u/Hakone-nights

Out of all the Nissan Pike cars from that era, these were actually pretty common to see around. Even though it's based on the K10 March-Micra, the interior is completely different so it really feels like its own chassis. The full open canvas top was a solid feature. A buyer buddy of mine told me he wanted one ASAP so I won this at auction. The canvas top was actually still fully functional. Sounds like he just gave it a light refresh and sold it to a new driver. Even on the used market, these were super popular with the younger crowd back then.

This is a 1949 guide map of Tokyo, right in the middle of the GHQ occupation (General MacArthur was in this very city).

Back then, Tokyo's subway system was basically just the Ginza Line. Instead, a massive network of streetcars (Toden) served as the true lifeblood of the citizens. Due to severe post-WWII material shortages in Japan, you can tell it was printed on very rough, low-quality scrap paper, which makes it a miracle that it survived this long.

The green ad on the back is for "Taisei Fire & Marine Insurance." This company survived the harsh post-war era, but fast forward to 2001, they had heavily underwritten aviation reinsurance. When the 9/11 attacks occurred in the US, the company was hit with astronomical payout obligations and ultimately went bankrupt. It’s crazy to hold a fragile piece of 1949 Tokyo that connects to a historic event in 2001 New York.

The rain has a way of hiding imperfections. In the Japanese auto auction scene, this Lot #48 looked like an absolute time capsule. Zenki S14 K’s, seemingly untouched in its factory teal.

Ran beautifully. The SR20DET was surprisingly quiet-no typical VTC rattle from the cam sprockets, just smooth. Odo reads a relatively healthy 89k km.

But... check the inspection sheet . It’s marked with a Repaired stamp. The rain can be deceptive, making everything look mint.

The gamble is real. Do I smash the manic bid button or is this JDM dream just a hidden moneypit nightmare?

Looks like it's legally registered with a 3-number plate. The clear coat is totally fried, so I'm guessing it's a restoration project in waiting? Ngl, I actually love the raw look it has right now.

Stopped by for some coffee and breakfast this morning and then BOOM this absolute legend was waiting. Look at how mint this thing is. Completely timeslipped back to the era. (lol)

Snagged this on Yahoo Auctions roughly 20 years ago when you used to see tons of them listed everywhere. My partner was like "Too many cars, seriously stop" lol. But we definitely got our money's worth taking it to the ocean and the mountains. Its capability was unreal even completely stock.

Found this Kouki AE86 Apex tucked away in a body shop's barn.... tried to snag it but the owner wouldn't budge and insisted on putting it up for auction. Mind you this was 10 years ago lol.

The mixed bento has different flavors of karaage!

Back around 2021, a trucker coworker of mine was making a huge fuss about needing a kei truck to clear out some brush around a graveyard on the hill out back. I ended up letting him have this Sambar. It wasn't a 4WD anyway so I wasn't too heartbroken about letting it go lol.

Back in the mid2000s when I had free time, I was always window shopping for cool used rides. Some far, some close. Less than 5 minutes from my place, there was this local body shop. The master craftsman who ran it had serious brand loyalty and in his case, he was clearly a hardcore Nissan fan. His cars weren't delicately stored, though. They were just lined up rough in the workshop's roofed garage.

Visiting one day, after some casual chat so I casually dropped, " 'Hey Oyaji, just wondering... is that Fairlady Z for sale?' playin' it cool." He just grinned and said, " Of course, it might be haha." While I was thinkin' to myself, 'The Z31 might be an affordable price, but the SR311 will need a serious check over...' a few years slipped by. Next thing I knew, the whole shop was gone. Damn it all.

Back in the 90s, I actually had the chance to drive a ton of Inspires and Rafagas since they were massive hits here in Japan. But even with how popular they were I think I only ever came across a manual transmission maybe twice. That's how incredibly rare the MTs were !

Back in '06 this rig kept going unsold at the auctions. I originally thought it was a modified 4-number (compact commercial) and putting it back to stock just to pass Shaken (Japanese vehicle inspection) sounded like a massive pain in the ass. But looking back at it now this thing was definitely already legally registered on 1-number (full size commercial) plates with all the mods approved. Damn it!

In 2006 strict diesel emission laws hit major cities in Japan so these 1HZ cruisers couldn't be registered in places like Tokyo. The domestic market crashed.

I actually tried to get this at the auction. My maximum bid was only around $2,500 USD at the time because I was young and broke lol. The reserve was just a little higher, so it didn't sell to me.

The one that got away...this is easily my biggest car regret ever. haha

Around 2005, I was at a dealer auction looking for a reasonably priced sedan. Those Japanese 5-number size bodies are compact and super easy to drive. That's when I spotted a 2.0L Accord. Back in the day, 1.6L was the mainstream for cars in this size class.

I was hyped thinking, Hell yeah, 200hp! ... but then I peeked inside and saw the auto shifter. Ah, minus 20hp then.

I popped the hood to check it out, and the valve cover was blue! I’d always pictured VTEC motors having black or red tops so seeing a blue one totally caught me off guard.

I ended up passing on it, and another dealer snagged it for a pretty good price. If it had been a manual, I would’ve jumped on it in a heartbeat lol. Looking back on it now, that engine bay was super clean... Come to think of it, I didn't even check the mileage !!

Back in '05, sedans and coupes were pretty much dead in Japan. So naturally 90s rides were getting dumped for stupid cheap. Like prices that'd make you go - wtf? - today. This car was no exception.

Only problem!? It was sitting 400 miles away. Shipping ended up costing more than the actual car man.

I always daily the cars I pick up for a bit, and honestly, the auto tranny and NA motor combo was super chill. I owned an ST185 Celica too, but the Curren had way milder vibes and was just easier to drive. Well for normal street cruising anyway lol.

Looking back at it now... the styling is actually pretty sick -- right?

Back in 2004, I was actually taking on some repair jobs on the side. Before that, I had worked as a Honda mechanic. So when my buddy offered me this Orthia, I turned him down, telling him, -I'd take a Partner (the commercial van), but I don't need an Orthia.-

Still, I figured it might actually have some appeal, so I snapped this pic of it at the time.

I knew it was packing a B20B, built on an EK chassis with 4WD and double-wishbone suspension, but back then, I just assumed that was standard Honda stuff...

I found out later that this friend had bought the Orthia dirt cheap and was trying to pawn it off on me with a crazy markup! ! You really can't let your guard down around this guy.