I got passed by a Hayabusa on the way to work this morning.. damn those look nice.

 

scenes from a 1986 biker anime, about a Suzuki GT380 engine rebuild

https://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/smgs/digital-archive/2_bike/ss2_005.php

seen on todays walk

the one on the right has been under a car cover since 2007, the one on the left since 2017, and there's another in the garage with no front end. This home owner has 4 elks, and they don't run 

this one above, from 2007 when it was in front of his place, and not under a car cover, is now around the corner. I shit you not, he doesn't even park it in front of his place anymore

I don't recall if I've posted about it before, but there is a town in California, about 30 miles from Long Beach, that puts strict limits on the number of cars on its streets.

Much like Mackinac Island in Lake Michigan, the founders didn't set it up for cars, and they didn't ever get around to feeling they were necessary when everything is within walking distance. 

But, since there are some necessary vehicles... I present the town dump truck! An Isuzu Elf! A very small dump truck

Most everyone gets around with electric golf carts, Mopeds, scooters, and electric bikes.  I suppose there is only a golf cart garage and tire shop. Probably no drive thrus. There are a couple small vehicles, some Suzuki Samurais, a lot of Scion iQs, a couple minis, and a tuk tuk.  

I guess that means there must be a gas station! 

They do rent golf carts there also.

https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/avalon-catalina-california-car-25-year-waitlist-20416647.php

https://blog.lauramichet.com/weird-vehicles-of-avalon-california/

https://www.cityofavalon.gov/1398/Register-a-VehicleAutoette

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIreHIXz3-C/?img_index=11

https://martinturnbull.com/2018/11/15/santa-catalina-island-postcard-with-modified-bus-circa-1920s-2/

Suzuki makes an 8 thousand dollar car, (roughly six times less than the average new car sold in the United States) that's not available in the USA, that has a 5 star crash rating. The 4 door Dzire is only 3 inches longer than a Miata

America's cheapest car, the Nissan Versa, starts at $18,330, more than double the price of a base Dzire. Even in its highest trim level, the Dzire costs only about $12,000.

The Dzire has been a huge commercial success in India, racking up more than 2.7 million sales since it was launched in March 2008.

https://www.motor1.com/news/740524/suzuki-dzire-five-stars-crash-test/

https://www.autoblog.com/news/suzukis-new-car-boasts-a-five-star-rating-for-just-8000

1991 Suzuki Cappuccino, 1600 pounds of roadster, turbocharged 40 cu in inline 3 cylinder... on 13 by 6.5 inch wheels

https://www.speedhunters.com/2024/09/tiny-car-big-dream-a-suzuki-cappuccino-story

Toyota lost over $15 billion in market value last week after being caught falsifying tests

The wide-ranging inspection by the transport ministry also found that irregularities were also found in certification applications from automakers Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha Motor.

 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/10/shares-of-toyota-mazda-honda-suzuki-fall-after-safety-scandal.html

my submission for the most redneck thing you're going to see this year

https://ogdaa.blogspot.com/2024/01/improvise-adapt-overcome.html

a Suzuki Jimny, with a body kit that makes the Jimny look like a Baby Bronco

https://fordauthority.com/2023/10/suzuki-jimny-can-look-like-a-ford-bronco-with-bron55-kit/

Kim is blogging while riding his Nimbus across Japan, and stopping by museums, and shared this Suzuki Colleda headlight design

https://sidecarinjapan.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-iwashita-collection.html

the Suzuki LJ20 that Matt's Off Road Recovery got out of the mountains (in a youtube video 13 months ago) was restored and at SEMA

here's the link to the deep woods trial job to go get it: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-nice-off-road-challenge-in-sierras.html

Suzuki made in Mexico has these lift points, just welded on

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/vy6zv7/suzuki_from_mexico_in_for_service_in_our_texas/

found on last nights walk

 

the nice old Ford is a daily driver, surprisingly. Old trucks are quite uncommon around here

the above Chevy registration expired in 2018, the below Saturn is across the alley, and it's registration expired in 2019. Why do people waste parking spaces on these? 

there aren't many mid 90s Mustangs out there any more

This is the longest RV in the neighborhood, no question

instantly when I spotted this from a long way away, I could tell something was wrong, by all the leaves under it

 

but when I saw the other side, and that they are using a building to prevent it from rolling downhill? Suspicion confirmed

Suzuki issues recall for a single Cappuccino. Right, only one model exists, and they issued a recall.

Suzuki has launched a nationwide recall campaign in Japan that affects only one car. That’s not a typo. There is apparently only a single 1996 Suzuki Cappuccino with the problem, and rather than reach out to the owner directly, the company issued a standard recall as if it impacted thousands of cars.

Even more amazing, the problem was a minor oversight at the factory that didn’t change the car’s operability one iota, and it took them 21 years to realize it.

More astonishing, the reason was that the engine didn’t have it’s K6A stamp on it. That’s it. How they even realized they forgot to stamp a single engine over two decades ago is beyond imagination

Essentially, the owner of this car just got a lucky break because their 21-year-old engine gets replaced from the factory, for free, with a brand new K6A with zero miles on it.

http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/news-suzuki-issues-recall-for-single-cappuccino/

love and hate for the Suzuki Kizashi from Automobile magazine

Suzuki is unlikely to develop a replacement for the Kizashi given how the current model was considered a flop in most markets. Suzuki’s Australian managing director Masaaki Kato is quoted in the report as saying that the Suzuki Kizashi was a “headache” and an “unlucky car,” especially considering the huge investment which was made to develop the car.
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/report-suzuki-kizashi-was-a-headache-258045/


We nearly laughed out loud a year and a half ago when Suzuki reps spoke of the Kizashi as an Automobile of the Year contender. It turns out Suzuki had the last laugh. The Kizashi, although it did not earn an award at our annual All-Stars test, was easily the biggest surprise of the group for its impressive refinement and stunningly good driving dynamics.
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2010-suzuki-kizashi-four-seasons-wrap-up/


The Suzuki Kizashi is a sleeper, not in performance, but in how much fun it offers.
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2011-suzuki-kizashi-sport-sls/


Suzuki Kizashi: This car’s biggest problem is name recognition. Which is why Suzuki should appropriate one of its more famous badges for this worthy sedan. Kizashi, I rechristen thee “Suzuki Hayabusa Car.” Suzuki, I just gave you a license to print money.
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/dyer-consequences-almost-perfect/

Advertising that is meant to catch the eye

https://www.facebook.com/Vintage-Snowmobile-Sickness-298195800299659/?fref=photo

balancing Suzuki in Vietnam

seriously though, watch the video, to see them try to maintain this teeter totter horizontal is amazing

https://www.facebook.com/Minh.success/videos/805800792862102/

funny, and brilliant

Found on http://therealsteelman.tumblr.com/day/2015/05/05

a thorough look at the Suzuki Samurai, and why it was not the tip over liability it was reported, in fact, they made it all up.

In 1988, Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, declared war on the Samurai.

 It tested the the Samurai, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, and Isuzu Trooper II on its standard pylon “avoidance-maneuver” course layout as used for the last 15 years.

CU considers this test a “very stringent” maneuver. At 50+ mph, it forces a quick jerk to the left and then back to the right, simulating a rapid double lane change. Any misbehavior of the car’s suspension or other physical traits will either send it over some pylons or make it spin out. The maximum speed that the vehicle can hold indicates its handling prowess and degree of safety.

 After making 37 test runs with the Samurai, CU’s professional test drivers rated it as the pick of the litter that day, as far as handling that evasive course. It was judged as being maneuverable, stable, and easy to control. The driver who made the most runs with it gave it the highest possible rating.

The video documentation was impressive. Both their editorial honcho and their Technical Director showed up as the track tests continued. They became upset.

 A CU staff member had reportedly tipped a Samurai onto two wheels during early evaluations, so they were convinced that the Samurai had a problem, and a top star rating of 5+ on an emergency lane change just would not do.

and the rest is all past the link

http://www.thatsobsolete.com/2012/04/14/vindicated-the-suzuki-samurai/#more-558

Here is some strange Jeep trivia

the US army bought 200 of the little Suzuki PK (right hand side of the picture) for testing, and finally dispersed them to the Japan police force

Photo and info from http://www.militarytrader.com/military-vehicles-news/highlights-from-the-2012-iola-vintage-military-show