RE: JDM graveyard: Time For Tea?
Monday 11th November 2013
Time For Tea? traditionally focuses on the moving image but the haunting stills in this photo essay from Speedhunters makes for an interesting alternative. And one not requiring you to reach for the headphones to spare your colleagues the usual afternoon chorus of clinking china, tyre squeal and roaring engines.
JDM graveyard: Time For Tea?
Pay your respects to some rusting Japanese classics caught on 'film' by Speedhunters
There might, instead, be the sound of gentle sobbing at the sorry end some of these Japanese classics have come to but there's a quiet poignancy caught in Dino Dalle Carbonare's pictures that at least lets you speculate on what might have been and, like him, daydream on perhaps rescuing one or two and bringing them back to life. That 240Z perhaps, or maybe one of those old four-door Skylines.
All very different from the Rocky Autos carbon-bodied Hakosuka Dino was on his way to shoot when he stumbled across this fascinating graveyard. But good on him for giving these rusting hulks suitable photographic last rites.
[Sources: Speedhunters]
Discussion
Great article; I read it over the weekend. Wish I could go to Japan. I was a member of SpeedHunters when they first started but hadn't been on there for over a year. However, I went on there last week for their SEMA coverage.
I'd really like one of those "Hakosuka" Skyline sedans, but I'd settle for an early Gloria/Cedric or an early Toyota Crown!
I'd really like one of those "Hakosuka" Skyline sedans, but I'd settle for an early Gloria/Cedric or an early Toyota Crown!
Never mind that your parked on the exit of a blind bend...Tut Tut. Anyway just kidding.
Its sad to see Classics rotting into the ground not just the ones that are held in high esteem but most cars were someones pride and joy at one point and actually owned by someone. Unlike the 86% of financed indistinguishable white goods we have today. Those Old skylines look even better now (not these examples i mean but a good one). And i really like the 240z/fairlady so its a shame to see those rotting away.
Its sad to see Classics rotting into the ground not just the ones that are held in high esteem but most cars were someones pride and joy at one point and actually owned by someone. Unlike the 86% of financed indistinguishable white goods we have today. Those Old skylines look even better now (not these examples i mean but a good one). And i really like the 240z/fairlady so its a shame to see those rotting away.
I went through to that carbon car, expecting something lovely.....How wrong i was, an utter lash up, the workmanship was appalling, nothing was straight. It turned out the carbon was only sticky backed plastic and the 'real' carbon was reserved for easy bolt on items, mismatched splitting tyres, frayed oil lines, the list goes on.
I really don't 'get' cars like this, and to think that the owner will have paid an ABSOLUTE fortune for the work makes it even more perplexing
I really don't 'get' cars like this, and to think that the owner will have paid an ABSOLUTE fortune for the work makes it even more perplexing
I'm sorry, I just don't get it... These for the most part were shocking cars when I drove them new. Built during the "learning" phase of the Japanese car industry, 240Z excepted they were almost universally horrid and characterless to drive when new and the passage of time has doubtless done nothing to improve them. Rosy glasses, thousands of hours & pounds will produce a sad car with shocking dynamics. They were always dogs...
jamespink said:
I'm sorry, I just don't get it... These for the most part were shocking cars when I drove them new. Built during the "learning" phase of the Japanese car industry, 240Z excepted they were almost universally horrid and characterless to drive when new and the passage of time has doubtless done nothing to improve them. Rosy glasses, thousands of hours & pounds will produce a sad car with shocking dynamics. They were always dogs...
Which particular cars are you talking about? There's quite a spectrum of models, market sectors and production dates there...I see quite a few C10-series Skylines in the group, and I'd be surprised if you drove many of them when they were new. If you had, you'd surely have noticed the MacPherson strut front / semi-trailing arm rear suspension ( semi-trailing as used in BMWs made around the same period ), disc brakes, five speed Overdrive transmissions, and alloy-headed OHC engines. Decent build quality, arguably slick Italianate styling, good standard equipment levels with a huge range of sub-models to choose from, and decent dynamics.
They might be 'porridge' in your view, but by the late Sixties Japan was turning out plenty of cars that were the equal - and in some cases superior to - what was on the market in the rest of the world. Quite a few of the very best ones were never officially exported outside Japan.
PZR said:
jamespink said:
I'm sorry, I just don't get it... These for the most part were shocking cars when I drove them new. Built during the "learning" phase of the Japanese car industry, 240Z excepted they were almost universally horrid and characterless to drive when new and the passage of time has doubtless done nothing to improve them. Rosy glasses, thousands of hours & pounds will produce a sad car with shocking dynamics. They were always dogs...
Which particular cars are you talking about? There's quite a spectrum of models, market sectors and production dates there...I see quite a few C10-series Skylines in the group, and I'd be surprised if you drove many of them when they were new. If you had, you'd surely have noticed the MacPherson strut front / semi-trailing arm rear suspension ( semi-trailing as used in BMWs made around the same period ), disc brakes, five speed Overdrive transmissions, and alloy-headed OHC engines. Decent build quality, arguably slick Italianate styling, good standard equipment levels with a huge range of sub-models to choose from, and decent dynamics.
They might be 'porridge' in your view, but by the late Sixties Japan was turning out plenty of cars that were the equal - and in some cases superior to - what was on the market in the rest of the world. Quite a few of the very best ones were never officially exported outside Japan.
jamespink said:
I understand there may be a few "not as bad as the rest" models among the relentless porridge of Laurels, Bluebirds, 100/120Y's, 280/300s and yes, I have driven 2 and 4 door skylines but the articles pictures bought back memories of the universal awfulness of Japanese fare in the UK back when it was Datsun. I am sure there were some redeeming features of some models but I would not site struts, disk brakes and alloy heads among them. Perhaps they are just not my cup of tea?
I'd advise against the folly of judging the quality of Japan's auto industry solely on what 'Datsun UK' used to import and sell here as the concessionaire. As I pointed out, much of Japan's best product was not exported. So which models of C10-series Skyline did you drive, and where? I see you list an E9 BMW as one of your previous cars, and I'd be interested to know how that was so much different? On paper, the spec looks quite similar. And in fact, there were a couple of C10-series Skyline models I'd consider equal or even ( dare I say ) technically superior to the contemporary E9, and were built before it...
PZR said:
I'd advise against the folly of judging the quality of Japan's auto industry solely on what 'Datsun UK' used to import and sell here as the concessionaire. As I pointed out, much of Japan's best product was not exported.
So which models of C10-series Skyline did you drive, and where? I see you list an E9 BMW as one of your previous cars, and I'd be interested to know how that was so much different? On paper, the spec looks quite similar. And in fact, there were a couple of C10-series Skyline models I'd consider equal or even ( dare I say ) technically superior to the contemporary E9, and were built before it...
I was involved with Datsun dealers H & K in Gillingham Kent back when they opened and, as you say, they only traded in those cars imported by the chap (Abnar or something like that) that had Datsun import rights sewn up. Personal taste I know but the '67 E9 was in no way off the pace in modern day traffic as an every day car (decent handling/performance (much better with a retro fit 5 x speed) and good brakes. Thinking about it, it did have very "European" looks though. Just to my eye nicer than the Datsuns of the day. No idea about Skyline model numbers, my neighbor in Chatham had two after switching from early Toyotas. I remember they were like space ships compared to the Hilmans, Velox's and Zodiacs in our street. Maybe that proves your point!So which models of C10-series Skyline did you drive, and where? I see you list an E9 BMW as one of your previous cars, and I'd be interested to know how that was so much different? On paper, the spec looks quite similar. And in fact, there were a couple of C10-series Skyline models I'd consider equal or even ( dare I say ) technically superior to the contemporary E9, and were built before it...
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