This month...

10 years ago I bought a Toyota Corolla GT-S. An 85 Zenki hatchback. I didn't think i'd own this car for that long, but man what a history. It's gone through a few minor changes since over the years, but in the end I returned it back to it's former glory. Bought it in October of '99. It was completely stock and everything worked even the A/C. My intentions were never to build a crazy car since I was working in an industry where I put together cars from silly engine swaps to psycho engine builds.

Autox Hollywood park. A first taste of performance driving and the beginning of a another era.

At the time I had a RX-3 that was setup more towards straight line battle. So I didn't care about hp. Since I started to find the straight line more and more boring. My goal was to learn performance driving. At a shop I worked at, I had met Moto of Club4AG fame with his supercharged Corolla he swayed me towards the Corolla. Wasn't really interested in Corollas at the time. I had my sights set on getting a S30 240Z . I still thought the Z was cooler than the Corolla, but the Corolla was so easy to work on. And they were cheaper and easier to find than a Z. Sure I probably could have campaigned the 3. Since the national champion was also piloting an RX-3. I figured it would be easier to find parts I needed for the Corolla than the 3.

Autox Hollywood park late 90's

I've met many enthusiasts throughout the years, most of the early owners have gone on to different things. There's a few I talk to who are still in the game after all these years.

The car has faithfully served it's master and it's taken him to different levels.

Photo by Moto @ club4ag

Learning to drift at Streets of Willow

Drift Tengoku v.14. And yes those are Hoshino Impuls

Competing in the very first Ikaten in the states.


Trying out at the RSR drift festival.


Since then i've acquired another Corolla to do battle pictured above, and retired the other one from active duty. Few old schoolers i haven't seen in a while thgought this was the first car and were saddened I beat the crap out of it. Until I let them know that's not the case.

After 10 years of ownership what's left? I've grown too attached to the car, but my old ass needs something that's more comfortable.


I still get notes or get stopped by people who are interested in the car. But can I really part with my little piece of history? Who knows....

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this is it.

It's been awhile since there was an 'official' meet. It's the good people at Drift Association, Vegasdrift, and AE86Nights stepping up to make this happen. With drifting, autox, and a car show, 4AG guys can choose or do all three. Hope to you see you guys there.

I'm signed up for the car show hopefully I win something cool.

Since SEMA is the following week, come swing by before you head out to the strip and say hi.

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AE86 Tech #86-13: The cheap bender

Image via Wikipedia

Since it's nearing Halloween and being this is the 13th tech, means absolutely nothing. Except for another cheap way of doing stuff. This time I explore bending brakes. Since I can't afford one I made a cheap one. With a couple pieces of metal and a hydraulic press.


Welding a couple pieces of metal I came up with this. Not too bad.


And this is how it works.

Sure i could probably get the same results with a vise and a good size hammer. But we're really after the cosmetics. You know me, it's gotta look good for sho'!


Anyways I don't think you can make this on the vise.


Another thing that this thing is good for is holding pipe on the the drill press. Too bad I don't have a drill press to utilize this amazing piece.

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Octoberfest...

That time of year where everyone can pretend to be German.

Loads of fun if you like having a beer with your bratwurst. If you're in Torrance visit Alpine Village and get your polka on!

Possible....

El Cormino. what do you think?

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Project Volvo #7: Salamat

'Thank you' (for everyone else) for the memories. Well the time has come after almost a year of ownership fermentation. I had to let go the Swedish red velvet. The car that was to be a 24 hours of lemons contender is no longer. Due to the suffering economy, the boss bugging me for a car cover, and everyone busy with other things it was decided that the car had to move on. It has provided great memories of what could have been. But rather than have it face the government 'death panel'. It's been graciously been taken in by my mexican co worker at the shop. Since both his Hondas recently broke down. Before I surrendered the keys to him, I reminded him that he cannot install 13in reverse daytons. He just grinned.

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Just gets crazier...

When I thought Daigo Saito was the man with craziest angle. Kawabata steps up to the challenge. Watch and see. Found this on pro drifter Ken Gushi's blog. Yes i'm a fan.

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