Classic Cars Restorations, in Okazaki, Aichi, Japan

"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
07/14/2015 at 08:10 • Filed to: None

Yesterday afternoon a friend of mine, who also happens to own some kind of paradise on earth known as the “Back Puss Yard Garage”, located in Okazaki, Japan, asked me to take a few pictures of two of his cars that will go for sale in the next few days.

Then, since I had nothing else to do all day, I decided to make this photoshoot last a little longer and picture the rest of the place.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a little photo-dump of “Kuruma” goodness!!

A little break in this photo dump to describe what comes up next. This car originally started its life as a very normal E30 325i Touring. Now it uses an S14 engine with a full E30 M3 drivetrain and body panels. Yes, this is the E30 M3 Touring you’ve always dreamt about and never got. Yes, it’s one of the most awesome car on this planet.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this bit of early american morning drooling ;)

DISCUSSION (100)

thebigbossyboss > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:14

Kinja'd!!!

What is?

Flavien Vidal > thebigbossyboss
07/14/2015 at 08:15

Mini Jem :)

The Stag > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:24

These are some very beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing them.

I’m ashamed to say that the pictures of the japanese cars interest me more than the european ones. Being from the old continent, seeing these cars is like looking at the rarest cars because they simply don’t exist here.

The car in the first picture is a older skyline isn’t it?

I want to try and import a gt-r hakosuka some time in the future, I’m just still checking things out to not get any nasty surprises. Unfortunately there’s nearly no people that import these cars where I live so it’s newland for me.

theshinobi01 > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:24

Wow nice!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:27

Kinja'd!!!

GIB!!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:30

Kinja'd!!!

I have no idea what this is, but I do know that I need it.

Flavien Vidal > The Stag
07/14/2015 at 08:35

Thanks for the nice words The first car is actual British, it’s a Triumph Vitesse :)

Quite a bit more affordable than Hakosuka Gtr hahahaha

Where do you live?

Sethism > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:36

I know Japanese cities are cramped, but how does he get to any of those cars? As someone with too many projects about, I can't imagine parking them like that.

Flavien Vidal > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/14/2015 at 08:37

Mini Jem, based on an Austin Mini and designed by Marcos

5mtFXT > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:38

If my wallet were large, all of these would surely drain it dry. Especially that M3 Touring. My goodness, that is nice.

Flavien Vidal > Sethism
07/14/2015 at 08:39

It’s not cramped outside of big cities. He flips some cars, restores other, keep some and sell some :)

And when he needs a car, he moves the ones in front

Space is no problems.

Flavien Vidal > 5mtFXT
07/14/2015 at 08:41

The M3 touring... It’s just... Gosh I wish I could afford it right now...

Sethism > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:42

Impressive! He must be a more patient man than I. He has a great collection.

Flavien Vidal > Sethism
07/14/2015 at 08:43

He is very patient and also insanely nice and welcoming... Really a guy that lives for his passion.

Nobi > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:43

Kinja'd!!!

...a manual, brown, M3 wagon? Half the people on Oppo and the FP are about to have a crisis.

Flavien Vidal > Nobi
07/14/2015 at 08:45

Awesome huh?? Very very few people built one and I’m pretty sure less than 10 were built in the whole world.

MTY19855 > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:45

That first purple thing looks like the forms or molds in the factory melted and they just went with it.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:45

The little red car on the lift in the 5th photo from the top, what is it?

I want one. Please box it up for me while you’re there. Kthxbye

The Stag > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:47

Switzerland.

It’s an interesting country because you have the mix of German, French and Italian cars here, so there’s a lot of variety. There’s also a lot of import of older american cars, but japanese are nearly non-existant. (I’m talking about the classic japanese cars)

It’s not the affordability that worries me, it’s the importing. It would break my heart to have the car grounded in my Garage.

As for the car in the first picture I thought it was this one:

Kinja'd!!!

Hiroku > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:47

Kinja'd!!!

I would risk Japanese jail for this car. So much sexy...

Stephen > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:48

E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon...E30 M3 wagon......................

Flavien Vidal > The Stag
07/14/2015 at 08:48

Well if you need a car from here though, don’t hesitate to let me know.

Tu es francophone sinon??

Nobi > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:49

Very, between these pictures, and the movies MCM has put out about the car scene over there, man am I jealous.

Sethism > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:50

Luckier than me as well, then.

Flavien Vidal > Nobi
07/14/2015 at 08:51

It is indeed awesome to live here :)

I live right next to Rocky Auto too... Might go visit them some day soon

Nikesh Kooverjee > thebigbossyboss
07/14/2015 at 08:54

Marcos Mini I think...

The Stag > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:55

Je ne suis pas francophone, mais je sais parler le français. Merci pour la proposition.

T off the New > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:57

Kinja'd!!!

Wagon?

T off the New > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 08:57

Kinja'd!!!

Wagon!

James Young > The Stag
07/14/2015 at 09:01

I think that the car in the first picture is a Triumph Vitesse. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_V…

LongbowMkII > The Stag
07/14/2015 at 09:02

I understood this.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:07

Kinja'd!!!

All my hrrrrrrnnnn.

Seaking > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:08

Kinja'd!!!

uwotm8?

joystuck > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:10

oh man... the M3 Wagon.. the Bentley... the MG, so much joy. did I see a 911 too? He needs a bigger garage.

Flavien Vidal > Seaking
07/14/2015 at 09:12

Yes, fully built M3 engine and drivetrain put inside an 325i touring... Pure awesomeness!!

Flavien Vidal > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
07/14/2015 at 09:13

Behind it is a Citroen BX lol

SheRockOh > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:14

It’s like an alternate universe Saab 240z. Very cool.

Flavien Vidal > joystuck
07/14/2015 at 09:14

Yes... An SC. I’m actually buying it when restored beginning of 2016 :)

Gigantor, the most awesome robot of Europe > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:19

Would it be alright if I added you on FB or something? Im having plans of relocating for at least a month in Oktober/November to Japan and could use some help/someone answering my questions...

Flavien Vidal > Gigantor, the most awesome robot of Europe
07/14/2015 at 09:22

I have no Facebook as I don’t like this stuff but you can contact me by email.

Flavien.myfamilyname@gmail.com

Berang > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:22

Kinja'd!!!

Really nice wheels for a Triumph Herald.

T off the New > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:24

Kinja'd!!!

What was the idea behind canted lights like this?

Flavien Vidal > Berang
07/14/2015 at 09:25

That would be because it’s a Vitesse. The sporty version of the Herald basically.

clumsytriathlete > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:27

that is just a beautiful little car. i like non-conventional cars like these

joystuck > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:27

ha! nice. Did you have more pics? Would be good to see the bikes and the other cars

DanPadge > The Stag
07/14/2015 at 09:28

Where do you live?

Flavien Vidal > T off the New
07/14/2015 at 09:28

Look I guess... No idea really...

Gigantor, the most awesome robot of Europe > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:29

Thank you very much! I’ll send out a mail tonight.

Flavien Vidal > joystuck
07/14/2015 at 09:32

You can see how the SC looks like today here

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/it-is-set-my-n…

As for more older pics, you can see some here

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/eiichi-amano-a…

Sean the Kelly > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:32

Kinja'd!!!

Oh the dirty, dirty things I would do to this car! Tube frame chassis, flat six, and a strong 6 speed manual would make this the absolute dream car for me. So weird, so beautiful; I am smitten!

AspenRS > thebigbossyboss
07/14/2015 at 09:32

Mini Marcos GT

Sean > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:33

Kinja'd!!!

when it gets to the point of having to store cars permanently up on the hoist - thus negating the use and point of having a hoist in the first place - its time to start clearing out the crap in your shop...

Flavien Vidal > Sean the Kelly
07/14/2015 at 09:34

Keep in mind it’s basically a very light Mini... Yes I said “very light” Mini lol

It weights less than 500kg. It doesn’t need a flat 6 believe me :)

signinsrlame > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:35

my liver is so sozzled that I saw this post (and read it) and was immediately immersed in a storyline that included american boy learning foreign fighting skills, drift racing, love the girl, lose the girl, win the girl moments and lots of revs

kvetcha > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:35

Totally gorgeous.

Hedy-Lamarr-a-stoat > thebigbossyboss
07/14/2015 at 09:38

mini marcos

InfinityAero > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:39

Kinja'd!!!

Flavien Vidal > Sean
07/14/2015 at 09:39

This is the lift that he uses, there just happen to have a car under when I took the picture. The Maserati Merak hadhas been parked up there on the other lift for a while though, waiting for the AC compressor to arrive so it can be installed. The Merak was fully restored by Amano-san but belongs to a customer who wants an AC upgrade done to it now.

Hedy-Lamarr-a-stoat > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:40

in the UK we just called them mini Marcos.

Vitor > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:42

Kinja'd!!!

a friggin Panda???? between all this jewels you put a panda? lol

Flavien Vidal > Hedy-Lamarr-a-stoat
07/14/2015 at 09:42

It is a Mini Marcos. I think the Jem is the long nose version of the normal Marcos

joystuck > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:43

Thanks. Looks like he has a dream job. Nice Jaguar. Theres only a handful of places in the world where you can get a mix of mostly right hand drive cars like these being restored.

Flavien Vidal > Vitor
07/14/2015 at 09:43

Panda 4x4 please, show a little respect! :)

psymptoms > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:44

Kinja'd!!!

MINI Marcos!

Flavien Vidal > joystuck
07/14/2015 at 09:44

He does indeed :)

Vitor > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:49

ah in that case its ok. thanks for the update

Enderxenocide23 > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:56

Kinja'd!!!

TylerLinner > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 09:59

Kinja'd!!!

VW Razor Edge for the 60th anniversary of the Karmann Ghia’s debut? :)

Flavien Vidal > TylerLinner
07/14/2015 at 10:00

Bingo! :)

Lots of work needed on this one though...

AlanT > The Stag
07/14/2015 at 10:02

Nope. Triumph Vitesse. It might have been called a Sports 6 in Japan. I am not sure on that.

Kinja'd!!!

Sean the Kelly > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:05

Any chance the engine bay is big enough to fit one of the new WRX engines? I’m sure it doesn’t need it but American automotive enthusiasm is a great place for engineering melting pots of excess. A chuckable, gorgeous, and unique car with a turbo flat four would be the most entertaining thing I could ever afford to build.

TylerLinner > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:06

Looks like lots of them need some work. I love the rusty Honda Life stuffed with parts!

Flavien Vidal > Sean the Kelly
07/14/2015 at 10:08

No way, I don’t think you realize on the picture how small it is. It’s noticeably smaller than an actual Mini it’s based on. Anything over 120hp would also be absolute complete waste of Hp either. Keep in mind it’s a Mini, therefore a front wheel drive car.

MisterDoohit > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:10

M3 Wagon?!?! YES PLEASE. Amazing how clean, crisp and gorgeous those lines still look...this car is where using the word “sharp” to mean stylish was originated. The term photo-dump will never convey anything positive to me,but this is a great...um, amalgamation of pictures.

Flavien Vidal > TylerLinner
07/14/2015 at 10:11

He restores entirely 6 cars per year on average...

Some of those cars are here for parts some will be restored. That Honda will probably finish in the bin one day though...

Vintage Chevette ran when parked > Berang
07/14/2015 at 10:12

Those are Minilite rims, aren’t they?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:14

Kinja'd!!!

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

I’M HAVE HAVING A CRISIS.

tapzz > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:19

Kinja'd!!!

Easily the sexiest thing I’ve seen Austin Rover stripes on

Kinja'd!!!

tapzz > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:21

Kinja'd!!!

Alfa Romeo 1750/2000 Berlina?

TylerLinner > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:22

I suppose kei cars don’t bring as much money as Maseratis...

Flavien Vidal > tapzz
07/14/2015 at 10:23

1750 yes, waiting for restoration. Quite rusty body but it will be saved...

herald > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:24

Kinja'd!!!

I wish I could go to Japan right now!

tapzz > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:25

Hey, that’s a Marcello Gandini classic! Still remember how awestruck I was when I first saw one on the street.

Sean the Kelly > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:25

Anything can be converted to RWD with enough beer and sheer stupidity, don’t crush my dreams bro! Seriously didn’t think that car was so small. For some reason that makes me want to get ridiculous with it even more.

Flavien Vidal > TylerLinner
07/14/2015 at 10:26

He would save it if he could but this one is really too far gone I think and not worth saving here...

Flavien Vidal > tapzz
07/14/2015 at 10:27

Well I’m french and I hate those lol

Flavien Vidal > Sean the Kelly
07/14/2015 at 10:28

You would need lots of beer lol

Vie Ventar > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
07/14/2015 at 10:30

Looks to be an old Datsun Fairlady, would need to dig out Gran Turismo to tell you which version though.

Ted Ladue > Flavien Vidal
07/14/2015 at 10:31

Kinja'd!!!

Datsun Fairlady?

Vie Ventar > T off the New
07/14/2015 at 10:33

Probably trying to replicate the look of older cars which had a light on the wing, and one set in lower between the wing and the radiator - putting the headlights on a slant. Sadly the old term for it, at least here in the UK, is “Chinese Eye” headlights... ..it was the 1950s in our defence.

Flavien Vidal > Ted Ladue
07/14/2015 at 10:35

Yes :)

Vie Ventar > MTY19855
07/14/2015 at 10:36

Which purple thing? Do you mean the Merak?

tapzz > T off the New
07/14/2015 at 10:39

Wild guess: Virgil Exner stunned everyone with double headlights in 1957

Kinja'd!!!

Everyone followed, until Buick upped the ante in 1959 by slanting them

Kinja'd!!!

So when Triumph came to Michelotti for a go faster 6 cylinder ‘Vitesse’ version of their little Herald in 1962, that’s what Giovanni drew on its face.

I guess the Brits really liked the gimmick:

Kinja'd!!!