Japanese Classic Car Show 2008

As enthusiasm grows in this community so does number of cars that attend these events. From it's humble beginnings at the Queen Mary park area to it's new spot at the Hidden Valley Park in Irvine California. Yes the same spot where they have the California Truck Jam. Anyways let's enjoy some pics I took at the event.

The original GS-R, Integra got nothing on this thing. BTW if you're wondering it's a Japan spec 1973 Mitsubishi Galant FTO.

Even after battling hard yesterday at Formula D Irwindale, Hiro S. and Taka A. made time to visit JCCS. Greeting all the fan boys in attendance.

Some needs to tell this guy that the show is for classics. Where do these S13 owners come from?

Mazda R100 is something I don't see everyday, especially super clean ones.

My favorite wheel of all time do you know what it is?

A Datsun RL411 and according to the owner, there are very few left.

Toyota Crown that's been under the knife and turned into a hot rod by Mooneyes, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I didn't take quite as many photos, cause it was hot and I had to leave early.

But for more information on next years event. Visit their website.

For more pics click here.

Somewhere in Torrance: The Toyota Museum

In a city not too far from me there's a unmarked warehouse that houses quite a few interesting vehicles from Toyota. Last week I was fortunate to tour the facilities. I was here a few years ago but didn't have a camera capture these Toyota moments. This time I was prepared, let's take a look.

Toyota's first imported cars. The Toyopet Crown full restored to it's original glory and very rare I might add.

Toyota's first imported van aka Toyota Van. I'm curious why they didn't put name until the next generation van, the Previa. This one above is equipped with an ice cooler/ ice maker.

The FJ series vehicles, in my opinion, one of the best 4WDs to ever come out at the time.

An old IMSA GTP race car, Formula Atlantic, and Champ car, put out to pasture in the Toyota Museum.

Toyota Crown, I swear this looks like a knock off of an american domestic, heck the Toyopets kinda remind me of early 50's Chevy's. And people whine about the chinese copying things.

Unfortunately, the point and shoot's battery took a dump and cut short the photos.

The museum isn't open to the public, only by invitation/ reservation. If you're a Toyota person, or just have a fascination of all things car this is one of the places you should visit. Thanks to toyotageek for the invite.

Here's the link for the rest of the pics here.

Project:740 #1 This is only the beginning pain will soon follow

Yesterday, I was tricked into buying this brick. A 1990 Volvo 740 wagon, with turbo and intercooler.

It's a non running pile, but it was purchased with very little moola.

I decided to bring the car in for a pressure was cause it's a massed quite a follow of friends of the 8 legged variety yuck.

There are quite a few things going thru my head on the possiblities of this car. Should I join the lemon heads in the 24 Hours of LeMons again? Maybe try out for the Grassrootsmotorsport $200x challenge? I'll be posting it's progress, whenever I get off my lazy ass to work on it. But for now let me dig a hole for Pro Am and 4AG time attack.

Down but not out.

A computer geek I am not. Unfortunately, I screwed up my computer and corrupted a bunch of files to the point it doesn't boot up anymore. So I haven't been able to put up anything. What's even more annoying is I have to grab all my files, reformat the hard drive and reinstall everything, dammit this is horrible. Anyways here's something which was forwarded to me and I thought was ridiculously cool. 1979 MG Midget that's been subjected to the Japanese rules of style. Sporting flares, wheels, and even engine from Japan. It's up for sale on ebay so if you so desire a euro car with an asian influence this might be the beast for you.

Here's the ebay link. Good luck.

A little bit of Italy

After attending my first Monterey Historics race, I began a curiosity of European cars. No not them supercars that you either love or hate. But cars that never shared the limelight with their supercar brethren. This led me here to Eddins Moto. The owners been tweaking around with Italian cars for 30 years, though it looks like he dabbles in anything European. From Appias (say what?), Ferrari, to Maseratic and everything else in between. The website has many write ups of cars he's worked on at the shop. He also has cars for sale if you're going for a different car from you typical Porsche or Benz. They're up in Berkley, so next time I'm up in nor cal, I'll have to visit his shop. But that's after I rummage through Hasselgren's trash for some parts.

Here's a link to his website.

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Another one bites the dust

Hmm I wonder if it's me or coincidence. It seems that every time I contemplate going to a Formula 1 race they decide to give it the boot. It seems that the 2009 Canadian Grand Prix will not happen. First was U.S. Grand Prix and now Canada. Which is sad, this means there's no North American Formula 1 race. I wonder if I decide to attend Singapore Grand Prix will they cancel it? Hopefully all this is temporary and Formula 1 will return to North America.

Source: F1-Live

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I Way: Best simulator out?

I never been much of a video game geek unless it came to racing simulators.  Even then I can't really spend the money when I can go out and do the real thing, which is stupid since it's probably cheaper than going out on track.  But during my endless waste of scouring the internet, I came across this video of a simulator which looks fantastic.  Unfortunately, it's in France, yes home of the Eiffel Tower and french toast.  Located in the city Lyon, I Way is like a spa for guys.  Espcially gear heads, with an emphasis in racing.  Inside you'll find racing simulators for Formula 1, Rally, and endurance racing.  But rather sit in a seat with steering wheel, the patron is seated in full size racing machines that are operated with hydrualics that i've only seen on flight simulators.  There's also a full bar and spa which you can relax after a hard day at the simulator. 

For more information, visit their website

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Pro Am: Final Battle

The date and location is going to be the same weekend as Red Bull World Finals. As far as I know it will utilize the same track configuration, with no changes, as the pro drivers that weekend. Which means 100 mph entries, no room for mistakes kids. Now comes the final preparations for my car to be Formula D legal. This time all cars invited will need to prepared according to the Formula D rule book. As a privateer, i'll be chowing down on ramen for about a month and a half.

Sevenstock11

This weekend's regular Cars and Coffee meet was temporarily interrupted to make way for the annual pilgrimage of rotary fans from all over. The 11th year of Sevenstock was held at Mazda headquarters in Irvine, Ca. The last time I attended this meeting was a few years ago at the Mazda R&D center when I brought my 3 out. I didn't bring out the 3 this year since i'm lazy and didn't want to pull it out of storage. Yes I have alot of junk all over it.

I took mainly pics of the old school cars, since there's just a bunch of later model stuff and they just seem all the same to me. But don't fret, I tried to capture cars that caught my eye.



A very rare Mazda Cosmo. No wonder Jay Leno decided to pick one up for himself. There's just nothing else like it.

The rotary trucks.


Yes I like the old stuff.

Humongous flare RX 3, ready to do battle on the circuit.

A really clean RX 2. Hmmm... I do like the lambo doors.

Car and Driver series RX 2 race car. Owned by Jim Downing.

Beautifully done RX 4.

There were alot of RX 7's everywhere but here's a couple I took.

Shod with Work Meister wheels. Never seen a 1st gen with these kind of wheels and I like it alot.

One of many rows of FC3S.

3rd Gen showing support for the clean air crowd.

For some reason thoughts of Paul McCartney and Steve Wonder came to mind:
Ebony and ivory
Live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard...

Of course there were a couple frankenstein creations on tap.

Datsun 510 with a 13B turbo transplant.

Datsun 1200 equipped with an NA 13B.


Yes son, it's got turbo 3 rotor. Avoid this one.

The Diamond Star family couldn't resist the powers of rotary.

Dodge Col/ Mitsubishi Lancer

There quite a few interesting vehicles that were also roaming around the area too.

A Tesla roadster dressed like a ninja silently makes it's way through the Mazda parking lot unnoticed. Luckily for I was able to snap this before it disappered to the Mazda's underground garage.

A rotary power super duty, the newest venture between Mazda and Ford.

Say it isn't so. 2nd gen. RX7 sacraficing it's own hood to make a rear wing. With that let's close our tour of Sevenstock 11.

For more information for next year's event, please visit their website www.sevenstock.org

Other pics are available here

Legend Paul Newman passes away

This morning while watching Formula 1 qualify and getting ready to leave for Sevenstock 11. I read the news that Paul Newman the actor, the race car driver, team owner and giving person has passed away at 83. Even though he worked as an actor, he was damn good at it too, he also had a passion for race car driving. Even as team owner, he still went racing. But after all that he's also had time to make food product line that bears his name, which all profits are donated to charities. My condolences goes out to his family and friends.




Here's my favorite commercial that happens to have Mr. Newman that I'd share with you.

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Vitrual F1: Singapore

F1 Track Singapore

For the unfortunate few who can't make it out, especially me, to the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend. I present a virtual look of the track from the driver's perspective. Let's enjoy and root on our favorite drivers to victory!

Source: youtube

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Barking at your front door

With the upcoming Singapore GP let's get riled up with the sounds of different F1 engines. Starting with a v12 to a v10 and ending with a V16. Though it's not as good as the real thing, but it still sounds amazing.

Something old Something new

I had a 1st generation Supra, Celica XX to the JDM geeks, rear end taking up space in the garage.  So rather than continue to trip over it, I decide to off it.  Just my luck, Darwin had a FRP hatch and was willing to trade.  Though it took about a few months to go through with the  transaction, it's was worth the wait.

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Just picked it up.  The box didn't fit in my truck so i just took the hatch, which fit. Not really pictured, I got the hatch that doesn't include TRD spoiler. 

I don't really like the spoiler that much and all the fanboys have them.  I'll either leave as is for that SR5 look or i'll probably install some big ass GT wing.

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Farewell Ueno

D1 driver Ueno has decided to retire his infamous JZZ30 Soarer, aka Lexus SC300, which started the next wave of fandom in the U.S. But unlike the Lexus it's equipped with the highly regarded 2JZ-GTE twin turbo engine. But don't think he's going retire himself, or jump the on the bandwagon with a Nissan S-chassis. There's already another car in the works. But it's not coming from the land of the rising sun. Can you say Fahrvergnügen, yes it's coming from deutschland. That's Germany for those who still don't know. But it won't be a volkswagen that's for sure. It'll be a BMW (Bavarian Motor Werks) 335i coupe. From one kick ass car to another. But instead of working his magic on the original powerplant, his team at Car Make T&E will be dropping in the legendary 2JZ-GTE worked with his magic of course. Let's all wish Ueno luck for next year.


Source: Vertex-USA

Caterham 7

Last week, I assisted good friend Geoff in picking up his newest toy, Caterham 7. Well I let him use the trailer and insisted that I inspect the car. I've been a fan of the car for a few years already and hoping someday when funds are good that I can pick up a car like this.


The car itself was located in a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles where alot of filming for TV and movies take place. I found it very awkward, since the warehouse was very nondescript building I never would thought of picking up a car here. It was used in a pilot t.v. program and since filming was finished they needed to offload the car.


Here's a sample of one of the cars that being used for tv show. Diesel powered Jaguar, it's in the process of installation

Chevy truck, looks like '57, powered by electricity dropped with air bags. The picture sucks, but it looks bad ass in person.



With the car came a bunch of spare parts. Geoff made off pretty well.

Loaded up and ready to go. For the price, Geoff came out on top. Hopefully he can get the paper and get it tuned up quickly, so I can take it for a spin.

Get the JDM

With the up coming JCCS in October, what better way to show up in a real deal car from the mother land itself Japan. Ebay has 2 rare classics on their site.


Early model Skyline also known as Hakosuka. It's not a GTR but a replica. It's equipped with a L series engine that has been bored and stroked to 3.1L. Sporting the classic Watanabe wheels it sits very well. I wouldn't change a thing. Well maybe the motor.


This same seller also has an early Toyota Celica 2000 GT lift back. These cars had some resemblence to the early Ford Mustangs. Equipped with the venerable 18 RG. If the engine ever breaks down then just ask the old filipino neighbor he probably has parts the garage.

For the ebay ads click here for the Skyline and Celica.