DMC Model of the Day: Kyosho OEM Pagani Huayra Macau Grand Prix Exclusive...

We have been looking forward to showing this one for awhile.  It is certainly not new, and I am sure many of you have seen it or even own one.  (One of our Lamley friends has one coming, thanks to our occasional Facebook drawings.)

And sadly up to this point we have never busted this one out of its plexiglass case and thrown it into the Lamley studio.  Well finally we have, and we are glad we did.  This is one boss model.

We have featured the Kyosho OEM Factory Paganis twice before, and we could actually feature ten more models.  There were 12 colors produced for the set, and Lamley has the two we have featured.  But this special edition isn't even part of that set.

This black and white beauty was produced solely as an event model for the Macau Grand Prix, and was only distributed by DMC (Daboxtoys).  There were only 299 made, and is the first of what has been and will be many DMC exclusives (Porsche 911, VW Beetle, Toyota 86, etc).  This one in particular stands out in black and white, with its one-of-a-kind black rims.

And this Pagani is a great example of why I love these models coming out of the Kyosho OEM factory.  I know many of you saw Richard Hammond drive this car on Top Gear.  I know many of you felt the same way I did when you saw the Stig hit the corners on the Huayra's lap.  I hope that a few of you were blown away by the design of the car, especially that fantastic interior.  Yes, I would like to own one of those.  But surprisingly (I know, shocking!) I can't.  But I can own three mini versions, done by a company that really knows what it is doing design-wise when it comes to 1:64.  All you have to do is look at the side mirrors on the mini version to know that this model means serious business.

And it is even better to have the exclusive.  Its two-tone paint job is unique to that model, as are the wheels.  Get it while you can, either at the DMC store or at their ebay store...


Kyosho OEM Factory Pagani Huayra (DMC Macau GP Event Model):

DMC Model of the Day: Tomica Limited Toyota 86...

Is it any secret now that we here at Lamley are big fans of the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ?

If someone makes the model in 1:64, there is a very good chance we will talk about it here.  We have covered most versions of the Tomica, several of the Kyosho, and we are looking forward to profiling the upcoming Hot Wheels and Kyosho Factory versions (including the twin set of DMC exclusives that will be incredibly rare).

But while we wait, how about a looksy at the recently released Tomica Limited?  Tomica Limited is not to be confused with Tomica Limited Vintage.  While both lines are approached the same way (higher lever of detail, rubber tires, etc), TLV is focused on classic cars (obviously), and Tomica Limited models are usually upgraded regular models of current cars.  Similar to the Hot Wheels Boulevard lineup.

But here is the biggest difference, at least to me.  I have mentioned in the past that Tomica models have a certain charm about them.  The wheels might be a little too small, the body might sit a little too high, but the quality of the toy mixed with its very Japanese charm is one of the thing that makes them so popular with collectors.  TLV is totally different.  They don't need charm.  The detail and quality of the models is truly second to none in 1:64 scale, and the casting choices they make are fantastic.

Tomica Limited falls somewhere in the middle.  The models that once had the Tomica charm are now dressed up as collector models, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  I would say with the Limited Toyota 86, the results are mixed.

The actual casting is flawless, and the detail excellent.  But it is really hard to get past those awful wheels.  The rims are too small, the wheels are too thin, and that badly throws off the proportions.  This is a model for the customizers.  Great color, opening doors, even nice interior detail, but just swap out the rims.

But alas, it is an 86, and I am very happy to have it in the collection.  You can find this and other Tomica Limiteds at the DMC website or ebay store for more Tomica...


Tomica Limited Toyota 86:

DMC Model of the Day: DMC exclusive Greenlight Honda Civic SI Coupe...

Sometimes you start something and never know where it is going to take you.

When our good friend Felix started his ebay store under the name Daboxtoys a few years ago in Hong Kong, my guess is he could not predict where he would be in 2013.  Daboxtoys has evolved into DMC, a diecast store with an enormous worldwide following, some amazing relationships with manufacturers, and now with a brick-and-morter location in Hong Kong.  It is certainly evidence that nice guys finish first.

One of the results of DMC's growth is the brand's ability to do exclusive models.  We have seen a few very limited DMC exclusives come out of the Kyosho OEM Factory, including the VW Beetle (which we profiled), the Pagani Huayra (which we will soon), a Porsche 911 (on its way to us), and soon the Toyota 86 in two different panda schemes.  I am personally collecting all of them, and I know a few others that are as well.

There are others as well.  Just recently, DMC debuted its second Greenlight exclusive, the Ford Focus ST.  But today we are looking at the first, the Honda Civic SI Coupe.  With DMC being based in Hong Kong, it is very easy to see why Felix would choose the Civic and Focus ST as his first exclusives from Greenlight.  Collectors in the US might be more familiar with Greenlight's muscle car offerings, and who knows, maybe we will see one dressed up DMC style in the future.  But the the Civic is a great choice, especially this version in white with white rims.

Felix is taking DMC worldwide, and offers the best shipping rates of anyone who sells these models.  So much so that Kyosho just chose DMC to be its sole distributer out of Hong Kong, which is a huge deal.  He is largely responsible for Lamley quick decent into the world of Kyosho and other Asian diecast.  I don't know whether to thank him or hate him for it.


Greenlight Honda Civic SI Coupe (DMC exclusive):

DMC Model of the Day: Kyosho BMW Mini Cooper Clubman...

It is a little late in the week, but Friday cannot pass with out our usual foray into the world of splendid Asian diecast, thanks to DMC.

In the last few weeks we have shown a few models from the BMW set recently released by Kyosho.  All three of those were classic BMW's, the 320i, M1, and E24 M6.  All three are signature Bimmers, and scream ultimate driving machine like Kyosho intended with this set.

And then there is this little detour that Kyosho takes in its BMW set.  Mini obviously has a rich legacy of its own, but in Britian.  Those legacies collided when BMW bought Mini and brought it back with a vengeance.  Some don't like BMW's toying with the Mini tradition by releasing the Countryman and Clubman, but they have, and the Countryman especially strikes my fancy.

And I like the Clubman too, and am really glad Kyosho did one.  Kyosho loves to mix up their sets, drawing from several directions when they put together a lineup.  It makes perfect sense, and gives collectors of these sets a nice variety of models.  Now would I complain if Kyosho dropped the Mini for an E30 in the next BMW set.  No way.  But there is clearly room for both, and I hope we see another BMW set soon...

And as always, a special thanks goes out to Daboxtoys (DMC) for making these models available.  The Mini, the entire BMW set, and a whole slew of other amazing items are available now on their website and on ebay at the best prices and shipping rates you can find...

Kyosho Mini Clubman (2013 BMW Set):

DMC Model of the Day: Kyosho BMW 320i Gr. 5 in white...

Let's jump back into Kyosho for this week's DMC Model of the Day...

But before we do, let it be known that this model and all the others from the Kyosho BMW set are available at DMC right now at 30% off.  If you like this model or the others we have featured, the time to jump is now.  Find the listings here or on ebay...

The BMW touring car racers probably invoke some sort of response to car nuts.  Touring cars, tuned to race hard, but made to retain the sleek European figure.  Well...maybe you don't call the 320i sleek, but under all it's accessorizing it still manages to garner attention.  Maybe we give the word "sleek" to a member of its 3 Series racing progeny, the E30.

But still, it is a legendary BMW racer and Kyosho's tribute to the 320i is a welcome and beautifully executed model.

Speaking of, do you want to do something fun?  Go read up on all the Group 5 racing cars and take a look at the list of 4th Generation racers.  Then go look and see what brands like Kyosho and Hot Wheels have been putting out lately.  Then try NOT to argue that we are in a bit of a golden age when it comes to 1:64 diecast.

(I guess we can give Matchbox a break at least for a couple of years.  Didn't they carry things for at least the latter part of the 2000's while Hot Wheels figured itself out?  We can give them a couple of years to return to greatness...)


Kyosho BMW 320i Group 5:

A comparison shot: