Unveiling Excellence: The Remarkable Tale of Janet and Duane Tomono's 1970 Toyota Crown
Hey folks, buckle up because we’ve got a story that’s bound to rev your engines! Last September, our club gained some serious street cred when Janet and Duane Tomono joined our club. Now, if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting this dynamic duo or laying eyes on their 1970 Toyota Crown, let me tell you, you’re in for a treat.
At the West-MEC Car Show, a lucky few of us got up close and personal with their immaculate machine. And let me tell you, jaws dropped and eyes widened as we took in every inch of that beauty. But it wasn’t just the car that had us in awe – it was the sheer passion, knowledge, and talent that Janet and Duane poured into building this automotive masterpiece.
Now, we’ve got a little something special for you. We’ve snagged some exclusive snippets from none other than Motor Trend Magazine, shedding light on the intricate details and history of this fantastic car. So sit back, relax, and get ready to dive into the world of automotive excellence with Janet and Duane’s remarkable Toyota Crown. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this ride!
From Motor Trend –
“Now, “remarkable” and “Toyota Crown” don’t often show up together in sentences; by all indications, the Crown was anything but remarkable. But this one, updated in modern accoutrement and brought back to vibrant life, is properly described.
The heart of this convergence begins with the people involved. Janet Fujimoto: longtime Toyota employee, and longer-time car enthusiast, with four S20-powered S13 Nissans, a pair of tweaked Honda S2000s, a pair of Toyota MR2 Turbos, and another pair of spotless hachiroku in her high-performance past. She’s also a wild creative spirit who dreams big and demands bigger, requires the closest earthly approximation to perfection as is possible, and has an impeccable eye for detail. Duane Tomono: a man who builds raw power with his bare hands, a man who turns ideas into kinetic, high-powered 3-D sculpture. A lifelong fan of American steel, with more than 100 builds to his credit, he still harbors a ’69 Chevy Camaro Z/28 in his garage and has had cars grace the covers of both Car Craft and Hot Rod magazines (both sister publications in Super Street owner TEN’s stable of titles) over time.
Their paths were forged independently, and each is a creative force to be reckoned with in their own right. Put them together, combine their talents and their outlooks and their experiences, and unexpected things happen. Like Pro Touring Toyota Crown sedans. Janet knows what she wants; Duane has the talent to make it happen. (Or, as Janet puts it brightly, “I twist his arm, and he does ’em for me.”) The result is staring you in the face on these pages.”
Click on the link below to see the entire Motor Trend article.
