With less than seven days to go to get your submission in for our 2026 running or Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse Young Street Machine of the Year, we’re taking a look at some of the Japanese cars currently in the mix.

If you’re 24 years old or younger with a cool car, you’ve got until Monday, August 10 to get your entry in, where you could share in $9000 of cash and prizes! Hit the link below to get yours done now.

We’ve done stories on the Holdens and Fords of Young SMOTY, so now let’s dive into the Japanese machines!

Jack Agnell – 1981 Toyota Corolla AE71

“This is my 1981 Toyota Corolla, powered by a turbocharged 4AGE and controlled by a Haltech ECU. This is the third Corolla I’ve owned. I bought it from a friend as a bare shell for $1,000 because I wanted to get properly into drifting. All of my mates were driving Corollas, and I wanted to be part of it but I also wanted to build something different. Instead of following the crowd and staying na, I decided to turbocharge a 4AGE from an MR2 and fit it into the car. With help from a few friends we did all the work in my parents’ two car garage, I built the car from the ground up. Every night after work and every weekend for almost a year was spent turning the shell into the car I’d imagined. My goal was to have it finished in time for an event I’d always dreamed of having the car in, and finally getting it there made every late night and setback worth it. This Corolla taught me everything I know about building cars. It features a Toyota Tarago differential that I modified to fit the Corolla, paired with a Lexus IS200 gearbox behind the turbo 4AGE. It’s a mix of parts from different Toyota models, but the Haltech ECU ties it all together and gives the car the drivability of something much newer. Once all the mechanical work was complete, a friend painted the car and added a custom flame design on the roof to give it a more personal touch. It’s more than just a drift car, it’s a reflection of the time, effort, and passion that went into building it, and it’s a car I’m incredibly proud to own and say I built it.” Insta: @jacks_ae71

Jonny Murgana – Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-t

“Here is my Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-t, which I bought when I was 19. At the time, it was not running and overall in very poor condition. I was quick to get it running and intended on just enjoying it as is for a few years – but oh, how the tables have turned! These last few years have been non-stop spending long days and long nights cleaning the car up and upgrading it to where it is now. All could not have been done without the help of dad, Frank Murgana, and of course my older cousin Frank Marchese and all the boys from Dandy Engines. All their help and advice has helped shape this car to the incredible machine it is today. It has a fully built RB25, capable of 1000hp and currently safely running at 600hp. It’s equipped with a Fueltech FT550 ECU, with rolling antilag and two-step hooked up. Whilst the motor was getting built, I decided the engine bay needed a re-spray. So, Dad and I took the challenge on ourselves. I soon carried out all body repairs myself, and wrapped the car in an immaculate paint-like Midnight Purple colour PPF. Most of the suspension arms have been upgraded with Hardrace and ZSS parts. The car is set up for drag racing, with Outlaw drag wheels with big 255/60 R15 tyres and skinny 17in front runners. I am about to undergo the process of having a roll cage fitted, which will finish off this amazing build. I believe this car is the perfect street, drag, circuit and show ready car.” Insta: @r33rb_

Kylan Godfrey – 1969 Datsun 1600

“I bought the car as a roller in 2020 as Covid hit, the car sat in my garage for about a year before I did anything. I had finally found an engine which was a S5 13B rotary turbo, so I got to work. I did some research on how people mount them in these cars, and found a bolt-in kit in America and bought it. The only tunnel mod was a slight cut and hammer to allow the clutch slave to fit. Thee engine had a cracked rear plate, so I took it to Parker Rotorsport for a rebuild and freshen up. It is currently using a Borgwarner S475 turbo and is tuned on E85 at 350hp to cruise around. With the help of Jay Duca from @lowstandards, we fitted a Nissan S13 rear cradle and diff in the back so it was more solid and adjustable for any occasion. The interior in the car is now almost complete as we are now sorting out a cage for roll racing. It consists of a Bride bucket seat, a newly upholstered back seat with the Bride detail, new sound deadening and carpets, and some nice other little bits. The wheels are 15×9 on the rear and 15×8 on the front. It has upgraded Wilwood brakes on the front and standard S13 on the rear. My father and I have built this car together, and I have gained an absurd amount of knowledge through this journey.” Insta: @kaylan_godfrey 

Jake Tsaikos – 1988 Toyota Cressida

“I was working with Dad as a 16-year-old and saw this Cressida parked in front of a Coles shopping centre, so I left a note! The old fella Gary got back to me six months later saying I could buy the old girl. So. Mum dropped me off at Gary’s house, and I paid him a hard earned $500! I drove the car for a few years and learnt the ropes, including turbocharging the original motor. That was too slow, so I bought a $300 Barra motor and the snow ball started. I ported the cylinder head and installed everything, fire ringed the motor and built it all myself, made my own engine mounts, trans mounts, rear axles, coil over mount plate brackets, rear adjustable arms, fuel system made all the lines myself from hard lines to PTFE lines, made my parachute and now I’m beginning the roll cage. So far, I’ve gone 9.9@151mph on a pair of 10 year old 255 radials, I just managed to fit a 275/60 R15 under the car, so I’ll hopefully make some test passes soon! I built everything but the transmission and tail shaft, the ‘box done by DNL transmissions for a 2000hp-rated TH400.” Insta: @jaketsaikos1

Jake Matheson – 1974 Mazda RX-4

“Here is my Mazda RX-4, which has been a three and a half year build that’s been 95 per cent done by myself, with a couple good mates helping me with some bits of fabrication and laying the paint down. It started off as a shell, with a ladder bar rear end that I stripped right down. For power, it consists of a Billet 13B engine built by me, with a big turbo, C4 auto and a nine-inch rear end. It has Wilwoods on all four corners, and the whole car is controlled by a Haltech Nexus R5 and PD16 wired in a Millspec harness by me. There has been no shortcuts throughout this build, and lots of attention to detail throughout. Built to handle the streets, the track and everything else I can throw at it.” Insta: @jakemathesonn

Lachlan McGrow – 1984 Toyota Corolla KE70 wagon

“I’ve always had a love for cars from day dot, my old man ran the communications and telecom stuff for the V8 Supercars in the early 2000s, so I grew up around cars; mainly Falcons as Dad always had a V8 work ute. Come to getting my license, I wasn’t allowed the purple BA I wanted (in hindsight, Dad was right, I would’ve wrapped it around a tree). I went and found a low km KE70 wagon, as I’ve always loved long roofs and decided to build it period correct but with some Kyusha styling. I swapped the early model front end on, resprayed it in the factory old man beige, slammed on some 14×7 Hayashi TRV wheels, some chrome bars and old man lace seat covers added on and version one was done. Unfortunately, the little carby 1.3-litre that struggles to do the speed limit just wasn’t cutting it for me, so instead of doing the easy (and probably smart thing) of putting the infamous 4AGE in it, I decided to swap an ITB 3SGE Beams with the J160 six-speed manual ‘box, and that’s where we are at today. It’s mid swap, with plans to shave and paint the bay. When the swap is done, I should have what I consider to be the ultimate old man’s weekend cruiser – that’s driven by a 23 year old.” Insta: @that_grocery_getter

Luc Phegley-Giura – Nissan 300ZX Z32

“I bought this car in 2022 after wanting one for a long time, as it’s painted in a rare Midnight Blue with a matching even rarer blue interior, so it’s one of two in its spec ever made. The fun ended pretty quickly when the motor blew less than a year later, on the way cars and coffee event on father’s day. It took it as an opportunity to go all out with the rebuild. The engine now has forged oversized pistons, and new rods. The twin turbos have been upgraded to Garrett GTX2860RS, and it uses a Haltech 2500 Elite ECU. It also now has an upgraded fuel system, CZP intercoolers, Z1 downpipes among a list of other things done to the engine. It makes about 350rwhp at the moment on my break in tune, but it should safely do 600rwhp when it’s turned up. Credit to Andrew at Mad Dog Customs, an amazing engine builder and tuner. Along with the engine, the suspension got a bit of love too. It uses MCA red coilovers, with GK Tech arms throughout. I had a set of my dream wheels made by GT wheels in Queensland, which’re the OEM wheels converted into a three piece setup, they really complete the look. Bodykit wise it’s mostly original, with the 2000-spec front bumper and Stillen side skirts. I still have a lot of plans for the car in the future, but right now I’m just enjoying driving it. When the turbos kick in, it’s a feeling like no other.” Insta: @Lucpg03

Jack Pendlebury – 1989 Toyota HiLux

“This is my methanol carby-fed HiLux that is currently undergoing a full rebuild. It’s going from an NA alloy 6.0-litre to a cast iron 6.0litre, with a 6/71 blower with all the sauce. It has a nine-inch diff and two-speed Powerglide. The LS that we thought was going to live forever finally went rods out at Brasher Nats 2026. Some love this sport and some think it’s dumb, but I live for this sport and it’s been embedded into me since I was born. This car was built by my Dad many years ago, originally named PROPSI. I then became of age, and Dad threw me the keys to skid my first comp at Thrashernats 2024, and I ended walking away with Young Guns runner up. Since the day I started working, I knew I needed a blower, and I haven’t stopped saving every cent for one ever since. The day has come that my blown motor, it is being put together by the best in the business at Hi Tech Mods. Insta: @Jack6.l

Ryan Gosling – 1986 Nissan 300ZX Z31

“I bought the car in late 2022 as a roller, and it hadn’t raced for 18 years at that point. Being passed around Perth, it was pretty well decimated. I wanted a race car to do up and to have a go at drag racing, and this was the perfect fit. There was no running gear, and heaps of parts missing, so there was heaps for me to learn along the way. The old paint was that rough and was flaking off everywhere, and after looking at some of the old photos of it, I thought the old blue looked bloody killer! So, that’s when I set out to do what I’ve done. I contacted all the old drivers, three great blokes, and they were happy to help me with information and photos to make the car like how it was and on how to run it . I did a full bare metal restoration on it at my parents panel shop, Holmes Panel and Paint. I paint stripped the car, and had it in epoxy within two days – all that work done on a car trailer!  it went from the old paint then into primer, then within one month, the whole car was painted that beautiful blue you see today. The rest of the car took an additional 18 months to get running. It’s currently equipped with a 412ci small-block Chevy, with a two-speed Powerglide. It’s estimated it’s making over 650hp, and the quickest I’ve been so far has been a 8.91@147mph. I’m confident that the car will go quicker, but time will tell. Insta: @gozza6109

Omar A – Toyota Corolla KE55

“Most 13 year olds are deciding what game to play next. Omar is deciding how he will build his 1979 Toyota Corolla KE55. I bought the Corolla when Omar was four years old, not knowing it would become such a huge part of his childhood. I have maintained and protected it ever since, and over the years it has gone from a classic to his ticket in the car scene. It is his future project, his motivation, and the car that helped shape his love for the Australian street machine scene. Omar already has a clear vision for the build. He studies engines, builds, fabrication, tunes and the small details that turn a car into something unforgettable. He is not interested in rushing it or copying someone else’s build. He wants to respect the Corolla’s history while creating something that reflects his own generation and personality. That passion also inspired him to create LilOmz Photography, his automotive media page. Through his camera, Omar has grown up around some of Sydney’s biggest workshops, builders and 2000+ horsepower cars. He photographs events, meets, race cars and builds, learning from the people who live and breathe the culture he hopes to contribute to one day. What makes this project special is that the journey began long before Omar could drive. It is a Mum and son story built through years of car meets, late nights, photographs, conversations and shared dreams.” Insta: @lilomz_photography

Marcus Attard – Suzuki Mighty Boy

“I have always wanted one of those Suzuki Mighty Boys, and then I saw this one up come up for two grand. It’s not done up yet, but my plans are to put a Hayabusa motor in it, and paint it Ferrari red make it sort of look like a Ferrari California with a tan interior.”

Tj Huish – Nissan Skyline R31 wagon

“It’s a Nissan Skyline R31 wagon that’s been LS-swapped, and painted with a New York City yellow Taxi paint scheme, including matching Taxi roof lamp. It’s in the build process, and will be ready for Red CentreNATS at the end of August – hopefully! I’ve painted it myself, done the engine work my self and all work by me with knowledge help from my boss and other friends. It’s my first motor swap and real burnout car, so I thought why go the easy route!” Insta: @tezza196

Miller Page – 1982 Toyota LandCruiser

“I bought it at 13 years old for $700, and started stripping it with my Dad and Pop. We got it down to a full chassis. We got it blasted and painted, and started the rebuild with rebuilt diff, all new suspension underneath and all steering and custom disc brakes. Then, a new 12 HT engine and five speed gearbox got put in, along with the freshly painted cab on top. I got it on the road and registered just before my eighteenth birthday.” Insta: page2