Lost Kannons

Gather ’round the campfire kids, it’s time to tell the legend of the lost Crowns. About 10 years ago, Shige Suganuma of Mooneyes was given a set of mysterious pictures taken at a junkyard in Northern California, one that served as the final resting place for many a Toyota Crown. Both zenki and kouki S50 sedans, suicide-doored Kannon sedans, and at least two who-needs-both-kidneys ultra rare Kannon wagons.

With neither address nor complete phone number to go by, years of research revealed nothing. That is, until the advent of Google Earth. Like a modern day Indiana Jones, Mr. Suganuma pored over grainy satellite photos galore until he located the exact building that marked the gateway to Shangri-La. And as luck would have it, a four day visit to the States for the All-Toyotafest in Long Beach afforded the perfect opportunity to bolt up the coast in chase of this booty.

Alas, upon arrival, not a single car remained. The man who owned the junkyard passed away seven years ago, the yard subsequently sold, and all the cars were carted away. The current owner of the property had no clue as to their whereabouts, but chances are they live on in the recycled fender of a new Tacoma, or your toaster. You can read the entire story on Shige’s blog.

Stories like this bring us to tears. Just think of the thousands upon thousands of nostalgics that have disappeared like this, unwanted and unloved. The prevention of such tragedies is one of JNC’s primary missions. Please, rescue those classics and if you can’t, post it in the forums for someone who can! Hell, just bring a camera every time you go to a junkyard. The nostalgics, and us enthusiasts, are depending on you!