Tomica 2002 Nissan Skyline sedan and 2008 Honda S2000 Type S

Continuing the on-going addition of a few Tomica’s to my collection is two popular 2000’s Japanese cars that were not only great for the track, but were very affordable to the average buyer.  The Skyline returned to the U.S. as the Infiniti G35 and this platform helped shape the recreation of the 350Z, while the S2000 brought the return of the Honda roadster to the brand.

2002 Nissan Skyline

One of the most well-known Nissan car lines is the Skyline: while more famous for its two-door coupes that are exaggerated with high performance called the GT-R, the Skyline went far beyond the coupes with regular coupes, sedans and wagon’s.  The line started in 1957 under the Prince line, but it would take until 2002 for the U.S. to get its own version badged as the Infiniti G35 sedan.  The new FM platform created a new front-engine rear-wheel drive design where the engine is behind the front axle with independent suspension all-around and spin-off platform for front-wheel drive versions like the Altima and Murano SUV.  Styling was based on the 1999 XVL concept car and featured more angular styling that flowed well with this car and gave it a more modern look.  In 2003 a new coupe was offered and also sold in the U.S. as the G35 coupe; what made this car important is that it was the platform donor for the revived 350Z in 2003 with one exception: the Skyline coupe has two rear seats that the new Z lacks.  Interior was more modern with gauges that move when the steering wheel was tilted, though the quality of plastics were not the best.  The engine is a 3.5L DOHC V6 with a distinctive exhaust note as it puts out 272 horsepower through a six-speed manual transmission.

Unlike the stylish coupe and 350Z the G35 sedan seems a bit mundane in this red Tomica example.  The front has chrome vertical headlight covers, silver grille with Nissan badge, and lower bumper with grille slots and Skyline plate.  The sides show a typical four-door sedan profile with lower black cladding and skinny Tomica wheels that makes this Skyline more downmarket than usual, while the rear has L-shaped taillights, Infiniti badges, and that ugly trunk handle that would be erased during the mid-cycle update.  The base underneath does not show much aside from the exhaust and rear axle, while the doors open up to an interior that lacks a dashboard despite the three-spoke steering wheel.  Interestingly enough the center console with shifter manages to flow forward as if the dashboard was there.  The cream color of the seats is very soothing and perfectly matches the rose-colored red of the exterior.

Honda S2000 Type S

I have reviewed a few S2000’s here and while they are nice I still look for that deep blue S2000 in stock form.  The closest that I could get is this Tomica Premium version (my first Premium Tomica) with the Type S package.  The Type S package was introduced in 2008 and lasted until the roadster’s last run in 2009 and was sold as the Club Racer in the U.S.  Even though the 2.2L DOHC I-4 was mostly unchanged it still added 239 horsepower with that high-revving 8,000 RPM redline and slick 6-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.  The exterior added downforce with new front bumper that has side winglets, a rear spoiler, stiffer suspension tuning with low ration steering and lighter 5-spoke wheels, and removal of components to lighten the weight that ranged from radio and A/C delete to the convertible top mechanism removed and offering the aluminum hardtop as an option.  The Type S in Japan, however, had a few slight differences with one of them being the convertible top reinserted back into the car.  While not as fast, the beauty of the Type S is improved handling over the standard S2000, and also bragging rights about limited numbers with 699 built between the two years.

The blue that Tomica uses sits between the Type S Apex Blue and the darker Laguna Blue Pearl so it’s a perfect match for the latter.  The front has clear headlight lenses that are part of the windshield trim, silver Honda badge above the lower grille in black, and the visible side winglets on the front bumpers.  The sides have the S2000 badges on the front fenders, 5-spoke wheels that are a separate component from the plastic tires (on a Premium model?!?!), and metal windshield surround.  The rear has the rear spoiler, black Type S badge on the trunk, dual exhaust in silver, and tri-taillights that seem a bit off in alignment.  The base underneath shows off incredible detailing that includes the engine, transmission, drivetrain, exhaust, and front and rear suspension setups along with the front aerodynamic panels.  The working suspension is a nice feature and adds play to the car, but on this car where the suspension is stiffer and makes the car sit lower it is completely unnecessary as the car sits higher than it should be.  The interior has the detailed and supportive front seats, center console with a touch of silver on the shift knob, and the rollbars just ahead of the tonneau cover for the top.  The dashboard, on the other hand, is just a shell and lacks any detailing including the steering wheel.  While I do like the casting, it would make more sense as a regular Tomica casting than being in the vintage line as it lacks any additional details and rubber tires.