1988 Takara Tomy Tomica No.8 Nissan Cedric Taxi (Orange Kanto Taxi) 1/62 Made in Japan Die-Cast Model Car

Experience an authentic piece of Japanese motoring history with the 1988 Takara Tomy Tomica No.8 Nissan Cedric Taxi (Orange Kanto Taxi) 1/62 Made in Japan. This highly collectible vintage Tomica faithfully recreates the 1987 Nissan Cedric Y31 Hardtop Taxi, finished in the distinctive orange Kanto Taxi livery that became a familiar sight on the streets of Tokyo during the late Showa era.

Originally released in January 1988, this model is one of the earliest versions of Tomica No.8 and was manufactured in Japan. It features realistic taxi graphics, an opening front-door mechanism, working suspension, and Tomica's classic Super Speed rolling chassis. The original orange Kanto Taxi version was later replaced by a yellow running colour variation during the 1990s, making the early orange release especially desirable among collectors.

Whether you're a dedicated Tomica enthusiast, a collector of Japanese die-cast models, or simply appreciate classic Japanese automobiles, this vintage release represents one of the finest examples of Tomica's golden era.

Why You'll Love It

• 🇯🇵 Authentic Made in Japan Release – Original Japanese-produced Tomica from 1988, highly regarded for its quality and collectability.
• 🚖 Classic Orange Kanto Taxi Livery – Decorated with authentic Kanto Taxi markings, including Japanese company graphics, roof light, and fleet numbering.
• ⭐ Vintage Tomica No.8 – A long-running classic that remained in production from January 1988 until February 2002.
• 📏 1:62 Scale – Faithfully proportioned to the real Nissan Cedric Y31 Hardtop Taxi.
• 🚪 Opening Front Doors – Functional opening doors enhance realism and play value.
• 🔧 Working Suspension – Features Tomica's traditional spring suspension system.
• ⚙️ Super Speed Wheels – Equipped with Tomica's classic free-rolling "Super Speed" chassis.
• 🏆 Highly Collectible – Early orange "Kanto Taxi" versions with 5-spoke wheels are particularly sought after by vintage Tomica collectors.

Product Description

Celebrate the everyday vehicles that helped shape Japan's urban landscape with the 1988 Takara Tomy Tomica No.8 Nissan Cedric Taxi (Orange Kanto Taxi).

While many die-cast collections focus on exotic supercars or racing legends, the Nissan Cedric Taxi tells the story of Japan's dependable working vehicles. Based on the Y31-generation Nissan Cedric Hardtop, introduced in 1987, the real vehicle quickly became one of the country's most trusted taxi platforms thanks to its exceptional durability, spacious interior, rear-wheel-drive layout, and low operating costs.

Recognising the Cedric's importance, Tomy introduced the No.8 Nissan Cedric Taxi in January 1988, replacing the Isuzu Blood Bank Car in the No.8 slot. The model remained in the Tomica catalogue until February 2002, making it one of the longest-running castings of its era.

This early release is finished in the distinctive orange Kanto Taxi colour scheme, complete with authentic Japanese taxi markings. The body features:

• "Kanto Taxi" company graphics
• Nerima registration markings
• Fleet radio identification ("Wireless 147")
• Roof-mounted illuminated taxi sign with the company emblem
• Front and rear licence plate number 3153

These details accurately reflect real taxis operating around Tokyo during the late 1980s, giving the model exceptional historical authenticity.

Mechanically, the miniature includes Tomica's signature working suspension, opening front doors, and Super Speed rolling chassis, features that helped establish Tomica as one of the world's premier die-cast manufacturers.

Collectors should also note that the very first production run used 5-spoke button wheels (1H wheels) before later switching to the more common 4-spoke 2F wheels, making early examples particularly desirable.

Key Features

• Official Takara Tomy Tomica
• Model: Nissan Cedric Taxi (Y31 Hardtop)
• Product Number: No.8
• Original Release: January 1988
• Scale: 1:62
• Colour: Orange Kanto Taxi
• Made in Japan
• Opening front doors
• Working suspension
• Super Speed rolling wheels
• Authentic Japanese taxi livery
• Vintage collector's release

Specifications

About the Nissan Cedric Y31 Taxi

The Nissan Cedric Y31 is one of Japan's most iconic commercial passenger vehicles. Introduced in 1987, it was engineered for reliability, passenger comfort, and long service life—qualities that made it a favourite among taxi operators across Japan.

Powered by a range of petrol, diesel, and LPG engines depending on fleet requirements, the Cedric Taxi became a familiar sight in cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya. Remarkably, fleet versions of the Y31 continued production for commercial use well into the 2010s, a testament to the platform's durability.

The Tomica model captures this automotive icon in miniature, preserving a vehicle that represents an important part of Japan's transportation heritage.

Collector's Notes

The 1988 Orange Kanto Taxi is regarded as one of the most desirable versions of Tomica No.8 because:

• It is the original launch colour before the later yellow colour change.
• Early production models feature rare 5-spoke button wheels, while later examples use 4-spoke wheels.
• It served as the base casting for numerous later Tomica variants, including police cars, road service vehicles, official car sets, patrol cars, and keychain editions.

What's Included

• 1 × 1988 Takara Tomy Tomica No.8 Nissan Cedric Taxi (Orange Kanto Taxi) 1:62 Die-Cast Model Car
• 1 × Original Tomica Box (if included with your purchase)

Perfect For

• 🇯🇵 Vintage Tomica collectors
• 🚖 Japanese taxi memorabilia collectors
• 🚗 Nissan enthusiasts
• 🏁 JDM collectors
• 🎌 Fans of Showa-era Japanese vehicles
• 🏠 Display cabinets and collector shelves
• 🎁 Birthday, Christmas, and special occasion gifts

Why Buy From Toyvora?

At Toyvora, we specialise in authentic collectibles from the world's leading brands, including Tomica, Hot Wheels, LEGO, Pokémon, Funko Pop!, Transformers, Matchbox, and premium die-cast models.

Every collectible is carefully inspected and securely packaged to help preserve both the model and its original packaging, making it ideal for collectors seeking genuine vintage Tomica releases.

Add an authentic piece of Japanese transport history to your collection with the 1988 Takara Tomy Tomica No.8 Nissan Cedric Taxi (Orange Kanto Taxi) 1/62 Made in Japan—a beautifully detailed vintage die-cast model celebrating one of Japan's most recognisable taxi vehicles and the golden age of Tomica craftsmanship.