retro-classics - automotive blog

Authors Cars

Random snap: Honey, I shrunk the Skyline!

September 20, 2011

For someone who isn’t much of a diecast fan, I have amassed a small but hearty collection of DR30s…

From 1:18 right down to 1:89 scale.

the level of detail on the 1:18 Autoart is nothing short of breathtaking, especially when you have the Real Thing parked in the garage to compare it with. Check out some detail shots of it here.

A shame that my other 1:89 model, a Seibu Keisatsu Machine-RS, has gone missing. It used to be parked on my desk at the office but mysteriously disappeared one weekend. I blame the cleaners!

: Authors Cars, Automotive Die-casts, Inspiration, Random Retro Snap

Author’s Cars; The Sunny comes out.

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September 11, 2011

by kyteler

As of Saturday, the little Sunny Coupe is now legit;

Johnny Law will prove less a hassle

Which then lead to this…

Yeah, the tyre is a bit old and a bit flat, still.. it enjoyed going through the gravel sideways

The hand-brake works surprisingly well on the little bugger. Obviously those wheels need changed as they’re ghastly and the height and suspension isn’t exactly pretty but the important part is sorted, the remainder can take place over how ever many months all the while it will provide me with adequate daily driving. It will be interesting to see the consumption. I hope it’s cheaper than the Cedric.

-Michael

: Authors Cars

Author’s Cars; Rust Removal on the Sunny

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August 31, 2011

by kyteler

Long time no update from me. I’ve recently started a new job and as such am no longer behind a computer screen for 90% of my day. The up side of this is that I will in the not too distant future, have the cash to get shit done on my projects. First port of call though, was getting my hopeful daily (the KPB310) sorted for it’s next attempt at a Warrant of Fitness.

You may remember the state of it.

Thankfully, I have a very nice and understanding panel-beater who sorted that side of it and will let me pay on my first full payday (which is now monthly).

The result of their labour is as follows;

The rust, it be gone! RHS Inner Guard

Obviously, I need to cover it up again but it needs to be visible as being done for when I take it for a warrant again, so they’re aware that I care. Hah.

They found another little area that needed sorted, so did that too.

The patch you can see on the right hand side of the above photo was showing through as half a dozen tiny pinholes on the strut tower on the engine bay side, with it cut out, the rust sandwiched between the two panels was quite noticable indeed and I’m glad it was found and sorted. Nothing quite like an eagle eyed panel beater who cares.

With that done, I sorted the hinges that needed done, or at least the driver’s side… I will get on to the passenger’s side if need be, though the use it will get is minimal regardless. Once it’s legit again, I’ll keep a casual eye out for some wheels, sort the ride height and just daily the living fuck out of it whilst putting all my pennies to the 110-Project, because let’s be honest, that’s the car that deserves it.

-Michael

: Authors Cars, Automotive Maintenance

Authors’ Cars: this is why squid will never be finished, Ed!

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August 1, 2011

by Orion

After selling my white T-top MR2 SC, I lasted all of two weeks before giving in to temptation and commenced searching for another AW11 to trundle around in for everyday duties.

If anyone’s keeping count, this is number five.

Test drove a couple of examples up here in Auckland and was severely disappointed by a) price, b) various mechanical faults, and c) an endemic reluctance on the part of each seller to negotiate a) based on b). Gave Ewan @ hayatonka a call as well, but a search of the auctions and yards in Japan yielded no results within budget, apart from a couple examples with major rust that would never have passed compliance here in NZ without $$$$ worth of repairs :doubt:

Then just as I was about to give up, I received a phone call from a good friend in Wellington saying that one of his mates was selling a tidy hardtop manual AW11 SC, in more or less standard condition, and was I interested at all?

And it's all over you. Electric Blue.

(more…)

: Authors Cars, Automotive Documentation, Inspiration, Random Retro Snap

YAJ; Sunny Coupe Wishlist

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July 14, 2011

by kyteler

Having been through a myriad of components I would like for the 110, I thought it would be interesting to see what I could find that I would like for the Sunny that’s on the mighty YAJ. Things for the Sunny seem a lot more sparse and sporadic in terms of availability compared to the 110. Odd given the age difference and production numbers. I guess though that the fan and support base for the 110 is just that much greater and there’s more parts that are shared with other cars vs. that of the Sunny which really only shares parts with other Sunnys.