The introduction of “Neo” in the Tomica Limited Vintage series paved the way for more modern cars in the TLV line up. This is where my first Tomica Limited Vintage Neo car comes in, and it has become an addiction.
The Honda Civic Type R is one of the motoring industries best motor vehicle. The EK9 Type R is based on the Japanese domestic market 3-door Honda Civic SiR hatchback, the EK4. However, to be elevated to the Type R status, some modifications had to be made. The EK9, in particular, is powered by the 1.6L B16B VTEC motor. This motor outputs only a mere 185 PS and 160 Nm of torque but is going to propel a car that only weighs a ton. This car had become every boy racers dream when it came out in 1997. The Type R was a track toy out of the box and it’s tuning possibilities were limited only by your imagination. And how deep your pockets were. But compared to other cars at the time, you didn’t really need very deep pockets.
I never had a Type R. I never had a Honda Civic, period. But this model from Tomica is just hard to pass up. And because I knew that I could never get it in retail shops in Singapore, I ordered online straight from Japan.
And here they are. Two Honda Civic EK9 Type Rs. One in Championship White and the other in Sunlight Yellow. That is if we were to assume that they are based on the actual official colours of the EK9.
As expected of a Tomica Limited Vintage Neo, the details are fantastic. The little Honda comes with plastic headlights and taillights. These come with proper signal markers and really look the part. Other than these, the cars also come with a rear spoiler, the sculpted body kit, and the white Type R wheels with the red H logo on the centre caps. The body is also stamped with the Type R badges at the hatch and the two sides. On the inside, you have red Recaro seats. As with most Tomicas, the suspension also works on this car. I don’t know if it’s just me though, but the quality of the damping seems better on this as well.
This is one of my favourites now. And whether or not they stay out of their box would depend on my mood. And probably whether or not I have space in the display cabinet to put them on. Enjoy the pretty pics.
Toy Box Garage 