It’s early evening in the industrial district of Nagoya, Japan, and I’m riding shotgun in a machine that’s quite special. The driver, Mr. Shunsaku Mizuno, stares out over the hood of his automobile, telling me about the cars he’d like to own next. “A C2 Corvette is my dream car,” he says.
Meanwhile, the car he’s driving at the moment isn’t too shabby. He lays into the throttle a little, the power pushes me into the seat and the unmistakable note of a V8 engine fills the air.
He grabs the Hurst shifter and puts it into 4th gear and I take in the loveable aroma of the 40-something-year-old interior. What are we driving? A Camaro? A Dodge Challenger? Not even close…
We’re actually cruising around in an early 1970s Toyota Crown station wagon – a model that gets a lot of respect here in Toyota’s hometown. And the V8 that powers it is equally Japanese.
Mizuno-san is a guy that simply digs old cars – especially those of the American variety. He’s owned many over the years, becoming especially fond of them after traveling abroad as a youngster.
But when it came time to build this project, he wanted to go in a slightly different direction. Mizuno-san would use a domestic Japanese vehicle as his base, but build it to emulate the style of a V8-powered American cruiser.
For him, the S60 Kujira model Toyota Crown was an easy choice. It’s a car with a shape not unlike the American cars of the era, while also having styling elements that set it apart from the crowd, including those cool wrap-around lights up front.
Once he had decided on the base vehicle, Mizuno-san needed to figure out how he could go about transforming the old Toyota into one of Japan’s coolest cruisers. For what he had in mind, he was going to need some help…
V8 Dreams
This is where Nagoya’s Daddy Motorworks comes into the picture. As we saw with its 2JZ-powered S30 that was featured last year, this is a shop that knows a thing or two about swapping cool motors into old cars.
Because Mizuno-san wanted to go with a distinctively American theme, you might think a GM or Ford V8 would be his engine of choice. It was certainly considered, and Oto-san from Daddy Motorworks tells me an LS swap would have been much easier than what they ended up doing.
In the end though, they wanted to stick with Toyota power, and that meant the 1UZ-FE quad cam V8 which came in a number of domestic market luxury sedans. While there’s no shortage of second-hand 1UZs in Japan, that doesn’t mean it’d be an easy fit though. The engine bay of an early Crown just wasn’t designed with a big wide OHC V8 in mind.
But if there was any workshop that could pull the swap off, it would be Daddy Motorworks. Over the years, Oto-san has performed some of Japan’s wildest engine swaps, and he’d certainly have his work cut out for him with this one.
The swap was one of the most difficult that Oto-san has attempted, but you couldn’t tell by looking at it. The 1UZ sits beautifully in the Crown’s engine bay, set off by things like a one-off intake system, a one-off radiator and custom-fabricated reservoir tanks. Certain parts have also been color-matched to the Crown’s body.
And while the engine swap wasn’t easy, it was just the beginning. Rather than a typical automatic transmission, in Mizuno-san’s Crown you’ll find an R154 5-speed manual gearbox feeding power to a Toyota Altezza differential with a 3.7 final drive.
Japanese Americana
When people in Japan fix up their vintage Crowns it’s quite common to retrofit parts from newer models, and this one is no different. Up front both the suspension arms and brakes have been sourced from a UZ131 Crown.
Because Mizuno-san would be daily driving the Crown as well as taking it to car shows, they needed a suspension system that could be used for both.
The shocks themselves are from Öhlins and the ride height is controlled by a custom-fitted Universal Air kit which can provide a low and aggressive look with the flick of a switch.
Mizuno-san loved the look of the Kujira wagon, so it’s not surprising that exterior changes have been kept subtle. Along with the custom orange metallic paint job, the chrome on the body has been grayed out and the lenses have been smoked.
As for wheels, Mizuno-san wanted to go with a street rod/pro touring inspired look, so he settled on a set of 17-inch Billet Specialties Street Lights which look quite nice tucked into the Crown’s fenders.
The cabin of the Crown has been treated with the same combination of vintage style and modern convenience. It’s largely original, but there are key changes including a custom instrument setup using a full suite of Auto Meter gauges.
The entire steering column has been lifted from a Toyota Century and fitted with a Grant steering wheel. And let’s not forget about the Retro Sound audio system or the aforementioned Hurst shifter.
With this build, Mizuno-san’s unique vision and the mechanical skills of the Daddy Motorworks crew have come together to make one of the coolest vintage Crown builds on the face of the earth.
Mizuno-san might still have that yearning for a 1960s ‘Vette, but for now he’s perfectly content to live out his V8 dreams in a Toyota station wagon like no other.
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia_media
mike@speedhunters.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Everything is just so, CLEAN! And that engine bay looks just like it's straight out from a transformer!
What an awesome wagon! Masterfully done.
All I can say is Wow Wow Wow
Engine parts color-matched to the bodywork.
That's how you do it.
Coolest restomodded Crown I've ever seen! Love how he did the chrome parts. It's not easy to achieve a good balance between modernizing a car while keeping it’s classic appeal...this one is perfect.
While we are on the subject of wagons can anyone explain what the term shooting brake means and if it is any different than a wagon/estate car
Wagons as everyone refers to had its origin as a horse drawn carriage (wagon).
Upper class people who were fox hunting had special wagons as a resting place while shooting, being used essentially as a utility vehicle during the week.
Hence now we know wagons as shooting brakes.
It's mainly a European term.
And this people is a fine example of why wagons are now cooler then fire spitting supercars.
Brake is the French word for stationwagon.
Brake is the French word for stationwagon.
Thanks Chris and jdmism
My word, that is superb.
A4999 In my eyes, a shooting brake is a sports car which has been lengthened ie something that started out as a 2 door design. A station wagon is one which was designed that way in the first place, a more "ordinary" car. Obviously there are some cars which fall in the middle, like the RS4/6, almost any proper Merc, BMW or Jag estate.
The owner of this Crown Wagon have same mindset as me ... I know there is easier option that produce more power , but I just want to stick with the same brand , to make it a little more special .
Very well finished. I quite like the use of plates in the engine bay to hide accessories! Lovely take on the idea!
Is there a build thread for this somewhere? Shit it'd be in Japanese anyway wouldn't it?!
I'm looking at updating the suspension/brake set up on my MS65 and haven't heard about this UZ131 suspension arm brake swap before? Also, did he weld the Altezza diff housing into the solid axle? Or change the whole rear end to independent?
Teach me sempai!
So I'm sure this has inspired you to dust off your own Project Crown hey @Mike Garrett?!
Speedhunters edwardmirandab U0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44cU0001f3fc
Speedhunters edwardmirandab U0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44fU0001f3fcU0001f44cU0001f3fc
So much love!
JakWhite Agreed, it looks really tidy.
JakWhite Agreed, it looks really tidy.
wow! this is just awesome, can we have a similar treatment on a 510 wagon
JakWhite A4999 Chris 'Haffy' Hafner JDMism I've always considered a shooting brake to be a two-door sports car with a wagon-like bum. Jonathan wrote a pretty cool story about the whole thing, check it: http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/02/babys-got-back-shooting-brakes-bespoke-builds-and-one-off-wagons/
JakWhite A4999 Chris 'Haffy' Hafner JDMism I've always considered a shooting brake to be a two-door sports car with a wagon-like bum. Jonathan wrote a pretty cool story about the whole thing, check it: http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/02/babys-got-back-shooting-brakes-bespoke-builds-and-one-off-wagons/
The Japanese can make air ride look GOOOOOD. None of this laying frame bullshit we see from 20 year olds with their first paychecks in the US.
The Japanese can make air ride look GOOOOOD. None of this laying frame bullshit we see from 20 year olds with their first paychecks in the US.
Love this build so much, perfect restomod; wouldn't mind dailying this beauty
Love this build so much, perfect restomod; wouldn't mind dailying this beauty
Oh man.. I am totally digging this car on so many levels. Props to the builder, clearly has some damn good taste.
Oh man.. I am totally digging this car on so many levels. Props to the builder, clearly has some damn good taste.
@DriveCircles You start off nice and then boom, in with the negative; set up a generic target and blast them for doing something as if it impacts you in some profoundly awful way. I don't see why you couldn't have just left it at, "The Japanese can make air ride look GOOOOOD." Although, that's still a massive generalisation that assumes that anyone Japanese can set up air suspension to your liking. In reality there is plenty of that "laying frame bullshit" you mention on both sides of the Pacific. Don't default to hate if you can't appreciate - these aren't polar opposites - just different interpretations/applications of a versatile thing. Also, if you're gonna respond, take 10 minutes and really think about it before you do.
#problematicmuch #triggerwarning #tumblrrant #sjw #feelthelove
@DriveCircles You start off nice and then boom, in with the negative; set up a generic target and blast them for doing something as if it impacts you in some profoundly awful way. I don't see why you couldn't have just left it at, "The Japanese can make air ride look GOOOOOD." Although, that's still a massive generalisation that assumes that anyone Japanese can set up air suspension to your liking. In reality there is plenty of that "laying frame bullshit" you mention on both sides of the Pacific. Don't default to hate if you can't appreciate - these aren't polar opposites - just different interpretations/applications of a versatile thing. Also, if you're gonna respond, take 10 minutes and really think about it before you do.
#problematicmuch #triggerwarning #tumblrrant #sjw #feelthelove
This is amazing in so many ways, the retro JDM base, pro touring wheels, V8 swap, its just a whole new style in itself. Absolutely love the back end, and the quality of the build is just on another level, more of this style of build please!
Also does this feel a bit Jenson to anyone or is it just me?
This is just perfect. One of the best looking Crowns I've ever seen!
i seen worse
i seen worse
i seen worse
smithadamb altezza diff centers fit F series solid housings. I assume thats what has been done here
smithadamb altezza diff centers fit F series solid housings. I assume thats what has been done here
smithadamb altezza diff centers fit F series solid housings. I assume thats what has been done here
Its beautiful!! Thanks for sharing Mike, when is yours getting started?!
Joe_Hallenbeck Damn that’s lovely! Colors is amazing too. I see a lot of good colors on Twitter lately.
BuddaPSL It's pretty much perfect, retro Japanese wagon, reliable V8, manual transmission, great wheels, stance and colour. Awesome stuff.
BuddaPSL It's pretty much perfect, retro Japanese wagon, reliable V8, manual transmission, great wheels, stance and colour. Awesome stuff.
CSAlltrac He's selling/sold his and picked up something a little more muscley, and I'm not talking about the Mustang.
CSAlltrac He's selling/sold his and picked up something a little more muscley, and I'm not talking about the Mustang.
WOW!
When BBQ HEINZ meets with your Shu-Shi !
When BBQ HEINZ meets with your Shu-Shi !
hypodermic smithadamb Legend! Thanks for the education. I will add this to my build list and start hunting around for more info and prices on line.
Such a slick ride, love the wheels and the overall style of this wagon man, really diggin the 1UZ swap too.
Such a slick ride, love the wheels and the overall style of this wagon man, really diggin the 1UZ swap too.
Didn't know a 1UZ could look so good! damn!
This is all kinds of awesome, a car I've never seen before on the net let alone in the metal! The only slight thing I thought could have been done better was the cluster in the glovebox, is there a particular reason why the wires have been left exposed rather than have the whole thing tidied and boxed up?
JakWhite Looks like a good alternative to a wire tuck passing wires through inaccessible places.
JakWhite Looks like a good alternative to a wire tuck passing wires through inaccessible places.
REKT_Disco Probably just because it's usually hidden out of sight.
PowerTryp CSAlltrac News on that coming soon. Both sad and excited at the same time haha.
Dill Pickle Same here!
maxvr6 It does have a bit of that look to it now that you mention it!
ethosVeritas_Z32 And best of all this thing sees a ton of driving!
Mahfoodh I'd like to see that. SR swap maybe?
BT180 News on that soon actually.
hypodermic smithadamb You are correct,
koko san I agree. The whole thing is just so balanced and tasteful.
Joe_Hallenbeck mrjaydeeem Speedhunters that's just awesome with awesome bits on though i'd have to swap the wheels out
the car was very good
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