retro-classics - automotive blog

Archive for August, 2009

Symbol Of Die-Hard Fanboy Since 1957

August 11, 2009

Now I’ve seen everything. Brand new old stock Skyline RS cufflinks and matching tie clip for the discerning enthusiast. Perfect for your next formal outing, and they even come in a fancy velvet-lined box to impress your girlfriend.

Mont Blanc, eat your heart out.

Or at least she will be, until you tell her you dropped 15,000 yen (NZ$230) on these puppies; for the price one would expect just a bit more lushness than that. hell, they’re not even 9k gold or anything, and those are probably fake diamond studs on the clip.

: Random Retro Snap, YAJ - Yahoo! Auctions Japan

Shark-nose C110

8

August 11, 2009

by kyteler

You’ve seen it done before, it’s normally the domain of the C210 Skylines and Z10 Soarers, amongst many others. You certainly wouldn’t pick the more rounded ‘Muscle Car’ looks of the C110 to suit the shark-nose. You’d be wrong though, I think it looks awesome. I wouldn’t do it personally but I do not mind the look at all. Feast your eyes.

I'M A SHARK, I'M A SHARK, SUCK MY...

Angular, yet fitting.

Though not a fan of the new “NISSAN” badge the rest of the car is pretty sweet too. Let me know what you think… (more…)

: Car Spotting

Complaining about something often nets a positive result

3

August 10, 2009

by Orion

A few days ago I lamented to a friend that it was pretty much impossible to find certain nostalgic cars for sale in Japan anymore – specifically, Mazda Familias of the pre-facelift BFMR 4WD kind. “Maybe because they all ended up here,” he quipped.

imagine my surprise when this evening I received a link to the following vehicle listing on Goo-net:

OHAIS, WE HAS FAMILIA FOR YOU!

It’s like the gods heard my complaint, or prayer, or something, I dunno.

380,000 yen is “only” NZ$5800, which totals one pretty expensive BFMR when you think about it – but like I mentioned in my Starion post from last week, it would be the ideal car to own from a collector’s point of view compared to the rubbish you often see on Trademe. And given the legendary status and nostalgia surrounding these cars in NZ, there’s a fair chance someone out there is willing to pay that much for an unmolested example.

No, not me, if anyone was wondering.

: Car Spotting, Cars for Sale

Cars are made to be driven.

8

August 10, 2009

by kyteler

I recently had a comment left on one of my Prince related entries by a chap in Greece who also owns a Gen. I, Prince Skyline. He was looking for a bit of information which I tried to assist him with, as well I could, but there’s a bit of a language barrier in addition to what seems to be a slight lacking in computer abilities on his part, meaning receiving pictures of his car to share with you all was proving difficult, eventually I managed to search via Google with various parameters to find a website where there were pictures of his car. It was at that point that I realised I’d already seen his car via emails from Steve (nzmax). Still, they’re impressive pictures given their background, amongst other things. So, without further ado, here they are;

1962 Prince Skyline in front of the Temple of Poseidon, Sounion

The car belongs to Ioannis Aristopoulis and is registered with FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) and used in Rallies, actually driven and not left sitting about. If you have any doubt as to how it gets driven I think this next picture should answer that… (more…)

: Automotive History, Car Spotting