Minneapolis Street Sighting: Toyota Corolla wagon

The Toyota Corolla (and its Camry sibling) have always been known as boring cars among car-folk, but that's mainly the newer ones with the whole beige stigma. However, despite being a boring, bland car, certain versions of Toyota's long-lasting subcompact-turned-compact have garnered a "cool" factor lately. Now, obviously, if someone puts together "Corolla" and "cool", chances are they're blabbering on and on about the AE86; nothing wrong with that, but the AE86 isn't the only cool Corolla around.

Chances are, if you grew up in the early 1980s, you'd think differently; I grew up in the 1990s, and even then, these weren't that common. I don't remember seeing these very much in my childhood, but I assume that they were sold in Lawrence, but probably in small numbers; I've seen more sedans than wagons--by a longshot. 

In 1985, the Corolla went front-wheel-drive, and aside from the AE86 coupes and hatchbacks, the coolness all but disappeared; it was almost like Toyota decided to take the fun out of driving for their best-selling car--and it all went downhill from there. One by one, Toyotas got lamer and lamer as the sporty models started disappearing for good. Thankfully Toyota isn't Honda, as I would probably be sued right about now. 

 As I stated above, I do quite like these; I've loved wagons for the longest time, too, and I have a soft spot for vintage Toyotas. Yes, I can call this "vintage", since it is over thirty years old now.  Now, obviously, this is a far cry from today's Corolla, and for good reason; for one, Toyota actually built sturdy cars back in the early 1980s; you'd think that old 'yotas would rust or at least develop surface rust, but honestly, I haven't seen any of these here with iffy cancer--they're either mint or close to it, or they're a lost cause. This one was pretty damn mint, and with a couple hours of claybarring, this probably could pass as  "used car" circa 1986.

I was mostly impressed--not only by the awesome condition, but by how original it was, right down to the dealer plaque on the liftgate; if this is the same "Freeway" that sells Fords now, they've done business for over thirty year--which honestly is quite a feat in the ever-changing dealership
 landscape.  I think this car could go on to be one of the nicest classic Toyotas in Minnesota--even though this obviously wasn't intended as a sports car, it's been well kept. And for that alone, I think this is probably one of the coolest Japanese car I've shot.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Jaguar XJ-S H.E

I love classic Jaguars like nobody's business and to prove it, I've shot a few Mark IIs, a Mark IX, a couple early XJs, and one lucky E-Type/XK-E; there remains a question as to what defines a car as classic, and this is where my opinion shifts from the socio-norm of what defines a classic car. To many car enthusiasts, a classic is a vehicle that is significant in some way, shape, or form, and a vehicle that will likely have an impact on vehicles to follow, or likely had impact on the auto industry as a whole.

To me, a classic car is defined as those, but also a vehicle that I don't see as much around my parts; so does that mean I go around shooting every older car? Absolutely not.  I only shoot what interests me; and that's where these Jaguar XJS' come in. I know many Jaguar enthusiasts don't like these XJS--but I do. The series ran from 1975 to 1996, when the aging (but still good-looking) coupe was replaced by the XK8--which hasn't aged very well in comparison.

This is an H.E model, which debuted in 1981; among other "niceties" and tailorings for the US market, it came with a supposedly more efficient V12--and a boost in power. Not that it was needed really. No one thought the XJS were sports cars by any means---if anything, the XJS is a really nice grand touring car--not unlike the current XK lineup. Unlike today's XK lineup, however, the XJS really had no hardcore model. Only the TWR model,  which wasn't really available for mass consumption.

So why do I like the XJS? I have no idea--I've always been drawn to them, and its probably due to nostalgia factor; this is the first Jaguar I recognized, and whenever I think of Jaguar, this is the first one I think of. And that will stay with me till I die. That alone is why I adore the XJS.

This is example is dead-on perfect; fluid black paint, no pitted chrome, and even the questionable alloy wheels are still intact. I couldn't find a single thing wrong with this XJS. I love these, and I don't think I've seen a nicer one around.

 While black is a fairly boring color, it does make or break cars; this XJS certainly wears the color with pride, and I don't recall seeing another black one. The interior on this is something I can't comment on; I don't remember anything about it, unfortunately.

I still enjoyed shooting this--and I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing these.