From time to time, you come across these little Japanese tin Volkswagens for sale at toy shows, or in online auctions. The oval rear window shows they represent the 1950’s era of Volkswagen production, so it’s no surprise to learn these toy VWs were produced in Japan during the mid-to-late 1950s.
The manufacturer was Tokyo Plaything Shokai (T.P.S.), and they were sold in various configurations, including single boxes, display rack plastic bags or ‘loose’, with six or eight in a larger store counter display box.
Inner friction
The original single box had a very nice red cover with a yellow burst design and a blue VW depicted. The manufacturer marking on the box is an oval insignia and the word Plaything, denoting the manufacturer. The word friction also makes an…
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VolksWorld (Digital) - 1 Issue, June 2024