Is there anything that looks more UFO-ey than the rump end of a kujira Crown wagon? This goon and other nostalgics gathered yesterday, 9/9/09, for Japan Meet Norway. It comes hot on the heels of Swiss and Finnish J-tin congregations, and thanks to Markus Väisänen, we have photographic evidence!

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JNCer Rene H. sent us these photos of the recent Japaner Young-und-Oldtimer Treffen all the way from Switzerland! They seem to like their cars mostly stock but improved with age, like a fine Swiss Emmental. (more…)

We wanted to share JNCer mikko1200’s photos of the Lahti Classic Motor Show with you despite the fact that it wasn’t just a show of J-tin. It was held in Finland, a country that appears to have a healthy amount of respect for nostalgics, enough so that they are displayed alongside European and American marques. (more…)

You can tell from the name itself that the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este is not your typical Denny’s parking lot car meet. It’s held at the end of every April held on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, one of the most gorgeous locations planet Earth has to offer. The show stems from the days just before the Great Depression (the, um, first one, in 1929) and lasted through WWII. So what’s a Skyline doing there? (more…)

What surprises us more than an Austrian actor auctioning off his collection of Japanese cars, is the fact that there was an Austrian actor with a collection of Japanese cars to begin with.

We aren’t familiar with Roland Düringer but after seeing his car collection, we wish we were. Apparently he’s quite the comedic celebrity in his homeland, and a motorsport enthusiast as well. His stable includes an enviable herd of J-tin, including an S60 Crown, Corollas from ‘75 and ‘79, a Celica liftback, Mitsubishi Sapporo and a Honda S800 Coupe. He also has newer fare like a Toyota Will VI, Nissan Cube and Nissan Figaro.

So why is Düringer selling off his cars? Well, it’s for a good cause – to help a young man recently paralyzed in a moped accident so he can get his car modified to accommodate his handicap. Hats off to you, Mr. Düringer!

More pics of Düringer’s collection after the jump. (more…)

NOTE: please DO NOT contact us requesting the address, email or phone # for this farm!

Southern Norway that attracts tourists year round with its scenic hills, valleys and waterways:

However, deep in the backwoods rests an improbable Toyota Crown “Farm.” (more…)

Achtung! Ze Germans are getting in on the cash for clunkers program as well. The government is giving people who trade in an old car for scrap up to 2500 euros. In the first two days of the program’s existence, 420,000 people called in. Mein Gott! And lest you think there’s no J-tin in the land of BMWs and Benzes, think again.

[Autoblog]

These low-res scans of an early 1970’s Toyota publicity brochure tell an unbelievable story: “To heck with a Land Cruiser; we’re tackling the frozen wastes of Greenland in the New Carina!” (more…)

Two UK-based teams have taken first and second place in the Spirit 425cc Class of the Liége-Brescia-Liége microcar rally. Covering 2000 miles through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, these little kei cars even conquered the Stelvio (not Kev’s dream car, the Alpine road) and Gavia Passes of Italy, some of Europe’s most grueling terrain.

Regulars know that this year marks Subaru’s 50th anniversary, but 2008 is also the 50th anniversary of the Liége-Brescia-Liége. It was started in 1958 during the Suez Canal Crisis, which threatened to cut Europe off from its oil supply in the Middle East. In response, rally organizers wanted to prove that small, fuel-efficient cars could perform just as well as their gas-guzzling counterparts over Europe’s most demanding roads (making it all the more disappointing that we’re still grappling with the same oil issues today). The original allowed only cars 500cc or under, and the intense schedule meant almost three non-stop days of driving. The modern rally is a bit more leisurely – 10 days, and cars up to 1000cc are allowed.

Congratulations to Jane Puttock, James Ewing, Vic Sayer and Craig Lawson!

[Subaru UK]

As you know, the recent passing of Ove Andersson really hit the world of motorsports hard. If you’re in the Los Angeles area this weekend, please consider stopping by the Toyota USA Museum, where a tribute to the rally racer and founder of Toyota Team Europe will be held. Details after the jump.

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