Automotive History

A good time in a small space?

December 29, 2009

Back at work again… what’s all this talk about an xmas break?

Anyway, I’ve been perusing the Google Books service a bit lately and there are all sorts of interesting magazines and articles from all eras to be found (a lot of them for free), including this nice little piece titled Japanese Micro-Mini Cars from a 1985 edition of Popular Mechanics. At the risk of sounding like a lazy contributor with nothing of his own to write, you should go read it.

No, not that sort of 'rex'

Not sure how I came across it, was originally looking for some Nikon camera articles – but that’s the wonder of teh innerwebs for you I guess.

(it’s almost worth looking through just to chortle at the contemporary print ads!)

Popular Mechanics, Jul 1985: Japanese Micro-Mini Cars »

I’ve lost count of the times I have been asked whether a particular wedge Skyline is an R30 or an R31.  Even amongst so-called Skyline “obsessives” there’s a lacking in ability to tell the difference.  So rather than having to explain it time and time again, I figured that I would take a moment to make an entry on RC about it and then when it comes up again (which it most certainly will) then I can just point people here.  Personally, I don’t see how you can’t see the differences but I put that down to a beyond ridiculous admiration of the Skyline range on my part.

31 Coupe (left) , 30 Coupe (right)

31 Coupe (left) , 30 Coupe (right)

So, if you are one of those people who can’t pick the difference even after the above photo, then carry on reading and I’ll detail the more obvious external features as generally once you pop the bonnet on the car, if the engine housed in the bay doesn’t tell you, then the chassis stamp and data tag most certainly will…

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Nissan Zama Museum

November 27, 2009

Those of you that have been around the interwebs a while will be no doubt familiar with the various Zama photographs that have been put on various forums about the place.  Though I always found them annoying for the most part.  You would see a car beside a car that there was a photo of but then no photo of that damn car!  They walked right past it!!

Just now I stumbled upon this page, it’s by far the most complete even though it might not include everything; Garage 43 – “Offline Meeting”

Here’s a taster…

Click the above link to enjoy the rest.

-Michael

There wasn’t exactly a surge of entries for the competition to win a plastic kitset model, provided by Ewan of www.hayatonka.com;

Despite the lack of entries there was a correct few and the eventual winner between them was Spencer of  oldschool.co.nz fame.  Spence correctly guessed this car;

the Brütsch 200 - Spatz Roadster

You can read a little more on the Brütsch company, on wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brütsch

His choice between the two models was the Toyopet Crown, which means some time in the not too distant future we’ll give away the Prince Gloria kitset.  So keep your eyes peeled for that!

Congrats again to Spence & thanks again to Ewan.

-Michael

Brütsch 200 “Spatz”

Awesome Site

November 20, 2009

Browsing for random things turned up for me the address of a site that I simply had to share with you all, it’s called “Moby’s Site” (the link is now on the right hand side).  I thoroughly recommend checking it out.  Though here’s a few samples to get inspire you further to click the link;

With everything from Brochures, Adverts, Museums, Car Shows, Race Meetings, all manner of cars from all possible destinations.  It’s truly a sweet, sweet site.

Saab V4

Saab V4

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