Category Archives: Restoration
Toyota GR Garage acquires a clapped out AE86
Here’s a good one for Toyotafest Eve. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has picked up a decrepit AE86. They say it’s the start of a new restoration project, but why begin with something so far gone? Surely Toyota has the resources … Continue reading
Toyota to restore rare Land Cruiser FJJ fire engine
Toyota has begun restoration on a very rare Land Cruiser FJJ. Introduced in 1954, it was first Land Cruiser to bear any kind of “FJ” chassis code. Originally designed for use as a fire engine, Toyota only sold it to … Continue reading
A retired Isuzu BXD30 bus seeks crowdfunded restoration
For 55 years, a 1966 Isuzu BXD30 “bonnet” bus faithfully served the Iya Valley area of Tokushima Prefecture. The green and blue coach was a regular sight among locals as it snaked through the scenic mountain roads loaded with tourists. … Continue reading
Toyota Supra belonging to Japanese Prime Minister candidate to undergo restoration
Although Sanae Takaichi lost her bid to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister last year, she remains one of Japan’s most powerful women. She also happens to be the original owner of a 1991 Toyota Supra 2.5GT Twin-Turbo Limited. For … Continue reading
Nissan is restoring the beloved Y31 Cima of actress Kazue Itoh
Last October Japanese actress Kazue Itoh caused a bit of a stir among her fans when she posted a photo of her car on Instagram. They were surprised to see the star driving a 30-year-old Nissan Cima that she’s owned … Continue reading
Posted in Restoration
Tagged autech, C33, Cima, Kazue Itoh, laurel, N12, nissan, pulsar exa, r32, skyline, y31
12 Comments
Toyota South Africa is officially restoring a 2000GT
Toyota of South Africa has officially started restoration of a 2000GT. Only 351 hand-made examples were built, inclusive of pre-production models, and of those just three were originally destined for South Africa. The subsidiary calls it a complete nut and … Continue reading
The “Miracle Corolla” was destroyed in the Tohoku tsunami, then restored by car enthusiasts across Japan
On March 11, 2011 a devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami struck eastern Japan. Nearly 16,000 people were killed and almost 2,600 went missing in what was the fourth strongest earthquake ever recorded. Masayuki Watanabe was one of the lucky ones, … Continue reading
This tale of Toyota Starlet restoration is just the kind of story we need right now
When he was just eight years old, Josh Brooks’ father told him he’d be driving a Toyota Starlet someday. His family had always owned Toyotas, and Josh’s dad drove an AE86 Corolla and had campaigned Starlets in National Autograss, a … Continue reading
Dedicated enthusiasts have restored an 1966 Isuzu city bus
According to a recent post on the official Isuzu blog, one of the company’s 1966 BXD30 city buses has been restored to its original glory. The bus had served various organizations for over 50 years, and was only decommissioned in … Continue reading
Mazda launches heritage parts program for FC and FD RX-7
Mazdafarians, rejoice! Mazda announced today that it will begin remanufacturing parts for both the second- and third-generation RX-7. Ever since Mazda launched the Roadster Restore program in 2017 for the first-generation Miata, enthusiasts have been clamoring for Mazda to add … Continue reading
Why Toyota’s Heritage Parts Program for the 2000GT was so challenging
Toyota announced in 2019 that it would reissue parts for the A70 and A80 Supra. Last month, they added the 2000GT to the GR Heritage Parts Program. The initial list for each model is pretty short, to be honest, and a … Continue reading
Toyota’s Supra Heritage Parts Program will be offered in the US
Last May Toyota became the latest Japanese carmaker to announce a heritage parts program, starting off with items for the Supra. Just hours ago, Toyota announced that not only is the program kicking off this spring, but that it will … Continue reading
The Honda Beat Parts program reveals why it’s so hard for carmakers to produce old parts
It’s been a while since we checked in on Honda’s Beat Parts program, which once again produces parts for Honda’s popular mid-engined, kei roadster. Since the program was announced in August 2017, the list of parts available has grown. And, … Continue reading
Mazda restoring its first production passenger car, the R360 Coupé
Back in early 2015, Mazda embarked on a restoration project of a 1967 Cosmo Sport. As we reported, it began with the company desiring to instill the Mazda spirit in the carmaker’s next generation of employees through close study of heritage, … Continue reading
No More Quarter Pounders: Replace Those Panels
The quarter panel is probably the most daunting section of body to replace on a car. But it doesn’t have to be that way. RatDat has a great how-to write up that makes it seem, well, slightly less daunting.
