COVERAGE> Motorsport Auto Z-Car Nationals 2009
We took tons of photos at the event yesterday, so we'll have to spread out the Z photos into more than one posting. We admired Japanese Classic Car Show organizer Koji Yamaguchi's gorgeous orange 240Z as it basked in the sunlight, with it's straight up Japan-style look, fender mirrors and all.
Click here to check out more of our Z-Car Nationals photos after the jump! Read more...
COLLECTION> The Fifth Celica, RA20 RC Version!
Joji Luz's Fifth Celica
If you owned the fifth RA20 Toyota Celica in existence, you’d certainly be a proud papa – especially if your car was in the same condition Joji Luz‘s Number 5 Celica was in! Joji’s car is always, always clean. It has been featured in Sport Compact Car Magazine (RIP SCC), and is always on display at the annual Toyotafest put on by TORC, the Toyota Owners and Restorers Club and at the Japanese Classic Car Show.
It seems the Number 5 Celica recently had a baby – and here it is! This is an ABC Hobby RA20/TA22 Toyota Celica body, painted to look just like Joji’s Celica. We think it looks great – same color, same wheels and everything! Even the stance of the RC looks cool! Look how far those wheels stick out from the slightly exaggerated fenders!
Time to start painting our nostalgic Japanese car ABC Hobby bodies!
::Dan Hsu
WEBMINING> Mitsubishi Stallion, err… Starion?
We saw this video after talking to the guys over at Clunkbucket.com. We thought it was really cool – an old school Mitsubishi Starion commercial! One thing that came to our attention though… on the commercial, when they show the “Starion” logo, they show it with a picture of a horse.
Wait a minute… let’s think for a second. Mitsubishi Colt. Mitsubishi Lancer. Hmmm, those are horse related names, aren’t they? Could it be..? Was the Mitsubishi “Starion” originally intended to be named as “Stallion” by Mitsubishi’s designers in Japan?
It does make sense – it certainly wouldn’t be the first time people in Japan have mixed up the R and the L when translating a word to English. If you own as many Japanese magazines as we do, you definitely have seen translation errors in Japanese editorial and advertisements. It happens all_the_time!
Either way, it’s a great commercial, and the Starion is a cool car, especially with the SHP package. Watch the video, and then chime in. What do you think?
Starion or Stallion?
::Motor Mavens
PAPERCUTS> Someone actually made this FF Corolla cool!
WEBMINING> Flight of the Red Dragon
We Motor Mavens haven’t been to a nostalgic drag event as a group yet, but after watching this video, we really, really, really, really, really, really want to go! Really!
Drag racing isn’t a world where we normally dwell, but it’s hard not to appreciate the drama and the excitement built up by these incredible looking cars! We just LOVE the way these retro funny cars look… and we’re just AMAZED at how fast they go!
In this video, watch The Red Dragon, the red metallic car in the far lane… as it completes its run, it actually launches itself into the sky!!! OMG!!! (more…)
TALENT SCOUTING> Sexy Apex'i
Apex Integration is a brand known not only for its power products – exhausts, suspension, and electronics… but also for its style. Ever since Apex’i started out in the USA, they have always had some of the most stylish cars and umbrella girls on the track.
At Formula D Long Beach, we noticed a new addition to the Apex’i camp that in our opinions, will attract quite a fan base. Of course we think FD driver (and former D1GP champ) Ryuji Miki is cool, but we think we’d rather have a signed Apex’i poster of Kurumi on our garage walls. Who else is down for a poster of her? We know we are!
::MotorMavens
WEBMINING> We love Kei Truck drifting!
This isn’t your everyday Japanese farm vehicle! Drifting in a kei truck?! These 600cc kei trucks just became a whole lot cooler.
::MotorMavens
CENTER STAGE> Pink wheels (for real!)
WEBMINING> Calvin Wan's S15 on Streetfire
We just saw this awesome video of Falken Tire works driver Calvin Wan on Streetfire.net, which features Calvin driving his S15 Silvia at a pre-season private practice event.
The “test track” in the video is an EVOC facility in San Bernadino CA, which is actually an Emergency Vehicle Operations Center used by the California Highway Patrol for training. However, we’re pretty sure that the CHiPs don’t get drifting training yet. And certainly not in a vehicle as stylish as Calvin’s S15 Silvia, his 2009 Formula D competition car that we’ve seen previously in red and yellow and black and yellow liveries. You know which liveries we’re talking about, right?
::Motor Mavens
NEWSWORTHY> Falken Garage Sale at Jtuned Meet!
Jtuned Meet x Falken Garage Sale!
Already makin plans for this weekend, April 25 and 26? You bet. There are plenty of things happening this upcoming weekend in Southern California!
For those of you that live near Solvang CA, or those who are just appreciate Datsun Roadsters, there’s a big Datsun Roadster Meet in Solvang CA (www.solvangshow.com). We hear the guys from Japanese Nostalgic Car Magazine are heading up there to have fun with the nostalgic Datsun community, and although we wish we could join them…
We just can’t miss out on the Falken Garage Sale, which is taking place in conjunction with the Jtuned Super Meet, at UTI in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Ladies, don’t be scared… we’re not talking about that type of UTI. The UTI we’re referring to is Universal Technical Institute, the automotive mechanic school across the street from Falken’s old HQ on Haven Ave in Rancho. We hear that Falken will selling be TONS of body kits, tons of wide wheels, tons of suspension components, and racing seats from their old competition cars. Actually, we were told that they’re even selling engines, turbos and exhausts! Don’t sleep on this opportunity to come up on top quality parts at homie hookup prices! Mapquest UTI to get directions, and watch out for onetime. I’m sure the Inland Empire po-pos will be on the lookout.
On Sunday, the event to be at is the annual Z Car West Coast Nationals. We haven’t been to one of these annual Z shows yet, but Motorsport Auto in Orange CA holds this event every year, and we hear it’s pretty awesome. We’ll try to go and snap some pics at the show for those of you who can’t be there!
::MotorMavens
