Kidney, Anyone? Actual J-Tin Toyota Crowns

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Ben Hsu

asahi tin toyota crown s30 1960 - brown 01Forget 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 you rev it up a little.

They go for big money among toy collectors, as demonstrated by these S30-generation Toyopet Crowns made by Asahi and Bandai. Seriously, even the “low” end $3800 is more than the combined cost of service, parts and the car itself for our daily driver JNC wagon. We’re not sure how rare these Crowns actually are, and although four figure price tags are by no means uncommon, these are the highest amounts we’ve seen on a tin toy. More pics after the jump.

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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?

In this “remake,” a new recruit has joined the force, and with his arrival some changes are being made to the Seibu Keisatsu fleet. Instead of the usual Cedric 230 chase fodder, standard issue black-and-whites have been replaced with Toyota Chaser/Mark IIs (though an unmarked cruiser is still a Cedric 430). The end of this clip takes a turn to the surreal, but the new guy has been the spokesman for Boss Coffee for several years.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Thanks to cesariojpn for the tip.

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

Event Horizon: Independence Day Weekend

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Ben Hsu

While you enjoy your hot dogs and fireworks this Independence Day weekend here’s some activities you can do with your car family.

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Posted in events | 5 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 over every undulation in the road. It was time for some new shocks.

Old Japanese wagons are downright bitchin’, but they can also be a bitch to find parts for. We wanted some no-hassle off-the-shelf parts that were guaranteed to fit. Unfortunately for us, the MX72 isn’t exactly a common platform for aftermarket goodies here in the States. When all else fails, though, going with an old school JDM giant is a pretty good bet. Tokico‘s been around since 1937 and, wouldn’t you know it, they’ve got plenty of support for old Toyotas and other nostalgics as well.

A couple of weeks later, the UPS man dropped off a fresh new set of Tokico blues. What followed was a moderate-difficulty upgrade that almost anyone can do, with only one instance of blood drawn when an errant alligator lizard ran into the garage (technically not part of the install).

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

Japanese Classic Car Show Registration Open

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Ben Hsu

This is it, kyusha fans. Registration for the 2009 Japanese Classic Car Show is now open! This one’s a can’t-miss because it’s the fifth anniversary of the JCCS and it will be the biggest ever. If you haven’t done so already, mark your calendars for Saturday, October 3 and remind yourself to head down to Hidden Valley Park in Irvine, California for a day of the craziest nostalgics you can imagine. Whether you’re a Mazdafarian, Toyotaku, Datsun diehard, Mitsu-maniac or Honda-head, come represent your marque in full force. Spaces will be going fast, so register early!

Posted in events, jccs | Tagged , | 36 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? 1974 Mazda RX-4 "GTR"

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Ben Hsu

mazda_rx-4_gtr_3
Before we found this 1974 Mazda RX-4 on ebay, we thought the letters “GTR” were found trailing the emblems on Nissan Skylines, Isuzu Bellets, and the occasional Toyota Carina.

According to the seller, the GTR was a special edition for the RX-4 in a similar vein as, if less sporty than, the SP RX-3s. He also says there were only a little over 500 made and all were gold, but guess what? No documentation! The blacked out hood and GTR stripe definitely look like a product of that era, but we’re stumped. Any Mazdafarians care to chime in?

In any case, bids start at $600 or a BuyItNow of $1200, a good price for any RX-4 and not exactly a sum for which you need to part with a major organ. But if that extra kidney is burning a hole in your abdomen, there’s always this 1968 Mazda Cosmo Sports. More photos after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in for sale, mazda | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Carboy, Circa 1998: Draggin' MarkII Wagon

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Ben Hsu

toyota_markII_cressida_wagon_drag_race
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 of bursting out from its underground roots but until then, the tuning giants were throwing down at the drag strip. Continue reading →

Posted in toyota, wagon | 9 Comments

Our Honda, in the Middle of the Street

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Ben Hsu

This is hilarious: the 80s British ska group Madness (of “Our House” fame) did a series of Japanese commercial for the Honda City and Honda City Turbo. Note the appearance of the Motocompo folding scooter, which came with the car. Honda needs to revive this concept. A Ruckus in the back of the Element, perhaps?

[via Jalopnik]

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

Friday Video: Keishichou Satsujinka

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Ben Hsu

Hallelujah, it’s Friday again! Here’s the opening to Keishichou Satsujinka, and if you think that’s a mouthful, in English it would be “Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: Homicide Division.” It’s about a special inspector tasked with training Tokyo’s finest for the most grisly of departments. Somehow, that still ends up involving waterfront gunfights and leaping from a formation of moving cars. We dig the S60 Crown and Subaru Leone slalom action and cheer for the airborne Subie, yet we weep when the kujira is senselessly carbombed in a subsequent clip. Too bad Keishichou Satsujinka only ran for a single 26-episode season in 1981.

Posted in Video Games | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

It’s Official: Cash for Clunkers is Law

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Ben Hsu

mitsubishi_galant_sigma-560x239

The Cash for Clunkers law we’ve all been dreading passed both houses of Congress and was signed by the President yesterday. Although funding was reduced to $1 billion from its original $4 billion, and is limited to a four-month window, there’s still a lot of damage to be done. Continue reading →

Posted in laws | 19 Comments

Kidney, Anyone? Tomica Grand Prix Circuit

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Ben Hsu

tomica grand prix circuit 1
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 look at that gorgeous box art, that beauteous orange plastic! Continue reading →

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

Event Horizon: Summer's Here!

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Ben Hsu

torrance_old_school_meet36Here’s another slew of local car meets where you can take your cars, meet some fellow enthusiasts and have a good time. If we missed anyone let us know in the comments below and we’ll post it up!

Continue reading →

Posted in events | 2 Comments

Transformers Alternity Nissan GT-R & 370Z

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Ben Hsu

transformers_alternity_nissan_skyline_gt-r_370z
If there’s two things Japan is known for its robots and cool cars. Put them together and you have Transformers. And even if you’ve been living under a rock for the past 9 months you can’t avoid the barrage of advertising for the new Transformers movie that’s debuted yesterday. Most reviews say avoid it at all costs and bang your head against a gong for 2 and 1/2 hours to achieve the same effect as you would seeing the movie.

Here’s something way cooler. In Japan the franchise is not beholden to General Motors and instead has a tie in with Nissan. It’s called the Transformers Alternity line and now you can get an Optimus Prime that transforms into a Nissan GT-R and a Megatron that changes into a Nissan 370Z. Optimus comes in red, silver and black while Megatron is either silver or blue. True, this is a butchering of the original where Prime is a truck and Megatron a gun, but can it be worse than what Michael Bay has already done?

Posted in minicars, nissan | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 looks like this video was made in the early 90s. But soon it delves into a brief history of the automobile itself, starting with the Benz trike and the 1907 Takuri.

From there goes on to talk about motorsports with early footage from Indianapolis, Daytona Beach and a 1936 Japanese auto race that even gives a shout out to then-18-year-old Soichiro Honda and his first race car.

From there, we get to see the Toyota AA racing a steam engine, a 1956 Toyopet Crown on a London-to-Tokyo 50,000km drive, and some fantastic footage of a 1957 Crown on the Mobilgas Rally around the Australian continent.

Part 2 after the jump. Continue reading →

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

Hasemi Tomica Skyline Livery Rides Again

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu

hasemi_kdr30_skyline_r35_gt-r

Fueled by the sponsorship of toy car maker Tomica, Masahiro Hasemi’s original fire-spitting KDR30 Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette was at the forefront of every Japanese child’s fevered imagination. The outrageous bodywork inspired legions of bosozoku-style ride-pimpers, countless diecast models, and even made an appearance in Gran Turismo 2. Walk into any hobby shop in Japan and you’ll find at least a few scale replicas of the 570PS monster, emblazoned with the word “Tomica” even if it might be made by a rival minicar company. And now, the iconic livery is back. Continue reading →

Posted in datsun, minicars, motorsports, nissan | 5 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 day, news came that a Supra successor will be unveiled this fall at the Tokyo Motor Show? The rumors are nothing we haven’t heard before – based on the FT-HS concept, V6 hybrid drivetrain, yada yada yada – but a 2011 sale date? The Lexus LF-A is also supposedly showing at the TMS so hopefully this isn’t a case of mistaken identity. If not and the rumors are true, all this plus the Project 086a is enough to make our Toyotaku heads explode.

Thanks to RoadsterViking for the tip!

Posted in toyota | 11 Comments

Autech-tuned Nissan Fairlady 370Z NISMO On Sale

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu

nissan 370z nismo version autech Here’s some more retro car news, this time for the Zedheads. Nissan’s in-house tuner Autech has just released the Fairlady Z Version NISMO.

It’s not quite the monster the Z432 was for the original S30 chassis, with only a 19PS increase (up to 355PS) over stock, but you do get a harder-core suspension with Yamaha performance dampers, redesigned exhaust, and transmission tweaks. Most noticeably, the wind-tunnel tested aerodynamics improve over the stock vampire/catfish front end. Inside, the speedometer now reads a 280kph max, along with a host of other cosmetic upgrades like red stitching on the leather seats, a unique engine cover and the all-important serial number badge. All this costs a jaw-dropping ¥4.935 million (about $52,000), which is not as bad as our original miscalculation thought, but still somewhat pricey for a Z.

Posted in nissan | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Last Honda S2000 to be Given Away

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu

honda S2000 finalWhen the last Honda S800 was sold in 1970, who knew it would be 30 years before Honda would continue the lineage with another FR roadster? Well, after 10 years in production, that lineage is coming to another end when the S2000 ceases production this fall. There is no known successor. Continue reading →

Posted in honda | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

JCCS 2009 Announcement

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Ben Hsu

JCCS2009 Listen up, nostalgic car fans! The event you’ve all been waiting for, the 2009 Japanese Classic Car Show, will be open for registration on Wednesday, July 1st. Be sure to enter your car into this historic event as early as possible, as spaces are limited.

This year will be a special one for the JCCS folks, as they will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of the original old school Japanese car show.

The organizers and volunteers work very hard to bring your favorite old school cars the recognition they deserve, so be sure and support them and drop a word of thanks if you can.

The 2009 Japanese Classic Car Show is set for Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Hidden Valley Park in Irvine, California. Mark your calendars! And for you first-timers, check out this demo reel from the 2008 show.

Posted in events, jccs | 4 Comments

Bosozoku-Style Sharknose How-To

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Ben Hsu

c210_sharknose
Should the urge to extend the hood line of your car into some kind of Death Race-style slicer suddenly overwhelm you, here’s a how-to using a Nissan C210 Skyline that’s been floating around for a while. Yes, now this bosozoku style accessory can be yours too for the low low price of welding several square feet of sheetmetal to the front of your car! Look, here’s another using a Toyota Mark II. A new direction for the JNC wagon, perhaps?

Thanks to datsunfreak and white_raven!

Posted in bosozoku, datsun, nissan, toyota | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments