A few Lexuses and others at a local Japanese show

[Spottedlaurel]

I went to the local East Coast Japanese car club meet at Ipswich yesterday, saw a few things which may be of interest (and possibly known) here......

I left the LS400 at home and took my Datsun, along with a load of spare/duplicate kits (I managed to sell a few). The Lexus can have a trip there next time.

Had a pleasant chat with the long-term owner of this Mk4 DHP. The mesh grille was nicely done, similar to what Toyota/Lexus UK did on some of their home-grown Sport/SR models in the late '90s.

 

For @Malc1, at least two Mk3s came along.

Should have spent more time looking at this one. As a '93 I suspect it's a Mk2 rather than a Mk1 - despite owning one of the latter I can't readily recall the differences (if they're on non-standard wheels at least).

 

VIP treatment is a natural look for these big saloons.

A few examples of Chaser/Mark II and Crown to be seen, including this oddity:

 

Blit is apparently the wagon version of the Mark II, it ran from 2002 to 2007.

 

Nice use of the GS300 Sport type staggered alloys on this Crown Athlete.

I've probably missed the boat now, but I do like the Sportcross. A shame Lexus didn't persevere with it, or any sort of estate version of the other saloons.

Had a good chat with the owner of this GS-F, who kindly let me and my son sit in it and enjoy the V8 sound. He turned out to also have a Gen 3 RX450h, and he's in equal admiration of his. Hello and thanks if you're on here!

A friend had this lovely Celica Liftback there. I had a chat with the organisers about how we could try to get more older Japanese cars to come along.

Supra was LHD and looked like it might be US-spec.

Great to see this rare Lancer Turbo.

I had a couple of 1980s Accords and they were great to drive with a smooth, well-engineered feel. I can only imagine these enjoy the same qualities, I'd happily have one someday.

The location of the show at an old RAF site which now houses an aviation museum made for an interesting backdrop.

ECJ host the event 4-5 times a year here, well worth a visit with the museum as an added attraction.

Thanks for looking!

[Malc1]

36 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

As a '93 I suspect it's a Mk2 rather than a Mk1 - despite owning one of the latter I can't readily recall the differences

memory tells me the original Mk1 had 15" wheels and brakes / tyres too AND those wheels had just ONE spoke less than on the Mk2 and Mk3  16" wheels too  ..... otherwise my memory has failed 😅

Must have been a lovely day out for sure  🤩

Malc

[Bluemarlin]

Great pictures.

One of my first company cars was a Nisssan Silvia turbo. It was mostly great,  apart from in the snow and on roundabouts when it was wet:)

[steve2006]

A very nicely put together post, thank you. 😀

[Littorio]

Where was this held and any website link as searching ECJ just comes up with European Court of Justice.

Nice photos by the way. 

[Spottedlaurel]

3 hours ago, Littorio said:

Where was this held and any website link as searching ECJ just comes up with European Court of Justice.

Nice photos by the way. 

Thanks! Facebook page here, no sign-in required to view dates etc: https://www.facebook.com/EastCoastJapanese/

Next Sunday meet June 11th at Foxhall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP3 8JU.

No club stands or anything, just all welcome so long as it's Japanese.

[Littorio]

22 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Thanks! Facebook page here, no sign-in required to view dates etc: https://www.facebook.com/EastCoastJapanese/

Next Sunday meet June 11th at Foxhall Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP3 8JU.

No club stands or anything, just all welcome so long as it's Japanese.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for the next one as unfortunately I'm working the weekend of the 11th.

[Malc1]

wish Ipswich wasn't so far from me, I'd be so so tempted to make that visit  ..............  making a trip to Newmarket next weekend as my 1932  Triumph Southern Cross Sports Tourer is making a showing in Warwickshire somewhere ( nearby )  with other old knackered, rare and potentially exciting ancient Triumphs 😅

Malc

[BarneyTT]

On 5/1/2023 at 10:39 AM, Spottedlaurel said:

I've probably missed the boat now, but I do like the Sportcross. A shame Lexus didn't persevere with it, or any sort of estate version of the other saloons.

Loved my Sportscross (see pic) the downsides of owning one now are ever increasing Road Tax, MPG and finding a good one that hasn't been messed with.

Great pictures, love all the old Jap stuff, thanks.

[Spottedlaurel]

On 6/11/2023 at 11:45 AM, BarneyTT said:

Loved my Sportscross (see pic) the downsides of owning one now are ever increasing Road Tax, MPG and finding a good one that hasn't been messed with.

Great pictures, love all the old Jap stuff, thanks.

Thanks Barney. Your SportCross looked very nice, was it a 200 or 300?

An now RX fills the gap left by a couple of much-missed Camry estates - sadly there aren't many big, modern Japanese estates to choose from.

By coincidence, the day you posted your message I was at the second East Coast Japanese show of the year. A selection from this time around:

Late Mk4 looked tidy.

I was pleased to see the other early LS400 and compare it with mine, as suspected it is a Mk2 and I now know how to spot a few of the differences (most of them internal). This particular one is now on coilovers, with air suspension due to be fitted soon. The owner fits stainless steel Powerflow exhausts for a living, it'll be good to get mine along to someone who knows about the LS.

Trio of 6th gen Celicas. I'd be happy to have a 2-litre model someday.

RX-7 looked smart, certainly good inspiration for a future 1/24 model build.

A few MR2s there. Hopefully daughter's boyfriend will get his there at some point.

A couple of different Crown estates in attendance again. I had a good look at the other one, certainly something to think about.

Modified GT-R another one that is something I'll be recreating at 1/24 scale at some point.

I'd have been very happy to take this Prelude home. This one is the 4-wheel steering model.

 

Not just newer/sportier models came along. This Carina dates from 1971, it's platform being shared with the Celica.

[Malc1]

Some very fine cars on show 🖕

Malc

[Jaystar77]

Great pics Nigel. 

Rare to see a Blit in the UK.  Those Crown estates are so tempting, I've a Caldina currently and an estate is just so practical.  

[Spacewagon52]

I had a 1974 Carina, like the white one. A fantastically reliable car. I saw it do 100,000 miles, then my friend bought it for his wife to learn to drive. It died of rust - the engine was still good. 

[BarneyTT]

On 6/18/2023 at 7:59 PM, Spottedlaurel said:

Thanks Barney. Your SportCross looked very nice, was it a 200 or 300?

300 Nigel.