Japanese Nostalgic Car

It’s 2022, which means that America’s 25 year rule now applies to cars from 1997. That opens the doors to a new slate of once-forbidden machines. Let’s say money and rarity are not factors. The imagination swirls with visions of something sporty like a Tommykaira ZZ or EK9 Honda Civic Type R. Or, you can go ultra-luxe with a V12 Toyota Century or 2JZ-powered Toyota Aristo V300. Maybe you just want something unique, like a Toyota Caldina 2.0GT-T.

What car from 1997 do you want to import?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your automotive New Year’s resolution for 2022?” Continue reading →

It’s a brand new year, and that means an opportunity to start anew. What are your automotive goals for 2022? Finally get that dormant project on the road? Finally make a dent in the pile of 1:24 scale plastic model kits you’ve been hoarding? Or simply vowing to get out and drive more? Remember, anything you post is contractually binding!

What’s your automotive New Year’s resolution for 2022?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What automotive heartaches are you most eager to forget?“. Continue reading →

At year’s end, the Japanese tradition of bonenkai takes place. These “forget the year parties” are held to drink away the heartaches of the previous 365 days and hope for better luck the next time ’round the sun. For me personally, it’s not what I did but what I didn’t do. With work and family duties, I didn’t get to wrench/drive/hang out at car events as much as I wanted to. There’s also the massive hole in my heart left by how I didn’t spend more time with a dear friend before he passed away. Well, the turning of the calendar gives us all the opportunity to start anew and kaizen ourselves in 2022.

What automotive heartaches are you most eager to forget?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What are you asking Japanese Santa Claus for this year?“. Continue reading →

It’s a well known fact that Japanese Santa Claus, a magical yokozuna in a red and white yukata, travels all over the world to in a flying Hino Ranger dekotora to bring those on his “nice” list. You can ask him for anything you want, from a $1 Hot Wheels car to a 1 of 1 priceless race car currently in the possession of an automaker’s museum collection.

What are you asking Japanese Santa Claus for this year?

The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What made you fall in love with cars?“. Continue reading →