Buriki: Japanese Tin Toys from the Golden Age of the American Automobile – The Yoku Tanaka Collection

I had the pleasure of checking out the Buriki: Japanese Tin Toys from the Golden Age of American Automobile exhibit at the Japan Society this past weekend. The exhibit was a celebration of Japan’s achievements in tin toy design in the first two decades following World War II. The detail and construction of these is amazing. Some of them even have working lights, doors, horns, and automatic retractable convertible tops. Below are some highlights from the exhibit. All images are from the Japan Society website.

The Lincoln Futura concept car (This was the inspiration for the Batmobile)

This one had a working horn, lights, and retractable top!

Ambassador Magma is driving this sweet 1962 Cadillac

Vintage Model Rockets

I wish this was me as a kid!

Lee Piester - Founder of Centuri Model Rockets

The Nauga Monster – 1960’s

"The Nauga is ugly, but his vinyl hide is beautiful" - Ad from LIFE magazine - 1967 (Image: http://www.georgelois.com)

These amazing Naugahyde stuffed toys were made in the 1960’s & 1970’s to promote the hottest new trend in upholstery.  These fun little monsters have a cult following and have become very collectible.

(Image: http://www.hiandlomodern.com)

Image: Ebay

The Nauga on Johnny Carson! (Image: Flickr)

Naugahyde had a great ad campaign!

Naugahyde also promoted easy clean-up!

Image: freedesign.jp

Auburn Racers – 1950’s

These Auburn Racer rubber toys from the 1950’s are awesome.  I have a couple of these that belonged to my father when he was growing up in the 1950’s.  These images are from Ebay.

More Great Tin Robots of the Space Age

I found these amazing old tin robots on the Alphadrome Robot and Space Toy Database. These old robots are incredible!

Atom Robot - Yoshiya 1964

Target Robot - Masudaya 1965

Electronic Remote Control Robot - Matsudaya 1960's

Winky Robot - Yonezawa 1960's

Laser Robot - Daiya 1968

Blink-a-Gear Robot - Taiyo 1969

Sparkling Mike the Robot - SNK 1960's

Robo Movido a Pilhas - Argentina 1960's

Three versions of the Television Robot by Alps 1960's

Original tin win up paddle foot bullet style. Note wire key 1950's

Conehead Robot - Yonezawa 1950's - 1960's

Machine Robot aka "Turn Signal Robot" - Horikawa 1963

Space Conqueror 5 - Daiya 1962

Mr. Planet - Yonezawa 1969

Three versions of Mr. Mercury - Yonegawa early 1960's

Related Posts:
Swell Toys of the Space Age
Famous Robots from Popular Culture

Swell Toys of the Space Age

The kids growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s must have had a BLAST playing with these toys! Not only are the toys incredible; I love the packaging as well!  I found these on EBay.

Friction powered Mobile Jet

Space Television toy - Awesome for documenting all those new planets and moons

Alien UFO

Space Tank

Mr. Machine - Ideal 1960

Buck Rogers jigsaw puzzle

Rolling Astronaut toy; I love the branding with NASA on this guy.

Awesome Space Gun!

Space Ranger - Real flying toy!