Category Archives: Collections
Kia has restored two Mazda-based examples of its earliest cars
The Korean auto industry has come a long way. So long, in fact, that they now have the luxury of looking back at their early history and honoring it by restoring a couple of the earliest Kia vehicles. At first … Continue reading
Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, the company’s final WRC rally car, has been restored
Nissan has restored a Pulsar GTI-R Group A rally car from its own collection. The project was undertaken by a group of all-volunteer Nissan employees, about 115 in all, who worked on the WRC car during off hours. After spending … Continue reading
A car brochure collection of over 17,000 is used by Japanese police to investigate automotive crimes
Many of our readers have substantial car brochure collections, but none are likely to rival that of the Aichi Prefectural Police. Its Traffic Investigation Division has over 17,000 brochures covering nearly every make, model, year, and limited edition variant that … Continue reading
Toyota’s Megaweb garage takes in an MZ11 Soarer
After thoroughly restoring two iconic Nissans, the restoration pit at the Toyota’s MegaWeb showroom in Tokyo has finally taken in a car from the home team. The car in question is an 1981 Toyota Soarer 2800GT, resplendent in a two-tone … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: By opening the Jimny Museum, Shigeru Onoue achieved his dream
The Jimny Museum in Japan was not officially established by Suzuki. Instead, the two story shrine to the country’s favorite mini 4WD truck was the obsession of one 72-year-old man, Shigeru Onoue, who has devoted his life to this single … Continue reading
VIDEO: If you’re in St Louis check out this great Honda museum
The Mungenast Classic Museum in St. Louis, Missouri is what we all hope our collections look like when we pass on. Founded by Dave Mungenast, a man described as a Green Beret, stuntman, American Motorcycle Association hall-of-famer, and car dealer, … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Nissan completes restoration of 24 Hours of Spa R31 Skyline
On Saturday Nissan celebrated the completion of its restoration of the Group A HR31 Skyline GTS-R that ran at the 1988 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. With only 800 homologation models made, the R31 Skyline GTS-R is a rare and technologically advanced model, even if often overshadowed … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: The oldest surviving Mazda rotary car in the world, and its nod to Hiroshima’s nuclear past
What comes to mind when you hear the words “priceless artifact”? Ru ware of Imperial China? Paleolithic paintings of the Chauvet Cave? In the automotive realm it’s historically significant race cars, unique or outstanding examples of production cars, and serendipitously preserved … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Autech restores classic Nissan Caravan built for disabled passengers
Every August since 1978, Japan’s NTV network has put on a 24-hour telethon called 24HTV Love Saves the Earth to raise money for charity. It will soon be held again, and to mark the occasion Autech has restored a 1978 Nissan Caravan used in the … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: A 1971 Datsun 521 pickup comes home
“Several people have tried to buy it from me,” says Marvin Askew of his 1971 Datsun 1600 pickup, “Especially kids. They want to strip it down and lower it.” But luckily Marvin didn’t sell it to them, because now the truck he … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Inside Mazda North America’s Basement
Talk to Mazda employees about their cars, past and present, and it immediately becomes clear that the company is comprised of people passionate about what they’ve built. This is no small feat, and we have peeked behind the walls of enough automakers to … Continue reading