Category Archives: toyota

Loss Of An Automotive Journalism Icon

Posted on August 25, 2009 by John Roper

John Thawley (aka Bob Waar) 1937-2009 – Author and motor journalist John Thawley died last month of complications from pneumonia. He was 71. How to Hot Rod Small Block Chevys, How to Hot Rod Big Block Chevys, the Off Road … Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

EVENTS: The Very Last Nisei Showoff

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Way, way back in the day, nisei (the Japanese word for second-generation Japanese Americans) held informal cruise nights all over the greater Los Angeles area. They were some of the first guys ever to modify 510s, Celicas and the early … Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, events, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Toyota Celica Speedster at Woodward Dream Cruise

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Since 1995, the Woodward Dream Cruise has taken over the streets of Detroit each August and is one of the biggest gatherings of muscle cars and hot rods on the planet. J-tin is a pretty rare sight at the WDC, … Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Toyota Says Crush Your Cruiser for Cash

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Ben Hsu

This is an actual commercial from Toyota in which they encourage you to crush your classic Land Cruiser in exchange for a Cash for Clunkers voucher. Obviously a two-door FJ60 is a nonexistent beast, so was Toyota USA just creating … Continue reading →

Posted in cm, laws, toyota | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Toyota Corona RT20, Stunt Machine

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Here’s a car that’s definitely no clunker. In the 60s Toyota put out a series of commercials in which their cars performed zany stunts to demonstrate their resilience. Take this RT20 Corona, for example. Sold as the Tiara in the … Continue reading →

Posted in cm, toyota | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Bonus Vid: Toyota Corona Mark II & Clipper Ships

Posted on July 31, 2009 by Ben Hsu

A heavenly Toyota Corona Mark II in the music video for the song “Clone” by Japanese band Straightener. Thanks to gtxtom!

Posted in toyota, Video Games | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Ninja's Arsenal: 1968 Toyota Corolla KE10

Posted on July 29, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Sai. Nunchucks. Shuriken. These are the ancient weapons of the ninja, lurker of shadows, trained in the arts of illusion, stealth and assassination. But did you know there was another closely guarded secret weapon in the ninja’s arsenal that has … Continue reading →

Posted in cm, toyota | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

61 J-Tin Sightings in Alameda

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Our buddy Murilee Martin over at Jalopnik has been documenting old cars still in service in his hometown of Alameda, California. “The Island that Rust Forgot,” he calls it. Out of 480 cars “Down on the Street,” 61 have been … Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, honda, mazda, mitsubishi, subaru, toyota | 1 Comment

Friday Video: Wheeler Dealers Flip Toyota MR2

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Wheeler Dealers – S02E01 S02E02 – Toyota MR2 Part Over at Streetfire someone has uploaded episodes of Wheeler Dealers, a great UK show “keeping modern and iconic classics on the road.” The premise is this: each week the hosts find a … Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Friday Video: Hairpin Circus

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Ben Hsu

The Friday Video series has touched upon many great Japanese movies and TV programs celebrating the automobile. But while they made their cars brutish and macho and excellent for ramming criminals into submission, they never made cars sexy. Well, turn … Continue reading →

Posted in mazda, toyota, Video Games | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Toyota Soarer Soars Through Your Computer

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Good lord, this 1983 Toyota Soarer ad looks like a deleted scene from Tron. It’s almost as insanely 80s as this MkII Toyota Celica Supra commercial we found a while back. Just thought you’d like to see what a Toyota … Continue reading →

Posted in cm, toyota | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Retro Roundup: Mazda RX-7, Toyobaru 086a, Honda Prez

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Despite a flagging global economy that’s hit Japan particularly hard and reports of the world’s auto manufacturers bailing on this year’s Tokyo Motor Show left and right this year, there are now some surprising rumors surfacing. If true, the 41st … Continue reading →

Posted in honda, mazda, mazda rx-7, subaru, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

JNC Wagon Breaks Down at Another Junkyard

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Our poor little JNC Wagon! It’s like the Giving Tree of cars. It relinquishes every ounce of pull we demand of it and yet we just keep asking and asking for more. It hauls loads of magazines and our booth … Continue reading →

Posted in how to, toyota, wagons | 14 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? Actual J-Tin Toyota Crowns

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Forget Tomicas and Choro-Qs, those are nice toys but the real money’s in J-Tin. No, not that J-tin, but actual toy cars from the 60s made of real tinplate. Most have friction motors inside that can move the car if … Continue reading →

Posted in minicar, toyota | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Friday Video: Seibu Keisatsu's New Recruits

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Hmm, it seems that the last Friday Video, Keishichou Satsujinka, failed to generate the type of enthusiasm among Subaru and Toyota fans that Seibu Keisatsu clips instill among Nissan nuts. How about the unlikely combination of Seibu‘s cast and Toyotas? … Continue reading →

Posted in cm, datsun, nissan, seibu keisatsu, toyota | 7 Comments

JNC Wagon: Tokico Shocks Install

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Ben Hsu

A bone stock 1986 Cressida Wagon is a lanky beast, in desperate need of a slam. We’ve had low-down springs on our JNC Wagon for a while now, but 23-year-old shock absorbers meant we were bobbing like a Halloween apple … Continue reading →

Posted in how to, toyota, wagon | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Carboy, Circa 1998: Draggin' MarkII Wagon

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Doesn’t it seem like 1998 was not that long ago, when in fact it’s been over 10 years already? Back before the formation of D1GP, drag racing was still all the rage in Japan. Drifting was on juuust the verge … Continue reading →

Posted in toyota, wagon | 9 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? Tomica Grand Prix Circuit

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Ben Hsu

So Transformers not your style? Here’s our first open kidney offer that doesn’t involve an actual car. It’s a vintage Tomica Grand Prix Circuit set that we came across while skimming the Tomica Fan Club forums. Talk about cool… just … Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, mazda, minicars, nissan, toyota | 4 Comments

Toyota Motorsports History Video

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Ben Hsu

It’s not Friday yet but in honor of known motorfan Akio Toyoda’s ascension to the top spot at Toyota, here’s a two-part video about the company’s motorsports history. Based on the intro with WRC ST185 and Ironman Stewart pickups, it … Continue reading →

Posted in motorsports, toyota | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Akio Toyoda Officially Confirmed, New Supra On the Way?

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu

You knew this was coming all along but today it’s official: Lexus LF-A hooning, Toyota 2000GT rallying Akio Toyoda is the new Prez of Toyota. All hail! Is it a well timed leak or mere coincidence that on the same … Continue reading →

Posted in toyota | 11 Comments