To send off 2021, what better way to do it than to have one of my grail 1/64 to mark the occasion? Nope, its not a Ferrari or Bugatti or any sort of exotics like that, just a simple, straight-6 Toyota saloon, the Chaser X100 Tourer V.

Is this my best and favourite diecast pickup of the year? (Even if its not in white) Absolutely!

Powering the Tourer V is a single-turbo 1JZ-GTE engine, which is very similar to the famed 2JZ variant, which came a few years later with a longer engine stroke, where that increased displacement of 2.5L here to 3.0L in the latter. The 2JZ could be found in the Chaser too, but that was exclusive to the luxury Avante grade, which can also be seen in the last photo in this post together with the Tourer V, but I'll get onto that one in another post soon.

Unfortunately in 2001, the Chaser (and the Cresta, which isn't available in 1/64 as of yet) was replaced with the Verossa, which shared the same internals, except it didn't look as good. No where near as good. Ok I'll just be direct; the Verossa is quite ugly.

And on this bombshell, happy new year all!