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What I've been fooling with

Howard_The_Duck

Jedi Warrior
Offline
As many of you long time members know, I've spent the last few years building a business manufacturing and developing performance parts for older sports cars, although mainly geared towards undersupported vehicle platforms from Japan.

I recently have begun importing vehicles and parts from Japan as well, and recently picked up these gems -

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The black car is a 1988 Nissan Fairlady Z (300ZX) Turbo. Also available here in the states, this car only has roughly 45,000miles, and is in pretty decent shape - although I can tell it has not been driven on a regular basis in some time. Has really neat touches (RHD of course, warning nanny that speaks in Japanese, mirrored t-tops, Japanese aftermarket performance parts, BBS RS wheels) and will make a good showcase vehicle for many of the products we make for this vehicle.

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The white car is a little bit more special in terms of rarity and significance. It is a 1982 Toyota Carina, which is a model never sold in the western hemisphere (at least this generation). This vehicle is significant because the powerplant is the first Twin-Cam, turbocharged engine ever built in Japan - the 3T-GTE. (Think early 80s Corolla motor on more steroids than Ah-Nuld.) I kind of lucked into this car.

Conservatively rated at 160WHP, this thing is a monster, and uses twin spark plugs per cylinder, but is not a wasted spark system - the head design is such that 2 plugs were required for ignition. The car weighs less than 1000KG, and "proper" stock power estimates are around 200WHP, and easily upgraded to nearly 400 with some modifications. The car drives well, and is a hoot - if it were left hand drive, it would be the ultimate sleeper.

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Although I currently don't have any British cars right now, I am going to hopefully start looking for another BGT pretty soon!
 

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ZACK! Good to hear from you, and glad you're pursuing your passion.

I remember the Carina from the early seventies. Didn't last long here - probably a victim of over-regulation (?). Even though right-hand drive, it's definitely a sleeper.

Best to the family,
Mickey
 
Hey Mickey! Long time no see! Hope you and your family are doing well also!

I am definitely giving things a good run with the parts business. I am still working a day job in addition to running my business, but will have to transition to full time self employment soon, as I have run out of hours in the day.

I miss posting here - I am going to make a more conscious effort to do so!
 
Very cool cars -- I'm a huge fan of RHD anything (it's a weakness of mine). Love the Carina.

The 80's Japanese stuff is going to grow, I think. Those are the cars that my generation remembers from high school.
 
Zack, welcome back. That Carina sounds like it could easily be a heck of a sleeper. I think the door panels may give it away to anyone who sees the inside though.
 
Thank you guys!

The Carina ought to be plenty fun. I am also really excited about the Z. We have been very successful in building a brand name developing products for that year range of Z-Car, and it will not take much to turn it into a real firebreather either.

In fact I have been in the shop trying to take product photos. Here is one I just finished - adjustable front camber plates we manufacture for that car -

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Everybody on the continent wants em.
Only available are "down under" and are really pricey
 
Zack- We are very serious (Wedge crowd) about doing this.
What do you need to get it off the ground?
 
He needs a TR7!

And welcome back, Zack!!!
 
These older Japanese cars are a huge side industry here in Canada, where anything 15 years or older (that wasn't originally sold here new) can be imported and put on the road, as long as it complies with existing laws... We get everything from the sports cars, 4x4's, mini vans, kei class trucks and cars, lots of Japanese market Minis have also come over here... I even spotted a fairly recent Tata Van (ie. country of India) here in Calgary... Surprised because it's newer then 15 years, and would have likely been difficult to get in...

Tata Winger van, made in India since 2007...

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And here's a 1998 Nissan Stagea seen at a local car cruise night this past summer...

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