Some Interesting Things on Recent Trip to Japan

[240260280z]

Some pics from Japan:

A mid to late 60's Chev truck. The town is Kamogawa...a beach and surf spot.

Not sure what this is. It was in the hotel lot when going to work. Reminds me of a spider (insect) and a bit like a Jag/Morgan blend.

Another cutie I missed. It looks bland like a small Suzuki but it has tail lights like a fairlady roadster and a nice chrome front grill. The rear split bumper is stylish too. Sorry I couldn't get better shots as it was a phone.... not a camera.

The land of Cute

Daihatsu Copen. A very small but cool convertible. I think there is a business case to open a dealership in NA if the Fiat 500 can. Note the "Giant Prius" beside it.

Another cute Daihatsu...wonder what it is modeled after? It is called a Gino.

Our ride to work was a colleagues X-Trail. We have these in Canada but I don't think the US market got one? Nice lights up in the roof rack.

Edited October 11, 2013 by Blue

[240260280z]

10km tunnel under Tokyo bay!!

It lands in Kawasaki ~10m north of Nissans big site in Yokohama

Looks like you could go insanely fast in the straight tunnel but most speed limits are 80km/hr.

Here is the man-made island in the bay where the bridge stops and the tunnel starts.

Looking East

The roof of the tunnel slanting down into the bay.

A Lambo that passed us in the tunnel and parked on the island along with some surfers.

[240260280z]

"Service" station!!!! Yes those guys in uniforms are waiting for you to drive up for gas.

I remember Gulf oil promoting sneakers worn by their pumpers to gas you up faster back in the late 60's.

Japan's service standards are probably the best on Earth.

Wanna take driving lessons in Tokyo but you don't want to drive in Tokyo traffic? Just learn on the roof!

I saw this out of my hotel window!!! I wonder if any nervous drivers drove off the roof?

Automobile supplies in a department store...did you want the Nissan or the Honda oil sir?

I picked up a few tools and metric rivets...I wish I had more time to shop for tools.

Even the gas cans are cool, tough, and better.

Edited October 11, 2013 by Blue

[240260280z]

I placed two orders while I was in Japan. Nearly next day delivery and everything was individually packed and marked. First Class!!

3 Rebuild Kits and 3 spacers

Detail of the Rebuild Kit

The Mother lode including the inner o-rings that seal the jet tower assemblies to the bodies

OER: website

Store Front for OER: Website

[240260280z]

Megaweb Toyota History Garage (Automobile History Museum in Odaiba)

It has all the "must-see" cars in one easy-to-get-to spot!!!!!

Easy to find: Just drive to the giant ferris wheel and park on the roof. You can see this place from most of the downtown core. The museum is in a cool shopping mall thats is like a Roman village in the evening.

[240260280z]

432 and GT-R

800 and 2000

Cosmo

Jag and Dino

Western

Subaru

[240260280z]

There is also a courtyard filled with cars and more waiting in the wings out back.

SS 510

More after supper

Edited October 11, 2013 by Blue

[LeonV]

That's awesome, Phil! Japan is most definitely on my to-do list.

I'm spoiled, as I've seen each model in the flesh that you took photos of in the museum.

[240260280z]

The museum has a great reference collection for most Japanese sports cars. I took some snaps of some interesting documents that I will post in another thread. As always the place is first class.

There are many miniature diecasts on display as well as a cafe, racing simulator, and shop full of cool car stuff (mags, diecasts, art, etc. in the basement.

[Patcon]

Did you find any flares while you were there?

C

[240260280z]

Nope. I'll have to settle for z force or keep watching yahoo japan auctions

[LeonV]

Big thanks for documenting this. Looking forward to seeing other cool stuff to do in Japan!

I'm afraid that when I go, I'll come home with a car...