Archive for January, 2009

Skyline History, Part 7.

January 12, 2009

Continued from “Skyline History, Part 6.

The C110 series and 4th Generation of Skyline was released for sale in September of 1972.

1972 Nissan Skyline 1600 (4th Generation Skyline)

1972 Nissan Skyline 1600 Hardtop (4th Generation Skyline)

The lineup was very similar to that of the previous generation, with both 4 and 6 cylinder options in a range of either Coupe/Hardtop, Sedan or Wagon/Estate.  The engines were again the G16, G18 in 4cylinder and L20 in 6cylinder form for the Japanese Domestic Market and as with the previous C10/3rd generation Skyline…

(more…)

The great facelift face-off

January 11, 2009

what’s better than one DR30 Skyline? Why, two DR30 Skylines of course!

after four years of logistical nightmares, various states of disrepair, and a distance of over 150km separating each vehicle, I finally got the chance to photograph ‘em together in running condition with a suitable backdrop.

As they say, a picture tells a thousand words – so I’ll stop greasing now. Click on the photo below to view the entire set :D

facelift face-off

Getting all darth vader up in yo' grille.

Mayday!

January 9, 2009

This one word may well be what you would hear cascading out from many a classic lover’s mouth once they start to delve in behind the panels of a project car they’ve just bought.  As we all are well aware, old cars rust and they rust badly unless well taken care of.  In the UK, things are even more tragic, with salted roads and by comparison to NZ a mammoth population, it’s a wonder they have as many classic or retro cars as they do.  Despite this fact, the UK like everywhere else is by no means immune to spectacular finds of decidedly rare beasts.  One such car which has been unappreciated in almost all era’s it’s been witness to since it’s inception is the Austin A40 Somerset.  Having only been available from 1952 through to 1954 with production figures around 170,000 it’s safe to say it isn’t a particularly common motorvehicle at least in good shape.  Which this one in question, really wasn’t.

The beginning!  Appears fairly solid from 3 metres.

The beginning! Appears fairly solid from 3 metres.

Most, seeing this car as it stands and looks there in the picture, would think “Well… that’s not all bad… I’ll start stripping it down and replacing a few bits and bobs, she’ll be back on the road in no time.”  However ‘scaryoldcortina’ , famed member of the retro-rides forums and the new owner of this Somerset (thanks to a trade for a Panda (an Italian one, not a Chinese one)) is not most people, he’s a man with a plan, a plan that doesn’t involve the original shape of the car much at all.  So the strip down began…

(more…)

The eternal idol(s)

January 7, 2009

if there’s one endearing thing about Japanese car culture, it’s that they never seem to forget the classics.

'80s Hero

Hachimaru Hero, vol. 1: Eternal Idol AE86

Hachimaru Hero by Geibunsha Publishing is one of the few Japanese automotive magazines to focus entirely on the cars of the ’80s. From beloved highway stompers such as the Fairlady 200ZR to the humble family wagon Civic Shuttle, a bewildering array of cult to cooking cars are covered in ten incredibly well-produced volumes.

(more…)

Japanese Junkyard

January 6, 2009

Whilst stumbling about for other things entirely I happened upon this website and thought I would share it with you all;

70s Mazda Bonga

70's Mazda Bonga

There’s some cars and trucks in here that I’m sure most people would die for, just scattered about and left to die on their own, in field or yards or other such.  As well as just some peculiar spots.  It’s not uncommon to see pictures of such things from the UK or the US but seeing them in and from Japan is not something that is witnessed with anywhere near the same regularity.

(more…)