Hot New Japanese Auto Styling

[Dave]

A buddy of mine sent me this link. No roadsters but I think you'll all get a good laugh out of what our friends across the Pacific are up to:

http://tanetane92.web.infoseek.co.jp/20050116tas2.html

[sgriffin]

Looks like they've been heavily influenced by Chip Foose and a lot of late 60's early 70"s street rods.. The undercarriage body molding is a definite link to the Hudson/Mercury lead sleds.

[windy311]

One question WHY?if i had that much time on my hands i would want a better result.Rob.

[toolsnob]

I think what we are missing here is the deep passion for anime they have in the east. That is how I view these cars, more or less cartoons. Some look like they are looking for a fight.

Alexi

[dat68s]

From the same link check this out... the 1500 several shots down...

http://tanetane92.web.infoseek.co.jp/20031220nfts.html

Stu

[dat68s]

And then...

http://tanetane92.web.infoseek.co.jp/20050116tas4.html

Roadster in disguise about 1/2 way down.
Stuart

[spl310]

Well, I gotta agree, some of those guys are under the influence....

The photos of the 1500 appear to be of the one that won the first Japanese Grand Prix. It is owned by Nissan. The other vintage racers all appear to be part of the Nissan collection. Pretty neat!

[TR]

This one kills me. I would love to see the look on people's faces if you drove that thing down main street of anytown, USA...

I had to put it in the album so I can go back and see it forever...

www.311s.org/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=110

[dbrick]

Well, at least when I look at these, all the crazy ideas I ever had seem much better.
This could explain the high suicide rate in Japan.

[Crazy Backyard Builder]

And then...

http://tanetane92.web.infoseek.co.jp/20050116tas4.html

Roadster in disguise about 1/2 way down.

Stuart,

That is not a Roadster, it is a Mazda Miata or ( Road Lady ).


Crazy Backyard Builder

[itsa68]

I thought that the idea was to swap the engine into a roadster instead of transferring the body style to the Miata.
Wonder what they did at the rear of this Miadster to make it look similiar?

Does this mean Steve will be adding a new forum section for body swaps?

Ray B.

[dbrick]

The Miaster (Roadata?) has a molded fiberglass rear, pretty close in style to a Datsun. They just sculpted up a form and glassed it on. The link to the site was here somewhere, but I can't find it.

[spl310]

There have been a couple of threads about it. The link to the site of the creator of the Miataster is:

http://www.ducks-garden.co.jp/015_road- ... d-lady.htm

The threads are:

http://www.311s.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1769

and

http://www.311s.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1505

I think that they did the logical thing for someone that wants late model performance/reliability/options/etc with vintage looks. Fiberglass is infinitely easier to work with than steel and once it is done, it is easy to replicate.

Long before this was done, I suggested that someone do this when they wanted a late motor, power windows, AC, power locks, CD player, etc in their car. The only let down in the Duck Garden car is that they did not use any chrome. If they had made the grille more accurate and chrome, then it would pull it off much better. I dare say that they are on the right track for a curent version of the Roadster. Nissan should take note.

[sgriffin]

Miata disaster is more like it. I'm no prude or absolue purist, but I thought even in 1969-70 that Nissan was making a mistake with the "Z" cars, and perhaps more importantly to change their US market name from Datsun to their international Nissan name. To this day at least 67% of the people 25 and under never have heard of Datsun.

[dbrick]

Oh yes, the Dodge Mirada/Chrysler Cordoba grille debate of 2004!!

Will Rich Corinthian Leather be an option?

As far as Retro Repros go, we got the PT cruiser, the Viper, the new Mustang and a whole bunch of new cars from it.

A well made Roadster-emulating body, 350Z drivetrain and a factory warranty??? why not