Japan's Retro Car Kings - Also, help me find a project car.

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FlyingAGasoline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouhdGnH1QmA


Have you guys seen this? It's long, but totally worth it. the black pauses must have been for commercials.


The video unearthed my desire to restore a car. And I've resolved to buy one in October 2014 for 1200 bucks and restore it. The amount of passion these guys have for what they do is inspiring. I'm working a job I can barely tolerate and am not realizing my potential. I felt completely liberated working on clocks during my apprenticeship, as I was basically tinkering with things all day. But I have a bigger passion for cars than I do clocks. It's something I'd like to eventually turn into a business. Before you dismiss the idea, I must confess that I will be inheriting a very large sum of money when my Dad dies. I will be able to do anything I want to do as a career. I won't have to work after that if I play my cards right. But I want to work. And I want to work at something I love.

And guys, I've gotta tell you, I love cars. I really do. I love clocks, but the real love there was the act of restoring them. I honestly think I'm going to make a business out of restoring cars eventually. The passion they have for these cars reminds of my old boss' passion for clocks, and I want to be like him. Working and loving every minute of it.


So. 1200 dollars for a car. Ideas? I'll consider anything.
 
I've always loved Japanese classics and that episode (watched it online as well) gave me goose bumps. Loved it! 👍 Even have my own JNC that I'm restoring. :lol:

Before you start a project car...the biggest question is how devoted would you be to it and how many resources do you have to use? Connections help a long way if you find yourself in a place where parts are rare (obviously when you're outside Japan, unless you have the luxury of going there. Wish I did...) I've had my 1971 Toyota Crown at a shop for some time as my project car. With a project car there are pains...lots of them. I've had moments where I wish I didn't get myself into it, but in the end, you want to reward yourself with a finished car. Consider things before you start up a project, maybe try to find some people who are willing to help you and support you before you start it too.

What kind of classic car are you looking for? If it's Japanese, I'd recommend something with parts that are common. I made the mistake of starting with something rare and having to do several trial and error experiments to make good progress... Also, do you plan on doing modifications or restoring a car to original specs? Not sure how experienced you are with cars and how common specific cars are in your country. But I'd say a 70s Corolla would be a good start or a Datsun 510. 240Zs are pretty common as well if you'd rather have a sports car. Good luck!
 
MedigoFlame
I've always loved Japanese classics and that episode (watched it online as well) gave me goose bumps. Loved it! 👍 Even have my own JNC that I'm restoring. :lol:

Before you start a project car...the biggest question is how devoted would you be to it and how many resources do you have to use? Connections help a long way if you find yourself in a place where parts are rare (obviously when you're outside Japan, unless you have the luxury of going there. Wish I did...) I've had my 1971 Toyota Crown at a shop for some time as my project car. With a project car there are pains...lots of them. I've had moments where I wish I didn't get myself into it, but in the end, you want to reward yourself with a finished car. Consider things before you start up a project, maybe try to find some people who are willing to help you and support you before you start it too.

What kind of classic car are you looking for? If it's Japanese, I'd recommend something with parts that are common. I made the mistake of starting with something rare and having to do several trial and error experiments to make good progress... Also, do you plan on doing modifications or restoring a car to original specs? Not sure how experienced you are with cars and how common specific cars are in your country. But I'd say a 70s Corolla would be a good start or a Datsun 510. 240Zs are pretty common as well if you'd rather have a sports car. Good luck!
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This, basically. I'd also say that if you're gonna jump at it as a business, do it with a car that's readily available in your country and has a good fanbase, so you'll really have work popping on your driveway if your resto/modding of whatever car you choose is good enough.

If it must be japanese I'd second the 510 option, they have loaaaads of character and charm, are still cheap and available, and have a huge aftermarket/resto industry to back them up. Find a wagon and you'll strike.

If you want to try your hand at every kind of car, I'd say get a VW Bug and gro from there. The cars are staggeringly simple and easy to work with, they also have a huge aftermarket/resto scene, and a gigantic fan base. Then move from there. Or do 50s Chevrolets/Fords.
 
Fox bodies are inexpensive cars, stupidly easy to work on, and that will literally fly if done right. Hell you can get a 347 stroker car that runs 11 second 1/4 miles for $4,500.



If you look, you can get classic muscle cars for cheap (where you live depending) that are decent starting shape (not too must rust etc). Craigslist is notorious along with Ebay for finding $500 starter cars that people have worked on a bit and are trying to get rid of.
 
Since you mentioned JDM, can you get hold of a Corolla Levin? With an engine that small, I should loathe that car, but for some reason I can't bring myself to. You could probably put a 2JZ in it anyway. I think it looks quite a bit better than the Trueno (the one with the flip-up lights, which sadly is the only one we got here in the States), and it should have a slight aero advantage as well.

Either that or a MkIII Supra.

If you're not after JDM, try a Trans Am.
 
High-Test
1200 bucks
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There's not a great deal of realism in this thread so far with the budget.

$1200... won't get you a classic. It'll get you a future classic though. Assuming the Japanese inspiration feeds into a Japanese car as the outcome, there's plenty of late 80s/early 90s Japanese oddities that are just reaching the end of their age-related depreciation phase and entering the lottery of classic status.

Try a Mazda MX-3 (or Eunos Presso, depending on your locale). In budget and a bit weird - usually "a bit weird" helps for future classic status.
 
White & Nerdy
Since you mentioned JDM, can you get hold of a Corolla Levin? With an engine that small, I should loathe that car, but for some reason I can't bring myself to. You could probably put a 2JZ in it anyway. I think it looks quite a bit better than the Trueno (the one with the flip-up lights, which sadly is the only one we got here in the States), and it should have a slight aero advantage as well.
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Yeah i caught this on tv it was a amazing those early Skylines :drool: id love to have one day.

With 1200 a AE86 might be possable though at that price if its rusty it'll cost a hell of a lot more.

And NO 2J....EJ :D:tup:
 
Hakosuka? Yeah, in my dreams. I live in Kansas.

I'm looking at Volvo 240s and FB RX-7s right now. Both can be had for around my budget.

And I'd adore a 510.
 
High-Test
And I'd adore a 510.
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You can find a 510 for your budget, right? I have no idea really, but I'm sure I could scoop a project 510 wagon for that money over here, and cars in here are got damn overpriced compared to the USA.
 
280px-Nissan_240SX_--_03-16-2012.JPG


Future Classic.

At the rate these things are being crashed and ruined and drifted (guilty), a nice one will be worth a lot in the future.
 
I think a higher mileage late 80s to early 2000s Honda may be a good start. There should be plenty around with a lot of parts available, and there's quite a bit of nostalgia with them since Honda changed the type of cars it builds. Maybe you can find an Integra or Prelude in your budget, although the restoration will likely start with removing the wing, any neon and hack modifications.

Other than that there are some interesting Mazdas (although I'd really want to know what I was doing before getting a rotary engined car) and Toyotas of the same era, like Celicas, Supras and Corolla SR-5s (although Initial D has skyrocketed the value on those).

Finally, while not Japanese, I believe a lot of people begin restoring with Mustangs. Parts are plentiful and there's a massive community available to help.
 
Thanks for sharing the video, though oddly I found it by accident earlier before picking it up from this thread, after watching Jay Leno look at a 510 :)

On that note, pretty sure a clean 510 will be a little over budget for you but perhaps a thrashed CRX or similar? Future classic status assured I reckon.

Damn, glimpse of the R390 road edition in that video, at the Nissan museum...
 

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