The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4: Japan’s Rally Hero for the Road In the late 1980s, Mitsubishi dominated the high-flying world of Group A rallying with the turbocharged, four-wheel drive Lancer Evolution model. Seeking to capture sales from success on the motorsport stage, they launched a road-going version called the Galant VR-4 to bring fierce rally-bred performance…
Nissan R390 GT1: Taking on Le Mans In the 1990s, Japanese automakers were focused on mass-market family cars and affordable sports coupes – the elite world of endurance prototype racing seemed unattainable. Yet Nissan dreamed of taking on Europe’s best at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. An ambitious racing program was born, with…
The Game-Changing Nissan 280Z In the early 1970s, Japanese auto manufacturers were primarily known for economical sedans – not serious sports cars. The affordable but boring image was a sore spot for Nissan. It aimed to be taken more seriously in America’s performance market. The solution came in the form of the 1970 240Z coupe….
The Iconic BMW 507: The Roadster That Changed BMW’s Future In the mid-1950s, BMW was struggling financially and needed a halo car to reinvigorate the brand. They found the answer in the stunning BMW 507 roadster. A V8-powered sports car built between 1956 and 1959 which helped shape BMW’s future as a sporty, driver-focused brand….
The Lancia 037 is a mid-engine rally car built by Italian car manufacturer Lancia in the early 1980s. The developers had purpose-built it to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship, and in 1983, it became the last rear-wheel drive car to win the championship. A supercharged four-cylinder engine producing around 265 horsepower powered the…
What is dirtfish? DirtFish is a renowned rally driving school and experience center located in Snoqualmie, Washington. It was founded in 2010 and offers a range of driving courses and experiences, from beginner to advanced levels. Set in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, DirtFish utilizes its diverse and challenging terrain to teach the skills…
The Suzuki Cappuccino is a small two-seater sports car produced by Suzuki from 1991 to 1997. It is designed to meet Japan’s kei car regulations, which means it has a compact size and a small engine. The Cappuccino features a retractable hardtop roof, allowing it to be used as a coupe or a convertible. It…
The Legendary Nissan 180sx For Japanese drift enthusiasts, the Nissan 180sx is the stuff of legend. This rear-wheel drive coupe has built an iconic reputation in the tuning community thanks to its lightweight chassis, potent engine capabilities, and graceful drift-happy handling. Even decades after the last 180sx rolled off the production line, demand and prices…