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Nov 23, 2016 18:33:06 GMT
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*looks around office* *still not in Japan* *sobs quietly* Sounds very very familiar... Anyway, two Itasha styled RX8's together to kick things off again. As you said, I'm afraid only the Japanese can pull off that look... The new Mazda 6 does look very good lowered on some aftermarket wheels... Worlds apart from eachother At the top of the Hakone Turnpike, very foggy that day so it made for some cool pictures... Dinner at the restaurant at the top of the Hakone pass, a real petrolheads-place with some cool merchandise, decent food and some free stickers. I'm a sucker for free stickers They even had some Ace Cafe London plaques on the wall
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Nov 23, 2016 12:19:28 GMT
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There is a Suzuki Kizashi in our little village in rural Shropshire, I too did a double take and WTF is THAT?!! And that Toyota Century has definite strands of Rolls Spirit in it's DNA! Great pics of a great city and it's great cars, thanks for sharing and keep 'em coming! Steve Thank you, and I think I have some extra pictures somewhere... If you go to the Shinjuku Metropolitan government building and go to the observation tower (free) you can see all these buildings from up high... The cocoon building looks like a phallic symbol with the big circles in front it.... Also, Kizashi's are a nice looking/driving car, but too much money for what they have compared to other cars of the same size. (I work for suzuki hq over here). Well, we did visit the Seiji Togo Museum, which gave a great view on the Cocoon building. Entrance to this viewpoint was indeed free, but the museum was also worth it's admission fee. They have some temporay displays (at that time interactive arts with camera's, projectors,... really great fun) but also one of Van Goghs Sunflowers and a work by Cézanne. We also went to the observation deck of the Dentsu building, which gives a stunning view on the Hamarikyu Gardens (perfect park for relaxing, we have spent maybe 3 hours here just enjoying the peace and quiet) and on the the Tsukiji Fish Market (which we didn't visit)
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Nov 22, 2016 19:42:59 GMT
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Hmmm, maybe I should put less photos in one post... starting to get trouble scrolling, sorry for those on their mobile phones Very nice EVO [insert number here] I was hoping to see one, so was very happy when I recognized this silhouette right next to that EVO: a Eunos Cosmo. The bonnet was closed so I don't know whether it was a 13B or a 20B, but cool anyway. Because the regular parking spots were all filled up, cars started parking on the HGV lot...which ofcourse triggered the police to come round. Because we arrived quite late, we had also parked in the HGV lot and we had to leave... We probably only stayed at Daikoku for 20 minutes, so I guess we will just have to go back one day. (any reason is good, no? ) This FB was far from stock judging by it"s idle (if you could call it "idle"..) and deafening exhaust. Just the way we like 'em
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Nov 22, 2016 18:57:55 GMT
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My 15 year old Gran Turismo addict inner self is very happy at this thread Thanks for taking the time to share your photos! Hahahahaha, thanks! I've always been interested in cars from a young age, but Gran Turismo 1 has certainly played a big role in my love of the Japanese cars too. (and Need for Speed Underground, but I would never admit that to anyone!) So just to prove to our non-petrolhead friends at home that we didn't go to Japan to look at cars during the nights: some daylight pics...of the Subaru Head Office building at Nishi-Shinjuku Station. So yeah... still car related I guess but at least we tried Also a very funky scyscraper to the left, the Cocoon Tower which won some design awards. In another effort trying to prove we did do other things, we took the subway to Chiyoda-Ku. Still lots of towerbuildings, but also this very cool spot called Wadakura Fountain park. I know the square root of F*...uhm... 0 about architecture, but the Japanese do have an eye for beauty and cityplanning.
But the real reason we went to Chiyoda was to have a look at the Imperial palace because...well...because touristy stuff But ofcourse, not without some carspotting! Not retro by a long shot, but I was surprised by seeing this Suzuki I had never seen before, a Kizashi. And after looking it up, I was even more surprised they have also been sold over here in Europe... really goodlooking in real life! And a retro to make things up, a Toyota Century. For those not in the known: 5.0 V12, more expensive than a Lexus LS I know I've posted this one before, but I just wanted to see it again. Sevens Day at Daikoku parking area. I can still hear the 2500rpm-idle resonating through the air, heavenly . Anorak facts: the white RX at the front is wearing the MazdaSpeed A-Spec bumper (thank you Gran Turismo for learning me this ) And this monster of an AE86 was one of the non-rotaries present. Never has a Corolla looked more menacing, absolutely bonkers specs both engine- as aero-wise Talking about bonkers looks, nothing screams "I'm in Japan" louder than decorating your RX7 with images of your favourite J-pop singer/manga character/... For more examples just google 'Itasha style ' and be amazed
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Nov 21, 2016 20:26:56 GMT
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Neons, Neons for everyone! Really think it looks incredibly cool like this. Would probably get some lots of strange looks driving this thing over here, but it just look sooooo right when done in Japan. Quadruple exhaust, clear perspex diffusor with neons, Work CR Kai's with neon backlighting,... Lots of show, not a whole lot of go but who cares
And 5 metres further you could find this: 964 Turbo, stripped out, full slicks,... The complete opposite of the Toyota (bar the fact they both look very cool!), but happily co-existing and talking to eachother (the owners that is, talking cars unfortunately don't exist..even in Japan ) Nissan Note with Impul bodykit, Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart with works overfenders, Scooby from a very friendly owner, RX8, Toyota Altezza, RX7, a pink-ish LHD citroën Saxo (yes, really ),... Something for everyone And ofcourse 'THAT' view on the city, while watching cool cars, the whole place softly shaking every time an HGV passes... Sensory overload, words can't describe how much I'm missing this almost every single day since we've returned home. But, things don't have to be modified to get some (well deserved) attention. A fully stock E34 M5 on the OEM Throwing Stars, I'd love to cruise trough town with this at night: understated looks, part luxury barge, part racing car with that lovely inline-6-with-throttle-bodies sound. Tatsumi at it's best: vending machines (hot & cold drinks, ice cream, french fries,... you name it!), a Suzuki Kei-car with a ginourmous exhaust and a blinged-up Lamborghini is a stunning colour and pimptastic wheels Or a Mk.1 Renault Twingo on a set of RS Watanabe's and a sports exhaust. A Twingo never looked cooler, partly helped by being in Japan no doubt Fully stock R33 Gtr, definitely not the car we got a ride on the C1 in at speeds over 200 leptons per hour, no siree! Honda NSX lowered on a set of Work VS-XX's, Premium Boss Black alright! Some other "premium" goods over here
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Nov 19, 2016 18:57:43 GMT
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Hmmm, seems like a kind of forgot this thread... time to get it going again. As my memory is a bit like a sieve with extra holes I will probably double-post some things, feel free to shout at me for that So, leaving Autobacs we headed straight for Tatsumi. Lesser known and a lot smaller than Daikoku-Futo, this ended up as our go-to-spot for the car culture with 3 visits in 1 week We were very surprised to get to the parking at our first try (ignoring the fact we were at the wrong Tatsumi the first time... ) so there was some cheering and high-fiving while entering the parking... As we were quite early (well, around 10pm in the middle of the week) there was plenty of spots still free, so after parking Japanese-style (reversing, always and everywhere, while using your hazards), we automatically had to admire the stunning view of the high-rise building and their hundreds and thousands of lights. Highway parkinglots in Belgium sure as hell don't look like this A little Vitz RS, souds way cooler than "Toyota Yaris" 2 very cool Kei-cars with their Yellow numberplates As we are both into drifting, and more specifically the Japanes style, we had to rush over to this very cool Toyota JZX100 Mk.2.: the hovercraft-style bodykit, low rideheight and a set of TE37's,... Yup, he nailed it This 964 Turbo is also a regular at Tatsumi since multiple years, Speedhunters.com spotted it 2 years ago when it got the full Martini-treatment ClickyMenacing looks and the power (and driver) to back up those looks And this is just your regular NSX Widebody, nothing out of the ordinary... Then again, it doesn't have to be a fas exotic to attract attention, so have a Toyota Aqua to break things up
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Nov 19, 2016 18:17:53 GMT
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That american something is a corvair. Correct, owned by John Ludwick
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Nov 14, 2016 18:44:07 GMT
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These old barges are A1 - most awesome car for the money that you can buy! We did a charity rally in one last year. Cut the exhaust half way down and it sounded like a NASCAR! If it hasn't had it done already, you can modify the airbox to give it a mega intake noise! Look it up: I don't really "need" an LS400, but now I really NEED one anyway! Too bad prices on the continent are a bit higher than in the UK and I'd need a '90 or '91 unless I want to pay +1000€'s in taxes each year...
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I bought one about a month ago, really like the simplicity of it I've bought an MX5 as my first car (and still have it), the contrast between the two of them is quite big. The Volvo certainly feels older (leaf springs vs coilovers, carbed vs injection,...), they are less fun to drift (private property, Mister Officer...), but it is so comfy in comparison with the Mazda and they are a bit rarer. Would I prefer it over my MX5? I guess not, but they are both great choices for a first car.
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Oct 24, 2016 20:28:27 GMT
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Great thread & pics, Regarding this..... S300 is the 3ltr n/a (our lexus gs300) V300 is the 3ltr twin turbo. (later fitted to the mkiv supra) the only noticeable differences without looking under the bonnet & if the rear v300 emblems have been removed is gear selector buttons on the steering wheel.. Great, thanks for the info. Next time I spot one I'll know what to do! Too bad spotting one in Japan will probably only be in a couple of years... Pics from Japan always seem to have amazing lighting, haha. They do have a tendency to use lights and neon everywhere... Sometimes a bit OTT, but that's the cool thing about it. The photobucket-uploader seems to be trowing a tantrum, so I'll have to do with what is on there already. So, last time I left you with the French Fries-holder they were selling at Super Autobacs. They do ofcourse sell less stupid stuff, like air-fresheners looking like Starbucks Coffees... I believe my friend was taking pics of the typical Japanese shifterknobs...yes,you know the ones... No carshop is complete without exhausts you could fit your whole hand in, which we had to try... multiple times... HKS, Tein,... 6-pots brake calipers, that'll do I guess... Red pill, blue pill... I'll let you make the obvious Matrix-joke
Really had a hard time picking out some magazines to take home, so many things I'd like.
Same story with the stickers of their tuning brands. And I just had to buy a Tein keychain, a working coilover with 2 little c-spanners to change the height... When we came outside it was dark already, but we still managed to walk around the parking lot for about an hour again. Everytime we wanted to leave we spotted another interesting car, so no chance of leaving before checking it out ofcourse This car was driven by a very friendy disabled guy in his forties or fifties..., very cool little thing: nice colour, lowered, bright green wheels, some motor-tuning Lovely Trueno Sprinter on a set of Advans. Three-spoke for the win! Mitsu GTO facelift round the back of the store THat lovely 180SX Type-X again. Love the RS Watanbes, such a timeless wheel As a rotor-lover: WOOOOOWW And a stock R32 GTR to end this post. Too bad the prices of these are going through the roof, yet another J classic I've missed out on...
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Oct 24, 2016 18:27:14 GMT
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Think I saw this one at the last Cars & Coffee at Peer a couple of weeks ago, no? If so, loved it. The Borbets are the perfect wheel for that car
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Oct 21, 2016 19:20:23 GMT
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Oct 21, 2016 11:26:09 GMT
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Oct 21, 2016 11:14:02 GMT
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interesting, I didn't know that I currently have a 600sl in the workshop with a engine wiring harness issue. complete with Japanese number plates still fitted Oooh, nice. The engine is pretty crammed in there, so must be fun to work on... One last picture of the E60, just 'cause I love W124's So, I'll pick up from where we left last time: leaving Up Garage. Next destination: Super Autobacs, what else? Our trusty little March ready to head off again Nice Porsche One thing we couldn't believe was how clean their trucks were. Over here in Belgium they always seem to be dirty, have some damage to the paint,... but over there every single one was gleaming, not a speck of dust on them. Not that I'm a big fan of the new TT, but I really liked the sunlight And the sunlight in this one too. Well, and the car ofcourse Spotted at the parking lot of the Autobacs store, always some very cool things over there. Steeringwheel porn Volk Racing ZE40's in an amazing matte bronze finish And ofcourse, no car is complete without your French fries-holder
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Oct 20, 2016 17:48:40 GMT
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Nope, still the same M119 V8 as the 500E/E500. When ordering your already impressive - and expensive - 500 you had the option to upgrade the engine to a 6.0 (together with some drivetrains mods). Not cheap, so can't imagine they sold many. The 60 AMG had the same block as the AMG Hammers btw, but with a different head (less valves for instance) The Japanese were quite fond of those early AMG's, pretty sure I've got some droolworthy photos of Japanese Hammers/widebodied 126 SECs/... But that's for a different thread
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Oct 20, 2016 10:58:56 GMT
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Yes...but a the same time also no. Or not anymore. I must go. It scares me a little but it seems a smile and a bit of a gung-ho attitude gets you a long way. My advice is just go.... I was more than a little terrified, but even when you can't find someone who speaks English, pointing goes a long way. As long as you are polite they are extremely friendly and helpful. Like insanely helpful. The only downside is once you've been you just want to go back again. *wonders off to look at flight prices* This man, he speaks the truth.
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Oct 19, 2016 23:14:25 GMT
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I'll just leave this over here... Anyone wanna have a guess?
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Oct 19, 2016 23:10:57 GMT
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The best Up Garage I've been to is in Aobadai - www.google.com.au/maps/place/35%C2%B032'22.2%22N+139%C2%B030'49.9%22E/@35.539496,139.5116733,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.539496!4d139.513862 It's the head office that used to be in Machida, where Tomei and Monster (of Pikes Peak fame) are. When I was riding back from Hakone/Daikoku, we started coming through the tunnel under Haneda, then hit the Rainbow Bridge about 10pm at night... I was racing a JZA70 Supra on a Gladius 400 Pretty cool memories this thread is bringing back to mind. Will keep that one in the back of my mind for when we return, thanks! The Bay area (or the whole of Tokyo for that matter) is just stunning at night. We would always return from Tatsumi at some ungodly hour, so the streets were almost empty and we could enjoy the scenery and buildings. We also preferred to take the regular roads instead of the tollways because we could see more of the city...and because our navigational skills sometimes were non-existant so the costs of the tollroads were getting out of control . One evening we must have spent 6000 Yen on the tollways just to enter Tatsumi 'cause we royally F'ed up...not once, but 4 times Our March was no competition for the RX7's and RX8 returning from Sevens Day at Daikoku, who would have thought so? Luckily someone took us for a drive on the C1 in his R32 Gtr, so we did get our healthy dose of speed-induced adrenalin (this is ofcourse totally made-up and we certainly didn't hit 200 km/hour while racing an RX7, officer )
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Oct 19, 2016 21:24:02 GMT
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Oct 19, 2016 19:08:03 GMT
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This was one of the first photos we took after picking up our rental (I will spare you of those with my ugly mug in them ). During the first three days of the trip we both said multiple times that the penny hadn't dropped yet: It didn't sink in that we really were at the other side of the world and seeing all the things we read so much about... But that moment we got in our little rental, headed out of the underground parking lot and drove straight into the buzzing Tokyo traffic, that was the moment everything fell in place and we started realizing what we had already seen but especially what we would be seeing the next few days. So many names I recognized from reading online: The C1, Bayshore Route, Tomei Expressway,... <3 Again, laughing like idiots And ofcourse we had to take it, the Rainbow Bridge. Such an incredible view of the Tokyo bay, both laughing like idiots (I feel a recurring theme coming... ) Daikoku Futo! The ferris wheel at Yokohama E39 M5. I don't really (or really don't, both are correct ) care for BMW's, but there are some exeptions to this rule and an E39 M5 certainly is one of them! Our first trip would lead us to Up Garage Yokohama, to check out some secondhand wheels (again, we didn't even try to explain to our non-car-crazy friends... ). In hindsight, we should have picked another branch as it was a small shop unlike some of their other stores, but we're not complaining. Hayashi Streets, you've got my attention! Hmmmm, lairy colours on a timeless wheel. I'd buy them and then start looking for a car to fit them on... For those on mobile internet: I'm sorry.
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