Mighty Car Mods - Issue 6

jdm cars of the 20th century!

Issue 06 $2.99

Feature cars from 70’s 80’s and 90’s!

battle of the bytes Car games on PC or Console, what’s in it for you.

moog confessions Comes clean about his Jeep ownership... no that’s not a joke.

car electrics We look into multimeters and the “do and don’ts” of automotive electrics

MX5 Madness Find out what made this MX5 all sorts of maaaad

INSIDE ◦ Delorean at Topgear ◦ Marty’s Trip to the UK ◦ Car Club Communities ◦ ALPHAMAMA X MOOG & Heaps More

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ISSUE SIX > MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE

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MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

ISSUE06. FEATURES \16

Battle of the Bytes ARE YOU AN XBOX, PLAYSTATION OR PC GAMER? WE PUT RACING GAMES FROM EACH OF THESE PLATORMS HEAD TO HEAD Jara Stojanovic & Robert Read

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20th Century Classics TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH THREE JAPANESE CULT CARS FROM THE FINAL THREE DECADES OF LAST CENTURY! Nicholas Ramalho / Daniel Irwin / Fatpat

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MX5 Madness WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WENT INTO MAKING A TWO-HOURS-OF-REGOREMAINING RUST BUCKET INTO THE MAD RIDE IT IS TODAY Marty

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Auto Electrickery WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING ON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICS AND THE TOOLS USED FOR THEM. Myles Askwith

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Heaven and Hell OUR MAN IN JAPAN STEVE KING TAKES US THROUGH THE WORST OF JAPANESE FOOD IN THE FINAL PART OF THIS TWO PART SERIES Steve King

ISSUE06. LIFESTYLE

ISSUE06. TECH

8 12 14 15 24 32 44 52 107 108 116 120 124 134

15 94 96 100 102 106

MOOG: WRANGLING WITH A WRANGLER MARTY: GET HANDS ON YOUR SAY CAR NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THE WHITE HELL ROLLIN’ IN THE U.K. LIFE AS AN MCM EVENT ORGANISER CAR COMMUNITIES WTF PRO PHOTO: CHRIS PRESTIGE MCM MUSIC: ALPHAMAMA GEOFF THOMPSON: COATTAIL CAPTIALISM SCOTT BAKER INTERVIEW IRONGAV: THE BEST CAR IN THE WORLD

QUICK CAR PROFILE: DAIHATSU CHARADE SEMI SLICKS HOW TO: USE A MULTIMETER HOW TO: SURVIVE CAR ELECTRONICS DELOREAN DUTIES WHAT A TOOL: DISC BRAKE SPREADER

MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

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Issue 05

MIGHTY CAR MODS T h e

M a g a z i n e

ISSUE06. STAFF NICHOLAS RAMALHO / BLADE888 Editor

Nick’s love of cars, driving and mechanical skills, came from his father, a Touring Car driver in the 1970s. When not tinkering with IT Tech, or instructing a Cadet Squadron in aviation, you will find him in his car or under it. On a cruise, a race track or a driveway, he’ll be having good times with mates helping out where he can and enjoying the company.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Rusty Golf, the amount of attention a Euro car got at a JDM meet was amazing to see.

JARA STOJANOVIC / MILKCHICKEN Writer

Owner of the title ‘too many cars to remember’, Jara is happy to lend a helping hand to those who demand. However, don’t let her kind exterior fool you, she has no problem putting the boys in their place when it comes to Honda tuning.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? Expect me to say the Civic? No..

Actually it’s the TRDLZR. Why? Because it was all kinds of awesome in one single car.

Cover Photo Ross Waldron info@rosswaldron.com Advertising Enquiries magazine@mightycarmods.com Mighty Car Mods Post Office Box 812 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 magazine@mightycarmods.com mightycarmods.com Mighty Car Mods Magazine is published six times a year exclusively through digital distribution by Mighty Car Mods Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices correct at time of press but are subject to change.

The publisher, editors, contributors and related parties are not responsible in any way for the actions, results or consequences taken by any person, organisation or party on the basis of reading the information, stories or contributions in this publication. The advices offered within this publication are opinions only and it is recommended that consultation with a Certified Engineer is carried out before undertaking any vehicular modifications. The publisher, editors, contributors, and related parties disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication.

BEN NEAL / MECHANICAL STIG Writer

Ben is a self confessed Subaru nut whose garage is a revolving door for Subarus in need of some love. His 9-5 is as a trade mechanic and import parts specialist for a Sydney-based importer.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Mighty Mira show car - it’s where it really all started

VINCENT TANNAHIL / MAUSWERKS Writer

Vincent is a photographer, former aircraft mechanic, mechatronics engineering student, and an electric car nut. His first project car was a 1988 Audi 80 Quattro and he’s been a lover of european imports ever since. His current car is a 1992 BMW 318is which he plans to convert to run on batteries.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The rusted VW Golf, for sure. I was apprehensive at first, but it came out great! Too much fun!

STEVE KING Writer

Steve is a rather tall Yorkshireman who left his native England 15 years ago to visit Japan for a year or so, and ended up never going back. A self-confessed workaholic, when he’s not translating obscure technical Japanese he may be found in the dojo or steering around wild deer in his modified Golf GTI on the mountain roads of Hokkaido.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? Moog’s Forester because its practical and “stealth”, yet flies like a rocket when you stand on the accelerator.

DANIEL IRWIN / FACEPLANT Writer

Daniel is MCM’s resident drift nut as well as a mechanic by trade. His pride and joy is a 1984 AE86 which consumes most of his free time. He can often be found working well into to night, which is how he earned the title “The Midnight Mechanic”.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Civic, due to the huge amount of people that it fooled. We had so much fun building it and driving it around the streets.

GARTH IVERS

Art Direction & Design Meticulous designer, obsessive music addict & AE86 die-hard pretty much defines our one-man art department. If not at his desk buried in pixels, Garth can normally be found under the hood of his AE86 ‘hachiroku’ Trueno or through digging stacks of vinyl records. He also runs the AE86/ZN6 community, Hachiroku.com.au What’s your favourite MCM Car? Has to be the Red Cuore. Never forget your roots.

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MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE06

MIGHTY CAR MODS IS..

MARTY

Moddius Expertus Presentusius Marty’s favourite shirt reads “no tofu” but despite this, he and Moog still manage to stay great friends while creating the hit show Mighty Car Mods. Since he was a teenager he’s been modifying anything that moves, and some things that don’t. He feels most at home in a spare parts shop or wreckers yard scouring for parts to put to use on the driveway and believes that a mod worth doing, is a mod worth doing yourself.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? My old Micra. It helped launch MCM, got me learning about cars and showed what makes small cheap cars, so good.... Until slid off a dirt road into a ditch and a tree.

MOOG

Undercover Soccer Mum Moog is host, and co-creator of the hit YouTube series Mighty Car Mods which started in 2008. He has owned many cars ranging from his Mini, VL Commodore and three-wheeled Camira, through to a range of S13’s, modified Golf GTI’s and his defeated JDM S15. He has filmed over 100 episodes of Mighty Car Mods in locations including USA, Japan and Hong Kong. He dislikes eggplant immensely.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? My favourite MCM was the TRDLZR. It was exciting to drive, but not for the normal reasons you’d find a modded car exciting.

ISSUE06. REGULAR COLUMNISTS IRONGAV www.irongav.com Despite having a degree in industrial design, Gavin’s real interest in cars really only came after he was able to afford to buy them - never settling for anything average, this took quite a bit of time working his way up from intern slave through to feature film art department and then finally head designer of his own and other companies involved with film / video production. Decidedly biased towards anything “made in Germany” he is currently trying to find a pair of long pants that fit like his shorts you will see him in 365 days a year.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Blue Porsche 911 with the tyre pressure monitors in it. There isn’t a thing it doesn’t do, a true juggernaut.

GEOFF THOMPSON

www.geoffthompson.com Geoff Thompson is recognised as one of the best self-defence instructors in the world. After a decade working on the doors of some of the roughest clubs on the planet, he is now a BAFTA winning author of 40 books, including his autobiography ‘Watch My Back’ which was adapted into a major motion film ‘Clubbed’

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ISSUE06. CONTRIBUTORS MYLES ASKWITH / MEELS

Writer and Photographer on ‘How to: Survive Car Electronics’ on Page 98 Myles has been installing automotive electronics for the past 10 years. What originally was a hobby and passion of his, unfolded to become a full time job. According to Myles: “If it’s got wires and holds a current I’ve probably installed it in to a car, boat, bike, truck or tractor.” After many years experience, Myles wants to offer valuable insight for those looking into doing their own electrical work in their cars.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Blue Turd. It is DIY in all its glory, its worth more in man hours then dollars.

PETER JAMES

Writer and Photographer on ‘The White Hell’ on Page 22 Sydney local who has spent a fair amount of his time under broken subarus and driving long distances for track days and hunting great driving roads. Currently driving a GF8 WRX track hack and an MX-5 as my ‘backup’ track car probably indicates I will never grow out of this.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? Turbo MX-5 for sure. Purists say the car doesn’t need a turbo, anyone reading this mag knows all cars need at least one extra turbo!

ROBERT READ / BEAST260

Co-Writer on ‘Battle of the Bytes’ on Page 16 Fitter and turner by trade and all around car nut, Robert is known as the Car MacGyver among the MCM Melbourne members. Has been working on cars since he was 9, from the age of 13 has owned 30+ cars and still counting ranging from a 76 Datsun 200B coupe right up to his 06 Ford XR8 Ute. In his spare time, he likes to arrange car meets and cruises for many of the MCM fans in the Melbourne area.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Mighty Mira, because it was paid for by the fan’s, for the fans

MARK TUOHY / TOOZA

Writer and Photograper on ‘Life as an MCM Event Organiser’ on Page 42 Mark has been living in Brisbane for the last ten years and recently started organising Mighty Car Mods meets there.

He has a great love of cars particularly his imported 1988 MK3 GA70 Supra. Married with children, Mark’s hobbies include taking his 2 sons along to the MCM meets he organises to meet with friends and fellow car enthusiasts.

What’s your favourite MCM Car? The Blue Turd, because it was so much turd for such a little car, and because Marty let me drive it :)

Do you have a story for MCM Magazine?

Got some crazy car stories from your end of the globe? We’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch with the magazine team at magazine@mightycarmods.com

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MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

WRANGLING WITH A WRANGLER

WORDS: MOOG

Wrangling with a Wrangler LET’S JUST COME RIGHT OUT WITH IT. I USED TO OWN A JEEP. IT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY CONVENIENT IF THIS WAS A JOKE, BUT SADLY IT IS NOT. SO LET’S PUT THE RUMOURS TO REST AND ALL HAVE A GOOD LAUGH AT THE GUY WITH THE BEANIE IN THE STUPID CAR THAT USES TOO MUCH FUEL. NOW THAT THE LAUGHTER HAS ALMOST DIED DOWN, LET ME TELL YOU THE STORY.

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MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

FOR

a short period of time I couldn’t think of anything else except for owning a Jeep. I didn’t want a Nissan, Subaru or a turbo VW, I wanted a Jeep. Plain and simple.

I imagined exciting weekends away, exploring long lost lands and a world of adventure opening up right before my eyes.

Camping gear packed in the back with friends, music on and driving up a coastal highway on my way to some exciting destination with cool, fresh air filling my lungs. A beautiful beach would extend out to my right, and the warm sun on my left would be creating a gentle hue of orange in the sky before fading into deep blues and purples. It would be awesome, but this was more than just a dream, this was emotion.

up, he said $16,000 was his lowest price, I replied that $15,999 was my highest price. We were talking the difference of $1 but he would not budge no matter what. So I reluctantly paid him his $16,000 feeling like I’d been ripped off by a full dollar.

I got in the car and put the soft top down. 2 hours later I was ready to go and drove out towards the M4 to go back into the city. At this point I realised that I had no money at all in my wallet which meant I couldn’t pay the toll. Heading towards the road cameras I was grasping around inside all of the compartments when I pulled open the ash tray, and there before my eyes was the most exciting thing I may have ever seen. $4 worth of coins, $15996 sucker!! I got my discount after all.

“A Jeep can get past any obstacle in its way, except for a petrol station.”

I was overseas on a holiday and for some reason there was just nothing I could imagine that was even close to being as exciting and exhilarating as buying a black Jeep Wrangler the moment I got home. So that’s exactly what I did. I had a look through the classifieds and eventually found one that was all black and looked the business. The owner even said he would drive it over to my work so that I could check it out and test drive it.

So I drove around for a while and tried to get used to driving around in something that had the refinement of a house brick. Somewhat surprisingly, it was fast. But in a ‘just used half a tank of fuel in one set of lights kind of way or, in a ‘roll a log down a hill’ kind of way. In fact a Jeep can get past any obstacle in its way, except for a petrol station, and this is not an exaggeration. You could almost watch the fuel needle dipping down in shame right in front of your eyes.

I remember when he arrived and I saw it. I was like “Whoa.

OK this thing is awesome”. I knew nothing about four wheel driving, Jeeps and really nothing at all, other than I really wanted it, even before I saw it or drove it. He wanted $17,000 for it and I said I’d give him $15,000 for it, he said we’d negotiate the price once I actually picked it up. A day or so later I got public transport out to where he worked to pick it

One weekend I was heading up the coast, so I packed my bags, put the roof down and picked up a couple of friends.

I put some tunes on and then we made our way towards the highway heading north. As I headed down the on-ramp to the highway, I suddenly had this realisation that this was what I had been dreaming about all this time. Finally it was happening for real.

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Well, OK let’s be honest, it was so far from what I’d imagined, it may as well have been like getting a spoon full of what you thought was honey and then it actually tastes like a goats scrotum once it’s in your mouth (Editor – Are we actually going to print this?!).

With the soft top down, the thing smashed its way through the air at 110km/hour with all the grace of a drunken Yak in a leotard. It felt like a WW2 tank but without the excitement or ability to blow something up or ram through your local KFC. The air buffeted everyone around so much that at one stage I saw one of the girls in the back seat throw up, and have all her vomit return to her own face in the wind. Her hair now covered in vomit whipped her in the eyes and she tried to pull it back as she started crying. The tyre noise at that speed was enough to drive one person to shout out to ask if I carried earplugs

ideal version of how I would be if I bought a Jeep, carefree and adventurous. I was an advertising victim through and through. I’m sure a lot of fun can be had in a Jeep on the weekends in the mud, but driving it around the city? With my precious musical gear in it for gigs, with a soft top? This is the stupidest car I’ve ever owned.

Whenever I’m considering buying a car these days, I don’t think of the best day of owning the car. I try and think of the worst. Then, if I’m still excited after imaging how bad it can get, I know I’m going to love the car for a long time. I’d had the Jeep for a total of 6 weeks. Summer had arrived and they were in demand so I decided to sell it. I sold it for $17,000. Pretty much broke even after rego transfer and other bits and pieces.

Emotionally scarred by how far my imagination was conflicted with reality, I decided to jump off the car range pendulum, all the way down the other end of the spectrum.

“Whenever I’m considering buying a car these days, I don’t think of the best day of owning the car. I try and think of the worst. Then, if I’m still excited after imaging how bad it can get, I know I’m going to love the car for a long time.” with me for guests. The sunny coastal road I’d imagined was in fact a stinky highway covered in trucks and smog with the beach of my mind replaced with the bush smoke of bush fire preventative back burning. In addition to the questionable nasal flavours, was the distinct smell of cow crap literally floating into our car from one of the cattle trucks ahead of us.

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I wanted a small car. Something that would use no fuel.

Something that was cheap and cheerful. Something that would get me around until I really worked out what the hell I wanted. Then I found it, the perfect little car, it was red and cheap. It was called a Daihatsu Cuore…

The rubbish audio system did nothing to comfort the sensation of blasting along in a metal box on wheels that should never be going this fast. Along with all the road noise, smell of vomit, cow crap and bleeding ear holes, I realised that I hated this car.

It used too much petrol, was slow, but wait hang on... Didn’t I just say it was fast? No it was slow, cumbersome, redundant, useless, noisy and totally impractical. It was the worst car ever invented and was the car that crushed my dreams.

I’d recently met this guy at a recording studio called Marty.

He said he liked working on cars. I said I like cars too and had a camera. This new internet site had just launched called ‘YouTube’ where you could upload videos. We said lets meet up on Saturday and fix up the little Daihatsu. We’ll film it and upload the video so we can send it to our friends.

From there we’ve been meeting up on Saturday mornings every week since for almost seven years, making videos to send to our friends.

So seriously what the hell happened? Like a lot of people, I fell in the love with an idea. In fact not just an idea but an ideal. The ideal version of how I wanted a car to be, but then, it’s not about the car is it. It’s about me. I fell in love with an

So for all the noise, fuel and faults. Jeep - thank you, because without you I would never have known how much I disliked you, and would have never found the Daihatsu that would literally change my life forever.

MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

GET HANDS ON

WORDS: MARTY

GET HAND ON 12

MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

DS

AS THE

connected world becomes more and more part of our lives, we sometimes find ourselves so ‘busy’ maintaining all our responsibilities (and hobbies) in the virtual world - that we miss out on opportunities in the real world.

A perfect example of this is working on cars. It often baffles me how some people are able to find so much time to spend online on Online Forums, Facebook or in comments sections talking about cars. Often they have quite wide car knowledge, and sometimes are experts - but I think there is a real limit to what you can learn from reading and watching, there is a point where you just have to ‘do’.

I put myself squarely in the middle of this equation. I’ve learnt a lot of what I know from reading, partly because online video didn’t exist, and partly because I didn’t know many people who were car experts. I learned quite a bit of what I know about tools and how to use them from friends who were in aviation. They had tools and techniques that were of a pretty high standard, so I learned to appreciate good tools and learned that so much practical knowledge is about ‘tricks’.

How many times have you heard someone say, “The trick to it is…” or, “I’ll show you a trick”? I hear those words quite a lot when I’m spending time with Mechanical Stig. I try to visit him at least once a week for a good dose of real world car talking, working, and assisting. Ben is one of the best teachers out there, completely willing to share what he knows, he’s not bothered if you don’t know what you’re doing as long as you’re prepared to ‘have a go’.

The only thing I ever get teased for (and anyone who has been to a mechanics workshop knows there is a plenty of good natured teasing) is being crap at cracking bolts. He’s right, and it’s probably my musician past presenting itself!

Point is, day in, day out it is real world working on cars. I’m always really grateful when career mechanics and engineers find the time to give their knowledge and share experiences online. Our forum has been lucky enough to have a good share of these kinds of people on there. Sure, sometimes they get hit with the same questions over and over again from people who haven’t done their research, but the ideas and opinions they are willing to share are invaluable to those trying to under take the same jobs themselves.

As an enthusiast or hobbyist who spends time online, it’s important to find a balance. It’s all too easy to get lost in the massive amount of information (and where forums are involved, opinion..) and lose your way from the actual goal - which is progress on a project or modification. Mighty Car Mods has always been about having fun, having a go with whatever tools and knowledge you have to improve your car. Through that, meeting people, experiencing things and bettering your own skills are all part of the end result. This magazine is an attempt at a written embodiment of all that, and we love creating it!

Remember just how important it is to get out there, and get your hands dirty. Improve something you have, and then enjoy the experience of driving, looking at, taking photos of, racing or parking it… or whatever you’re into.

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YOUR SAY

WORDS: MCM

Your Say TWO WEEK YOUTUBE BINGE Hey Marty and Moog! I’m a massive fan and I would really appreciate a reply!

I’m Oscar and I’m 13! I love Cars as Cycling! I found u guys on YouTube about 2 weeks ago and have already watched 80% of your videos and have also just signed up for your website!

You guys are hilarious and your how to videos have thought me a lot and your other videos are just so interesting to watch!

I would love a letter back Thanks guys :) RAKE LOVES IT! Oscar

Thanks Oscar. We’re glad you’re loving the show. Not only are you getting a letter back, you’ve made it into the magazine!!

BALLSY BRZ I just bought a Subaru BRZ and did a full MY11 Subaru WRX transplant (AWD instead of RWD). I’m in need of a DynoTune, what type of ECU do I need (like e-z flash etc.)?

Arjuna

We had great results with the Chiptorque unit. Get in touch with them and see what they can offer.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE I’m just wondering if you guys would come up here to Darwin for a cruise as I’ve seen plenty of vids of you guys all around Australia.

Cameron Hunter

We’re keen to do some meets all over the country, keep an eye on the forum and Facebook page for updates!

JUST WANNA GO FASTER Hey guys. Just got my first car. It’s a prelude and wanting to know what things I can do to make it quicker?

Ananymous

You’re in luck. Check out issue #4 which has 69 ways of making your car go faster. Then jump on the MCM forum and you can get some more specific info about your model.

SLOPPY HOLDEN SUSPENSION Sick show guys, could you guys do a video about changing Holden Ute front end bushes etc?

Tim Renggli

We’ll be covering bushings in an upcoming episode. It’s slightly different for every car so check out some forums specific to your car or even better, a service manual.

ANTIGUAN APPRECIATION I’m sending a photo from a car show we had recently, maybe you guys can come to Antigua sometime. Mighty Car Mods episodes show all the time over here.

Stefan Mason, Antigua

Wow, so many ladies we can barely see the car itself! If we do come to Antigua, we better make sure Cheryl doesn’t get jealous!

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MIGHTYCARMODS MAGAZINE ISSUE 06

MCM Fans from all over the world have their say.

Feel free to contact us at: magazine@mightycarmods.com

MOOG’S MUSIC MATTERS I make my own YouTube videos and wondering if I can use some of MOOGs music?

Anonymous

As long as they are your own personal videos, they are not offensive in any way and you have bought a legitimate copy then you can use them. We also ask that you put the iTunes and MCM links in the description.

SELF SATISFACTION I have a BMW320D e46 2005 and I am considering converting it to a M3 or some other petrol engine and make a drift car... I think this would be a great project for your channel and if you want I will give you the car to convert ;D As long as I get it back ;D Of course it’s only a concept Jack Coughlan

Better yet, watch the videos then try some of them on your own car! Way more satisfying having done it yourself…

NEW COMMODORE FOR 2016

Holden fans are buzzing with the news that there is a new model Commodore to be released in 2016. The question is though, will it be able to beat whatever rubbish car Marty owns at the time? We think the answer will be a resounding, “yes”.

KINETIC ENERGY RECOVERY... SUSPENSION?

QUICK CAR PROFILE EACH ISSUE WE PROFILE A CAR THAT IS QUICK!

In what has been touted as a world first, ZF who are suspension and drivetrain specialists, have developed suspension that can regenerate power based on the movement of the suspension system. For Hybrid or electric vehicles, this means the energy converted into power can be fed back into the power supply. Pretty freaking cool if you ask us.

HALF A MILLION

In MCM news, the boys have recently welcomed their 500,000th YouTube subscriber. The show continues to be the #1 Automotive YouTube show in Australia and the #1 DIY car show in the world.

Half a million subscribers is nothing to sneeze at, but Marty and Moog tell us that there will be a lot of “choo choo” noises coming in upcoming episodes...

PISSED OFF

A man in Sydney’s west has been ordered to pull his pants up after urinating on his own car. The confused Ford Falcon owner had seen the MCM episode of cleaning headlights with urine and assumed he could do his whole car. Neighbours had assumed he either really disliked his car or was trying to mark his territory to scare away local alley cats that had been a nuisance. With nothing more than a step ladder, a bag of avocados and a case of beer, Police found him on the top step of his ladder letting loose all over the roof of the car. The owner was stated in an email regarding his neighbours interference that he was “…a little pissed off but I don’t really give a sh*t”.

We hope he doesn’t mean that literally? Actually we hope he does.

CAR NEWS FROM AROUND THE PLANET

MARTY AND MOOG ATTEMPT TO SUPERCHARGE THEIR CHARADE WITH A PAIR OF LEAF BLOWERS.

1990 DAIHATSU CHARADE Don’t be fooled for a second that ‘Quick Car Profile’ means anything other than short. Because the car featured in this issue is anything but quick.

What is quick, is the amount of time that passes when saving up for one of these bad boys… You can get yourself into a properly JDM hatch back for less than a thousand dollars. They come up for sale regularly and many a ‘granny’ has had one of these bad boys in their car ports since new - so don’t write them off!

There are a few ‘hot’ versions of the Charade, such as the GTti and the GTxx - but they can be a little hard to come across in good condition. They have withstood the test of time and proven to be reliable.

Parts are cheap and they can be a LOT of fun to drive and a great car to learn to spanner on. It’s high on our list of ‘cars to diy’.

FAST FACTS Engine Output Drive Chassis 0-100 Price

RATINGS

Parts Availability Fun Factor Fuel Economy Safety Potential to win Autosalon

1L 3cyl or 1.3L 4cyl ~55kw Front Hatchback Eternity $300 - $1000 7/10 5/10 9/10 2/10 10/10

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