Kyosho announces a brand new Nissan GT-R set, and it is available for pre-order at Japan Booster...

Kyosho x Sunkus Lottery 02 Nissan GT-R at Japan Booster

The Skylines and GT-Rs keep coming, and I don't hear much complaining about it.

And now it is Kyosho's turn.  They have done plenty of Skylines and GT-Rs in the past, but they have done some refreshes and are now making the GT-R the subject of their second lottery game.

You might remember the first Kyosho x Sunkus lottery.  The theme was McLaren, and those interested in Japan would go to the Sunkus Market and pay for a lottery ticket.  Based on the numbers pulled, they can win one of the standard models, maybe a special 4-car GT-R set, one of two Sor even a radio-controlled car.

Our friends at Japan Booster, however, are going to eliminate the guessing game, and are making all portions of the lottery available now for preorder:

Kyosho x Sunkus Lottery 02 Nissan GT-R at Japan Booster

You may or may not be interested in the radio controlled car, but there are some real beauties nonetheless to pursue.  The Vision Concept is very interesting, and it is nice to see the Nismo versions on the GT-R and R34.

Me?  Get me that 4-car set and I am happy.

Crab them now, as they will go fast in GT-R-happy Japan.  More on this set to come...

And same with the TLV presale at JapanBooster.com.  There are no GT-Rs or R34s in this batch, but a sporty Galant is pretty cool, and damn if that Nissan President isn't a must-have.  You can see them all here:

Tomica Limited Vintage August Presale at Japan Booster

Lots of cool stuff coming...

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The brand new Nissan R34 Skyline & the July TLV Batch is now out at Japan Booster...

Tomica Limited Vintage at Japan Booster

I know if I said one Tomica Limited Vintage batch was better than another, you would know I was lying.  There is always something for me to get excited about, no matter what the batch.  So call it refreshed excitement each month.

Last month it was the Nissan Silvia Super Silhouette and two more Nissan GT-Rs.  This month, the debut of the Nissan Skyline R34.  R34 Skyline!

But this isn't your  - dare I say - run of the mill R34.  The R34 is to Japanese cars what the '69 Camaro is to American diecast.  Everyone has done one, and no one has a problem with it.  But in almost every case with the R34, it is the 2-door, usually made as a replica to the Nismo version.

Not this casting.  In true TLV fashion, they did the sedan.  4-doors of pure, unadulterated sensible road transportation.  And they look awesome.  And even better as a cop car, which of course TLV had to do.  And they are all available now at Japan Booster:

Tomica Limited Vintage at Japan Booster

That isn't to sell the other models of the batch short.  Two more Nissan Leopards and the Isuzu Hillman Minx.  As it is every month, this is a great batch.

So head to Japan Booster and grab what you want, and take advantage of FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more.  Best deal in diecast...

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Matchbox Custom Contest update: Entries are due today!

(UPDATE: Submissions are due on Instagram today!)

Originally posted June 22nd, 2016:

A bomb dropped on the Matchbox Instagram feed yesterday, and the custom world is buzzing...

Yesterday Matchbox announced the Matchbox Custom Contest, which will give 10 talented and lucky customizers the opportunity to customize their own raw Matchbox 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X, BEFORE it is released this fall.

Attention all #customizers !! We're looking for the top 10 customizers to make magic on the raw, disassembled castings of the mighty #hakosuka #skyline #mb1022 Photograph an example of your best #matchbox custom and use the tag #matchboxcustomcontest. We'll send a model to the top 10 entries. Go to www.lamleygroup.com tomorrow for more details! @thelamleygroup

A photo posted by @matchboxworld on Jun 21, 2016 at 2:50pm PDT

The Matchbox Team ordered 10 raw, unassembled Skylines, and will allow 10 customizers of their choosing to customize them however they want.  This is an unprecedented contest, as I cannot remember a time that anyone has had access to a model to customize before it has been released.  And on top of that, it is the most anticipated Matchbox model in years.

So, how will it work?

Between now and July 5th, 2016, any and all customizers can post pics of their best Matchbox customs on Instagram with the hashtag #matchboxcustomcontest, and the Matchbox Team will select the Top 10 customs.  Those 10 winners will then be sent a raw, unassembled Matchbox Skyline to customize.  The finished customs will then be displayed by Matchbox at some prominent upcoming events, as well as showcased individually here on Lamley.  And yes, those 10 winners will then get to keep their customs once Matchbox is done with them.

How cool is that?  This will be incredibly fun to watch, and I cannot wait to see the custom submissions in the first round, as well as what the 10 winners come up with.

Here are the details:

1. Anyone can enter, from anywhere in the world, and you can enter as many Matchbox customs as you want.  All submissions must be posted to Instagram by the end of day July 5th, 2016.
2. The submissions must start as Matchbox models, but can be from any era.  Switching wheels or adding accessories from other brands is fine, but the model must be a recognizable Matchbox model.
3. All submissions must be on Instagram, with the hashtag #matchboxcustomcontest.  Just tagging the Matchbox or Lamley feed won't work, nor will PM's, email, or posts on any other social media network.  If you don't have an Instagram account and want to enter, now is the time to get one!  It is free, and very easy to use.  If you have questions about hashtags or anything else, just ask.
4. The Matchbox Team will choose the Top 10.  Lamley will not participate in any way in the choosing of the 10 winners.  My main job will be to pass along all the info as it arrives, and showcase the winners.
5. The Top 10 will be announced at this year's Matchbox Gathering of Friends Convention Dinner on Saturday, July 16.  The event will be live-streamed on Facebook Live and Periscope so you can watch.  Details on that coming soon.
6. After the Top 10 are announced, arrangements will be made to send a raw skyline to each, and timing to have them returned will be determined then.

So you ready?  If you are not on Instagram, it is time.  And get those submissions in!  The Matchbox Team is waiting to be blown away...

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The R34 Skyline should always be in the Hot Wheels lineup...

Find all versions of the R34 on eBay

I saw this on Nitto Tire's IG feed the other day:

"I don't really like the R34." -Said no one ever. #NittoTire #NT555G2 @PuristGroup @NissanUSA @NISMO

A photo posted by Nitto Tire (@nittotire) on Jun 26, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

Doesn't that ring true for the Hot Wheels R34 as well?

The casting is flawless, and there isn't a weak version in the bunch.  The new Need for Speed version is bound to be popular, and it adds to an arsenal that include two F&F, a Zamac, a spoiler change, and two First Editions that will never be beat.

Call it a must collect...

(Find all versions of the R34 on eBay...)


The latest:

The family:

The spoiler change:

The First Edition shade variation:

All:

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