Nissan 370Z LA Autoshow - Four One One
Four One One
By the time Kiichiro Toyoda had officially named his new auto-making enterprise Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. in 1937, the Model AA and AB (a convertible version made for the Japanese military) were officially in full scale production and very closely resembled Chrysler's Airflow produced since 1934-the same car Toyoda has ordered earlier. A dirty trick, maybe... but it was just what the company needed to stand apart from its competitors.
Like the Chrysler Airflow, Toyota's Model AA marked a bold departure from normal automobile design and construction of the time. It offered a full steel body, instead of the more common wood carriage. It brought the engine forward, improving weight bias to provide a more comfortable ride for passengers. It also implemented stamped steel wheels instead of less durable hoop-and-spoke designs. Unlike the Chrysler car, the Model AA was powered by Toyota's first production engine, an OHV pushrod 3.4L straight-six called the "Type A" that many criticized as a copy of Chevrolet's Stovebolt engine. Interestingly enough, the Toyota version upped Chevy's by 2 hp: 62 hp to their 60. Seems the Japanese engine builders saw some room for improvement early on.
Just over 1,700 Toyota Model AAs and ABs were produced until the company halted production in 1943, each selling for the US equivalent of about $2,100, brand new. If you're thinking about picking one up to restore, don't-none are believed to have survived into the modern day. You may be able to find one made by Nissan, however; its Model 70 Phaeton was an exact copy of the Toyota Model AA, permitted under Japan's 1936 Automobile Manufacturing Industry Law... and we hear the Nissan version brings an additional 20 horses to the table!
| CONSTRUCTION | STEEL AND GLASS OVER A STEEL LADDER FRAME |
| BODY | MEDIUM FAMILY SEDAN, W/REAR SUICIDE DOORS |
| LAYOUT | FRONT ENGINE, REAR WHEEL DRIVE |
| ENGINE | INLINE-SIX, OHV AND PUSHRODS, IRON BLOCK AND HEAD |
| DISPLACEMENT | 3,389 CC; 84.1 MM BORE, 101.6 MM STROKE |
| FUEL DELIVERY | CARBURETED |
| FUEL TYPE | GASOLINE |
| OUTPUT | 62 HP |
| WHEELS | MODERN STAMPED STEEL |
| BRAKES | FOUR-WHEEL DRUM |
| SUSPENSION | SOLID FRONT AND REAR AXLES, LEAF SPRINGS |
| PERFORMANCE | WE'RE DYING TO FIND OUT |
| MSRP | 3,350 YEN |
Pioneer Store
Phoenix, Arizona
Building on the success of their first-ever brick-and-mortar retail outlet in Orange County, CA, Pioneer USA recently announced the opening of an even bigger, badder facility in Phoenix's upscale CityCenter of CityNorth shopping center. The 3,200 square-foot facility not only showcases the latest Pioneer schwag (including products made specifically for the JDM, that you'd never find anywhere else), but also some of the industry's most well-known audio-competing autos, like Elite Creations' xD demo car, as of this writing. Technical support is miles more specialized than what you'd expect at an electronics chain store, and best of all: in-house or in-car installation is available for all products.
www.store.pioneerelectronics.com
210
The amount of NASA-sanctioned amateur racing events held at local tracks and autocross courses last year.