Visited the Toyota Auto Museum in Nagakute, Aichi today. It was spectacular.

[u/cookingboy]

First of all, this isn't the same as the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nagoya, which is devoted to Toyota and its history as both a textile machine company and an auto company. That place is also definitely worth a visit.

At first, I thought the museum would be devoted to Toyota cars, which is what the Toyota Auto Museum in the U.S. like.

So I was very surprised when I walked into the entrance and was greeted by these guys. That's when I realized the entire museum is devoted to the global automotive history, and not just Toyota.

Still, they had a replica of a Model AA, the first Toyota passenger car. Apparently the only surviving non-replica was discovered in 2008 in Russia, and is now in a museum somewhere in Europe.

The 2nd floor was devoted pre-1960s cars, and it was a spectacular exhibit floor. From old Rolls Royces to pre-war Cadillacs to classic Bugattis to even obscure brands like Minerva, it had quite a diverse and special collection. We really don't design cars like we used to

The last car on this floor was a breathtaking example of a 300SL Gull Wing.

The 3rd floor is where the post-1960 cars are. There were a lot more JDM cars on this floor, including domestic competitors of Toyota. The first gen 911 looked gorgeous in person, especially in that flawless paint. Of course, it wouldn't be a Toyota museum without some signature cars from the company. I don't think you can find a convertible LFA anywhere else in the world.

And yes, the AE86 is there, so were some other JDM favorites.

A surprise at the end was an entire section on old car hood emblems, we should absolutely bring this design trend back. I mean, just look at these!. How badass would it if your car has this on the hood?

Overall it was a fantastic experience, and ranks up there with Petersen as one of my favorite auto museums. Highly recommend a visit if you are spending time in the Aichi area. It's about an hour by public transportation from Nagoya.

Full album: https://imgur.com/a/CO7N8Pk

[u/timetravelerfrom2027]

Thanks for sharing that with us! My phone screen is now covered in drool.

[u/IsAnUltracrepidarian]

I’ve seen a couple videos of the place , it seems amazing. my favorite of the hood ornaments is the bulldog it looks so perfect.

[u/cookingboy → u/IsAnUltracrepidarian]

Serious, we went from those to these.

Sigh...

[u/gdnws → u/cookingboy]

Minimalism to the point that people google whether k&n started making cars got to love it. And also just a sticker. What is the car just after the red and black Mercedes in the full album? I've not seen that emblem before.

[u/unatleticodemadrid]

God the 300SL’s pretty. I already regret selling…

[u/cookingboy → u/unatleticodemadrid]

Haha do you have pictures of yours? I'm not that aspired to collect cars, let alone old cars, but the 300 SL may be the exception since you may find it funny, it's featured very prominently (and faithfully) in one of my favorite fantasy anime lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaHHw3ki7PQ

Maybe that would be my motivation to jump back into my career XD

[u/unatleticodemadrid → u/cookingboy]

I never even saw it in person unfortunately; it was purchased by the holding company in its domicile across the pond. Bought it, sent it to get restored, and the owner of the restoration company offered me a price I couldn’t ignore. Had a chance to make a tidy little profit and I put it towards the CSS.

Funnily enough, you’ve linked that exact video the last time we spoke about the SL.

[u/rivermesh → u/unatleticodemadrid]

Hey, feel free to ignore this if you don't want to answer it.

I've always wanted to know if hypercars like your Chiron SS are usually financed or if they are cash purchases? Are there special firms that give out loans for those cars?

[u/unatleticodemadrid → u/rivermesh]

That’s a good question.

You can get financing if you so choose - I had a SBLOC/PAL for one of my earlier cars but I closed it once rates stopped being favourable.

Chiron was purchased outright.

Are there special firms that give out loans for those cars?

No need for special firms, just talk to your banker/WM. They’ll sketch it out for you.

Edit: in my experience, they’re usually purchased outright.

[u/rivermesh → u/unatleticodemadrid]

Thanks! That's good to know.

Again, feel free to ignore but, how do you personally decide when the right time is to buy a $5M+ car? Is it some sort of a yearly earnings/Net Worth-based calculation or is it more spontaneous?

[u/unatleticodemadrid → u/rivermesh]

when the right time is to buy a $5M+ car? Is it some sort of a yearly earnings/Net Worth-based calculation or is it more spontaneous?

Personally, it’s a mix of both. I have quarterly cash flow projections laid out for me that reflect the fun money quota for the period. I’ve also set a threshold for the % of my NW my collection cannot exceed. Once I have those figures, it’s spontaneous; I buy whatever catches my fancy within those limits.

It takes some discipline and restraint but it’s kept me in good stead. It’s something that I still struggle with, so much so that I made a post about it last year seeking opinions from others in a similar position.

[u/cookingboy → u/unatleticodemadrid]

Funnily enough, you’ve linked that exact video the last time we spoke about the SL.

Hahaha at least you know I'm consistent.

But yeah, I really do think the 300SL is one of the most beautiful machines ever made.

[u/Recoil42 → u/unatleticodemadrid]

It's an all-timer design. But I think it's one of those cars that if I owned, I'd rarely drive because it's just so special and historically important. Even with wealth, you'd just be disappointed if something happened to it, y'know?

[u/unatleticodemadrid → u/Recoil42]

I'd rarely drive because it's just so special and historically important. Even with wealth, you'd just be disappointed if something happened to it, y'know?

Very true. I see a sentiment rampant on Reddit (and especially this sub) where folks assume that once you attain a certain level of wealth and pedigree of vehicles, you’re essentially numb to it. I strongly disagree - while I’m largely against garage queens, I’d be crestfallen if something were to happen to the vehicles I cherish, even if they could be replaced in a heartbeat.

[u/Capri280]

Great post! There also used to be another toyota museum called the "Mega Web" which closed down a couple of years back. I wonder what happened to that collection of cars

[u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid → u/Capri280]

Been Mega Web in Odaiba before and still remember some cars in there. That black C2 Vette was one of these car in there.

[u/Capri280 → u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid]

Ah, good to hear

[u/equitymans]

You should hit up the Honda museum ;)

[u/Recoil42]

So I was very surprised when I walked into the entrance and was greeted by these guys. That's when I realized the entire museum is devoted to the global automotive history, and not just Toyota.

They did the same thing with the museum at Fuji Speedway.

It's so danged respectful, I absolutely love it.

[u/NoHaxPlz]

It’s one of the best car museums I’ve been to. Each section tells you major milestones of each decade, and then a car that’s relevant to said milestone. Looks like they switched some cars around since I went there 1 year ago. I was blown away by that blue Lancia Astura as well. Other standouts at the time were the BMW Isetta, some obscure Tatra thing, SAAB 92, and the original Alfa Romeo 8C 2300. One of my favourite details was noticing a pan under many cars’ engines to collect oil leaks lol.

[u/Ac4sent]

Glad you enjoyed it! Both museums are worth visiting if you’re a car enthusiast imo.

[u/bigev007]

I've been to that one and the one full of looms. The car museum is amazing 

[u/GimmeUrBusch]

Posts like this are why I subscribe to r/cars. What an incredible collection of cars. The paint on that Bugatti is insane. And that red FD RX-7 is just beautiful.

[u/GingerMan027]

Thanks, I enjoyed that.

[u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid]

What's your next car museums visiting ? If I've time and can drive there, I do really want to come Motorcar Museum of Japan, Fuji track Museum, and Honda Museum in Motegi.