Going into late 2023, I received many requests to cover more JDM wagons on our blog. YES, I was fully aware that we covered many Euro wagons throughout the year (not that it’s a bad thing really… LOL) I was all ears and immediately looked for some cool JDM wagons to start off the year 2024. And here it is! First blog entry feature in 2024: Toyota Cressida Wagon owned by Ian from San Diego. Before we get into this feature, I apologize for the couple of weeks delay due to well… life and adulting. While it was a nice one month break, I also miss doing photo sessions and conversing about wagons with their owners.
Let’s dig into this week’s blog feature! The one thing that stands out from this Cressida wagon is well… you just don’t see Cressida on the California streets anymore, yet alone the wagon variant! This special wagon has been under Ian’s care for a few years now and the fact that it only had 86K original miles on this ’86 year model wagon makes it even more special! Being an auto technician by trade means that Ian has the proper tools and knowledge to go over this Cressida bolt by bolt to ensure everything is working as they should. Ian is also proud by the fact that this 38 year old wagon has its AC system in order and blowing cold air (subtle flex when you drive an older car LOL). Maintaining Toyota’s good old reliable has been the game plan from the beginning while modification is kept subtle with BC Racing coilovers (cranked almost all the way down) and SSR Mesh wheels that were freshly put on for this photo shoot! Interior is also kept mostly stock with exception of extra cup holder and a pair of blue dices hanging off the rear view mirror. To add a cool factor (and of course since Ian and his wife travel to many places in this wagon), a picnic basket complete with picnic table and chairs are neatly placed in the trunk area. Always ready for adventures while driving a wagon is what Avantturous is all about and it looks like Ian lives up to it!
This Cressida wagon feature has been long in the works before the photo shoot session finally took place right before Christmas 2023. Ian even joked that I was playing the long game with him and his wagon. My response to him was “The result was definitely worth the wait!”
Introduce Yourself
My name is Ian AKA @boomboomtisk
I’m from San Diego, California and I work at a family-owned auto repair shop as a tech.
WHY A WAGON?
I love the quirkiness of wagons! They have a nostalgic charm and stand out among regular cars anytime you see one. Wagons are also super practical and great for outdoors, perfect family road trips and camping which becomes a thing to do when you get older of course.
Cindy and I were on the market for a Cressida wagon a few years back and at first we were looking at a blue MX72 up in the PNW area. However that sold before we got to see it in person. We were bummed of course but we had no choice but to wait.
About a year later, we found a woodie Cressida wagon for sale in Sacramento and was SO CLOSE to pulling the trigger on it but before that could happen, a nice clean silver MX72 popped on the local listings. We checked it out, made an offer and next thing you know, we were driving home a minty 1986 Cressida wagon with only 86k original miles on the dash!
Did you consider a different WAGON instead of this one?
We did also like the older Mercedes wagons, such as the W124. I am a fan of 90’s Benz’s so that was another route I didn’t mind considering but I’ve always been into old Toyotas and it was already on my bucket list to own a Cressida.
What was your original objective with your car and has that objective changed?
My initial objective with the car was to have a simple reliable cruiser with some cool style and I think we’ve kept to that same objective so far. I do my best to keep it well-maintained and with all the creature comforts functional.
What style would you say best describes your car?
Definitely would say it’s heavily Kaido Racer and Shakotan inspired. We geek out over Kyushas and classic Japanese cars so it was natural for us to incorporate elements of that into our 80’s Toyota.
Who assisted in the planning/building/modding of your car?
Just about everything on this car has been done myself or at my family’s shop: T P Auto Repair! I love the feeling of knowing where everything is and knowing that I tightened all the bolts down. Some bodywork was done at Kenny’s Collision Center in San Diego but besides that, it’s all DIY!
What do you feel makes your car unique / special in your eyes?
IT’S A WAGON!! Lol!
Cressida’s are becoming rare nowadays and to find a wagon version is even more uncommon. The fact that the car is in such good original condition is an added plus! It’s a very simple car besides that, nothing super special about the build but it’s just enough for us to feel like it represents our style.
Also, this car really gets driven! We have taken it on numerous road trips and it has been part of some of our best family memories.
What is your favorite part/feature/function of the car?
It’s a car from 1986 that passes California smog and has working AC!
If you could pick one thing you aren’t satisfied with about your car, what would it be?
The car is very “low-down style”and although I love how it sits, I would like to improve on the ride quality, especially with the rear suspension. The front is just like a regular Cressida and is running BC Racing coilovers but the rear is a solid axle set up so it’s a bit more tricky to dial in. Raising it is not an option!
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced while building this car?
Not much has been difficult honestly, other than the rear suspension. I’ve purposely kept the build simple for the reason of keeping its OEM reliability. The biggest obstacle we face with this car is driving over speed bumps lol!
What one word best describes your car?
やばいYabai!!
What is your final goal with this car?
I bounce back and forth with this all the time!
Sometimes I feel like going crazy with it and doing some serious custom work. I would love an NA 2JZ swap in there, along with a manual transmission. Also am considering converting to Independent Rear Suspension with LSD and then some wider wheels.
However, I don’t imagine that this car will change too much since it’s such a good “get in and go” car. Plus we have plenty of other builds that drain our time and money anyways lol!
