This is probably easily the most mental, insane Hako I’ve seen yet. Those crazy flares are well out there (not something that’s never been seen before, though), and the wheels nestled so tightly beneath them really help to set this beautiful blue beast right off.
Where it really gets hot is under the hood. Packing an RB26 supported by the full gamut of mods, this is about as crazy as I’ve seen a C10 get. If you’ve seen crazier, hit us up in the comments!
Check it out at Auto Otaku.
Last week we told you about Toyota USA’s very own blog. Well on that blog, as part of their countdown to the 50th anniversary celebration on October 31, a retrospective of significant Toyotas will be highlighted, the first of which is the 2000GT. We’ve cast many words into the electronic ether over this amazing automobile in the past, so we’ll let Open Road take the helm.
Of course, the one thing you will never hear us mention in any article about the 2000GT is its minor role in a laughably ridiculous series of movies about some British chap with a pistol. We understand that the unwashed may need the pop culture reference to orient themselves, but we think the car stands just fine on its own. Let’s just say that a current viewing of the film – which features both a bald, gray-suited, parody-ripe villain who builds a spaceship to usher in WWIII and a plastic surgery operation that turns Indiana Jones’s father into a Vulcan – proves it does not stand up to the test of time nearly as well as the machine itself.
[Source: Toyota Open Road Blog]
Classic JDM enthusiasts span globe, from California to Czeckeslovakia. In the Netherlands there is actually quite a following that might come as a surprise to some. Despite their harsh winters, somehow quite a number of classic Japanese cars have survived. In the Netherlands they have an annual show, the “Japan Classic Sunday”, which attracts some pretty hot cars (including a Toyota 2000GT in 2006)! The 2007 show recently took place but never fear, the 2008 show is already planned for July. But for now, here are a couple of links to the past events.
Despite millions of TRD stickers gracing the flanks of everything from pickups to Priuses, nothing street-legal has ever had the gall to jettison the “Toyota” part of its name and go only by TRD. Well leave it up to the Aussies. I mean, if they can infiltrate Hollywood by concealing any trace of stretched vowels in their speech, surely they can strap a supercharger to a hotted-up Camry and squeeze 323 horses out of it. Well, they’ve gone and done just that, and the resulting hoon magnet is the TRD Aurion.
The nostalgic connection in all of this is that TRD Australia’s new website has an entire section devoted to Toyota’s 50th anniversary in motorsports with cool archival photos and a wicked video that includes, among other things, a first-gen Celica rally car in a sweeping powerslide through the snow, fiery explosions, an airborne Toyopet Crown. Fittingly, Toyota’s first venture into auto racing was in Oz’s Mobilgas Rally.
[Source: TRD Australia]
In the past week, airwaves have been inundated with some important birthday news from the automotive world, the 50th anniversary of the Ford Edsel. Rarely does the mainstream media care about the anniversary of a single model, but apparently exceptions can be made when said model happens to be one of the biggest cases of hype-not-living-up-to-ness in history. The Washington Post called it “the flop heard around the world” and “Ford’s Titanic.” Time Magazine merely said its narrow, upright grille looked like “a vagina.”
In a parallel universe, enthusiasts are celebrating the golden anniversary of a car that racked up countless racing victories and became a legend the world over, even though it was never sold to most of it. Well, Japan is as close to a parallel universe as we’re ever going to get, and car nuts there have been observing 50 years of the Nissan Skyline. In April, a sample of each of the twelve generations was displayed in the newly completed, $3-billion Tokyo Midtown. Then, there was another display at Nissan’s futuristic, gleaming-white Ginza gallery. And then this one. And then wallpapers, a series of diecast cars, a desktop gadget, a commemorative CD, and even a cross-country tour that ended at the very tree used in the Ken & Mary commercials. Now that’s a birthday party!
[Source: Nissan]
Automakers often resurrect famous model names from their past to inject some excitement into their lineups. Sadly, this often has the unintended effect of diluting the legacy of the original and spotlighting how glaringly unlike its namesake the current car is. A Dodge Charger with four doors? A Chevy Malibu with, um, anything? In Japan, sometimes they kill off a model name just for the heck of it. Toyota Corona to Toyota… Premio? Allion?
Fortunately, the Honda S2000 suffers from none of that. Like the S500, S600 and S800 before it, the S2000 is a taut, agile sports car. Both are open-top two-seaters and both power the rear wheels for motion. They even have the same sky-high redline, even though the two were separated by a span of 30 years.
Earlier this year, the Honda S2000 CR (for Club Racer) debuted at the New York Auto Show. With only 2000 units to be produced, it was supposed to be a North American exclusive, at least according to the reps at the show. But it has come to our attention that Honda will be debuting a suspiciously similar-looking S2000 Type-S in Japan soon. Absolutely no details exist at this point except for this photo. It’s said that this limited edition will be the final sayonara for the long-toothed roadster, and so far no news of a replacement has surfaced. Hopefully it won’t take another 30 years.
[Source: Honda]
Auto Otaku recently stumbled across a bunch of videos by Japanese restorer Red Megaphone, and has thrown a few of them up on his blog. Presumably these are some videos intended to show off the cars to potential buyers. The sound of these things, especially the three Nissans, almost brings a tear to my eye. So fine. Hit it here.
By the time Bob Geldof was slowly swaying side-to-side with both Hall and Oates chanting, “We are the world, we are the children,” Plymouth (the car company, not the rock) had ceased being interesting for quite some time. Its only products that weren’t blatantly insulting to the American car-buying public were rebadged Mitsubishis.
Truck Trend‘s blog (a division of Motor Trend) recently spotted the specimen pictured here in greater LA, spawning what must be the most words ever written about the Plymouth Arrow Truck. Allow us to add some more: It started life as the Mitsubishi Forte in Japan, but first appeared on American shores as the Plymouth Arrow truck and Dodge D50 (later, Ram 50). This one comes in Spitfire Orange, either ironically or cluelessly named after the British planes that went head-to-head with Mitsubishi-built Zeros in WWII. It was sold between 1979 and 1982, after which the triple diamond mafia imported the Forte directly with the name Mighty Max. The Dodge continued on until 1993.
This Arrow Truck, it must be said, should not be confused with the Plymouth Arrow, which was an altogether different car based on the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste, a variation of which was the Fire Arrow. Both, however, had an overabundance of decals.
[Source: Truck Trend]
As if their inexpensive health care and lack of violent crime weren’t enough, our neighbors to the north can import any car they please, as long as it’s 15 years old. Seriously, guys? Californians are still getting their exhaust holes sniffed on cars double that age. This article in The Globe and Mail about an imported Nissan Figaro really twists the knife.
We’ve always been fans of the retro stylings of Nissan’s March-based boutique cars, with their uncanny ability to evoke post-War transport while luxuriating the driver in digital age comforts. But think of the other gems that fall into this time frame, everything from an R32 Skyline GT-R to Showa Era sleds like the Z20 Soarer, or how about a hot hatch like the Honda City Turbo II? The possibilities, and seething jealousy, are endless.
There’s no telling how long this sushi buffet will last. Some areas north of the 49th Parallel are already exhibiting US-like tendencies. The Canadian government could decide to adopt our import rules like they did our transportation safety laws, and then we’ll just be one big continent of sadness.
[Source: The Globe and Mail]
When genuine KPGC10 Skyline GT-Rs are selling for upwards of US$110,000, it’s no surprise that there’d be plenty of interest in the replica genre. After all; not everyone’s got a spare hundred grand to throw down on an old car, but every classic JDM enthusiast wants the GC10 GT-R, and most if not all would be very content with a well-built replica. Michael Castillo’s 2000GT is one such example. Read on to discover more about this gorgeous car.
So recently we found out about the M. Yokota Collection, a museum in the village of Ikaho in Gunma Prefecture that has – in addition to a fantastic heap of nostalgics – a wine & chocolate shop, vast amounts of vintage toys, and a squirrel zoo. We’ll leave the details about those to our friends at Japanese Contemporary Squirrel while we bring you some more pictures of old cars.
Further poking on the official website revealed that the museum holds car shows on its grounds and organizes a nostalgic car run each fall, the next one of which is coming up on September 16. Click here for the event details (Japanese only) and check out the dated links in right most column, each of which brings you to a gallery with photos from a classic car event.
[Source: M. Yokota Collection]
As you may know, there are stacks of C10 Skyline GT-R “lookalikes” in Japan. However, it’s not often that an authentic specimen (PGC10 or KPGC10) comes up for sale to the public. Not only are they very rare, but most trade hands without being advertised these days. If you can afford the hefty price tag, this car could be yours! J-Spec have offered their services to get it to you, wherever you are in the world.
1971 Nissan Skyline GT-R (KPGC10)
If you can’t afford that (and don’t scoff, it’s a good price), there are always replicas and alternatives!
Australian auto site Autospeed.com have put together a tight article on an even tighter example of the Honda S600, powered in this case by a Fiat 1600 motor out of the 124. A strange choice, but even looking at it, it just feels right.
In Japan, blogs are a favorite feature of automakers during new product launches or for marking significant occasions. Daihatsu recently launched one to commemorate their 100th anniversary. Nissan has been operating one since the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the Skyline. But now, Toyota USA has one of their very own. It’s called Toyota Open Road Blog, and it’s been live since June of this year (Yeah, we had no idea either).
Well, yesterday’s post just happened to be about the company’s US arm turning the big Five-O. The entry reflects upon Toyota’s humble beginnings at their rented Beverly Hills, CA office and 13-member staff, and just how different things were back then. Martin Luther King Jr. was just forming what would grow into the Civil Rights movement, the Soviets launched Sputnik, and the US conducted its first nuclear test.
Most importantly, however, this blog is part of Toyota’s new push to keep their finger on the pulse of us consumers and enthusiasts. They’ll be closely monitoring what the blogosphere has to say about their products, so if you have anything to praise them on or get off your chest, head on over there and comment away.
[Source: Toyota Open Road Blog and Brandweek via Autoblog]
One of the most annoying thing for any classic JDM fanatic living outside of Japan is seeing all of these 400×300 jpgs on the net, knowing that in all probability you won’t be able to find a decent wallpaper-sized version, let alone be a part of the culture. Hot Olds is an annual event in Japan that brings classic JDM nutters from all over Japan in hordes to one spot to celebrate their oldschool rides. Emphasis on the ‘event’. All walks of life are welcome and as the pictures attest, everyone has a blast. A friend Stu took a trip earlier in the year from his home in the mother country to Japan to attend the event and was kind enough to take pictures for all us sods who don’t put our money where our mouths are!
Stu has just finished uploading all of his photos in SUPER HIGH RES for you to download! No need to put up with those frustratingly small photos we’re usually dealt with – all of these shots are straight up wallpaper material. Check it out.
Rarely has more random a grouping been the theme of a single museum, but the M. Yokota Collection has all that and more. In fact, if you go by the sign in front of the building, it’s proper name is the “Toy & Doll Teddybear Confectionery & Chocolate Automobile Museum.” According to this photo tour, Mr. Yokota was a man whose apparent interest in collecting things was rivaled only by his massive amount of yen.
Plush bears, plastic model kits, tin toys, action figures from Astroboy to Ultraman, and a squirrel zoo are all well and good, but the only reason we’d make the two hour trek from Tokyo would be for the cars. From what we can see in the photos, this guy has enough cars to make Bruce Wayne jealous, including a pair of Toyota 2000GTs, Skylines both Prince and Nissan, Mazda Cosmo Sport, Honda S800, 240Z, Mitsubishi Galant GTO. Small cars: Subaru 360, a ’38 Datsun sedan, Mazda Carol and B360 pickup, Honda Vamos, Daihatsus Compagno Spider, Midget and Fellow. Race cars: Honda N360, Subaru 360, Nissan Sunny 1200, a Kurosawa-themed hakosuka Skyline, the ’71 Mitsu pictured, and many, many more.
Sadly, no photos of the squirrel zoo could be found. The M. Yokota Collection is located in the village of Ikaho, Gunma Prefecture.
[Source: M. Yokota Collection via Motor Trend]
We all have that one friend who has given an affectionate pet name, usually female, to his car. Perhaps you are that one. Hollywood has no shortage of examples. Who could forget 1974’s Gone in 60 Seconds, when car thieves assigned each vehicular mark a woman’s name to use in code, or Christine, the demonic ’58 Plymouth Fury of the eponymous book and movie. But when it comes to manufacturers actually assigning a girl’s name to an entire model line, that’s unheard of in the States.
Not so in Japan. A whole harem of female names appear in the lineups of our favorite marques from across the Pacific. One of the most recognizable is the Nissan Silvia, made famous by its drift-worthy US counterpart, the 240SX. Of course, the name Silvia first appeared on the production version of Nissan’s 1964 show car, the 1500 Coupe. The hardtop coupe was based on the Datsun Roadster platform and shared its 1600cc, 90hp engine. Only 554 were made.
In 1975, the name was revived in earnest on the S10 coupe, an exotically-styled two-door hardtop that screams retro-futurism today. It shared a 105hp L18 four-cylinder with the Bluebird, but received a 2.0L engine in the US and the 200SX name.
Since then, a steady progression of Silvias/SXs have followed. The S10 was succeeded by the more conventional-looking S110, the angular S12 stuffed with 1980s electronic wizardry, and the drift machines – the S13, S14 and Japan-only S15 (Edit: Australia got the S15 also. Lucky blokes!). The long-lived S-series was one of the most prolific low-cost FR platforms in the world, but ceased further development after the S15. This was due to Carlos Ghosn’s dramatic cost-cutting measures, which culled many a platform with the goal of making the FM shared by the 350Z and Infiniti G35 Nissan’s lone sports car chassis. With the death of the S-series, the Silvia name went with it.
However, recent rumors have suggested that an inexpensive FR revival may be in the works at Nissan, though there’s no word whether the Silvia name will rise again.
Ah, the 70s. Pogo sticks, fashionable men’s sweaters, and the Waylan Jennings-esque twang of country music synonymous with all that is automotive. For this Tuesday TV throwback from the height of Mazda’s rotary push, the crew from Hiroshima is touting the smoothness of the Wankel engine and taking a jab at the reciprocating masses. But, it’s the strangely still-stylish girl that gets the last laugh – and the RX-3 Wagon – at the end.
On June 2, 1976, from a scene straight out of the opening of Casino, journalist Don Bolles left a meeting with an informant for the Phoenix, Arizona corruption story he was investigating. He walked to his brand-new Datsun parked in the hotel lot and started the ignition, triggering six sticks of dynamite that had been planted under the car. With a million and a half pounds per square inch of force in the resulting explosion, Bolles immediately lost both his legs and one arm. He died in a hospital 11 days later.
Surprisingly, the car is still largely in tact, and sat in an Arizona police yard for 28 years until donated to the Newseum, a Washington DC museum dedicated to journalism and media. It will go on display when the $400-million facility opens in 2008 as part of an exhibit about the dangers of reporting. Bolles’s killer was never caught and the motives behind his murder remain unknown.
One minor detail that perhaps should be clarified. Of the many articles on the Bolles case, the only one to mention the car’s model name says it’s a Datsun 210, but from the pictures it’s clearly a 710.
Source: [Idaho Mountain Express]
Nissan North America recently teamed up with Sweat Equity Enterprises, a youth entrepreneurship program, to design a low-cost urban car. Nissan received six designs from participants, with the retro, 510-esque Nissan Pure concept chosen as the winner of the competition. Indeed, according to high school student Chris Jones, who was part of the Pure team, “The goal of the Nissan Pure is to be as iconic as the original Mini Cooper, as legendary as the Nissan Skyline and as economical and fun as the Datsun 510.”
Of course, we’re very happy to see the younger generation embrace classic designs from past nostalgics and love the Pure. We salute you, Jones, and the rest of your team, Paul Ayala, Alex Rodriguez and Shakirra Torain. All designs and the Pure model will be displayed at the LA Auto Show, which begins November 16.
Source: [Edmund’s Driving Woman blog]
