As you may already know, we get a handful of cars from various people to help them work on or to just sell them. Since we have pretty much run out of space, currently have 9 cars spread around town in garages. We have come up with an idea to start up a small shop. One that mainly deals with Older Japanese Imports. We would be going around USA, PR, AUZ, NZ and possibly japan. There would be full show ready, project and regular cars at the shop for sale.
But we would also be hitting up many of the "junkyard finds" spots and picking up whatever we can gather from those cars. I hope to have a big inventory of stock parts for every sort of model.
I know there is a big market in Australia/New Zealand for Rx3 conversion parts, so we would definitely be in the look out for all these parts. Also have a few contacts that have few motors laying around and would like to sell those too..

Now i would like to hear you guys on what are some good things and expectations from people on a shop like this one. I know we don't really have a one stop for all old school cars and i would like to make our shop that stop.

Please post ideas, comments, or anything you have to say. All input will be appreciated!!

Thanks
Diego and company.

 

Old School Japanese imports is a tough target market. I like the idea of someone saving a bunch of cars and parts from all over the world but I am failing to understand how you will be able to do so and make a profit big enough to pay for the shop, employees, and your own living costs?

 

Well i never expected to make a huge profit from selling parts. I figured id just have a supply big enough for when people where looking for a specific part they would ring me up. For instance, a rx3 grill is worth around 250-300 here, but close to 1000 in aus. So if i come up with a old beat up rx3 but has all things grills, badges, lights in good condition. That right there is good cash, perfect for any piston owner in aus to convert. There is some money to make, but like i said don't plan to get rich from this side of the shop.
Everything else is taken cared of.

 

Thinking selling my 73 Rx3 do you anybody from Aus My Rx3 is mint with no rust . I don't know what it's worth. If you can help Lmk. I need money to buy a old school hot rod also I have some Rx3 and Rx2 part. Send me a Pm. Thanks Carlos

 

Looking for an R100 brake master or rebuild kit....

Lemme know.

 

Do you still have the one on your car? what you have to do is send it to ge rebuilt by an expert. I've got one for my RX2 that I'm sending to get rebuilt soon so when I do get it rebuilt if you still havn't found one I'll let you know how satisfied I am with the results and the contact info for whoever does the rebuild on mine.

 

Yeah I do still have the original, I can rebuild it myself. I just need the o-rings, gaskets, seals.

 

I didn't realize people had posted on here.

The thing with Australia is that they will really only pay top dollar for sedans and wagons. A regular Rx3 will be hard to sell since they have some down there and are all RHD. If it was original paint/body and miles then i could help you out there. Otherwise i can check around and see who is looking for a clean Rx3 around the states and island.

Unfortunately we have not yet started this shop and do not have many parts. All we got is rx3, rx7 and toyota parts at the moment. I will ask around though.

That is good help! if they do good job, you should post up a nice write up on them. maybe help out more people looking for same type of work

I suggest Rx2fan idea for now, otherwise call up some aftermarket brake manufactures and see if you can get what you need. Im sure there are parts out there that fit.

 

Hey Diego,
If you are still looking for input...

I would think getting down with some wheel manufacturers enough to be able to order blanks would be a good start for you so you could be the "go to guy," when trying to source our beloved 4x110 wheels. To be honest I can only hear "we have an adapter..." so many times in a day.

Maybe organizing bulk trips to the platers and polishers may be another cool service. Ie you take care of cataloging the individual pieces (for a charge) and organize monthly bulk loads to bring down costs...

Another cool service would be to make limited reproductions of commonly needed parts. For instance I have been toying with the idea of having 100 sets of headlight surrounds made for the series 1 RX3 - I personally don't want to make anything off the deal other than getting a perfect set for myself without having to give away my first born child for them. Obviously you would sell to order so you don't get left holding parts or costs...

 

Im looking for a rear bumper and mounting brackets for a 74 RX-4.

It does not have to be perfect, minor dings and rust ok, just not mangled.

 

You have some good ideas, but a little too much for us to handle. Producing wheels is a whole other process than just finding parts and fixing cars. Im sure if we had enough people to get a certain design made for a wheel we could get some manufacturer to produce them for us (like 20 sets of wheels).

The plaiting and polishing idea is cool, but i don't see making a business out of it. You guys can go down to local shop and probably get just about a good deal as i could.

Reproducing parts would be great, but we would have to get bulk loads. And i don't think there is such a market like the muscle car market in USA where you can order anything from a catalog.

Thanks for the ideas though

Sorry man don't have any parts laying around yet. Will keep eye open for you though.

 

There are ppl in Europe looking for oldschool rx-3 parts all the time,but most ppl in the USA can ship large items. Thats the biggest problem all the time.

 

They can, but its costly and most don't want to deal with it... I am willing to spend time with the process as long as you guys are ok paying for those high shipping costs.

 

small update;
We will be moving to the Orlando area in the near months.. Shop will be ran from there! So far we have some big plans for it, i am very excited and cannot wait.
So if anyone is down there, and wan't to meet up when we get there. Hit me up! We should have some cool cars to cruise with while shop gets built.

 

sounds good cuz I need some parts in a few months, Orlando area is a good place to be with the rotary market, good luck get wih Rotary Stage user name. he can get you connected with good people.

 

Nice news man!!!! happy for you guys. My in laws live in Orlando off of Gulfstream rd.

 

thanks guys! i am pretty excited, hopefully i can get to know a few more people down there and we can get a good gathering going.

 

DiegoRx8, do you any parts for a Rx3. I am looking for front windshield upper molding. Let me know if you can help or have any idea who has one for sale. Thanks , Carlos

 

Ill keep an eye out, dont have much for parts right now. Just a few cars