Tag Archives: toyota

How Toyota recreated its long-lost first race car from scratch after 70 years

At long last Toyota has revealed the full story of how they recreated their first race car, the 1951 Toyopet Racer. News of the car’s existence was only made public last year, and after 71 years lost to history no … Continue reading

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The Toyota Century SUV sure looks like it’s happening

Toyota has released a teaser showing a white-gloved chauffeur hand resting on the door handle of a tall and upright black vehicle. What else could this be but the rumored Century SUV? It was rumored to arrive before the end … Continue reading

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Sam Mitani’s Red Mist packs action and espionage with Japanese cars

In his second novel, former International Editor for Road & Track magazine Sam Mitani continues to blend gripping action and international intrigue with fast cars, most of which are Japanese. It’s not hard to understand why. Almost 30 years ago … Continue reading

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Toyota Celica, the first convertible with 4-wheel-steering

Today, August 24, is the birthday of a car that is pretty unique in the annals of automotive history. It’s the day the fifth-generation Toyota Celica Convertible was introduced, a car that most observers don’t think of as being particularly … Continue reading

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Tokyo Landscapes circa 1971

In 1971 NHK went around Tokyo documenting scenes of everyday life. The footage shows a vibrant city full of hope and possibility. From children checking out at Mazinger Z toys in a Ginza department store to advertisements for Bruce Lee’s … Continue reading

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Cruise through the streets of Tokyo circa 1970

Seeing old cars is one thing, but how about an entire city-full of what are today rare classics? A portable video camera would have been very expensive back in 1970, but luckily someone had the foresight to get one and … Continue reading

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Barbie does indeed have some ‘JDM’ cars in her garage

A couple of weeks ago we wondered what “JDM” car Barbie would drive if she wasn’t in a Corvette. Turns out this chick has more cars than Jay Leno. We learned more than we ever wanted to know about her … Continue reading

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Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 or cake?

The “Is it cake?” trend is a couple of years old now, but people still can’t get enough of ultra-realistic desserts. For the launch of the J250 Land Cruiser, Toyota had a 1/10-scale FJ40 cake made to commemorate the occasion. … Continue reading

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Hardest core Toyota Land Cruiser returns to Japan

It’s almost eerie how similar this week’s Toyota’s Land Cruiser launch has mirrored Nissan’s Z NISMO launch. Both made a big splash with the global announcement for an iconic nameplate, both had stylistic nods to heritage, and both then quietly … Continue reading

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New Toyota Land Cruiser debuts with retro styling and back-to-basics hardware

After a long wait, the next-generation Toyota Land Cruiser is finally here. The iconic truck returns for 2024 with a smaller body than the outgoing model, as well as a number of retro styling cues reminiscent of past models. Interestingly, … Continue reading

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Watch the new Toyota Land Cruiser debut live

It’s a week of Japanese icons. First Nissan introduced the Z NISMO, now Toyota is following a day later with the new Land Cruiser. Both are very much key to each company’s identity. We will have more coverage of the … Continue reading

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Next-gen Toyota Land Cruiser to take styling cues from classic FJ62

Toyota has issued another teaser for the 2024 Land Cruiser. It’s our first look at its supposedly retro nose, and to drive the point home Toyota has paired it with a classic FJ62 lurking in the background. While the similarities … Continue reading

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Watch this cracked taillight be repaired to like-new condition by a master craftsman

A cracked or broken taillight lens is usually considered something that’s unfixable. When the unfortunate happens, you’re usually off to a junkyard or scouring eBay for a replacement. But what if you’re taillight is so old and rare that replacement … Continue reading

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Toyota Land Cruiser teaser for 2024 seems to confirm retro front end

A new teaser released by Toyota portends good things for the upcoming 2024 Land Cruiser. Its return has been highly anticipated return after leaving the US market at the end of the 2021 model year. The image pictures it in … Continue reading

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New Toyota Land Cruiser reportedly getting FJ40 and 70-inspired design

We’re all excited about the Toyota Land Cruiser reboot in the US, but a new report has us even more stoked than before. A report out of Australia says it may get a retro-inspired design that is specific to the … Continue reading

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Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition pays tribute to the original panda 86

Toyota has introduced a new limited edition model of the GR86 with a strong throwback to the famed AE86. It’s even called the Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition, and it’s loaded with visual cues referencing the car that gave the GR86 … Continue reading

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Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, joined by British cars in 1969 Tokyo

This touched-up video shows the hustle and bustle of the Ginza area in 1969. Most of the footage was taken near the famous 4-chome intersection where landmarks like the Morinaga globe can be seen. The soon-to-be-demolished San’ai Dream Center can … Continue reading

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Is Kanye West a closet JDM car enthusiast?

Kanye West’s lyrics have not been kind to Japanese cars. Not only are they jammed with references to typical rapper fare like Mercedes-Benzes and Lamborghinis, he often rips on cars like Nissans and Toyotas. But a recent spate of West … Continue reading

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1970 KE10 chases Toyota GR Corolla in new ad that is cringe

In Toyota’s latest ad for the raucous GR Corolla, a cameo by a 1970 KE10 almost threatens to steal the show. Not only that, but there are several references to past Toyota commercials, some obscure enough that only Toyota nerds … Continue reading

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Toyota Land Cruiser returning to the US market

Toyota quietly made if official late last night. The venerable Land Cruiser is making a comeback to the US market. After departing our shores at the end of 2021, it will be returning for what is likely the 2024 model … Continue reading

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