Fresh Off The Pegs: Johnny Lightning's Classic Gold Series 2, Part One

I've been wondering when I'd be seeing these...

Finally, a new wave of models from Johnny Lightning, just making it in before the end of the year. It's the second series in the Classic Gold line, featuring the following six cars:

- 1980 Datsun 280Z
- 1980 Chevrolet Monza
- 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado
- 1983 Pontiac GTO
- 1972 Chevrolet Vega Wagon
- 1978 Dodge Warlock

I will be showing the first three on the list in today's post.

Certainly, this is a more attractive group of models as opposed to the first series, which has been sitting on the pegs since the beginning of the year and shows no signs of selling out unless clearanced. Those cars were a mixed bag; the Jeep Wagoneer was fantastic, but the others lacked the premium feel of a six dollar car. Some of them even had plastic tires, and that's a no-no for anything that costs more than five bucks. The colorways and designs were a little bland overall, and I was not convinced enough to get all of them.

As much as I try to cut back on 1/64 diecast these days to make way for 1/18's, I couldn't leave any of Series 2 behind. The premium look was there. The colorways and designs were top notch. This is the Johnny Lightning that we've been waiting for and what we've been accustomed to seeing from them in the past. When it comes to models and castings, they have one of the most diverse catalogs out there, and this set should have something for everyone.

Johnny Lightning's models are what I would call an acquired taste. They have the exaggerated look that most would see as a toy, but there is enough detail to suggest that it's largely meant for collectors. The scale is generally smaller than 1/64, and proportions are not always true to scale. If you like vintage and old-school, they have what you're looking for.

The three I am showing today are my guesses as to which ones will be the most popular. I'm sure the Z will be the first to go, but I'll just say it right now: it's neither the best, nor the 2nd best, and certainly not even the 3rd best model in this wave.

Blast From The Past: The 1/18 Nissan 300ZX by Kyosho

Here's something I've never done before: buying an older 1/18 model.

I'm not talking about one that's been discontinued for a couple years. This is a Kyosho that was released in 2000, that I just got a few days ago. That's more than fifteen years old. Back in the year 2000, I was still a kid playing with my 1/18 Maisto cars, flying them off tables, tearing off their wheels, ripping off doors, and removing their stickers and decals for the hell of it. I'm still a kid now, but I've learned to take better care of my toys. And I would say that is a must for a rare model like this one. It's the only time the Z32-generation 300ZX has been done in eighteenth scale (with two other colorways), and it may be a while before we get another version of this 90's icon.

The 300ZX is the enthusiast favorite of the modern Fairladies. It, along with the Toyota Supra MK.IV and Mazda RX-7 FD3S, form the Japanese Holy Trinity of the 1990's. I'm more of a 350Z kind of guy, but being a Nissan fanboy first and foremost, this is a model that was going into the collection no matter what.

This piece is best described as having lived a wonderful DLM life with its previous owner. I look to continue its glory. Being a used model, it has its share of imperfections, from a paint chip on the hood to a slight crack on the taillight cluster. The left door is loose, as is the base. The paint could definitely use some polishing and waxing, something which I never thought I'd ever have to do on a toy. I cleaned it up as best I could without resorting to those measures.

Naturally, with its age, you have to question its level of quality and detail. In some ways, it is superior to budget models of today. For the most part, it honestly doesn't stand a chance with modern Maisto castings, which is something you have to take into consideration when you purchase an inferior model for a high-end price.

Exterior-wise, this 300ZX is certainly showing its age. Gone are the textured badges that you're accustomed to seeing with Kyosho. The painted black trim lines are not as tidy as they are now. The spoiler needs some realignment. The exhaust looks rather terrible. And most of all, that awful positive camber on the rear wheels! I must say though, at least the wheels look pretty good.

On a more positive note, the engine detail is way better than what you see on the best budget models today. Same goes with the underbody details, which I probably should have taken a photo of. This is where the model finally begins to feel like a Kyosho. The interior is lined with felt which, albeit a bit unrealistic, is at least better than seeing a sea of hard plastics. Overall, interior detail is nothing to scream about, but it's a 90's Japanese car. They weren't very fancy to begin with.

The verdict? Depends on how badly you need one of these in your collection. If you're looking for detail, stick to the more recent stuff. But if you need this model to relive the 90's glory days (in my opinion, the best era of automotive design), this is your best bet.

Like I said before: I'm a 90's kid. I like my 90's cars.