Wagon roundup
HOLIDAY RIDES JDM RARITIES + &DREAM OF THE DAD’S















HOLIDAY RIDES JDM RARITIES + &DREAM OF THE DAD’S
One of the few legacy brands that have managed to retain the Ferrari license without as much as a whisper brings us another round of quality 1/64 scaled Ferrari’s with detailed engines. This F512M is just a small example of the new release set from TLVN, which includes a re-release of the FERRARI F40. So, for those of you who missed the first round and do not feel like paying the huge FOMO price tags, get ordering starting with this gorgeous F512M.
Diorama collectors, fans, lend me your eyes! Please give them a feast of their new upcoming RAV4J with a rooftop tent! If you read further into this issue, you’ll get to see a similar version on a Pajero, and while you proceed to buy that, you can pre-order this as well. We look forward to this being a regular release, as TOMYTEC has stepped up its catalogue, adding extras like this to the regular stand-alone line-up. So, expect to see 02 colour variations of the RAV4J, followed by this #carsnap release.
Few brands get it right with their choice of American Muscle, and Round2 is making American Muscle great again, and again, every single month. As I type this out, I count the number of organs I won’t need for a while or what can be replaced in the future with technology and try and put together a plan to buy one of these. Do I need to
of AUTOWORLD birthing upon as ‘The Judge’ in their typical ‘loads of detail’ style? If that’s what they want from me, they have it. And it would be well deserved. What makes it even sweeter is the fact that it is a MECUM auction GTO, modelled after pure authentic history, which includes the hot rod orange, mixed to complement this car and this car only. Some people like the Charger, some want a Mustang, hell, some will make do with a Chevelle. But a Pontiac ‘The Judge’ GTO is built and tuned for the insane.
Expect to see a new release of the Dodge Phoenix coming soon with the low rider treatment. Fans of the low rider genre are having an amazing collecting experience with a sudden surge of low-rider styled castings. There will be two colour variations on the A & B releases as well as a white lighting version to look out for. The entire
As Tarmac Works says ‘Every car has its story’ Well, this is a
Switzerland, more known for its chocolate, also had a sweet tooth for motorsport and produced several successful international race drivers. One of them was Bernard Cheneviere. From hill climbs in the late 60s, Bernard started to make a name for himself in Swiss motorsport, steadily rising to the level of being able to be sponsored by Toblerone in the 1973 Le Mans. He returned the following year
to LeMans to race for Garage Harbertheur and secured funding for his seat from TOBLERONE for LeMans 1974. Even with a massive struggle against faster cars, Bernard and team still managed to carve out an overall 7th, 3rd in the GT category and a class victory. There is more to the story and the real car was up for sale in the same livery in 2022.
FANHOME Announce the ultimate machine for Fast n Furious fans. This is not to be missed because it is not only a whopping 1/8 scale, but also... It is also a dynamic model which has active parts, such as opening doors and lighting systems that permeate throughout the car. Die-cast metal and ABS plastic components make up this accurate build of the Supra, and when I say exact, I mean accuracy right down to the nuts and bolts. The result must be a proper 1/8-scale replica of the real thing; otherwise, you haven’t done it correctly. The model features opening doors, a hood, and trunk panels, as well as a removable Targa top.
A screen-accurate exterior features modified Bomex orange bodywork and a large aluminium GT-style rear spoiler, complemented by LED effects for the headlights (including high beams), fog lights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, and an illuminated dashboard, all of which add to the realism. An included remote control operates the car’s functions wirelessly. Assembly is easy and guided with step-by-step instructions that feature colour images and practical tips.
And my favourite bit ‘Pay for it monthly as a subscriber’. This is why we keep the magazine free, to leave your finances free to do other things for months. Start subscribing and you›ll also receive cool gifts in between; featuring authentic merchandise and wear you won’t find anywhere else.
As controversial as they may seem, one thing is sure: inno64 has built a massive, loyal customer base with some stunning models that have surpassed many people’s expectations, maintained a firm hold on quality control, and pioneered the way for robust and aggressive marketing in the diecast industry. Their models are licensed. Collectors around the world love inno64, and to be honest, when you look at this gorgeous drop, what’s not to love?
If the car does not have a decent paint finish, it will likely be overlooked by collectors. Die-cast makers place a great deal of emphasis on the finish. Deep Purple seems to be a very trendy colour, especially on tuner cars, and is of course made very popular by the R34 Z-Tune Midnight Purple lore.
This Rocket Bunny is a perfect example of all that is trending in the hobby. Slick purple paint that would make any car lover wish their pants off; they could own a real car with that paint finish. Living vicariously in 1/64!
To be honest, bodywork complements the paintwork, and yes, you would be glad to know that if you were deciding right now to buy this, you would be picking up an excellent, detailed piece. We also give top marks to the wheels, with their rubber-stamped design and BBS-style rims.
Honestly, we can’t find anything other than budget problems that would justify overlooking this. Even the base it comes on has been bedazzled in a way that would be in TUNE with the TUNER.
We doubt you need any more convincing, and you are probably already on a separate tab looking to add this to your collection. If you are still in the deciding phase, we say get it, don’t regret it.
These guys have been making every single version of MINES’ SKYLINES for quite a while now, and to be honest, I feel the world may stop turning if they stopped making these cars. They have perfected the art of recreating these cars, and their releases have become almost ritualistic in a sense, with fans eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated drops. Unfortunately, there are no models to predict or surmise how many collectors are born every minute. However, with the rate at which these cars are being snapped up and the increasing demand, we need more.
For scale model photographers, this attention to detail is electrifying because it adds validity to the realism that most photographers are seeking to enhance in their compositions. Photographers and Instagrammers like Rockkicker and Ucit_Hikaru do amazing 1/64-scale photography, and castings like this car are purpose-built with meticulous detail to bring the composition to life. As you can see, there is no escaping the desire to create something around this outstanding casting. We went with a garage theme and instead of using our tired oldlooking garage, Instagrammer “Fullsize avenue” lent us this spanking garage that comes with a mezzanine floor.
Along with the AMERICAN Diorama figures, you can see what we mean about how, if the central protagonist of the composition is perfect, everything else looks good too.
Honestly, I do feel quite bitter about the fact that cars I couldn’t afford when they were released are now more desirable and cost all the limbs you would require to drive one. When I can afford to buy and drive an actual car.
SOLIDO’s foray into Japanese vehicles was met with a lot of fanfare and aplomb as there was a need for JDM’s in 1/18 with good detail. At first there was the dubious deluge of Skylines in many shapes and moods.
This is a good choice of car, and the timing of the drop cannot be any better either. The SILVIA has become the darling of the 1/64 world, and it seems that when the 1/64 butterfly flaps its wings, this causes ripples in the other scales leaving makes scrambling for new moulds to keep up with the trend. And Silvia’s are trending. One reason is probably because of the Skyline fatigue setting in for some and to be brutal, the Skyline wasn’t the only Japanese car built in the world with hundreds of other worthy contenders waiting in the wings for their 15 Minutes of fame.
As you can see SOLIDO isn’t going backwards regarding details of their nice big models and if you compare the interiors of older versions of production you will be shocked by the marked improvements in detail and quality.
In addition to the detailed body shape, the car comes fitted with a custom factory aero kit that kept the Turbo Charged R-Spec version of the Silvia on the ground and the factory R-Spec rims in bronze. This is a dedicated tribute to the actual car and for those of you who collect One 18 Nissans you cannot ignore or let this get passed up.
But since late last year the tide has been turning and we started to see more Japanese brands come to life. Honda, Mazda and Subaru being the main ones.
To enter the Asian market, the SOLIDO Group, which includes Otto Mobile and GT Spirit, has significantly expanded its offerings of Japanese market cars. This strategic move has resulted in an increased number of JDM models produced by all three brands.
The distribution is also strategic: SOLIDO provides a range of models at lower price points, including regular cars, motorsport vehicles, drifters, and street tuners. Ottomobile focuses on resin models with high levels of detail, producing real-world cars that appear to be higher end despite their price range of USD 80 to USD125. Lastly, GT Spirit competes with Ignition Model in the JDM One-18 Resin model market.
2025 sees MAISTO moving and shaking the diecast world with a lot of new releases. The new Speed Icons series is going to redefine their fortunes if they stick to it and expand the portfolio. And of course, BBurago forges ahead with their ever-expanding F1 and Ferrari line up. And yet they still have time for their American favorites.
Now here is something that’s probably going to shock your senses. You have grown so accustomed to opening most pages digital or printed and have been overwhelmed and desensitized to the modifications, crazy paint options / wraps, body kits, over the top engine mods and acronymic names. I’m sure there is someone out there who has named their children after TUNING arms. Poor little NISMO never
stood a chance in school with that name.
But for a change we can bask in the single chassis two part square body of history. When real men rode motorcycles that would three of today’s men to pick up if it fell over. Now you have gym heads squeezing the life out of the accelerator of e-scooter faces purple with frustration. This is not for them. This was a pickup that blew out hot air when the a/c was turned on.
It is not a fancy vehicle by any means which led to it being made iconic by the various modifications done to this pickup. It was one of the most tricked brands of pickups at one time with many versions sporting overhead superchargers and insane spray paint art. And I see the blank canvas that everyone else saw when I look at this plain Square Body design aching for creative rendition of some sort.
For enthusiasts of the world of pickups this is going to be a fine ‘pickup’ if you would excuse the pun. But at the same time this leads me to think about other great pickups and how they need to see immortality in 1/18 scale. Like the HILUX or the L200, a RAM Charger the list can go on and on and on.
Engine doesn’t lack detail but certainly lacks a bit of definition. This would be a handy little project for someone with some engine knowledge and deft of hand. Not me have you seen our video?
It’s not that the interior lacked detailed the actual pickup lacked interior. Almost like electric cars. Soon the future cars will have sparse interiors like this. Lucky to get a steering wheel with the car.
AUTOWORLD’S NEW CADDILAC ELDORADO IS FIT FOR A DIECAST KING
As my American collection expands, I am ecstatic to have this vibe enter the die-cast garage! This is my first time getting my hands on one, and that is the first point I would like to prove to many seasoned collectors. Sometimes brands may reintroduce castings or colour variations of the casting, which means there is still a demand for it, and there are always new collectors out there, like me, who would love an add like this. And really, there is sooooooooo much choice out there, we can’t complain about a lack of.
Cadillac Eldorado from Auto World on their Premium Line. This is from the Luxury Cruisers category, and as far as owning the category goes, these cars in real life were cruiser liners on wheels. Of course, there are many renditions of the Eldorado, but this must be the most gangster-looking version Cadillac has ever done. Even though the Light Green Crystal Fire Mist Metallic paint looks gorgeous, it doesn’t do anything to douse Eldorado’s sinister looks.
For the newbies, take note that Auto World does things in twos, so each set has an ‘a’ and ‘b’ release, so you can get two of the same model in different colours. Should you want to do so, honestly, I cannot recommend anything that causes you regret, so I would suggest going with both colours—just to be safe.
Opening parts, a semi-detailed engine, and a solid metal chassis lend weight to the casting, as do the retrograde hubcaps that fit into the fat wheels, which would groan under the weight of Cadillac’s design. Most definitely, this vehicle would find itself on Ozempic in this day and age.
I do hope these get released in some more colour variations or maybe with a low rider design (which I think Autoworld have done in the past). See, rereleases will always find a home in someone’s collection, especially if they look this good.
Wagons have been an integral part of human transportation since the U-Turn, and then the Left turn, and then the merging of the century. They have been the epitome of mass human transport, and their role is constantly evolving. Suddenly, modernday wagons are as cool as owning sports cars, with highly tuned models that supply maximum boost to the supermarket, Kids’ football practice, and then home in time to make dinner.
So, holiday wagons, classic wagons, Japanese domestic market wagons, wagons that hitch up and go, fill the following few pages, as we take a multi-scale journey with some wagons.
Summertime is in the air, and most of us feel like we are in an air fryer; however, one can make the most of this stunning natural lighting, perfect for a day of outdoor photography.
Of course, this means gathering up the BUSCH mats and American Diorama figures along with a sleek looking model or two. I have chosen Johnny Lightnings 1953 Buick Super along with its Travel Trailer from the most recent Tow & Go line. And I think I made a fantastic choice. The model is just perfect for the setup and Johnny Lighting really makes collecting diecast fun!
JL delivers a 1/64 replica worthy of a good old Elvis Presley ‘Huzzah.’ Given a Majestic White paint finish, the Buick comes top down with a tan interior and the ability to load up with passengers and as you can see a very sizable camper van, a combination you have definitely seen at least once in your life on TV.
This combo is like Jam and Toast being the most internation food pairing I can think off, but in terms of looks and detail it is anything BUT plain old toast and jam. As a fan of trucks and trailers and with many LBWK trucks, trailers and cars it’s nice to add a bit of an American Classic into the lot.
with 3D printing on the rise, soon you will be able to print versions of you and your freinds and set up these sort of shots and then get Ai to do various magical things to them.
even on a hot sunny day Dannister found time to sit and appreaciate the fact that Johnny Lightning had included an opening engine bay for him to admire the insides of this hulking beauty
after a heavy biriyani Charles decides to relax in the early evening sun...
Speed Wagons are born sleepers. They are made to appear as plain as possible to the beholder, but the person who splurged to get the full package will know. Under the hood is where the heart of the action lies.
This representation of the Chevy NOVA II hits the pegs under the Vintage Muscle line of Autoworld’s 1/64 beauties. Dressed in Riverside Red, the ‘400 Wagon’ represented the highest trim level one could get on the NOVA. Added chrome accents, 2 gearbox options and a six-cylinder option that dropped 120HP at the wheel. But most importantly, to automotive historians, the 400 Wagon marked a huge transitional period in Family Movers Design.
Autoworld’s version in Riverside Red is, as usual, a skillful homage to such an icon that was part of 375,600 vehicles sold in its first year of production. Some of the things that I love are the ‘NO RUST’ number plate and AW’s ability to recreate the chrome trim that matches the real car. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, but a very relevant fact in today’s economy is that the price is impressive, considering this detail.
Version B looks beautiful in Laurel Green, and for those of you who are getting to know AutoWorld for the first time, you can expect rubber tires
Personally, I am a ‘car’ collector, and I don’t like to limit myself to just tuners, motorsport, or any category for that matter. If it has wheels, it’s cool and an icon of motor history; I would like it in my collection. This is a great change of pace and a welcome to the wagons.
Is it TOMYTEC or TOYOTA? The fortunate problem is we could say ‘both’! Both brands are built on the simple Japanese philosophy of ‘perfection’. If it is perfect, it will function well, it will serve well and it will be reliable.
TOMYTEC and TOMICA are among the most highly regarded legacy brands in the 1/64 scale. Their constant evocative reminder of our childhood through the Japanese models that shaped our love of cars is a true testament to the team behind the scenes, ensuring that every piece a collector receives meets TOMYTEC’s own high standards. How do I know this? I’ve lived it.
So let’s talk about the new #Carsnaps range TomyTec is promoting, aimed at the miniature diecast photography market (which they have always done, considering miniature photography is a hobby in Japan) but with the global explosion of model collectors who like to create content using their cars TOMYTEC’s Dicolle program is slowly turning into #carsnaps. Specifically with these packages deals that have everything in a compact box of fun.
A very TOMYTEC TLVN Detailed Toyota Land Cruiser 60 painted in a beautiful factory shade of Olive Green. This is highly detailed, featuring what appears to be metal etched badges instead of stickers or decals. This is exciting because the badges receive a real-world 3D look, which makes a massive difference in how realistic the One64 version appears.
Details are exquisite and extend to ry part of the jeep. Look under and you will see a detailed chassis with the spare wheel mounted at the rear next to the exhaust.
Plastic lights, exact body lines copied from the 1:1 scale model, roof rack, even the front and rear bumpers have been recreated exactly as they appear on the real thing. If you are into total realism for your die-cast, you will fall head over heels in love with this.
A red plastic canoe that can be placed on the top of the Land Cruiser
Two plastic figures and oars that go with the canoe
A plastic base with a ripples texture assimilated for the canoe placement. Of course, we used a more dynamic base for our photography, which you can use as well for your #carsnaps
Once again, TOMYTEC demonstrates its mindset when it comes to creating One64 diecast cars aimed at collectors. For decades, TOMYTEC has understood the correlation between photography and diecast collecting in adults and has always ensured that they provide exciting accessories, ranging from diorama neighborhoods to entire cities with road works and all types of wonderful, scale-building materials.
BUSCH Terrain products are superb for taking One64 photographs. You can get a range of sizes from compact A4sized mats to large rolls of all types of terrain. Static grass, tufts, forest floors, asphalt mats etc. Long-lasting, durable and certainly adds some nice elements to your composition. That’s why we use a lot of their terrain products for our shoots.
If you are a diecast collector with a shared interest in outdoor photography and camping, this #carsnaps is absolutely perfect for you. Well, it is perfect for anyone who collects diecast, but this one is all about outdoor camping and would be perfect for a camping trip to be placed in exotic real-world locations and stunning your followers on Instagram with the resulting photographs.
ANOTHER STUNNER FROM TOMYTEC, AND THIS ONE BLOWS MY MIND IN HOW THEY HAVE MANAGED TO ENCAPSULATE EVERYTHING I REMEMBER ABOUT THE RELEASE OF THIS PAJERO AND ITS PROMINENCE AS A VEHICLE WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER. TOMYTEC DOES NOT DISAPPOINT IN ANY WAY. THE PAJERO IS A PERFECTLY CLEAN AUTHENTIC EMBODIMENT OF THE ACTUAL CAR.
The front bull bars with the mounted yellow rally lights is as imposing as it gets, the headlights lensed and detailed, the wheels and rims look like they have just been lifted off the designer’s notebook and put on the jeep. Those unmistakable and unmissable large side mirrors, the size of paninis, are already mounted. Again, metal etched badges take it a step further.
In this package, the Pajero comes with a Roof Tent, Ladder, and a figure that sits on the top rung, all ready for those photographic moments you’ll have when you take this as your pocket car for camping. And as far as the Pajero in One64 goes, this is the most accurate replication of the real thing, and there shouldn’t be anything in the world to stop you from adding this to your collection.
If you haven’t picked up on it by now, all countries follow a specific philosophy that permeates through their industrial and manufacturing processes, resulting in a signature. For the Italians, it is ‘design’, in the case of the Japanese, it is efficiency, Germany prefers function over form, and the Americans love luxury. And the perfect embodiment of these countries’ signatures is in their cars.
Unboxing a model car from Automodello is in itself an act of luxury. You don’t just unbox, you experience ‘the unboxing’. Sliding the outbox out of its ribbed airfilled protector is similar to cracking open the seal of a 12-year-old Scotch Whisky. If you are under 21, you wouldn’t understand this experience, but you wouldn’t be collecting Automodello either, opting instead for
younger 1/64 scale models that cost around 10% of an Automodello model. You light up Montecristo and open the main model box, hinged on either side like a display case, with your model nestled inside and a black velvet ribbon snaking out from under it, allowing you to lift the car out of the box gently. At the same time, you swirl the 12-year-old scotch in your tumbler.
Automodello makes every attempt to recreate this icon with absolute perfection. When you examine the details, a small gasp will escape you, as you remember that all of it is also handmade. Limited numbers mean you will receive a certificate of ownership in your name, as well as Authenticity and a letter detailing the story behind the legend.
And then you have the model. Unfortunately, although the interior is tantalizingly well-detailed, you can’t open any of the doors, as this is a sealed model. However, the exterior details are as perfect as they can be, and each one is unique in some small way due to the handcrafted production method.
The actual ‘69 Kingswood Estate was built to be the benchmark of luxury for the entire family and then some. It featured many luxurious fittings both inside and out, as well as employing modern technology to make the allure even grander. Flip lights in the late 60s were a serious ‘cool’ factor, and having your headlights hidden meant’ you could afford the maintenance cost of individual headlight motors. Remember, this is 1969; people thought flip lights were impressive in the 80s.
Lots of Chrome features were also an excellent sign of design opulence and good gravy. An instant sign for purveyors of your ride to know that you splashed all out for the super sexy trim package featuring the highest engine package, which was the biggest in a line of V8 engines that were supplied to the Kingswood Estate.
You can have the luxury of ordering one of three colours, but if you are feeling the urge to splurge, you can get all three, but then be expected to have over USD 1000 available on your card because each of these costs USD 299.99 without shipping. I would love to have all three because they look stunning in real life, at least the two we have been able to review. I can only imagine how beautiful the blue one looks as well.
These are serious scale models for collectors who are willing to go a little further on their budget for something scarce from a collector’s perspective, hand-built, which adds a certain je ne sais quoi, and, of course, the entire VIP style package, which you don’t get with the usual mass production brands.
When yours is delivered to you, enjoy that Scotch, inhale deeply on that cigar, Nina Simone on the record player, and admire your Automodello model fit for a King.
A keen diecast photographer, this content creator keeps his compositions fresh with vibrant colours using the model cars as a contrast while highlighting the car without disturbing the global lighting. This creator also spearheads many collaborative projects with other creators to highlights styles, share information and create amazing photography. You can follow him on instagram.
A selection of 1/64 scale wagons shot by Content creator @ucit_hikaru
Love the live action style of this content creator who has a flare for the outdoor miniature photgraphy. You can expect to see a plethora of bright and vibrant colors as well as tiny little storylines that pop off the her instagram feed and into your head.
Just before the great fuel crisis of the 70’s Chevy had one last hurrah with one of the most prolific wagons/estates on the American market. The last model of the second-generation Kingswood is slated under AutoWorlds Muscle Wagon series for a very good reason. Still running with a V8 the new engines were able to hit 250 Hp and beyond. These were family wagons with a lot of grunt.
With every set AutoWorld releases there is always a twin release with same castings but as a variation. In this case it is both colour and trim. Set B has the highest trim level of the Kingswood based on the woodgrain side panel finish and the fancy paint name ‘Green Mist Poly’ which was very sparkly in the sunlight, very nice. Set A version has the basic trim package which is not as glamorous as the higher package in aesthetic terms but as a real car it certainly had a lot of power.
Both representing their individual trims do not shy away from looking cooler than expected and of course have the standard AW details like opening hood and rubber wheels. And, of course plenty of photographic opportunities for you to explore.
As always AW keeps its real with American made classics and muscle cars making sure their relevance stays alive in the constantly changing face of diecast and model collecting. With all the tuner releases in 1/64 it’s good to know somebody out there still cares!
The dream of many dads around the world, the AUTECH STAGEA. Insanely rare and created by NISSAN’s Frankenstein method of design, of taking the best bits from their production line. A new monster is created and injected with mechanical steroids by Nissan’s tuning arms, and then it is housed in an estate wagon body….wait, what?
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Nissan broke the mould when they built the Autech Stagea and probably Otto Mobile too. Jumping straight into the scale model, this must be the most exciting piece I have received and reviewed. This is an iconic car; Otto Mobile has outdone itself once again, both in choice and delivery of such a stunning piece.
This is so good that you’ll find it comes straight out of the box and is displayed immediately, even if you have hardly any space, because it just looks so fine and different. The shooting brake design does give the Stagea a sporting look, and the Autech Body kit certainly drives the point home. There are also little clues like the BBS 17” Rims and the BREMBO brake pads under them, vital for bringing 270+ horsepower under command.
I love Otto Mobile and would certainly recommend them to any car enthusiast simply for their extensive selection of cars and the high quality in terms of detail and understanding the finer points of what collectors want in their dream garage.
I don’t see how anyone would want to miss the opportunity to own one of these, especially with all the hype surrounding Nissan and the Skyline Phenomenon. The badge is perfect, the lights and fitment are spot on, and probably the only disappointing thing about this model is the nonopening feature. It does have a highly detailed interior, which would outdo most cars that have opening parts. However, to achieve such pristine exterior detail at such a competitive price range, it must be resin.
As a collector myself, I can tell you it’s not an issue, given the two types of cars I have on display. The number of times I have opened the die-cast vehicles is about the same as the number of times I wished the resin ones would open.
If Otto Mobile releases any more colour variations of this casting, I will be on the pre-order button like peanut butter on bread. It’s brilliant, and it fits the bill when it comes to collecting tuner cars.
You can easily add this to a collection of ‘Mines’, LBWK, ‘ProDrive’ cars, and it would certainly fit in without sweating. This is one of those cars that makes me wish I had a ‘bring to life’ ray gun!