvette-oriented poll, but we will get to that later.

For now, look below. There is a poll, followed by pics. Take a look at the photos below, and vote on your favorite.

REMEMBER, we are voting on the CASTING, not the specific model pictured. We tried to pull best examples to each casting to give you an idea.

And this is not just for Japanese car fans. You may love your muscle more, or your super cars, but of these pictured, what is your fave?

Have a looksy, and submit your vote. And even better, explain why you chose what you chose in the comments section. We just might print a few reader's comments.

We will leave the poll open for a few days...

(As a bonus, click on the name of each model to see what is available on ebay, in case you are missing a few for your collection.)

Datsun 240Z