Catalogued Forever

Posted on October 2, 2007 by Lachy

Toyota BrochuresAs most old-car fans will agree, nostalgic literature and accessories are half the fun of owning a classic. Whether it’s an original dealership Toyota 2000GT ash tray or a Datsun deck-chair, these little trinkets bring endless amounts of joy to all enthusiasts. Original dealership brochures are highly collectible for classics all over the world – and Japanese cars are no different. The most sought-after being proper JDM ones due to their incredible photography and careful detail (try an early Celica brochure for example – the effort is obvious), and collections for some go well into the thousands.

Nothing beats holding such a piece of history in your hands, however for those of us who can’t afford the hefty value of the truly rare brochures, digital scans are the next best thing. Supplied for your enjoyment today is a large collection of classic Toyota brochures.

Toyota Brochures

Posted in Galleries, toyota | Leave a comment

Power Politics: The Nissan FJ20 Engine

Posted on October 2, 2007 by Kevin San

It’s not often here at GrandJDM that we do a feature on just an engine but the FJ20 motor deserves special mention. Built for only a few years in the early 80s, the FJ20 motor was unique in that it was purpose designed as a sports/competition engine only. Unlike other series of Nissan motor like the SR, CA or L-series, there was no “cooking” model of the FJ20 that powered the economy or family models of the range. Only the sporty Skylines and the Silvias got it, and no other model did.

If this reminds you of the legendary S20 engine in the original GT-R, then that’s fine.

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Posted in nissan | 9 Comments

Impending: JCCS This Weekend

Posted on October 1, 2007 by Ben Hsu

jccs Here it is, the original event that started it all, the Japanese Classic Car Show at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, and it’s coming in less than a week! This will be the third year for the show, and it’s going to be the biggest yet with over 300 old school Japanese cars scheduled to appear. We’re also excited to report that our very own Cressida will have a spot on the lawn. We might be running around taking pictures, checking out all the fine machinery (we’re honored to have been invited by the organizers to guest judge), and wiping saliva from our mouths, but if you see us taking a break by the wagon please stop by and say hello. We’re eager to meet you guys! Admission is free $5 and the gates open at 9am. [JCCS].

Posted in events | 2 Comments

Starion: Mitsu’s lost RWD mojo

Posted on October 1, 2007 by Kevin San

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With the release of the impressive new 2008 Lancer, it got us here at GrandJDM thinking about great Mitsubishis of the past (hey, we’re not just Nissan and Mazda whores here!) In 1982, Mitsubishi’s best sports car was the Starion. Today, Mitsubishi’s brand image is so infused with the Lancer Evolution, that it’s hard sometimes to remember that at one time, they had a good RWD turbo sports car in the proper old school idiom.

The Starion was released in 1982 and was sold in most markets. Power was by a “Sirius” 2.0L 8 valve four banger with a non intercooled turbo. Technology was definitely of the old school with single point injection (ie one giant fuel injector to handle the whole engine!) but power was quite reasonable at 168hp. Suspension was independent Macpherson strut all round with an optional LSD. Weight was a slightly porky 1250kg, some of which can be explained by the massive doors, which are reinforced to take the seat belt mounts (that’s right, the seat belt reel and top buckle are not on the B-pillar but on the doors). The Starion was also larded with heavy luxury equipment like electric leather seats, etc which added to the pounds.

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Posted in mitsubishi | 13 Comments

[Aus] Classic Japanese Show Shine and Swap

Posted on October 1, 2007 by Van

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I mentioned the upcoming Japanese Classic Car Show recently, but of course with it being in the US, no doubt some of our Aussie readers are lamenting the cruelty of geography and the lack of airlines offering fifty dollar seats with car freight thrown in for free. As that’s not likely to happen any time soon, you’ll undoubtedly be rapt to know that the Classic Japanese Show Shine and Swap is coming up in October.

Held in sunny Queensland, it’s a great chance for you classic JDM lovers to show off your P&Js and check out what other enthusiasts have been working on. And luckily, the domestic airlines do offer fifty dollar seats for that particular flight. Last year’s inaugural event saw 134 cars on show, so if you can, get on up there.

And then send us the photos!

Posted in events, Reminder | 3 Comments

April 1997: When Nissan started selling new 240Zs again

Posted on September 29, 2007 by Kevin San

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In 1996, production of the Z32 300ZX was coming to a close, and the word at the time was that its successor would be a couple of years away. This news was not received very well in the USA, which historically was the biggest market for the Zed car, since the very first S30 series 240Z in the early 70s. Little did they know that the 350Z was actually another 6yrs away, but Nissan of North America decided to do something to keep the flame burning until the new car showed up.

They would restore, and sell 240Z as brand new cars again, with a new car warranty. 10 dealers would be selected to be “Z Stores”, and having brand new 240Zs on the showroom floor would bring in valuable traffic. They’d heavily market their “Vintage Z” program in car magazines, Nissan would sell more cars, and everyone would be happy.

Oh yes. They actually did this.

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Posted in nissan | 7 Comments

Bring Back the Mazda RX-3

Posted on September 29, 2007 by Van

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Mazda have utilised Facebook to launch a design competition, charging entrants with the task of determining what the Mazda 3 of 2018 will look like.The good thing about this design comp is that, frankly, it’s not much of one! If you lack any drawing skills to speak of, you’re still a chance as long as you know how to write. If you can aptly and imaginatively describe in 150 words or less what the 3 of 2018 will look like, you’re in with a chance.

So for those of you who love the retro-styled cars we’ve been seeing these days—such as the Mustang and the Camaro—this is your chance to revitalise the 3 with the classic stylings of the RX-3. Make it happen!

You’ll need to join Facebook first, but once you have, click here to join the Mazda Design Challenge.

[via JNC]

Posted in Businesses, mazda | 1 Comment

Uncle Mazda Wants You!

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Ben Hsu

…to help design the new Mazda 3 of 2018.  The winner will have work with Mazda USA designers to have his or her design modeled into a life-size concept to be shown at the LA Auto Show this November with an all-expenses paid trip to the City of Angels.  Of course, you know what we’re thinking…. how about a a retro-styled FR hardtop coupe based evoking the spirit of rotaries past with design cues from the RX-2, RX-3 or RX-4?  We know from this drawing thread that you guys have spectacular skills, so get out there and show the world.

[Source: Mazda Facebook Group via Jalopnik]

Posted in mazda | 2 Comments

[USA] Japanese Classic Car Show 2007

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Van

jccs.jpg I’m quite sure none of you need to be reminded that the Japanese Classic Car Show for 2007 is coming up in October, but for those living under a rock in a trench somewhere in the Pacific, get over to the JCCS website and get yourself registered to show off your car!

JapaneseClassicCarShow.com

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Gettin’ Back on the Wagon

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Van

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Wagons are something you don’t see a lot of in tuner circles, and even more so among the classic JDM community. Ray Garbalosa’s RX-4 wagon is a fine example of what can be done when you want something classic but recognisable, and still remain unique.

Combine that with the heart of an FC RX-7 and the array of FC and FD donor parts modernising the guts of this ol’ Luce, and you’ve got yourself a killer classic with a contemporary twist.

Check it out at TheSpeedLounge.

Posted in mazda | Leave a comment

Here He Comes…

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Van

initial_d.jpg He’s a demon on wheeeels. Alright, so the picture to the left of this paragraph isn’t Speed Racer, but Takumi just doesn’t have a catchy theme song.

Motivemag.com have posted their top 10 cartoon cars of all time, and while this would ordinarily be irrelevant to grandJDM, Takumi’s AE86 from Initial D came in at number 9, and Speed Racer’s Mach 5 came in at number 1. Now sure, the Mach 5 isn’t a real car, but look at it this way: It’s originally a Japanese cartoon, and a very old one at that. That makes it classic JDM, folks!

Aaaah twisted logic is the best kind there is.

Check it out at MotiveMag.

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Cruiserspotting

Posted on September 27, 2007 by Ben Hsu

The Toyota Land Cruiser has long been the off-roader of choice for those intent on spotting animals in their natural habitat. But what if you want to spot Land Cruisers in their natural habitat? Well Toyota’s Open Road blog has put together a Land Cruiser spotter’s guide, which stretches from the 1942 AK10 prototype to the all-new 2008 Land Cruiser and includes a model or two that you’ll never spot unless you travel to some distant continents.

[Source: Toyota Open Road Blog]

Posted in toyota, trucks | Leave a comment

More 'Roku Returns

Posted on September 27, 2007 by Ben Hsu

More news on the Toyota/Subaru project that is being called the Toyota Lightweight Sports Car. Although initial (no pun intended) reports suggested that this would be a successor to the AE86, as more news/rumors (neumors?) emerge, it appears as if the new car might have little to do with the legendary hachiroku other than it’s FR layout and feathery mass.

According to Best Car, the new LSC will be built on a shortened Subaru Legacy platform, powered by a 1.5L engine, and sold for under ¥2,000,000 (or $17,280). Apparently, price is the limiting factor the engine size, which is the limiting factor for the weight. The target poundage is somewhere just under 2500lbs and the target date is set for late 2009 or early 2010. The target markets other than Japan that were mentioned, however, are Europe and China. Hopefully, that does not rule out the possibility of a US launch of this ever more certain budget dream car.

[Source: 7tune]

Posted in subaru, toyota | Leave a comment

Running Out of Time, Folks!

Posted on September 27, 2007 by Van

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The Import Bible / grandJDM contest has been going great guns, with Kev and Lachy driving themselves to drink with all the entries they’ve been adjudicating over (sounds dirty don’t it!), but none of the entries yet have hit the elusive 100% score.

Plenty have come close—and remember, the prize goes to whoever comes closest—but alas, no one yet has proven to be a classic JDM God of Knowledge.

So if you haven’t yet submitted your entry, now’s the time!

Feast your eyes on a few of the Import Bible tees that will be available to the winners, and remember, the whole IB range will be yours to choose from!

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Posted in contests | 3 Comments

Sports 800: Toyota’s forgotten sporting roots

Posted on September 26, 2007 by Kevin San

200_a03_11_1_3_2.jpgThe 1965 Sports 800 isn’t Japan’s first production sports car (the Honda S600 predates it by a couple of years) but it is definitely Toyota’s first foray into a sporting vehicle. With a compact 45hp, twin carbed, pushrod boxer-twin 790cc motor under the bonnet, the plucky little 580kg coupe could be whanged to a Honda S600 matching 95mph. Compared to the Honda roadster, the Toyota car is about 10hp down on power but 80kg down on weight, so the performance in the day would have been competitive. And just like the Honda S roadsters, the Sports 800 was a complete sales flop, only selling 3300 between 1965 to 1969 (to the Honda’s 11,000).

But the thing that people most remember about the Sports 800 are its tiddly, toy-like looks. Even if you see a picture of a real one, it’s exaggeratedly egglike proportions require a double-take to ensure that it isn’t actually a close up of a Choro-Q toy that you’re looking at!

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Posted in toyota | 1 Comment

GT-R Minisite Launched

Posted on September 26, 2007 by Ben Hsu

gtrIn preparation for the numero uno most anticipated and heavily spy-shot car in the automotive kingdom, Nissan has launched a minisite to school the non-believers in the ways and traditions of the GT-R.  An ominous, doomsday clock-like countdown ticks away the seconds to the big GT-R unveil at the Tokyo Motor Show this October.  Gentlemen, start your calendars.

[Source: Nissan]

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The More Things Change…

Posted on September 26, 2007 by Van

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If there’s one thing I always get a massive kick out of while out and about, it’s seeing a new car alongside one of its ancestors. A Z33 gliding respectably next to an S30, a new Corolla passing by one of its ancient forebears, or even—to step outside the JDM scope for a moment—a new Holden VE Commodore charging past an old 1984 VK Commodore.

MotiveMagazine.com apparently enjoy similar moments, and have put together a comparison of the new sixth generation Civic Si and the first. If there’s one clear message here, it’s that there’s plenty of truth in the old adage the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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SuperStreet Features a 1974 Levin

Posted on September 25, 2007 by Van

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SuperStreet have today thrown up a great little feature on a gorgeous green 190hp TE27 Levin (known as the SR5 in the US), so head over there and check it out.  With so much focus on the better known classic Japanese performers like the Nissan and Mazda offerings, it’s great to see not only a Corolla getting press exposure, but also one in such fantastic condition under and outside the hood.

[via SuperStreet]

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Australians Corollaring Along

Posted on September 25, 2007 by Van

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The Toyota Corolla has now been in the Australian market since 1967, and today—forty years later—Toyota Australia have announced that they’ve now waved off their millionth ‘Rolla in the suburnt country. Marketing fluff aside (“Corolla has always captured the imagination of the buying public.”), it’s a pretty special day.

While they’re no longer the brilliant subtly designed little rear-wheel-driven machines of yesteryear, the Corolla is an important car in the Australian market and it continues to be a massive seller. Good work, Toyota, but give me the TE27 any day!

[via Aus Car Advice]

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Prince Skyline Sensation

Posted on September 25, 2007 by Lachy

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In April 2006, the Prince Skyline Register of Australia held their Nationals in Bathurst, New South Wales (Australia). As any racing fanatic will know, Bathurst is home to Mount Panorama – undeniably Australia’s most famous racetrack. 2006 marked the 40th anniversary of the Prince Skyline’s first appearance on the famous Bathurst race track—so what better venue than this!

It took a lot of effort from the organisers to get the event happening, and dedication from members who came from everywhere in Australia and even a couple from New Zealand! Sixteen Prince Skylines of various spec were in attendance, along with two C10 “GT-R replica” Skylines and me in my “modern” (!) C110 GT-R replica.

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Posted in events, nissan, prince | Leave a comment