Category Archives: General

That First Big Step..

November 8, 2009 in General, HR Originals by

engine-rebuild

What is that first big step im talking about? Is it just getting a 4A-GE engine in your car? Is it your first track day? No this is that one big step that not everybody embarks on and only very few can really say they got it right.

It’s the engine rebuild.

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Honda Love

October 28, 2009 in Events, General by

Honda Steering Wheel in a Hachi?

Yes, you did see that correctly: a Honda steering wheel inside a hachi! :) RA64 Freddy spotted this US Corolla GT-S on a meet in a local car park called Tropical Park. It turned out to be a 90% Honda/Acura meet but he thought he stroke gold when he spotted a hachi among them!

This Hachi was one of two ’Yotas at the meet..ehhh..but it had a Honda soul…I was looking for 4AG with ITB’s..

When he looked inside he saw that even the steering wheel had been swapped…

But is it that bad? No, I think not. The hachi is now powered by a F20c so its heart is already a Honda anyway so go with the flow!

Read more about the Tropic Park meet here.

More FT-86 Details!

October 12, 2009 in General by

ft86_details

7TUNE has more saliva inducing details on the gorgeous new FT-86 (Future Toyota 86), and by the looks of things, Toyota designers may have gone a little crazy with the carbon fibre! The attention to detail on this car, coupled with Toyota’s apparent (and somewhat surprising) enthusiasm towards it, make me believe this is one concept we just might see on showroom floors! My sentiments on this car are summed up pretty damn accurately in this quote from the article:

After looking at these pics for the best part of an hour, I really do feel like I am looking at an AE86. They have taken the lines, soul, and concept behind the AE86, thrown it in a blender with a 2011 calendar and this is the result.

The car may not scream ‘I’m a neo-retro remake!!’ like GM’s new Camaro and so many other recent ‘retro’ models do, but it does however give you that subtle feeling of familiarity and attitude that you are really looking at the next-generation of thinking and design that made the original ’86 so damn good. I think this concept really does try to push boundaries with both exterior design and what most people consider ‘normal’ in terms of in-cabin equipment (for example the capacitive touch CD player controls and hexagonal airconditioning vents) but all without getting absolutely outragous or gaudy in the process.

Whatever the outcome of this concept, at the least I hope it gives Toyota a re-invigorated passion to make exciting and groundbreaking sportscars, as well all know it’s been a long time coming for something this radical from the automaker who has brought us so many iconic machines of yesteryear.

Image: Toyota / Car@Nifty

086A Update: The FT-86 Concept

October 6, 2009 in General by

toyota_ft-86_concept

Just one look at this image over at TMR and I knew, at that very moment, I wanted one. TMR writes:

Offering the best look yet at Toyota’s plans for its upcoming entry-level rear-wheel-drive sportscar, the Japanese carmaker has revealed the FT-86 concept ahead of its Tokyo Motor Show debut.

Borrowing styling cues from both the FT-HS concept and the upcoming Lexus LF-A, the FT-86 is likely powered by the same Subaru-sourced 2.0 litre four-cylinder boxer engine expected to power the upcoming ‘O86A’.

Seriously, if the 086A comes out looking identical to this, I’ll have no problems with scooting down to the showroom and driving away in Toyota’s re-emergence into the world of sporty passenger vehicles. Even the super-experimental gundam-esque interior trimmings get the tick of approval in my opinion – zips and all!

Read the rest (including specs!!) over at The Motor Report. Oh, and make sure to make your desires known to Toyota – it’s up to enthusiasts like us to get this project off the ‘maybe’ list and into showrooms!

Heres a quick chop done by HR Blogger (and legit graphic designer) Harley. It looks so awesome with its 18″ Watanabes and ‘panda bumpers’!

ft86-chop