OK, so whilst most of you likely went away or did something awesome on your days off over easter, I did very little.  I drove around a very bland looking Audi A4 and although it was very polite and comfortable with it’s ways, it certainly lacked a lot of the character that I’m used to in my own vehicles, perhaps being tip-tronic was of no assistance to it, but that’s beside the point I think.  Mixed in with this driving of a vehicle beyond my means, was the important part.  The sussing out of particulars involved in the purchase made on my behalf of replica 110GT-R flares, in Japan, on YAJ.

The flares themselves, are these ones;

Replica KPGC110 Bolt-on Fibreglass Flares

Replica KPGC110 Bolt-on Fibreglass Flares

Sure, they don’t look like much but they’re specific to the C110 in that they have to cater for the bodylines at the rear of the car and they wrap around the majority of the length of the arch as opposed to the universal type which in general will just crown the wheel-arch.  I managed to win the auction at the starting bid.  Though before any of this even took place, I had emailed the amazing Ewan @ hayatonka.com asking for a basic estimate on what it would be to get these suckers to my door.  He replied within the day and his basic estimate turned out to be very close to the final price.  Being the size, composite and fragility of the items it wasn’t the easiest to guess.  His initial estimate coming only 1820JPY shy of the final costing. The discrepancy in price turned out to only really be the weight, 2kg was actually 3kg and so internal Japanese freight and then International freight to NZ rose slightly because of that.  They should arrive to my door within the next 7 days, once they do I’ll let you all know and probably do a little taped onto the car mockup just for shits and giggles.

-Michael

Radical ’80s!

April 10, 2009

fans of big chunky ’80s Jap turbo cars (like me) will enjoy reading this official English translation of OPTION magazine’s Oct 2006 article titled RADICAL ’80s: Tuned Cars From The Previous Era!

The article holds a definite Nissan slant, as six of the seven vehicles covered are of that marque (no less than half being Z-cars!) with the remaining one being Toyota. But even if you aren’t a Nissan person, and even whilst a purist like myself may not agree with engine conversions (as I think they completely ruin a vehicle’s originality), it’s interesting to read about how Japanese tuners utilize modern tech to keep these older cars competitive in terms of horsepower and handling.

Must admit seeing a R31 wagon fitted with a RB25DET and GTS-X slope-nose front is strangely inspiring. It’s what the Stagea could/should/would have been in a previous life!

From R31 Skyline wagon... to GC34 Stagea

From R31 Skyline wagon... to GC34 Stagea

>> RADICAL ’80s: Tuned Cars From The Previous Era!

Something a bit different than Japanese cars for sale in Japan, this time… European!  At least two different manufacturers thereof.  First up, this sweet Peugeot 505;

Peugeot 505, French Mafia, Black styles.

Peugeot 505, French Mafia, Black styles.

1989 Peugeot 505 @ 980,000JPY

(more…)

From the second largest Japanese manufacturer, to the largest; Toyota. No point in spouting a whole lot of nonsense, you known the deal by now and as such, here’s some vehicles for your perusal.  First up, not a HiAce, not a LiteAce but… a miniAce!

Not your average Ace

Not your average Ace

(more…)

After being inspired to try my new arrivals on the car I thought I would upload a high-res version of this photo, just because I quite like it.  I’ll assume someone else might too… perhaps…

1600x1200

1600x1200 Wallpaper for you peeps.

Same deal as previous ones, either click directly on it or alternatively right click and “Save Target As…” or “Save Link As…” depending on your browser.

-Michael