Carps' n Dave's big adventure

With tickets to attend the world famous Mooneyes Indoor Show at then Pacifico Yokohama……….



on Thursday last week, Carps and Dr Flathead took to the skys and headed north to the land of the rising sun.

First order of business after such a long and exhausting flight was to find a good feed, pretty much straight away we discounted this restaurant as not for us.



The Doc wasn't having any of that raw fish or chicken's guts stuff either……..



so we kept searching and eventually found an eatery that offered a suitable cuisine.



Next order of business after dinner was to find suitable transport.

Th train worked OK until the first stop…….



after which it got a bit crowded.



So we went shopping for a new car…..



The sporty Prius was looking good,………..



however the multi million Yen price tag sent us packing and we eventually settled for one of these, as they were plentiful and comparatively cheap.



From our luxury accommodation in Japan's tallest building it was easy to see that we didn't really need wheels, as the Pacifioco Yokohama was literally at our feet, meaning we could walk there.



Yes kids, it's a big building, about the size of Australia's biggest exhibition hall, Geoff's Shed here in Melbourne, this shot should put it into better perspective.



And it was filled chock-a-block full to the brim with custom cars, motorcycles and everything else that is tied to our hobby as this photo shows.



They even had a nice model car display.

Nice view you got there.
Got any pictures from the actual show though?

More adventures! Thats an awsome view... Hope to see and read more of this soon!

There's plenty more but we gotta cover getting there before the show opens.

For many years Tokyo Station has been wrapped in protective material & protective panelling (inside and out) whilst being repaired/restored after many years suffering the ravages d earthquakes and old age.
Only days before we arrived the wrapping the hoardings etc were removed to reveal the restored building which is significantly larger than any Australian Railway Station.
There's still a bit of work going on inside but it was really good to walk through what is one of the world's great railway stations and be able to see all the fine details.





There's also six platform levels, starting at ground level and going deep underground into the subway.
Plus the above ground Monorail line making a total of seven levels.

Generally it's very easy to get around Japan because the signage is crystal clear even if not written in English, like this one.



However, at times it can still be a little tricky knowing which way to go in order to get where you want to be.



Most platforms have many vending machines supplying everything from drinks, food, snacks, hot or cold tea and coffee to condoms and sex aids.
There's also manned kiosks so finding something to munch on, drink, read or play with, is never a problem.



Once out of the station and on the ground, there's plenty to see, although during the time we were in Tokyo some strange reports appeared in the press.
Apparently there were numerous sightings of Santa and/or the incredible hulk in different parts of Tokyo.



Of course no visit to Tokyo, especially at this time of year is complete without some shopping, although Dave did have us worried for a while…..



Then we realised that maybe he was just trying to fit in.
The locals y'see are totally uninhibited when it comes to dress codes and having a bit of fun.





So who am I to argue with that?
Fun was the reason for our trip.

Since we were in the neighbourhood, I figured we should drop by and see how the Japanese Stig was doing.
As you can see, he and The Doc got along like a house on fire.



And of course he let us look around and check out some of the cars in his shed, including a rare Toyota 2000 GT undergoing restoration.



This is Japanese stig's first race car, the machine that influenced the new Toyota 86.
Long before Subaru discovered the boxer engine, Stig-san was winning races with this lightweight front mounted boxer engined rear drive sports car.
It's smaller than a Bug-eye Healy Sprite and tips the scales at around 580kgs, which is the same formula that makes the 86 work so well and made Colin Chapman famous.



This 1955 Toyota Crown would make a really trick cruiser dontcha reckon?



Stig's early Nissan Skyline GTR almost had young Greg wetting his pants and wanting to bring it home.



Since Greg really likes the Japanese performance car scene, I figured our next stop should be the 'Fooly Sik' Auto Accessory Store in downtown Yokohama.

Imagine the biggest K Mart you ever saw, over two levels with more than double or quadruple even, the workshop space plus some pretty fancy equipment, including a full-on state of the art paint booth and panel repair shop, plus a separate 'factory' for installation & integration of your new multi speaker, all singing, all dancing doof-doof sound system.



If you're not a rice burner fan or don't quite understand the Japanese way of things, you might want to have a sip of this, before continuing.
It'll help open your mind so you might better understand that the folks who shop here are just like us, only they have access to a whole bunch more stuff and fewer rules to inhibit what they can get away with.



The store entrance is not so unusual, or even spectacular, with exception of the number of staff, phones and computer screens at the counter.



However, inside there's isle after isle filled with every imaginable item for souping, cleaning or decorating your late model.
Some of it would even work very well on older cars.



Much of what they offer here is actually kinda cool, like these pre sewn custom leather upholstery inserts.
Just cut the moulded vynil sections out of your seat and door trims then glue, staple or stitch in place the pre made soft leather bits.
The are offered in single unit/component or complete cars sets, covering all colours of the spectrum and in many different patterns.





Many sections within the store are dedicated to individual vehicle brands and within each section damn near every aftermarket supplier or component is offered, like these carbon ceramic brake kits to fit neatly inside your new 20 inch wheels.



How about a big bore stainless exhaust system, complete with pre-blued Titanium tailpipes?



Need to improve the handling? They've got that covered too.



Greg was kinda taken by the range of Dildo gear knobs, especially the transparent ones with lights inside them.



Bottom line is, you name it, they got it and if they don't, just ask and they'll have it there this afternoon.



I loved this LED illuminated badge so much I'm gonna stick one on my next company car and be the envy of everybody at our office car park. :mrgreen:



When I bring that little '55 Crown to Australia, I'm thinking it'll need some fog lights and then it'll need some appropriately royal foglight covers.



And just in case you don't think the Japanese or rice burner crowd have a sense of humour……..

Brilliant stuff! Love rwading these adventures lol

Some great detail in that train station up there, I can even read what the Tokyo sign says. (Japanese as a subject)

Some nice resto cars in that museum too.

I hate you Carps
Getting to travel like you do is almost worth working for a living.
Almost...

Feel any tremors today?

Here's a couple more from the showroom and local streets.

Think Camry, this is the Gazoo version as opposed to the TRD version.







Mr T even offers souped up versions of his Vans, with ultra luxorious interiors.

Starting with a big van………



and moving up to a bigger one………



He's also got some really small ones, like this 'lectrric jobbie.



We could stand up in this one, but it's not wide enough for us to sit side by side.



This little Suzuki was hoped up with stretched windscreen and cool hood scoop.



And this one is BB's (Ruckus here in Oz) big brother XB



Did I mention the Japanese like to dress up their cars? Here's a little Mini Woody, or perhaps we should call it 'Plasticky' using a local kit.



Next stop. Mooneyes store and cafe.

So, with shopping done, late model stuff out of the system, it's time to head to Mooneyes for some more shopping and maybe a bite of lunch.

The place isn't too hard to find although the shop entry is a tad inconspicuous from the back lane.





The front is a bit easier to notice as you cruise by.



However, out back is where the garage is and the new friendships are struck.



The Chopsticks T Ford Special is a pretty cool ride powered by a local four banger.

It's clear from this car and the general scene behind the shop, that the language of hot rodding is universal and has no racial barriers.





This scene could be anywhere in the world of hot rodding.





The only give away to where we are is in some of the small signs inside the main store.



And the posters on the walls.





The parts are universal, shared the world over, although maybe not always used the same way on the same type of car as we will see at the show tomorrow.



And just like everywhere in this country where space is at a premium, there's stock stashed in very corner of the shop.



This is not a place for the fainthearted or those with deep pockets, the stuff here is just begging to be bought and carried home.

Motorcycles too, are a huge part of the scene here in Japan and Triumph Bonneviles seem far more popular than Harleys.





ready to install custom cycle parts like these fuel tanks, are all around the store.



And kool collectibles also.



Along with all manner of neat Moon based trinkets and a whole bunch of useful stuff too.

In Japan, the Tojo Crown rules and Mooneys is no different, with five rare yoots lined up out front.



I almost fell in love with this early sixties model and could still be tempted to bring it home.



Dunno what it is about this old thing, but I've always had a soft spot for a ute, even owned a few over the years, but there's just something about this one that rings my bells.







Man it's tempting, even now I'm thinking how easy it would be to send an email to the man.

Japan as you've already seen is a very dog friendly country, not only do they have restaurants they get preferred parking too.



Stepping into the restraint is like stepping back in time and it makes you want to eat something, so since we were too big to sit at the bar, and it was full anyhow,…..



…..we parked outside and studied the menu, as the staff cranked up the heaters.



Good thing it was only 3 degrees outside, slows the rate of melt in a blokes root beer float.



Of course once one has eaten, there comes another issue to deal with, the overflow!



Which is when one learns even the funny at Mooneys is a cool place to be, although it can be a bit unnerving with my alter ego here looking over your shoulder.



The Japanese never miss an opportunity to pass on a polite message.



And even when it's closed it looks good.



A rare thing in Japan is graffiti, but if there's been Aussies there then you can count on it.



Shige's garage has but one car plus plenty of cool bikes and more memorabilia.



However, I'm not so sure why a Honda step thru requires this kind of security.



Next stop, the show!

.... and now i remember why you're not returning my calls !

no need to say .. have a great time ! lotsa pics carps !!
and if you see a lonely toyota 2000gt kit that wants to come home with you .. you should help it !

WOW some thing diffrent,the utes look cool.

So today it's time to head to the big show.



08:00 hours, or one hour before opening and this is the que in the Pan Pacifico Concourse, looking south from the entrance…..



…. and north from the same point.



Less than fifteen minutes after the doors opened, everybody was inside, no shouting, no screaming, kicking or biting, just calm orderly movement.



Once inside the exhibition hall, the central display was………………



Yup, Dak Daks! In all shapes and sizes, finishes and styles, and they were awesome!



If the vans didn't do it for you how about a chopped split window sedan?



Maybe an early Karman Ghia is more your style?



Or perhaps a later model KG?

My personal favourite V Dub was this one.



I've never seen a VWoody before and this puppy was just perfect in every way.



The proportions are spot on.



And the wood theme is carried inside and out.



Yup, I'm lovin' it!



My next favourite was this kustom, hot rod, beach buggy.



Fenderless, removable top, blown engine it shows how these guys can take various styles and make them all work in synergy as a cool ride.
You'll see the same across all the cars in the show.



Now be honest, who wouldn't want this in their garage for sum sunny day fun?

If a more traditional mild kustom is your thing, they got that covered Dak Dak style too.





Maybe you'd prefer the Chicano low rider style?
Got that covered too!





Kustom paint did you say?
No problems.





Oh, you'd prefer a yoot?
Got it covered.



Rat style?
Consider it done, how much rust would you prefer?



Maybe plain old grey primer and wide whites is your thing?



Or perhaps you like to race?



Inch pincher II was there also, it;s the same as this but blue.



Like sand dunes?
No problem we got yer dak day right here.



Or just a low slung street smoothie?



And it aint just the Dak Daks that are cute…………

Got enough Dak daks there?

They all look bloody nice though. My favourite would have to be the Full rust colour Combi!

Looking good. Can't wait to see more pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome stuff!!! Love this show.

MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!!!! Brilliant stuff, Im sooo jealous!!!

Guess I musta liked this rare Dak Dak.



It's a pretty neat bit of body work…..





Here's the blue Empi Bug.