Now here’s something interesting…a classic car bodyshop in JDMland that keeps a pictorial blog of all the interesting cars they do. The shop in question is Auto Service Machinaga, in Kobe.

Check out their blog for more detailed step by step pictorials of their bigger jobs (click on the Toyota category for a start) but after the jump, you’ll find some cool vids of a TE27 Levin and a TA22 Celica GTV that they did pretty thorough repaints on in classic army green.

(more…)

We came across Love Ear Art the other day, an airbrush artist in Japan who does a lot of work on JDM classics in a true 70s style. Check out his Blog for more of his awesome work.

Yesterday we did a feature on the ultra-cool (and ultra expensive) TLC Icon recreation of the classic FJ40 Landcruiser. If you really want a Landcruiser now, but the Icon was too rich for your blood (and you are in Japan) then perhaps this might be of interest.

Utilitas is located in Fukuoka, Japan and is in the unique position of being a specialist dealer in Toyota Landcruiser and Nissan Skyline DR30 RS. Yes, really.

(more…)

One of the things you notice in JDM classic-car magazines lately is that there is a lot more interest in the older JDM vans. The scene is still in its infancy to a certain extent, but one of the JDM dealers/parts stores catering to the oldschool one-box fans is Barracuda. And why not when these things make such cool cruisers.

Check out their blog for photo galleries of past one-box events.

A couple of days ago we posted a link to classic JDM dealer Harfees’s. But today, we seem to have hit the jackpot with FlexAuto, which has many, many more interesting used cars in stock. Check out their stock, you can click and view pics and details on each car, even the “Sold Out” ones..

The fact that Tomy make little toy cars should come as no great surprise to any GrandJDM reader.  But did you know that it also has a special line of classic toy cars?  Well…you do now!  It’s called TOMYTEC.

They make trains, etc, but have some tasty selections in cars.  Check out Mr K’s Selection (older favourite Nissans of the ex-Nissan USA president and “father of the Z-Car”), their eclectic collection of trucks, police cars and taxis, their historic race car collection and their vintage sedan lineup. Make sure you click on the links at the bottom of each page to see the other models in the range!

If you want to buy a race-rep Hakosuka, a GT-R replica Kenmeri or a super-tough 240Z with ZG nose and flares, then you got to Rocky Auto or Red Megaphone.  But what if you wanted something low and slow, like a slammed ‘69 Crown wagon on BRM wheels and chrome fender mirrors, or a 510 Wagon on Enkei slots?

Well for a start in Japan you can go see Harfee’s.  They seem to have a focus on aircooled VWs, but they handle a lot of the old JDM stuff too.  Check it out their stock, lots of nice things in there.

Ages ago we shone a light onto a JDM clothing label which had a lot of hot rod influences, mixed in with cool old school JDM car touches. It was Samurai Motor Club. But checking their website today, we find that they have a special on their latest creation in soft indigo denim: the SM5000 GT-R!

Not cheap at A$260 a pair, but full of cool touches like pocket linings with old JDM cars on them.

(more…)

If you were cruising the Tochigi area of central Japan, you might come across a roadside restaurant, with a charming organic produce market at the back. There’s a restaurant serving pizza and pasta, and at the corner of the complex is a little coffee shop….called Cafe GT-R. And you can hang out and sip your coffee in the presence of a racing KPGC10, surrounded by GT-R memorabilia. The owners also encourage enthusiasts to use the cafe as a meeting point, so what more could you want?

(more…)

Mazda have utilised Facebook to launch a design competition, charging entrants with the task of determining what the Mazda 3 of 2018 will look like.The good thing about this design comp is that, frankly, it’s not much of one! If you lack any drawing skills to speak of, you’re still a chance as long as you know how to write. If you can aptly and imaginatively describe in 150 words or less what the 3 of 2018 will look like, you’re in with a chance.

So for those of you who love the retro-styled cars we’ve been seeing these days—such as the Mustang and the Camaro—this is your chance to revitalise the 3 with the classic stylings of the RX-3. Make it happen!

You’ll need to join Facebook first, but once you have, click here to join the Mazda Design Challenge.

[via JNC]