OSFW – The Land of the Rising Sun

Continuance from the previous two. This one however is going to be far more difficult. The largest contributor on oldschool is likely those project from Japan. Rather than go through a whole pile of epic, epic projects. Which perhaps I should do. I’m going to randomly pick one (maybe two) from each manufacturer. It’s going to be hard though so bare with me. They might not be what you’d expect.

Suzuki

1974 Suzuki LC50

This particular car has been amongst a few people on OS and is rare enough and downright cool enough to not only deserve mention but to take the frontpage of the Japanese cars.  Currently in the hands of Dat180 it’s looking it’s closest to being back on the road.  Fingers crossed.  You can read about it here;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=15871

Toyota

1969 Toyota Crown Coupe (MS51)

Probably the hardest manufacture to choose one from, simply for sheer volume of vehicles available to select.  I went with this car for two reasons.  One, it’s a medium sized Japanese Coupe from the late 60′s early 70′s and Two, it’s not even started yet, so despite crashing his Celica at the recent trackday, the inclusion of this on here might be enough to get the owner, one Mr. M-series Engine Fanatic a.k.a sheepers to change tack for a while.  I doubt it, but it’s worth a shot.

Viewable here;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=15997

Subaru

1973 Subaru GSR Coupe

There’s really only a few Subaru fanatics on OS, sure, there’s plenty of people that appreciate them and admire them, myself included.  Yet, only the few who find and buy the classics.  None of this RS Legacy nonsense.  We’re talking oldschool.  The above coupe belongs to waimaks, a peculiar chap who looks like he’s driving up hills.  The proportions of the GSR are a little odd, it almost looks as though it’s had a roofchop, but that baby is factory and about the height of a factory.  It’s a car that’s not been without a little bit of drama but I’m glad he’s stuck with it.

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=11231

Datsun/Nissan

1972 Datsun 240C Wagon

Another hard choice.  Though I was suprised when I was scanning through the projects, how few were from Nissan/Datsun.  Regardless this wagon is freakin’ GREAT!  It now belongs to KK-Kolonel, having been through several members of the DOCNZ (Datsun Owner’s Club of NZ) forums.  Everyone seems to have had the same or a similar vision for it, but it Chris finally pulled it off.  Sufficiently low, on steel wheels and now with twin Hitachi SU’s from a Datsun 240Z it’s just outright a badass wagon.  You’ll see on the project thread that it was regrettably for sale.  I hope Chris will change that now that he’s employed again.  If he doesn’t and you are keen, fire him a PM via his thread;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5675

Mazda

1976 Mazda 808

That’s right baby, it’s an 808 & it’s not even converted to rotary power.  Imagine that.  I hear it’s faster than FC’s and is lazier and more luxurious than a UZZ30 Soarer.  Although the eventual plan is to put a large alternator in it, it’s currently still in it’s standard 808 guise and the panel and paint has been done on it.  I dig the look of the car.  Most people convert to RX3 nose-cones and the rest of the mallarky, this is great because it isn’t, that and because the nose on it doesn’t have a beak.  Like the 3 does.  View some more pretty pictures here and read about it here;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8224

Prince

1966 Prince Gloria (S41)

From the company that merged with Nissan in the mid-sixties, I bring you this magical and wonderful Gloria.  Though it is no longer in the hands of an oldschool  member, it’s worth noting just for it’s rarity and the drama that it went through during the brief ownership by OS member ‘solidstripe’.  I could go on but it’s easier for you to just read about it yourself;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12838

Mitsubishi

1975 Mitsubishi Lancer (LA)

The selection of Mitsubishi’s on OS is 90% Lancer EX.  Though there are a few exception, on the whole it’s not exactly inspiring given some of the fantastic cars Mitsi produced in the 60′s and 70′s.  Thankfully, Ogre/Cam/caboonatlarge has this sweet, sweet LA Lancer that I could feature.  It’s lurid 70′s green and strange collection of both fender and door mirrors make it a canditate for several shades of awesome.  It’s not a standard machine and if you’ve been observant with your OS Nats video watching you may have well seen it already.  You can read about it in more detail here;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=11026

Isuzu

1978 Isuzu Gemini Coupe

Last for this blog entry, is Leon’s Gem Coupe.  It’s had it’s fair share of upgrades and enhancements over the years and is still being improved upon.  In a weird twist of connections that isn’t so weird because it’s such a small country.  This very car (in standard guise) used to belong to forum member and Isuzu Bellett retro-classics feature car owner Alistair’s Great Grandmother, having only been through Alistair’s younger brother before making it’s way into Leon’s hands. The older thread that had the previous info of it from stock to where it is, is now no longer in use.  However you can see what is being utilized in it by viewing the newer project thread;

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=13584

Leon/zep was the main man behind the creation of OS, his dedication to it and to his car are both to be commended.  He’s put up with a lot more than I probably would have.  Though there was and is now, other people involved in the running and maintenance of oldschool.co.nz it does need to be said that Leon was the initial driving force (I believe) that has started and allowed the site to run coming up to it’s 6th year online.  All this through Uni as well as other side projects, I would just personally like to say cheers to Leon.  Also, that I hope you’re reading my site too you little bastard.

Obviously there are more Japanese manufacturers, I will have missed some in the lineup and I can always add them in later I guess or do some seperate ones.  However, this is what it is and it will do for the time being.  I guess tomorrow I’m going to have to merge the UK with the rest of Europe.  That’s perhaps a little rude however, I think classic car magazine’s produced in NZ have ignored and discarded most Japanese content for so long that it wouldn’t hurt for the shoe to be on the other foot for once, as it were.

-Michael