Author Archive

Random retro snap: Mazda Familia BFMR – WRC replica

1
April 27, 2010
by

With Rally New Zealand 2010 just around the corner, today’s random retro snap is brought to you by the letters W, R and C.

Spotted in Japan – a meticulously recreated Familia WRC replica. The livery commemorates the 1989 Swedish Rally, where the BFMR famously took 1st place in the hands of driver Ingvar Carlsson (who sadly passed away in 2009). However, oddly enough, if you look closer this particular replica actually bears the decals of second works team driver Timo Salonen…

BFMR WRC

1989 was in fact a good year for Mazda Rally Team Europe, as Carlsson also went on to win Rally New Zealand later in the season, no doubt helping to kickstart this nation’s obsession with the Familia!

I sometimes dream of building an ’80s rallycar replica of my own, but it ain’t gonna happen anytime soon…

: Automotive History, Random Retro Snap

YAJ dreamin’: Mitsubishi Starion GSR-V

2
April 19, 2010
by

By the time you read this article, the auction in question will have expired (either with or without a buyer).

Phillip Weston RMVT or one of the Mitsi aficionados can correct me if I’m wrong – but as far as I know, facelift narrowbody GSR-Vs (post-1985) with the 2.0 Sirius DASH engine are a rare breed, since by this time the widebody GSR-VR model with the 2.6 Astron had pretty much superseded the rest of the Starion range. So to see one for sale on YAJ in tidy condition, and for a very reasonable price is pleasantly surprising indeed.

and don’t you just love the versatility of bronze Watanabes?

1987 Mitsubishi Starion: DASH 3x2 powered!

For 280,000 yen (buynow) you’d be safe to assume someone would snap it up ultra quick, if not locally within Japan then possibly internationally – as this recent thread on Austarions would suggest.

if I had the means to buy it right now, I would… but bigger and better things currently take precedence. Hopefully in my next scheduled blog update I can shed more light on this very subject.

Rare car! Mitsubishi Starion GSR V for sale on Yahoo! Auctions Japan »

: Car Spotting, Cars for Sale, YAJ - Yahoo! Auctions Japan

Random retro snap: FC3S and BFMRF

1
April 2, 2010
by

Here’s an awesome random retro snap of a Savanna RX-7 and Laser TX3 side by side, Jap plates and all. Can’t get much more authentic than this!

FC3S and BFMRF in Japan (by decypher the code)

FC3S and BFMRF

A great example of the Ford-Mazda Japan partnership in the 1980s.

Source: CAR GRAPHIC Magazine, Feb 1986.

: Random Retro Snap

Doctor or a lawyer, I’ll never be…

2
March 31, 2010
by

If I had money
Like Henry Ford…
Lord I’d have me a

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Ford/auction-281072028.htm

RS200, aww yeah

Only $235,000!

lyrics – Clutch, Electric Worry

: Car Spotting, Cars for Sale

Event: be a chop, 2010

2
March 28, 2010
by

Daytripped down to Whangamata on Saturday afternoon to experience the festivities of the 2010 Hop. The atmosphere reminded me slightly of New Years’, except with more old people present and far less police making the rounds.

'56 windsor (by decypher the code)

1956 Chrysler Windsor, chilling in the park

Unfortunately, a lot of said old people seemed rather grumpy – perhaps they ran out of beer too early? – and a few couldn’t grasp the concept of someone with a nice camera walking around taking photos of cool cars. Do I really look like that much of a tourist? I swear I felt like the only Asian for miles.

(more…)

: Car Spotting, Events
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