Tomica | Mazda Roadster

Mazda MX-5 is a popular lightweight two-passenger roadster manufactured and marketed by Mazda with a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The convertible is marketed as the Mazda Roadster or Eunos Roadster in Japan, and as the Mazda MX-5 Miata in North America, where it is widely known as the Miata. Tomica has a produced its diecast version of the Mazda MX-5, and since it was released for Japanese market this car is better known as the Mazda Roadster.

But outside Japan and in other Asian neighboring countries the Roadster is still known as the MX-5 despite having hardtop in the art and in the actual model. There have been four generations of the Mazda Roadster (MX-5 Internationally) produced since 1989 with the latest being released in 2015/2016. Widely noted for its small, light, technologically modern, dynamically balanced and minimally complex design, the MX-5 is the spiritual successor to 1950s and '60s Italian and British sports cars, prominently the Lotus Elan.

In the Asian region it is considered the most affordable ‘toy car’ being seen commonly in Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, and Australian streets. But it has achieved its own cult status that put the Mazda brand on the map for making such an iconic roadster having a huge following among car enthusiasts that owned the car.











Tomica No. 26 | Roadster

The Mazda Roadster with designated No. 26, which was the eighth car to be assigned with this number and released in 2016. There have been several variants and iteration using this casting as an exclusive for conventions and Tomica-related events either sold specifically or given as a game prize. It was also included in a special set with additional tampos or livery.

There have been two color variants of this model as red is the standard while the black is considered a first-edition variant. Like all Tomica mainline models each comes in a white box with red brand logo and painted image of the car based from the real life version. When you open the box the model is packaged in a dust-free see through plastic bag to avoid scratches or dust going to the toy.











Key Features of the Mazfa Roadster below:

Year Release: 2016 | New Casting
Series: Tomica Mainline
Scale: 1/66
Window: Clear
Interior: Black
Moving Parts: Removable Roof
Tampo: Headlights, Rear Lights, and Mazda badge





Moving Parts | Removable Top

Most of the Tomica models that have an open top include a removable plastic roof that can be slotted in reverse on the same peg in the middle of the seats. This is commonly standard with almost all of the Tomica models in all the sub-branded range as they reuse the same casting for its exclusive releases.

Of course, beside that main key feature this car like all Tomica models have a working suspension. The choice of wheel type makes it stand out from other models that use the common ‘button type’ wheels that would be considered an element part of a standard or special diecast car manufactured by Takara Tomy.





Model to Model | Tomica & Matchbox

The Mazda Roadster and the MX-5 Miata is one and the same having different names representing it in different markets. But rarely did it will consider being different from two different diecast car brands. Matchbox also produced their version of the Mazda MX-5 Miata minus a removable top since 2016 and the most recent one was in metallic grey with detailed tampographe headlights, taillights, and brand logo.

It has more details than the Mazda Roadster from Tomica, but there are also too many tampographe on the car when they could have kept it simple only having detailed parts of a real car than including some striping on the front and rear sides of the car. While the Miata have details the Roadster is clean and streamlined.

You can see two different representation of the same car and the Tomica version is smaller being 1/66 scale. Both cars stand out and since Matchbox is now owned by an American company (Mattel) it shows that the model is produced for the US market that was one of the favorites from the 2016 mainline. But when you put it beside the Tomica version it certainly gives you an eye opener look on each nuisance.



Overall the Mazda Roadster is cute that have a lot of punch for a tiny model that brings out a different side that is more closer to the real life car down to the paint and hardtop that came with it. This model is considered underrated in the mainline if you’re not into roadster type cars as rarely ever you’ll find a diecast model having a removable hardtop and can still be put in reverse to appear it was folded is a simple stroke of genius at the same time has an eye catching color.

Tomica No. 26 Mazda Roadster was released in the mainline in Japan and Selected Markets in Asia. This was distributed by Bankee and was available during the Philippine Autocon 2019 for ₱229.75 pesos (**$4.51 USD | $6.91 AUD).

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Source: Tomica Wikia | Wikipedia

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