Merlin’s Japanese Car of the Day
@merlinsjapancars.bsky.social
Car of the day and or historical tidbits from my Japanese car archives.
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So I’ve been learning how to build my own EV and gathering parts to do so for a year now. I’ve taken an online course that has been very helpful.
Is there a Bluesky community for EV nerds?
Is there a Bluesky community for EV nerds?
November 13, 2024 at 2:32 PM
So I’ve been learning how to build my own EV and gathering parts to do so for a year now. I’ve taken an online course that has been very helpful.
Is there a Bluesky community for EV nerds?
Is there a Bluesky community for EV nerds?
Reposted by Merlin’s Japanese Car of the Day
My 64 Nissan Cedric is on 3 month loan to LeMay -America’s Car Museum in Tacoma as part of their Shinka Japanese car exhibit
August 28, 2024 at 7:53 PM
My 64 Nissan Cedric is on 3 month loan to LeMay -America’s Car Museum in Tacoma as part of their Shinka Japanese car exhibit
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Nihon Sangyo is the root for the Nissan name. Comes from the Tokyo stock ticker listing - Ni(hon) San(gyo) or NiSan- Nissan. It’s the parent company of many other companies. Part of a Zaibatsu or “clique” of associated companies.
August 23, 2024 at 1:11 AM
Nihon Sangyo is the root for the Nissan name. Comes from the Tokyo stock ticker listing - Ni(hon) San(gyo) or NiSan- Nissan. It’s the parent company of many other companies. Part of a Zaibatsu or “clique” of associated companies.
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DAT is the initials of three Japanese automotive pioneers. Kenjiro Den, Rokuro Aoyama, and Meitaro Takeuchi… but the initial company that made DAT’s was founded by Masujiro Hashimoto and was called Kaishinsha automobile, established 1911
August 23, 2024 at 1:20 AM
DAT is the initials of three Japanese automotive pioneers. Kenjiro Den, Rokuro Aoyama, and Meitaro Takeuchi… but the initial company that made DAT’s was founded by Masujiro Hashimoto and was called Kaishinsha automobile, established 1911
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In the 1930’s, Datson, Datsun, and Nissan cars and trucks were all produced, the latter Nissans were based on Graham Paige’s design and tooling for the Crusader. A different engine was used in Japan, but it was a GP design.
August 23, 2024 at 1:29 AM
In the 1930’s, Datson, Datsun, and Nissan cars and trucks were all produced, the latter Nissans were based on Graham Paige’s design and tooling for the Crusader. A different engine was used in Japan, but it was a GP design.
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Cool things from my collection- Nissan ad for a 1937 Type 16 Roadster - on prewar show tickets for the Sanizuka Girls' Opera Moon Troupe- Theater Tsukaho Kyoto Kibihi. 1937.
January 21, 2024 at 10:15 PM
Cool things from my collection- Nissan ad for a 1937 Type 16 Roadster - on prewar show tickets for the Sanizuka Girls' Opera Moon Troupe- Theater Tsukaho Kyoto Kibihi. 1937.
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Japanese Car OTD- the 1978 Toyota Corsa! A sibling car of the 1st Gen Tercel, the Corsa was nicknamed `Momoe's Red Shoes,' after a Momoe Yamaguchi song used in the ads. A very early FWD for Toyota, it sold better in North America(as a Tercel) than in Japan. 3 engine choices 1A-U, 2A-U, 3A-U.
January 21, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Japanese Car OTD- the 1978 Toyota Corsa! A sibling car of the 1st Gen Tercel, the Corsa was nicknamed `Momoe's Red Shoes,' after a Momoe Yamaguchi song used in the ads. A very early FWD for Toyota, it sold better in North America(as a Tercel) than in Japan. 3 engine choices 1A-U, 2A-U, 3A-U.
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Stuff on my phone. This amazing patina Toyota FJ45LV wagon I spotted in Kelowna BC. A rare beast, guessing 64-67? The inside is actually in much better shape and has been partially restored. Not a fan of patina as a style on Japanese cars because they never had much steel to begin with.
January 19, 2024 at 12:57 PM
Stuff on my phone. This amazing patina Toyota FJ45LV wagon I spotted in Kelowna BC. A rare beast, guessing 64-67? The inside is actually in much better shape and has been partially restored. Not a fan of patina as a style on Japanese cars because they never had much steel to begin with.
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Stuff on my phone - survivor Toyota Corona I came across at a car show. Little old lady owned and driven still. Had about 45,000 miles on it if I remember correctly. This is likely a 68 or 69 as the Toyoglide automatic transmission wasn’t added til 67.
January 18, 2024 at 1:55 PM
Stuff on my phone - survivor Toyota Corona I came across at a car show. Little old lady owned and driven still. Had about 45,000 miles on it if I remember correctly. This is likely a 68 or 69 as the Toyoglide automatic transmission wasn’t added til 67.
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On the road for politics, so no Car Of The Day for a few. Instead- Brochures on my phone. 1953ish Nissan Patrol 4w60. Interesting variants. A bunch of these ended up in Brazil as part of a trade agreement that lasted less than a year. Several survive, including one in a military museum.
January 18, 2024 at 3:13 AM
On the road for politics, so no Car Of The Day for a few. Instead- Brochures on my phone. 1953ish Nissan Patrol 4w60. Interesting variants. A bunch of these ended up in Brazil as part of a trade agreement that lasted less than a year. Several survive, including one in a military museum.
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Japanese Car OTD -the 1961 Prince Skyline Sport(BLRA-3). Based on the Prince Gloria 1900 (mechanically), it was designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Allemano in Italy built the bodies. A convertible was displayed at the Turin Motor Show in November 1960 to much applause. Only a few hundred were built.
January 17, 2024 at 3:18 AM
Japanese Car OTD -the 1961 Prince Skyline Sport(BLRA-3). Based on the Prince Gloria 1900 (mechanically), it was designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Allemano in Italy built the bodies. A convertible was displayed at the Turin Motor Show in November 1960 to much applause. Only a few hundred were built.
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Japanese car OTD -1997 Toyota Corolla Spacio! This compact “van” shared much with the standard Corolla. It had seatbelts that retract in a crash to pull passengers into their seats. It had 3 seat rows, the 2nd being removable for more 3rd row legroom. A special Miki House edition was made.
January 16, 2024 at 2:12 AM
Japanese car OTD -1997 Toyota Corolla Spacio! This compact “van” shared much with the standard Corolla. It had seatbelts that retract in a crash to pull passengers into their seats. It had 3 seat rows, the 2nd being removable for more 3rd row legroom. A special Miki House edition was made.
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Japanese Car OTD- the 1997 Isuzu VehiCROSS. Based on the VX concept, only 200 units were produced a month. Stock Recaro seats and Momo steering wheel. Powered by a 6VD1 3.2L DOHC V6. JDM versions came in 2wd or 4wd, US versions were all 4WD. A Chinese version called the Tiejingang was also sold.
January 15, 2024 at 4:12 AM
Japanese Car OTD- the 1997 Isuzu VehiCROSS. Based on the VX concept, only 200 units were produced a month. Stock Recaro seats and Momo steering wheel. Powered by a 6VD1 3.2L DOHC V6. JDM versions came in 2wd or 4wd, US versions were all 4WD. A Chinese version called the Tiejingang was also sold.
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Japanese Car OTD- Nissan Carrier 4w70/73. produced 1952 on- available in Carrier, Command Car(hard shell) and as a chassis for special vehicles like fire trucks. Powered 1st by Graham Paige based NK engine, then P series, both shared with the Patrol. Was also built in India as the Jonga 1 ton.
January 12, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Japanese Car OTD- Nissan Carrier 4w70/73. produced 1952 on- available in Carrier, Command Car(hard shell) and as a chassis for special vehicles like fire trucks. Powered 1st by Graham Paige based NK engine, then P series, both shared with the Patrol. Was also built in India as the Jonga 1 ton.
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From a 1958 Japanese TV Show. The Indian Jonga version has a cult following and are often heavily modified.
January 12, 2024 at 7:25 PM
From a 1958 Japanese TV Show. The Indian Jonga version has a cult following and are often heavily modified.
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Datsun 1500 Sports(FairLady) roadster… not Car of the Day, just a cool brochure page from my collection… the background is Vancouver BC- Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park(left) circa 1964.
January 12, 2024 at 1:35 AM
Datsun 1500 Sports(FairLady) roadster… not Car of the Day, just a cool brochure page from my collection… the background is Vancouver BC- Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park(left) circa 1964.
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Japanese Car OTD- the 1924 Otomo! The Otomo was manufactured by Hakuyosha Ironworks. 230 were made before production stopped in 1927. Powered by an air-cooled 944 cc four-cylinder. I believe no original cars exist and the one in the picture is a replica housed at the TAM.
January 11, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Japanese Car OTD- the 1924 Otomo! The Otomo was manufactured by Hakuyosha Ironworks. 230 were made before production stopped in 1927. Powered by an air-cooled 944 cc four-cylinder. I believe no original cars exist and the one in the picture is a replica housed at the TAM.
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Japanese Car OTD- the 1985 Toyota Corona Coupe! A sister car to the 4th Gen Celica (a 3 door hatch) the Corona Coupe (2door notchback) got lost in a sea of similar cars. Powered by 3S-GELU(preferred) as well as the 4A-GELU and 1S-iLu’s used in Corolla/Levins. About 35000 were made.
January 9, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Japanese Car OTD- the 1985 Toyota Corona Coupe! A sister car to the 4th Gen Celica (a 3 door hatch) the Corona Coupe (2door notchback) got lost in a sea of similar cars. Powered by 3S-GELU(preferred) as well as the 4A-GELU and 1S-iLu’s used in Corolla/Levins. About 35000 were made.
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Japanese Car OTD- the 2000( and 2006) Chevrolet MW! This is a rebadged Suzuki Solio that was sold as part of GM Autoworld expansion- initially at Japanese Saturn dealerships - until that project failed -at which point sales stopped for 2 years then resumed at “GM Chevrolet” stores/Suzuki Dealers.
January 9, 2024 at 2:45 AM
Japanese Car OTD- the 2000( and 2006) Chevrolet MW! This is a rebadged Suzuki Solio that was sold as part of GM Autoworld expansion- initially at Japanese Saturn dealerships - until that project failed -at which point sales stopped for 2 years then resumed at “GM Chevrolet” stores/Suzuki Dealers.
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Japanese Car OTD- the 1967-2017 Toyota Century… specifically the 1997-2017 V12. The original century was created for the 100th birthday of Toyota founder Sakichi Toyoda. The V12 was completely engineered by Toyota. In memory of car enthusiast Helen Poon, who owned one, among many other cool cars.
January 7, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Japanese Car OTD- the 1967-2017 Toyota Century… specifically the 1997-2017 V12. The original century was created for the 100th birthday of Toyota founder Sakichi Toyoda. The V12 was completely engineered by Toyota. In memory of car enthusiast Helen Poon, who owned one, among many other cool cars.
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Japanese car OTD- the 1992 Autozam AZ-1, a 657cc turbo mid engine(Suzuki) Mazda offshoot. Only 4409 were built, making them highly sought after today. The tiny gullwing side window is nicknamed “ticket window” for all the speeding tickets AZ-1 drivers received. 500 were also sold as Suzuki Cara’s.
January 7, 2024 at 2:33 AM
Japanese car OTD- the 1992 Autozam AZ-1, a 657cc turbo mid engine(Suzuki) Mazda offshoot. Only 4409 were built, making them highly sought after today. The tiny gullwing side window is nicknamed “ticket window” for all the speeding tickets AZ-1 drivers received. 500 were also sold as Suzuki Cara’s.
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This one will go for a pretty penny. bringatrailer.com/listing/1971...
1971 Nissan Fairlady Z432
Bid for the chance to own a 1971 Nissan Fairlady Z432 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #133,139.
bringatrailer.com
January 5, 2024 at 2:35 PM
This one will go for a pretty penny. bringatrailer.com/listing/1971...
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Odd Japanese car is the 02 Toyota WiLL Cypha. The Cypha was part of a series of WiLL cars, including the Vi and VS. It is supposed to be the car version of a cellphone, featuring a G-BOOK center console, subscription services, and all sorts of nerd tech. Note the 4 projector light vertical stacks.
January 5, 2024 at 1:10 AM
Odd Japanese car is the 02 Toyota WiLL Cypha. The Cypha was part of a series of WiLL cars, including the Vi and VS. It is supposed to be the car version of a cellphone, featuring a G-BOOK center console, subscription services, and all sorts of nerd tech. Note the 4 projector light vertical stacks.
Reposted by Merlin’s Japanese Car of the Day
Working on the “Datcave” renovation tonight.
January 4, 2024 at 3:11 AM
Working on the “Datcave” renovation tonight.
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Japanese Car OTD -the 1989 second Gen Honda(Acura) Integra! Powered by the DOHC B16A for the RSi and XSi it was the first car to feature Honda’s VTEC system( Valve Timing Electronically Controlled). North America got a B17A. Also available with the ZC engine. 3 and 5 door hatch and 4 door sedan.
January 4, 2024 at 1:25 AM
Japanese Car OTD -the 1989 second Gen Honda(Acura) Integra! Powered by the DOHC B16A for the RSi and XSi it was the first car to feature Honda’s VTEC system( Valve Timing Electronically Controlled). North America got a B17A. Also available with the ZC engine. 3 and 5 door hatch and 4 door sedan.