Tag Archives: toyota
ART CORNER: The superdeformed model kits of Ryu Asada
Most of you know the name Ryu Asada from his work at Mattel designing hit diecast cars. The talented and creative veteran of both the Matchbox and Hot Wheels brands as penned some truly memorable castings, including JNC favorites like the Honda CRX, EF Civic, ’90 Acura NSX, and ’72 … Continue reading
Posted in Art Corner
Tagged 323, city, familia, Gunze, hilux, honda, hot wheels, mazda, model kits, motocompo, nissan, r30, Ryu Asada, skyline, superdeformed, toyota
6 Comments
VIDEO: Hankook Tires shows why FJ40s are awesome
With the popularity of the FJ40 at auction, it makes you wonder if people who buy them will actually use them how they were intended. Sometimes it’s not cool when companies try to spice up their brand with an old Land Cruiser. This … Continue reading
VIDEO: Drag racing outside Makuhari Messe circa 1992
Makuahri Messe is the big convention center in Chiba that hosts events the Tokyo Auto Salon and (before its move to Big Sight) the Tokyo Motor Show. If Tokyo city is at the 11 o’clock position of Tokyo Bay, then Makuhari is at … Continue reading
“Iron, Lion, Scion” — Bob Marley
The news that Scion was dead leaked Tuesday night. Few outlets dared report it because it seemed too crazy to be true. At every single auto show last year, representatives continued to reassure the press and public that they were doubling down with new … Continue reading
NEWS: RIP Scion, 2003-2016
Scion is dead. After 13 years, Toyota announced this morning that the alternative, youth-oriented, no-haggle brand would be killed off and most of its products — some very recently launched — rolled under the Toyota marque.
MARKETWATCH: 2016 Scottsdale auction roundup
If the 2016 Scottsdale collector car auctions are any indication, it may be time to declare that Japanese classic cars have gone fully mainstream. All five of the major Scottsdale auctions (Barrett-Jackson, RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Gooding & Co. and Russo … Continue reading
Posted in marketwatch
Tagged 2000gt, A80, auctions, cosmo sport, fc3s, fj40, ford courier, hilux, land cruiser, mazda, rx-7, supra, toyota
3 Comments
NEWS: Toyota to buy Daihatsu, make it a global brand
Toyota has announced it will buy out Daihatsu in a stock deal worth about $3 billion. The Big T currently owns a controlling stake in the small car manufacturer, approximately 51.2 percent, and Daihatsu has served as Toyota’s kei and compact car arm since … Continue reading
VIDEO: Drifting Hakone in 1992
Imagine a winding touge packed with Japanese drift machines — Silvias, RX-7s, Supras, Fairlady Zs and AE86s. So. Many. AE86s. Last year we showed a video proving that underground drifting was already reaching fever pitch by the late 80s. By 1992, Hakone Pass — one of … Continue reading
VIDEO: 40th Anniversary of TRD
Founded in 1976, Toyota Racing Development is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. At the Tokyo Auto Salon a video played on loop, showing highlights of the last four decades. From Starlets to AE86s to Celicas to Supras, this is … Continue reading
VIDEO: Rocky Auto’s 2JZ-powered Toyota 2000GT
One of the most talked about cars from the Tokyo Auto Salon was the Rocky 3000GT, a scratch-built replica of the iconic Toyota 2000GT, but powered by a 3.0-liter 2JZ inline-six. It was the creation of Okazaki-based tuner Rocky Auto, whose mad builds … Continue reading
WILDLIFE: Toyota 2000GT on a flatbed
So this happened on the 405 this morning.
EVENTS: 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon, Part 03 – Tunertopia
When it comes right down to it, the Auto salon is all about tuning. Sometimes, that can be downright cringeworthy when it comes to the classics we know and love. Other times, the result is inspired. And sometimes it’s just about … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 2000gt, 240z, c10, fairlady z, Fujitsubo, Garage Saurus, gt-r, Hakosuka, jun auto mechanic, Kojima Engineering, Kojima KE007, lexus, lfa, nissan, r30, r35, rocky auto, s30, skyline, star road, TAS2016, tokyo auto salon, toyota, toyota 86
7 Comments
EVENTS: Tokyo Auto Salon, Part 01 — Old School Cool
As one of the most important auto shows on the Japanese calendar, the Tokyo Auto Salon is a showcase of Japan’s latest and greatest tuning trends. With every customization style imaginable on display, however, old school cool is not always easy … Continue reading
EVENTS: 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon, Part 01 — A Preview
The Tokyo Auto Salon kicks off this weekend, and that means it’s time for the craziest builds the Japanese aftermarket has to offer. While gold-plated GT-Rs and VIP vans are still very much a part of it, looking past the glitz this year … Continue reading
Posted in events
Tagged 180sx, ambulance, bluebird, Bluebird 810, bosozoku, caravan, copen, d1gp, daihatsu, kei, mark II, NATS, nissan, shooting brake, sienna, Spirit Rei, SuperGT, TAS2016, tokyo auto salon, toyota, X100, x70
20 Comments
DETROIT: Aisin’s 1961 2-speed Toyoglide
This crusty old transmission seems like it should be sitting in the back of an old Japanese garage in some rural prefecture but it was displayed proudly, behind glass, at the Aisin booth at the Detroit Auto Show.
DETROIT: Soul Red is the new white
Despite our decree that white was the best color for Japanese cars, Nihon automakers are still continuing to make cars in other colors. One hue that seems to be surpassing the traditional white is Soul Red.
