DRIVE BEGINS AT 40
Driving has probably been the most life-changing skill I acquired. When I received my driver’s license for the first time when I was 18, my life’s pathways diverged into countless possibilities. I took the one that exposed me to this skillset the most, which had led me to this point in time, writing about a place that retraces Philippine motoring history through the lens of one global automotive powerhouse.
I visited the R Garage Toyota Car Museum in Bauang, La Union, for the first time this January 2025, so it would be quite fitting to embark on my last long drive this year back to this one-of-a-kind car museum that’s just right beside the Toyota La Union dealership.
As it happens to be the 40th anniversary of the only newspaper I’ve called home for 30 years, I decided to check out if there were any 40-year-old cars in R Garage’s stable.
And what do you know, there were, indeed, three of these models that first rolled out of Toyota’s assembly line the same year the Inquirer first got off the presses. Many classic Toyotas were also added since January, bringing the total number of displays in R Garage to 88.
So, without further ado, here are the 40-year-olds I met at the R Garage, and the fascinating stories they tell.
The Landcruiser: Exploration and travel icon
A Toyota Landcruiser FJ62 (which stands out in a sea of LCs in the museum) indicates in its label that it’s a model 1985.
According to R Garage, since 1951, when Toyota Land Cruisers first entered production, they have come to represent exploration and travel. They come in a variety of forms, each with special capabilities and characteristics, including the 70 Series, 80 Series, 90 Series, 100 Series, 200 Series, and the most recent 300 Series. Toyota Land Cruisers are known for their exceptional engineering, state-of-the-art technology, and opulent interiors, which make them appropriate for both challenging off-road expeditions and cozy long-distance rides. They have a devoted fan base and have established a reputation as some of the most dependable and capable vehicles out there.
Corolla: Evolving into many forms
A Toyota Corolla AE82 on display also showed the year 1985 on its plate.
My R Garage guide explained that the small Toyota Corolla was praised for its dependability, efficiency, and usefulness. Manufactured since 1966, the Corolla is among the most popular vehicles ever sold. Despite its size, the Corolla offered a roomy cabin, safety features that were quite advanced for its time, and a comfortable ride. Today, the Corolla is available in several trim levels and body types, including sedan, hatchback, and hybrid models.
Checking the model online, I learned that the 1985 Toyota Corolla AE82 is part of the E80 generation (1983-1987), known for its switch to front-wheel drive (FWD) for most models, though it shares styling cues and some mechanicals with the iconic RWD AE86.
Hilux: Boxy and tough
I also spotted a Toyota Hilux RN60 22R EC that turned exactly 40 this year.
I read online that this model is part of the rugged third-generation Hilux (N60 series), known for durability, often featuring gasoline (like the 2.4L 22R) or diesel engines, available in 2WD/4WD, and recognized by its boxy styling and tough build, serving as a workhorse pickup and the basis for the first-gen Hilux Surf/4Runner in some markets.
From its modest origins, the first-generation Hilux set the stage for a lineage characterized by unrelenting performance and a fearless exploration ethos. With each subsequent generation, Toyota has skillfully incorporated contemporary technologies and design, while upholding the Hilux’s enduring reputation for toughness. Today, the Hilux remains a symbol of reliability, embracing change while staying true to its intrepid spirit.
Fortunately, I also had the chance to chat with R Garage president and co-founder Richmond Glenn L. So before heading back to Manila (driving an Avanza that’s quite fuel efficient, yielding 18.4 km/liter by the time I turned its engine off in my garage 300 kms away).
He disclosed that R Garage is still a growing collection.
“Our target was to reach 100 (displays) by the end of the year, but because there’s some congestion in the restoration area, some of the cars we bought are not yet restored. That 100 is the big goal. It’s a figure we never imagined we would have. We believe that if we’re able to hit that number, we can consider ourselves a legitimate car museum. We’re not yet there,” said Richmond.
With the sprawling Toyota La Union dealership, which houses brand-new models offering adventures yet to be realized by their future owners providing a contrasting backdrop, the museum houses not just classic Toyotas, but vehicles that have been enriched with years and years of stories by its original owners, stories that now add a unique and indelible aura to the cars on display.
“Our passion is really to find and restore as many Toyotas as we can. There will come a point where we can’t fit all of them, so that’s the time we will do some themes on a monthly or a quarterly basis. That will also keep things exciting for our guests. They can anticipate seeing certain vehicles in their visits in R Garage,” said Richmond.
Richmond added: “We expanded starting April. We now have the Revline Gallery, where we become more playful. When you enter that gallery, you will see a Pikachu Wigo. Aside from that, we are creating art out of vehicles, because our primary mission is to impact the next generation. We realized that not all students are interested in cars. So we created the Revline Gallery to show them that we’re not just about cars. We’re about creativity, innovation. We started with the Pikachu Wigo. Next, we’re planning to do some anime and K-Pop. We want to show the youth that a car is not just a means to bring them from one place to another. It can be fun.”
Another expansion Richmond disclosed is the Ignition Pavilion, an events place. “But the uniqueness of that place is that the R Garage team is keeping the vehicles on the side so that when people come in, they can still have the feel of the museum when they have their events.”
VR simulator
Adding a more youthful vibe is the mezzanine area, where a mini Kidszoona is set up.
Richmond said that his team is also heavily investing into e-Racing. “Right now we have simulators, but we’re actually bringing in a VR simulator.”
“We’re always trying to improve the experience of our guests. Next year, we have a lot more planned out because we don’t want our guests to just come in and look at the cars. We want them to experience it,” he said.
R Garage was opened to the public in 2022 with Richmond’s dad Rene So, R garage founder and president of Toyota Dagupan group, expanding the place and making way for facilities and spaces for kids, teens, young men and women, something like a “mentorship hub,” to help these youngsters realize their own full potentials not just in the automotive industry, but in any field these kids would dream of being part of.
R garage has been collaborating with partner schools and their professors, programmers, artists, and engineers to mentor students in their studies and interests.
Richmond said that the desire to uplift and empower students has long been an advocacy of his and his father Rene, who both manage many Toyota dealerships in Luzon. It’s also most likely the reason why R Garage—as expansive as it already is with its 1,600-sqm space, is able to accommodate 88 cars, and counting, plus rooms and facilities encompassing the planned student center.
Growing old isn’t really about adding numbers to our lives, but adding more fond memories, skills, wisdom, and a bit of girth around those bellies.
