Unexpected Auto Stuff During A Recent Trip

Last month I I went to the Tokyo area to visit friends and family as well as get some work done for client.  I was out site-seeing near my sister-in-laws new place in Yokohama and came across something automotive related I was not expecting.

I saw this building an after looking at couple of signs realized its Nissan world HQ. I had no idea it was in Yokohama.

So of course I had walk into the lobby and look around. There was one car on display that I though this crew might enjoy seeing. Its a NISMO spec Leaf.

What auto or hobby related things have you found unexpectedly while traveling?

The nismo leaf is the first electric car, and first modern nissan, that appeals to me.

I went junkyarding while in richmond this weekend while visiting the inlaws....

The WM I most frequent now finally towed all the abandoned cars.  That was unexpected.   On a bummer note because I no longer walk the 'hood as much anymore because there's no retail/entertainment near my new digs ( suburban-ish ) I don't get to Instagram all the cars that I find to be cool parked along my travels.  Aside from the gunshots my inner suburb is kinda boring automotive wise.

on a Nissan note I see that Carlos Ghosn was arrested a second time.  Whilst in jail.  That's like the movie Friday.  'Who get's fired on their day off?!'

Actually I think getting arrested/re-arraigned/whatever the legalese happens to be isn't that un-common for the big crimes whilst still in the pokey.

I was in Charlotte for work a few months ago and happened to accidentally stumble upon Hot Rod Drag Week. 

My coworker and I were en route from the airport to our hotel with some time to kill, so we were planning to grab a bite and stop at the Hendrick Motorsports shop. Waiting at a light to turn into Cookout, this gnarly looking 1st gen Mercury Cougar on drag slicks pulling a small enclosed trailer rolls up next to us. As I'm checking it out, I notice the Drag Week stickers on the trailer and immediately I'm on high alert.

Sure enough, within minutes I start spotting dozens of hot rods and the internet confirms that Drag Week was indeed scheduled to stop at the strip in Charlotte, not more than a few miles up the road from where we were eating lunch at the time, the following day. Unfortunately, schedules kept us from catching any of the action, but it was cool just to check out some of the amazing cars just out and about.