Just Unveiled: Aoshima Grand Champions Series 7 Mazda Cosmo AP Secret Chase Car...

Just wanted to throw a quick post up to let you JDM nuts know that yet another Aoshima Secret Chase car has been found.

Last week we reported that the Nissan Cedric appeared with a chase version, and it was our assumption that it would be the only one in the set.  We were wrong.  Our very good friend Jeff Koch has let us know that he was lucky enough to find a chase version of the Mazda Cosmo AP, which is our favorite model in the set.

So I don't know if I am supposed to tell you to go out and try to find one, because these sets are hard to come by.  But at least you know there is another out there.  It looks fantastic...

Here is what the Cosmo looks like in most sets:

Here is what one of the Jeff's looks like:

Soul Train...

Remember when humans knew how to dance?



Sometimes the outfit was a little awkward, other times the moves didn't work, but the blood was always pumping, soul was the name of the game, and when it clicked IT CLICKED.


Remember when cars knew how to dance?

Have a nice weekend everyone...

Just Unveiled: Aoshima Grand Champions Series 7 Nissan 330 Cedric Secret Chase Car...

A late night jump-in to show you the first pics we have seen of the Secret Chase Vehicle from the latest Grand Champions set from Aoshima.

If you have followed the blog for any period of time, you know that Aoshima 1:64 models are some of our favorite.  These racers just scream Japan, and they are marvelously done.  Like other Japanese brands, Aoshima employs the "blind-box" method, meaning unless you buy a whole set, you don't know what model you have until you open the box.

But on top of that, Aoshima mixes in a very small number of chase cars, and a few lucky folks will discover one when they open their box.  Aoshima does not reveal what the secret car will be until someone discovers one.

Well, Aoshima was kind enough to give Lamley readers a special deal on these sets, and they are just arriving at collector's homes.  One of our readers, Adam Holt, was one of the lucky ones, pulling the chase from his set, and just sent over a pic.  So thanks to Adam, we now know that the secret car is the Nissan 330 Cedric.

It normally looks like this:

The one in Adam's set looks like this:

Mmmmm, bosozoku goodness.  Those of you lucky enough to get the set, you might take a look to see if you have the rare chase as well...

(Thanks Adam for sharing.)

First Look: Aoshima Grand Champions Series 7...

As we go into the weekend, we wanted to preview some models we will be showing over the next few weeks.  Aoshima has just released its seventh Grand Champions series, and it is quite a set.  We will dig deep into each model as we profile them, but here are some quick photos of the models in the set, along with a few closeups of our favorite set in the series, the Mazda Cosmo AP.

Check these fantastic 1:64 models out:

Aoshima Grand Champions Series 7:

Nissan Skyline Kenmeri 2dr:

Nissan 231 Laurel:

Nissan 330 Cedric

Nissan 430 Cedric

Nissan 240ZG

Mazda Cosmo AP

Model of the Day: Aoshima Grand Champions 1971 Nissan 240ZG...

We haven't profiled an Aoshima model in awhile.  That will change, as Aoshima has just released their Grand Champions Volume 7 series, and one will be at Lamley Headquarters soon...

In the meantime, one of the previous models, the 240ZG.  I don't have the time to do a writeup today, so enjoy the pics.  We will be giving this entire series a lot of attention in the upcoming weeks.

But know that these racers are some of our favorite diecast models, and if you look above to the title of the blog you will see an Aoshima Nissan Laurel in the background.  Lot's to come...

Enjoy the pics, and check out all the diecast, model kits, and other Aoshima products...

Aoshima Grand Champions 1971 240ZG:

Model of the Day: Aoshima Nissan C110 Skyline 4-door in purple...

Whether you are aware or not, you have looked at the photo above for quite a long time.  After about a month of experimenting with styles, we settled on the layout we have now, plus a title with this purple beauty in the background.

Well today we rearranged the furniture a bit, and decided it was a good time to change the photo in the title.  We stayed with the same diecast brand, Aoshima out of Japan, but went with a Nissan Laurel to take the place of our valiant 4-door Yonmeri.  While unplanned, the purple Aoshima never got its own post.  It should have.  So as it heads into a time of rest, let's show all the photos we took that day.

And let me say this too.  We want to at the front of the line when it comes to JDM diecast and brands like Kyosho and Tomica Limited Vintage.  Hot Wheels' push in this direction has been beyond fantastic, and I know of many collectors who have to pinch themselves when they consider the plethora of classic Japanese cars Hot Wheels is and will be churning out (and I have been told by several folks in the know that 2013 will be the best year yet, and then will subsequently be topped by 2014).

And with more and more collectors being introduced to these cars, they will surely stretch to other brands like Tomica, Aoshima, and Kyosho.  And in so doing, they will also see the amazing non-JDM models that these brands create.  It is our hope that Lamley can be an easy tool for those collectors to discover these amazing models, while our partner Daboxtoys Model Cars will be the place to get them.

So enjoy these models, and pick up a few.


Aoshima Nissan C110 Skyline 4-door: