Is it true that Johnny Lightning may have been put out to pasture by the parent company Tomy ? If so will their excellent models continue in another guise ?

Haven't heard any such rumour yet, sure hope not. While Tomica/Tomy make some nice detailed cars they don't do many muscle or classic old cars which is my collecting style and I love the JL ranges. (especially film and TV cars).

Searches on google show that it's a done deal I'm afraid.

That is very sad if true .


The only thing I can find on the matter is a discussion on Swifty's Garage.


I don't own any Tomy/Tomica diecast cars, Why? They've never released anything that has interested me and they don't appear in stores here where I live. So unless that improves I probably will never own any. Guess I will have to look to Greenlight and Auto World to fill my needs.

I bought my Tomica in the 1980's when they were sold at Kmart.


I think M2 Machines do a better product than JL

M2 machines are definitely much better though a tad larger than 1:64, about a 1:58? scale I would guess. I have 4 only at the moment A Black '54 Dodge coronet chase car, A red with gold grill '57 Chevy bel-air, A very darlk blue '58 Plymouth belvedere and a Red/White '57 Dodge custom royal lancer..I have my fingers crossed and am really hoping they do a '59 Dodge Coronet in Black like my avatar sometime in the near future, love that car.

Have you seen reference to "Burslem Real Types" made in Canada who make a '59 Dodge. There is one for sale on ebay.

Hadn't, but have now Thank you! While the start bid price isn't too bad, buy it now is double that, however the $180.00 Shipping price to Australia is insane. At least I now know someone made one.

Yes I think the shipping price may be wrong    You might like to keep an eye  on this item judging by prices of this brand in the past, it has a long way to go.

Have stuck it on my watch list The shipping price is for UPS w'wide saver service with a 3 day delivery (Private jet? lol!) No other delivery option offered.

Its free shipping to me in the USA so if i can assist just send me a PM.

Thanks Tomte PM sent.


Now returning back to the original topic


It amazes me that people in the U.S. quibble over an extra dollar or 2 for JL (one reason given for the closure."People weren't preparred to spend an extra dollar on JL's) when here in Oz you can barely find a supplier, and on average I pay $15.00 a car to buy them from America. Heck we can't even buy Hot Wheels or Matchbox for under $2.50 a car from Kmart here (my area). I would love to be able to buy JL's for a flat $5 even but I can't because I have to factor in the high postage cost to get them here. Most times I have to buy from Feebay and I refuse to pay more than $18 postage from the U.S.for one item. Specially when I know it should only cost $15.00 max. Even less for HW or MB.


So on that basis I can understand the closure but it is a shame.

It seems that the market for diecast cars is a difficult one.

I really hoped that under the Tomica umbrella they would get the funding to do more new casts and to expand their exposure.

Yes JC a tough market indeed.


I also hoped to see better things from the purchase by Tomica but it would appear that they are more interested in marketing their Robot toys rather than JL cars sadly.