In anticipation of the Gumball 3000 2024 supercar event, an unusual gathering formed on the morning of September 13, 2024, in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. This particular area is known for car enthusiasts who gather to capture photos of rare vehicles, especially those owned by Mr. Dang Le Nguyen Vu. On this day, however, all eyes were on Le Loi Avenue in District 1, where a stage was being hastily prepared by Trung Nguyen Legend to showcase nearly 20 supercars.
Mr. Vu’s Unique 1971 Toyota Crown Custom Captivates Foreigners
Around 9 a.m., a 1971 Toyota Crown Custom in a striking shade of blue made an appearance, immediately drawing the attention of passersby. It’s not surprising, given that the exterior paint still looked fresh for a car that was already 53 years old. The wagon design of the vehicle is quite distinctive, and not every enthusiast would be eager to drive it in the morning.
Mr. Vu has a soft spot for this car as it offers a more comfortable ride than his supercars, he shared with an acquaintance. The person chatting with the “Vietnamese Coffee King” also revealed that this was not the first time the Chairman of Trung Nguyen had taken this car out for a spin. In fact, during his drives, both locally and abroad, he had often received admiring glances and gestures from foreigners who appreciated his unique choice of vehicle.
While Toyota Crown is not an unfamiliar model to Mr. Vu, the 1971 Toyota Crown Custom stands out with its wagon design. Its elongated, bulky rear end and spacious interior accommodate six passengers according to Vietnamese registration, but it actually features a 5+2 configuration. The middle and rear seats can be lowered to form a flat bed, making it ideal for family outings and road trips.
Mr. Vu, the leader of Vietnam’s coffee industry, has a penchant for rare and unique vehicles, especially American and Japanese models rarely seen in Vietnam. This particular 1971 Toyota Crown Custom was put up for sale by its owner in March of this year and has now joined Mr. Vu’s impressive car collection.
Introduced in February 1971 for the Japanese domestic market, the fourth-generation Crown was available in various trims, including Deluxe, Super Deluxe, and Super Saloon. Another variant, the Royal Saloon, was launched alongside the updated Crown in 1973, offering additional luxury features akin to those found in the limousine Century. The first two years of this fourth-generation Crown were sold in North America before being replaced by the Corona Mark II.
The 4M 2600 engine was introduced alongside the 5R 2.0-liter inline-four and the M six-cylinder 2.0-liter engine. The MC engine, featured in the previous generation, produced 104 horsepower, while the 5R offered a slight boost with 97 horsepower. In certain markets, the earlier “2M” 2.3-liter six-cylinder engine remained available, either in sedan or “utility” form.
The Utility Wagon body style, a blend of commercial and passenger vehicle, carried the chassis code MS67V until early 1973 when it was updated to MS68V with a 2.6-liter engine. Sedans and Wagons (Custom) were coded as RS60/MS60/MS64/MS65 and MS62/MS63, while the Van was coded as MS66V, known as the “six” two-liter. The Crown Custom, specifically for the Japanese market, was classified as a seven-seater vehicle.
3 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Off-Road Supercars at Gumball 3000 2024
The Porsche 911 Dakar, with a global production limit of 2,500 units, has already seen four of these cars arrive in Vietnam. However, its rival, the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, has yet to make an official appearance in the country. The Italian supercar has only briefly graced Vietnamese shores during the Gumball 3000 2024 event, leaving car enthusiasts eager for more.
The Ultimate Automotive Adventure: Unveiling the Multi-Million Dollar Pagani Huayra BC Roadster Owned by Two Korean Tycoons
For this year’s Gumball 3000 supercar rally, these two enthusiasts opted for a change of pace, choosing to participate in a Pagani Huayra BC Roadster instead of the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Divo.
Witness the Toyota Fortuner Legender’s Stunning Entry at Gumball 3000 2024: A Whopping 2.5 Billion VND Entry Fee, Quadruple the Car’s Price
The Toyota Fortuner Legender was an unusual sight among the 100+ supercars that gathered from around the world for the 2024 Gumball 3000 rally. This rugged yet sleek SUV, bearing Thai license plates, certainly turned heads and sparked curiosity.
The Only Vietnamese Millionaire Participating in Gumball 3000 2024 Switches His Ride from Tesla Cybertruck to Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
“With the uncertainty of charging stations for the Tesla Cybertruck, Mr. Sang and his companion made the switch to a luxurious Mercedes-Maybach S450 4Matic, donning a Vietnamese number plate. This elegant and powerful vehicle now serves as their mobile base as they journey forth.”
The Mastermind Behind the VinFast Fleet at Gumball 3000
The VF 7 and VF 9 electric vehicle fleet from FGF, the company that specializes in buying, selling, and renting VinFast electric vehicles from billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, made a stunning impression at the Gumball 3000 event. The sleek and modern VF models stood out among a sea of supercars, with their presence further enhanced by a host of prominent KOLs who added to the event’s glamour and prestige.
