Event: AE86 Day 2012
Ah, where to begin…. if you didn’t know this by know, Ireland has a very very impressive AE86 following, when the flood gates from Japan opened back around 00, we pretty much imported any type of AE86 we could get our hands on and this continued for about eight years, right up until the country’s economy shat itself. Any proper day like the one that is somewhat annually held at Mondello brings some of the most awesome pieces of Japanese steel from around the country and this was as good as it gets.
Finally we had a chance to see the new FT86…. it was nice to finally walk around the car and check it out, in fairness the whole idea of Toyota bringing back an FR which is based on the AE86, but the price and styling I’m still in two minds about. Yes, yes the trust/rocket bunny reincarnations are amazing, but straight from the factory…
When you see it up against an original you wonder why there was no Trueno/Levin idea, or why they didnt use the same lines of the original car like Ford and Dodge have done with the old new muscle cars, using the original style and shape but a revamp.. This could turn into a heated debate but you get the idea….
John who if you have seen last years coverage, brought his new addition to the family, the estate was amazing and still had the sale marker on the window!
Not really 86 related, but this transit was brilliant! Its years since I’ve seen any of these on the roads….
Back to the cars, it just goes to show that almost completely stock styling on this Levin with a decent offset wheel is pretty much timeless perfection.
Coupes are starting to get rare these days, it was nice to see a simple styled Levin coupe sitting on blue Techno Phantoms.
Its sometimes a little over whelming when you realise just what kind of gems have managed to be shipped from one single country, especially with the AE86’s this country has seen some of the rarest stuff and most unusual stuff…A quick walk around the car park would make you realise just how many rare goodies are floating around this little country.
How about some SSR winmeshes?
I have a funny feeling that you would only see this combo in Ireland… A Full Mercury R kitted AE86 with Deep Watanabes tat somehow got the mudflap and spot light treatment…. only in Ireland……
A couple of guys had made it over from the UK and down from the north… everywhere you looked was an amazing example of the 86 in one form or another.
Like this stock bodied panda…
Just as I turned around this showroom looking KE70 rolled past.
The day usually attracts other 80’s Toyota chassis like the KP starlet..
Or the Daihatsu Charmant, which has a very similar floor pan to the 86/KE and makes for an ideal 4a-ge transplant including AE86 running gear. This motorfix style charmant was rocking an aussie number plate.. wonder if they ever had the Charment in Australia, either way I was feeling this wrecker spec with the rear bumper missing and a sizeable set of MKII’s
It was nice to see the younger generation right up to the old at the track day, for such a small country we sure have a lot of decent examples.
MCN sport had a shop laid out with some nice goodies and wheels…
Mike and Reuben tested out some suspension to see what worked best at the rear.
One of the main reasons why Ireland has always had such a huge 86 following is due to the heavy influence from the rally scene. It was cool to see a few rally spec machines get in the mix with the others.
The track was open for the day, with grip sessions followed by drifting… YOu could roll in and roll out as you please more or less.
Darren was out testing his 86, the noise from the rotary is incredible, in fact it was so noisy the car had to be brought back in.
A quick lurk outside and we were greeted with this Crystal Body Yokohama kitted Levin, this picture does not do this car justice, the 16 inch Watanabe’s make this thing look very aggressive.
You may remember this coupe from the feature we did on a shed a few months back, it was awesome to finally see this car together with intimidating 15’s inside the N2 arches and a 20valve under the bonnet.
What an absolute stunner of a car.
Speaking of awesome, the Tekno Twinky cars were looking better than ever, the Trueno almost looked like a late 90’s photo scan that was posted on Minkara…
Stickers done right, this thing was dripping with style….
It was nice to see the new owner of the recently featured Trueno up at the track day, hopefully the car stays the same and possibly goes back down that bit lower, this is easily one of the best looking Truenos in the country with that awesome Jubride back spoiler.
Nice collection of Jap metal coming out of Dunlop corner, an MZ20 an AE86 and an s14a.
This actually came in from Japan with s2000 back lights… what an insane combination. Thankfully the new owner sorted that out and things have been much better ever since!
It was interesting to see the different kinds of 86’s which made an appearance…
From Johns full on missile track spec 2 door
To this funky Che themed N2 machine.
I think this a new trend is going to start. Dan brought out his rubbed down look Trueno with an AE92 bonnet scoop, wait for this to catch on!
Amanda’s KP is always nice on the eyes.
This 3 door was pretty much perfect with the Pink themed Techno Racing TRV’s.
Johns estate looked badass on track, more on this car very very soon!
Jack’s recently acquired estate had been given the low + SSR Mk1 treatment.
Its amazing that the 80’s body styling on the KE/AE series is almost on par with the styling of the 86.
Its just that square design, it has heaps more character than an average new car.
More!
Mean while out on track there was some funky machinery creating smoke screens!
The Charmant crew!
I actually took this exact same photo last year of the exact same Trueno!
MCN Sport brought up the car which is being raffled very soon…
Hayashi goodness
More of this because we can… and because of Hoshino Impuls
Cars were a little more interesting when someone designed them with a T square and a ruler!
Meanwhile on the track..
I could go on forever talking nonsene and putting up photos, but I guess until next time, hope you enjoyed what has to be one of the most entertaining parts of the Irish car scene. Until next time!
2 Comments