Japanese Nostalgic Car

Just when we had posted a complaint about Toyota ignoring their half century of history in the US, they go and turn us into liars. Keep your pants on, pilgrim, it’s nothing to write home about. It’s just that tonight (July 11th) as part of Toyota’s Summer Concert Series on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Big T will display a 1958 Toyopet Crown as the Neville Brothers croon a tune from their latest album. This is probably the first appearance on network TV for the Crown, and for many Americans, this could very well be the first time the notion of a 1950’s Japanese automobile even enters their consciousness, though we expect it to depart just as quickly. If you decide to tune in, the show will air at 11:35 pm/10:35 pm central on NBC.

Thanks to our friends at Katysnest for the tip! We missed it last year, but they tell us that a similar feat of singing amidst vintage ‘Yotas was performed during the launch of the new FJC when some lucky recording artist got the chance to serenade a bunch of classic Land Cruisers.

If you’ve ever thought about pulling out the old horse and dropping in a newer breed, you’ve probably got some idea of the amount of work and expense involved – if only because friends and peers have warned you about it a dozen times.  If you’ve already been there and done that, you no doubt already know what I’m talking about!  Today’s linked story comes from a bloke who put a lot of sweat into converting a customer’s RA28 from its original mill to a 1G-GTE powered twin turbo monster.

Check it out!

There are different levels of car restoration, I think most folks would agree.  You can buy an old beater and, you know, fix the things that have suffered over time.  Cut out the rust where you can easily get to it, replace and repair the busted things that stand out like lights and dents in the body.  Perhaps respray it in its original colour, so it looks new but doesn’t cost as much as a whole new colour.

Then you’ve got the more hardcore enthusiasts like this guy.  They fall into the “As New just isn’t good enough” category, and it really shows in their work.  No stone is left unturned – and no component left as it was – in the types of projects these fellas turn their hands to.

Just looking at this Celica, you can tell you’re moments away from mortgaging the house in order to offer this guy whatever he wants for his car.  When you see the state this RA29 was in before “1977RA29” got his hands on it, the shock will be even more pronounced.

Jump over to ShorelineRacing.com for his progress blog and a bevy of photos.