CarolsHusband

Most people who know I have it, know what it is. I don't really drop " I've got a Hako" into many conversations. General out-and-about people haven't got a clue. I haven't used it a huge amount so am yet to get a shout of "Nice Hako" as I'm driving around. As for the Novas and Fiestas thing, the car scene is quite fractured here and having a fast or special car is getting harder and harder for the youngsters. I had a 69 Camaro back in 1988, didn't cost anything to insure or run, really. When we went to The Pendine Beach Races last year some school kids shouted "Nice Ratrod" to my mate in his very not ratrod 29 Ford Sedan. The V8 thing ? Just not as common place in the UK. The only V8 readily available is the Rover and their not exactly a monster. Small roads developed from small cart-tracks end up needing small cars.

It is the only way to go, thanks for the Leopard tip, everything I've looked at so far is rear sumped. It's the first L-Series I've owned so I'm out of my depth but I'm learning ! BTW, had a look for a thread on your kenmeri, does one exist ?

DISC TWO. BONUS MATERIAL MATER AND THE GHOST LIGHT. Will, His Wife, Their Motorbikes and The Coupe. OR How I nearly would have bought a Coupe. Possibly. It's all about timing. My mate Will. He's 4 days younger than me and we grew up next door to each other in London. His Dad was from Pongaroa so he has dual nationality and has lived in NZ and Australia. For 10 years he was living in Wollongong, not far from Sydney. One day in 2011 this car came up for sale nearby at a very good price. Will and I have worked on cars together for years, he knows his way round old cars. All he would have to do was go and give it a good look over and if it was ok I could send him the money and he could have arranged shipping. Trouble was, he and his wife had decided to ride their motorbikes back to England, had left 3 weeks before and were somewhere up Malaysia. No use to me at all. The moral of this story is don't trust your mates, especially ones with a wander lust. That's it, I'm really done for the moment.

Next time then....

DISC TWO. BONUS MATERIAL. Extra 4 Door Badness. Remember this one ? It wasn't cheap. It wasn't nice either... Strange thing is the vendor didn't have a problem sending the pictures to a prospective buyer ! Funny old job.

DISC TWO. BONUS MATERIAL. Extra 4 Door Goodness.

Enjoy yourself, are you staying around London or roaming all over ?

140 miles away. Busy. Other pitiful excuses. Bit of warning next time, you might get lucky ! Whereabouts in The Big Town are you ?

What had I actually bought then ? Its a June 1972 car so one of the last made and was originally dark green metallic. Actually a 2000GT so manual windows but has the 130 ps twin artichoke GT-X engine. Although I bought it as stock it has got some pretty hard springs and has been lowered to a point that you can just get your fist under the sump. Low enough for round here. The rear arches have been rolled to fit something a bit larger than the 6 x 14 +12's that are on there. Rust-wise it's a goodun. There seems to be a bit of an internet myth that every Hako has no floor or chassis legs left. Not true. I'm sure it'll go flakey at some point but at the moment it's seems ok. The engine is strong, feels like more than 128 hp to me but with out pulling it apart I'll never know. Drives nicely, few little niggles but I'm hoping to sort it out properly this Spring. Got a wedding job in July. Just done servicing so far. More pics before y'all nod off Action picture of me, I don't normally move fast enough to go blurry There had always been something bugging me about what the car looked like. Finally the penny dropped, the sills were black. Out with a couple of tins of underguard, instant lowering ! I've also lined the bonnet up properly since.... That's about it really so far. I have some wheels on the way from Japan that should look the bollocks and I'm going to get a front spoiler too. I definitely wont be chopping those rear arches though, loving the Surfline. Engine wise, not really sure what to do. The L20 isn't that tuneable apparently, if I go silly L28 with Triples I'm then going to have to upgrade the brakes too. And the clutch. And probably my Cajones .Time will tell. Ultimatley I'd like to paint it ivory or dark red. I'll get stuck into it over the next weeks and post pics and words. Thanks for reading !

I'll be honest, it was tough at times. You can buy a lot of cars for the price of (even a cheap) Hako. Stuff kept coming up for sale especially when I was feeling like it was never going to happen. Still, it's a forever car that I could only just afford and I got there in the end ! Stick with it.

My PE teacher had a Daruma Celica in the late 70's which I thought was pretty cool but apart from that Japanese cars never registered. When the R32 Skylines came out I thought 'ooh' but had no idea how far back the history went. Pre-internet days. Living in a cave. Driving British and U.S. cars. Going to the library to find stuff out.

It's funny how we forget that most people who are 'into cars' are not as into cars as others. No, It's not a Dolomite, a Toledo, a MK 1 or 2 Cortina or even a Toyota. Or American. Japanese cars are so off the radar here. If you tell some one a Hako Coupe is worth more than a BDA or Twin Cam Escort they just stare at you. 25 grand for a Datsun ? Pfft. It's just not cricket.

Back on the hunt again ! I emailed loads of Importers but almost all of them were vague about pricing, time scales and duties I would be liable for once it landed here. One firm gave me a complete break down of costs at both ends and were recommended by someone I knew so they got the job. Once everyone had got in touch it was all systems go ! They gave the car a tidy-up. A nice man arrived at CCN with a transporter. Vid-Yo ! He then drove to the sea side and put it on this. Then started it's 8 week voyage to the UK. However sad it may sound I tracked it all the way back and checked for webcams on the way. I missed it through the Suez Canal and past Gibraltar but caught a look in Calais. ( that's in France...). Eventually it landed, went through customs and was on a Transporter to my house. This is the first look I got at my Hako (or any Hako actually). Very excited. I backed it out of the transporter and looked at it in the pissing rain. They are so much better looking in the flesh, lots of subtle styling I'd never noticed in pictures and wider than they appear. I was well pleased. Gave the driver a cuppa and some of Carols baking, talked about cars for a bit and then he pissed off. That was it then, happy bunny. Sent some pics to David and the boss of CCNagoya put them on his blog. It was the first car they had sold abroad and I think they were even more excited than me. http://www.nccmeeting.blogspot.jp/2012/04/blog-post_29.html Roughly translated..... It's all great, Hako got to the UK, everyone's happy. etc... Next time.... More pics and drivel.

Thanks everyone ! This is the short version, the original goes on for fucking ever.

Morning campers. I had got to the point where I was pretty sure I wanted a Sedan more than a Coupe. I then asked David to send me some pics of the one at Classic Car Nagoya. This was the first, slightly underwhelming one he sent.. After that he sent me about a hundred more from every possible angle. It was a very solid looking but rather stock 2000 GT with a GT-X (twin carb) engine, and the 'wrong' type of Watanabe's. The price ? A very reasonable 1,300.000 Yen. I decided that at the price I couldn't really go wrong, I was still struggling a bit with the whole Sedan/ Coupe thing and that's where the name Betty came from. Please watch this.... Coupe's are Wilma Flintstone, Sedan's are Betty Rubble. David then sent me an email that would make my mind up. They had just got this in.... SSR's, L26 with triples, a bit scabby but as far as he could tell pretty solid. They wanted 1,800,000 Yen but I'd have to be quick. Nope, didn't want a Coupe. Looked like Betty was the one. Thankfully a couple of days later a hipster came in with a pocket full of cash and bought the coupe. Over the months I had got a good relationship going with David but still fancied getting an independent inspection done. Earlier I had spoken to a well known Import firm in the UK and the guy had said he would be happy to inspect a car for me. I emailed him about CCNagoya and Betty, said I was aware it would cost a couple of quid but could he go and have a look at it for me. This was his reply. Hi Dan, Japan’s a very expensive place to travel in, cost of a train there and back is roughly 350 GBP’s worth plus a day’s time and other expenses. TBH I’m probably not the right person to go see it as my time isn’t cheap for this sort of thing. Especially with Sterling being so weak right now it could get pretty expensive. If it were an order for a car it would be different as the whole package includes all of my time & travel to select a car, plus other associated work, but to look at a car alone – it’s probably not worthwhile in terms of total costs, especially if the car turns out to not be right. You’d then spend a lot of money for nothing. A 4 door’s not nearly as desirable BTW. Can’t fit the longer 2.8 6 cyl engines into those I believe… engine bay’s too short. Best ask ***** he’d know more of course, but I’d go for a 2 door if I were you… Best wishes, Oh well, thanks for that. At least I hadn't sent him all my money before to get a car. Gawd knows what would have turned up. At this point I decided to take a risk, trust in human nature and buy the bloody car. I sent Eleven British Grand half way round the world to a bunch of people I'd never met, only one of whom could understand me for a car I'd never seen and I still had no idea how I would get it home. Couldn't lose, eh ? More pics ! Next time.... Getting it back to Blighty. Prepare for high jinx on the ocean waves.

I've been called a lot of things but that's a first !

Nothing happened really. I kept looking at Hako's. More and more cars were appearing on the 'net, lots of lovely GTR reps in Silver, white, or sometimes red. JDM Legends were firing them out the door at god-knows-what price to eager buyers. While all this was going on, my brain had got bored and was wandering off in another direction. As time passed I was getting more into the Sedans. They were definitely a boxier 'Box Skyline' and the more I saw the more I liked. Dropped with nice rims they looked a bit more gangster in my eyes. Yeah, I know. Shut up Dan, you want pics.... I rest my case. So, the fight was on in my head. I'd always wanted a Coupe but I'd started liking the Sedans. Problems, problems. That might be it for today !

So, there was this Texan on JNC called David. He lived in Nagoya and was well into his old cars, I had followed his threads and realised that he didn't live too far from the dealer 'Vintage' in Kawagoe-cho and he had visited them a couple of times. http://www.japan-vintage.com/ At that time they had 2 cars for sale in my budget. Both were silver GTR-style coupes, one was very good nick but quite tame, the other was a bit scabby but had the triple mikunis and fat Watanabe's front and back. 2.2 mil and 2.5 mil Yen respectively. I asked David what he knew of Vintage and whether he'd fancy having a look at the cars for me. He replied that while they had a big stock list, stuff didn't sell too fast (there's still one car on there that's been for sale since 2004 !) and they didn't really seem to into old cars. He then said that he was spending a lot of his tie at a family garage called Classic Car Nagoya and they might be able to source a car. http://www.n-classiccar-jp.com/ They had a 4 door GT in stock but he asked if I'd like them to keep an eye out for a coupe ? Er, yes please ! I sent David a list of my requirements and my budget and he said he'd get on the case. This was the point in time that Hako prices started going a bit mental, but I reckoned I was still on to get a half decent car. I sat back and waited for the emails to flood in. (sound of thumbs twiddling)

The word there was nearly. There was a 440 Belvedere street racer on slot mags for sale locally. I resisted. Ain't no Yonmeri, neither. Dream garage.

You may have to steady your nerve chaps. I do go on a bit.....

I spent the next few years learning all I could about Hakosuka's, finding as many dealers in Japan as I could using Google Translate, trying to work out the strange pricing that I found but more importantly saving up the pennies I would need. In about 2010 I felt I was ready to get one bought. My budget was up to 2,500,000 Yen at a push and there seemed to be cars available at that price. I then started a two pronged assault. In the UK I emailed and phoned all and any Importers I could find. The responses I got were varied but mostly gave me no confidence in their ability to actually find me a decent car. Saying things like " No problem" and "yeah, we can get one of them" was not going to make me part with my cash. One guy said "Why do you want one of them ? I can get you a nice R33 for that price and it will be faster" Thanks for that... All the ads on their sites had pics with the heading "Cars like this available in Japan". I knew that already. I've had old cars all my driving life, Rust, fatigue and wear are things you have to be aware of, most of the people I spoke to didn't have a clue. Started feeling a bit pissed off. Still, there's always Japan ! I had got quite a collection of Japanese dealer websites so I emailed them all in English and Google-Japanese asking if they would be happy to deal with me and if they had more pics of cars on their sites. Vintage, Takeeys, Bikoworks, etc all responded with complete silence. Happy days. At this point I nearly gave up and bought a mid 60's Plymouth Big-Block. JNC was about to come to my rescue...

I have now ! Chicken and egg thing... //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/51342-karol-shusbands-72-skyline-betty-the-hakopotamus/#entry1638508

Hi all. I thought it was about time I started a thread on my Hako. Please go here to tell me your thoughts..... //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/51341-karol-shusbands-72-skyline-betty-the-hakopotamus-discussion/ There's not many cars that you can remember the exact first moment you clapped eyes on them. In this case it was June 2004 and I reckon it was likely to be a Saturday. I was probably avoiding doing something important and playing 'Gran Turismo 4 Prologue'. I had unlocked the bonus 'making of' movie and was watching all the JDM goodness when all of a sudden a car jumped out of the screen at me. I had no idea what it was but I knew that I had to have one. It looked a bit like my mates 69 Dodge Coronet and was obviously Japanese. At this point in time I hadn't ever owned an internet so it was off to my parents house and I started googling '1970 Datsun/ Toyota/ Mitsubishi', etc and eventually found this picture on a site called jbskyline.net. I then started reading up about Nissan Skyline GTR's and soon realised that I couldn't afford one. About the same time I discovered Japanese Nostalgic Car and kev's car. No linky to post coz JNC is broken but this is the car. Kev's thread was an education and I got my head round the K's, G's, C's and P's and the number 10. I also realised that a 2 door GTR look-a-likey was was I wanted in my life and at a stretch I could get one. Watanabe's were a definite and the car would be silver or even better, white. So that was that. I knew what I wanted and all I needed to do was order one from one of the many Importers and It would be here in a jiffy. Sorted ? Nope. More next time

Please feel free to tell me what an arse I am, that I bought the wrong car and that I did it all the wrong way. None Taken. Linky //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/51342-karol-shusbands-72-skyline-betty-the-hakopotamus/#entry1638508

Oops, didn't post a pic of either ! Daves Model T Coupe on an A chassis with a four banger and rod brakes. He managed 53 MPH which was pretty brave considering he hadn't actually driven the thing before. He's building a 32 Pickup with a 383 and a 9 Inch for next time. Steves Model A Sedan, Flathead V8, basically stock apart from juice brakes, dropped front axle and the chop. He ran 78 MPH. He's building a single seat T modified with a straight six GMC and a 4-Speed next. Cheers, Dan