Tomica's Off Roaders

These are my off road Tomica models.

First, we have a yellow Mitsubishi Jeep. It is tiny. Probably the smallest vehicle in my collection. I don't know how the solid plastic rear tire became "flat". Did I leave just that tire on something hot and it melted?

I also have a Toyota FJ40. I can read the license plate number, but the wording on the doors is ineligible.

And here is my third Tomica off-roader-- a Lamborghini Cheetah. It was the prototype of my favorite SUV, the LM002.

Matchbox Superfast No. 60 Holden Pick-Up

I was inspired recently to look in my closet, dig deep, and unearth my childhood toy collection. In one of the boxes, I found my diecast car collection. They consist mostly of cars made by Tomica, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and Majorette. Vintage-wise, they range from early 1970s to early 1980s.

As a child, I prided myself in how I took care of my cars. But as I look at them today, they are in varying states of decay. My other surprise-- the eclectic nature of my collection. I've got everything from Chevy Citations to double decker buses to dune buggy cop cars. What was I thinking?

I encourage all of you to look for your childhood toys. The rush of memories is incredible.

Over the next few weeks, I will post pictures of interesting cars from my private collection. I've never taken pictures of small objects close-up before so the quality should improve.

The "500" sticker held up nicely.

Classic Holden lines.

Note the plastic tow hook.

The motorbikes come off!

More Japanese Tomica Stop Motion Goodness

I was first introduced to Luxe37's work by Jalopnik earlier this year. His latest film stars a non-Tomica (I think) Firebird Trans Am, a Skyline, and a Fairlady Z. With more experience now, you can tell he is using more sophisticated techniques and shots. And look for a Toyota Carina at 1:41.

Mercedes W123 Promotional Video

W123s were a dime a dozen in 1980s Southern California. My neighbor, a sheriff's deputy, had a side business importing grey market Mercedes and always had at least three or four small-bumpered (and rectangular headlighted) W123s parked in his driveway. Today, you'll only find smelly bio-fuel lovin' hippies and cabbies from non-oil-exporting Middle Eastern autocracies driving these bad boys.

This promotional video has it all: muscle-bound guy, W123 hoonage, and even rally footage. The scariest part has to be the 0-100 km/hr time for the 200D: 31.0 (!) seconds.

Button to McLaren; Heidfeld to Mercedes GP?

Well, it's official. Jenson Button is going to McLaren. Watch for drama to ensue when Lewis and Button fight for the number one spot in Woking. This means of course that my hope of Heidfeld going to McLaren has been dashed. It seems like he is on the top of the list to go to Mercedes GP. Apparently, the new team will be announcing its driver line-up soon. This is less than ideal, as I think McLaren is more like to have a competitive car next year than Brawn/Mercedes.

As for Kimi, I think he's just going to sit out the 2010 season and make a comeback later.

Update: Yup, Kimi is taking a sabbatical in 2010.

Sushi Conveyer Belt/Boat Camera

Yesterday, I had lunch at one of those sushi boat places. I was looking online to see how they get the boats to move and to stay equidistant from each other. I suspect that it's magnets. I haven't found the answer yet but here is a camera that was left on a sushi conveyer belt in Japan. Even though the footage was taken in a very public place, it seems awfully intrusive and voyeuristic. You also get to briefly see the inside of a kitchen.

Photo credit.

Karelia's Demon's Nose

I continue to read Jonathan Dimbleby's Russia: A Journey to the Heart of a Land and its People. He takes a sailboat out to Demon's Nose to see some rock carvings. As a television presenter, he is certainly no Michael Palin. And as a travel writer, he is no Paul Theroux. He may be on par with Colin Thurbon. But his subject and his journey are certainly fascinating and insightful.

Der Checker: German Used Car Buying Show

I should have taken German in high school. Alex is a musician and car freak. His show Der Checker is in its 7th season on the DMAX network. He rides in a Checker cab and checks out used cars. I can't understand 98% of what he is saying but his body language and the shots of the cars do most of the talking. Just search under "Der Checker" on Youtube for videos or go here.

Here he is reviewing a Bitter SC. It looks sharp with a snowy background:

Carspotting (21): Sunbeam Alpine Series IV

In a sea of modern cars, this little Sunbeam really looked out of place. At first, I thought this was a Ford-engined Tiger. But upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the more sedate mid-60s Alpine.

I'm conflicted about this specimen. It has definitely not been garaged. Below the gas filler cap on the passenger side, there is a streak running down to the wheel well where excess gasoline has flowed on dozens of occasions. Despite the semi-disheveled state, it almost looks like a daily driver. So overall, I give it a thumbs up.

Memo to MILF

To: Moro Islamic Liberation Front leadership in the Philippines

Fr: Tamerlane's Thoughts

Re: Name change

You may want to consider changing your organization's name if your goal is to seek legitimacy in the global arena (versus immature snickers). You see, your organization's acronym in American slang means....