For many people in Irvine, California, October 3rd 2009 was just another sunny day in SoCal but for a few thousand fanatics it was a stroll through Japanese classic car heaven. Although St. Peter wasn’t there to greet the crowd, we did come face-to-face with Joji Luz’s smiley yellow #5 Celica at the front gates.

If you have had the opportunity to hear a rotary powered RX-series stalking you, you would definitely know it. The motors have a distinct low throaty exhaust note coupled with a high revving scream. Highly ported engines will also have lumpy idles that enthusiasts refer to as the distinct “brap brap brap”.

Summer is arguably the most anticipated season of the year. The sights and smells of a new summer season is delightful but for us car enthusiasts the true beginning of summer comes with the dropping of the tops. Convertible tops that is.

Over twenty-five years ago when Toyota initiated the launch of the Corolla GTS (now famously known by it’s chassis code, AE86) it was unbeknown to the world what impact this little coupe would have. The lightweight contender came onto America’s shores with as much fanfare as Bob Saget announcing a stand-up gig. Fortunately for us, the little Corolla GTS put on a much better performance.

For those who weren’t there, there’s only really three things to remember about the early 1980’s in America: Pac-Man, cassette tapes, and the rise of the Japanese performance sports car.