The list of cars that were on display is too long to list, but among some of our favorites was the Toyota Crown coupe MS75 “Kujira” which was only available in the United States in 1971 and 1972. The Crown features a 2.6L 4M engine which was shared (in fuel-injection form) with the late 1970’s Celica Supra and Cressida. The 4M engine later evolved into the 2.8L 5M engine and 3.0L 7M engines available in the 1980’s Celica Supra and Cressida.

We’re still keeping our hopes up to see a 7MGTE equipped Kujira in the states but considering how few of these Crowns are even around, it will probably some time before we lay our eyes on one. (Do you know of a Crown coupe worthy of being featured in JDM Origins? Contact us!)

Other favorites of the show were the multitudes of Toyota Corolla’s from the KE10’s to the AE86 Hachi-roku’s. One of America’s favorite Toyota’s since it’s introduction in the late 1960’s, it seemed as if there were as many Corolla’s in the parking lot as in the show!

Last but definitely not least is the always beautiful Toyota 2000GT, more famously known to the common-folks as “the car from that one James Bond movie!” (The movie was actually “You Only Live Twice” which came out about two years after the car’s debut in 1965.) Keeping in mind that there are only about 50 to 60 of these vehicles originally sold in the United States, it is definitely a treat when you see one in person. One kid was even so lucky as to get a photo of himself behind the wheel.

After scoping out all the full scale cars, the show would not be complete without stopping by the HPI sponsored mini race circuit where the little guys were dueling it out. Each competitor had to use a standard Toyota body which made it all the more interesting. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be a lot of old school loving contenders.

If you missed the All Toyotafest this year, you will have to wait until next year to see all the cars for yourself. It was a blast and I think everyone there came home with a free tan and some other tradeshow goodies. If you missed it, check out the full gallery below.

** Special thanks to Michael Foertsch (Toyotageek) for filling in some pictures. It was such a blast, we lost some cars and photos in the mix!

Michael Foertsch, Toyotageek, runs his own website www.toyotageek.com and writes “Toyota Tales” about beloved Toyota’s and their owners. They are what he calls “real stories about real
people and real cars”. He also runs multiple Owners groups and is an active member of Toyota Owners and Restorers Club (TORC).

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At the time, the Corolla GTS with it’s 1.6 liter 4AGE, DOHC 16 valves and employing Toyota’s new T-VIS technology was a radical engine in a modest chassis. It did not take long for Toyota to put it to good use in circuit and rally racing. The combination of ease of tuning, accessible performance parts from TRD, and a lightweight chassis made the Corolla GTS a formidable opponent in many forms of racing.

Because of it’s racing heritage, it has now become the most in-demand Japanese classic car in the world. It’s cult-like status comes from not only Toyota-backed racing, but also the overwhelming successes in Japanese street racing, touge or mountain-pass racing, and circuit racing. It is the weapon of choice for many serious competitors both on and off the race track.

With such a rich history of racing, you can understand why I was blown away when I first laid eyes on this gem almost a decade ago. It was owned and operated by Peter ‘Rabbit’ Vang who had modified the car with all intentions to autocross. Keep in mind that back in the early 2000’s there were no outlets to drift. Most people who were serious about motorsports were out there drag racing, trying to push their all-motors Civics or nitrous injected, turbocharged Supras to the limitations of straight-line racing.

To maximize the AE86’s abilities on the autocross course, Tokico HTS 45 way adjustable dampers were matched up with Ground Control coil-overs up front and TRD Japan 8-way adjustable shocks were matched up with TRD Japan springs in the rear. Battle Version 30mm roll center adapters and Battle Version pan hard rod were also added to keep suspension geometry in check and control rear solid axle movement, respectively. A factory LSD unit in the rear also keeps the AE86 in traction.

Basic bolt-on modifications were added to increase the efficiency of the 4AGE. An intake system was added to draw in more air and TRD headers help exhaust flow through the custom piping. In order to keep the modest look of the AE86 and maintain low-end torque, a stock-style performance exhaust was added in the rear.

Although the AE86 is set up for autocross and did quite well, these days it is mostly a garage queen. Rabbit passed the car onto his good friend Keng Lee a few years back to focus on other priorities. Keng intends to keep the AE86 true to it’s heritage. No crazy nitrous kits, no turbo swaps, but rather an optimal suspension setup and a highly tuned naturally aspirated engine to keep the car revving at high RPMs through the winding roads.

The heart of the AE86 has always been it’s simplicity in form and function. Even today, for what it lacks in brute power and advanced technology this underdog succeeds with agility and finesse.

In the engine bay:
Intake adapter
TRD headers
Magnacore wires

Underneath the chassis:
Battle Version 30mm roll center adapter
Battle Version pan hard rod
Tokico HTS 45-way adjustable front damper
Ground Control front coilover springs (6.3kg/mm rate)
JIC magic pillow ball mounts
TRD Japan springs (5.1kg/mm rate)
TRD Japan 8-way adjustable shocks
Custom exhaust piping
Stock-style exhaust
Factory LSD

Inside the cage:
Corbeau Forza fix position driver seat
Corbeau 4-point harness
Momo steering wheel hub
Momo 320 mm steering wheel