INTERVIEW #01

The Bradley Cup, a master of the lanky game.

I think that a RANKLE is a car that can really be enjoyed in many different ways. However, to enjoy the fun of a RANKUL, you need a place called off-road. In Japan, it is very difficult to drive in such situations unless you are conscious of "driving off-road. As I myself actively participate in off-road competitions and organize them, I always want as many people as possible to experience the potential that RANKULE has.

The Bradley Cup, which started as a Land Cruiser training meeting, is a Lancel-only trial competition that attracts entrants from all over Japan, and we hope that people who have started driving Lancel and have not yet participated in a competition will first see the competition and then participate.

I would be happy if we could convey to young people that "RANCR can be driven in places like this, and there are ways to enjoy it.

The first four-wheel drive vehicle was a Hilux Surf

My very first 4WD vehicle was a Hilux Surf, the first FRP-topped Surf called LN61. It had an independent suspension in the front. I was enjoying off-road, or rather outdoor activities in the Surf, but at that time I was only a little familiar with off-roading.

Eventually, I wanted to do more off-road driving, but the limits are still too low for a surf. When I wanted to drive more severe off-road, I felt that "only a RANKLE could do it. It's not that there were no other options, but it had diff locks, a short (wheelbase), a top roof, and cosmetic features. I felt that out of all the choices, I ended up with the standard 70.

I own two Ranch cars, a 70 and a 40.

The 70 I am driving now has a 5-cylinder engine called PZJ. It is a minor model, but I think it is very well-balanced. There are various types of diesel engines, but even at the time of its release, it was a light engine. It is not so powerful now, but I like this engine, including its characteristics. It is also light for a 70 engine. I have driven the HZ, but I feel that the PZJ is more suited to my driving style.

On the other hand, I have been driving a 40 for 7 to 8 years now. I had a longtime admiration for the FJ40, which had a gasoline 6-cylinder F-type engine. I always thought, "When I eventually buy a 40, I want to drive an FJ40 early model. I happened to have an acquaintance who sold it to me.

My favorite point is the six-cylinder F-type engine. I was attracted to the unique sound and vibration of this engine. The style is also nice. I especially love the single tail design seen from the back.

As for the 40, I use it more for events, touring, and other hobbies, and it is a car that I would like to continue to preserve with care. On the other hand, I use the 70 for my daily commute. I use the 70 for everything, including travel, touring, and competition. I usually use the 70 as my main vehicle, and occasionally use the 40 to participate in events as a hobby vehicle.

Bradley for 30 years

Even before I bought the 70, I knew I wanted to put aluminum wheels on it. And the stock wheels were steel. I was looking for a cool wheel and found out that Bradley had come out with the "Volk" instead of the "V". The wheels that were popular at the time were more design oriented and not very strong, but the Bradleys were not. I liked the color, so I bought it without hesitation.

The appeal of Bradley is, first of all, its simplicity. It is not designed with unnecessary fins, so it is easy to clean (laughs). The design is never boring, and the strength and reliability are also important.

In my case, I have been wearing Bradleys for 30 years now, although I use them considerably more harshly than the so-called average driver.

I want to keep the rare model with care.

My immediate goal is to maintain and take good care of these two RANKULs for as long as possible. 50 years have passed since the 40 was introduced, and 30 years have passed since the 70 was introduced, so it is becoming quite difficult to maintain them, including parts supply. We want to take good care of them as much as possible, but we also want to continue to drive the 70 in competitions and in many other places.

I would like to keep on driving it until the time comes when the world says, "Electric cars are the way to go" (laughs), while maintaining every part of the car properly.