SAN MAMIYA’S CORNER: My Fairlady Z

San Mamiya Fairlady Z closeup

My Fairlady Z  is the second San Mamiya X JNC illustration, following Fuji Speedway, which was released at JCCS. The latest illustration takes a journey through the history of Japanese tuning via the life of one model that was loved by all, the S30 Z. 

San Mamiya Fairlady Z

The first panel represents the 1970s, when Japan was filled with optimism following the Post-War Miracle years. Cars represented prosperity, freedom, and the idealism that gave Japan the bullet train, the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and the 1970 Osaka Expo. Life was like a Ken & Mary commercial.

The second panel represents the 1980s, when kaido racers ruled the streets. Illicit teams swarmed Japan’s streets on Honda CB400 bikes with fubo (windshield) or kenmeri Skylines on SSR MkIs. With bolt-on flares, ultra-wide tsuraichi wheels and hippari tires, these owners came to define a uniquely Japanese tuning style.

The third panel represents the Bubble Era of the 1990s. Japan was cranking out so many cool and technologically advanced cars that the older ones were getting neglected. Before they were nostalgics, these were simply used cars sent to languish in junkyards. Once they passed the 25 year mark, however, people began to rediscover them.

The last panel represents the 2000s, after the Lost Decade. A boom of Showa Era nostalgia saw enthusiasts restoring the cars with simpler, period correct modifications like Watanabe wheels and putting the car back to its original color. Perhaps someday we will all be driving sport crossovers like the Nissan Gripz, while a proper kyuusha sits in the garage.

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9 Responses to SAN MAMIYA’S CORNER: My Fairlady Z

  1. Dennis AE86 says:

    Wow, this is great! Very thoughtful art work.

  2. Censport says:

    That’s beautiful Sam! I’m tempted to send you photos of the museum’s cars for a portrait.

  3. Nigel says:

    Awesome work !! (Very cool how the whole car is in the drawing/picture).

  4. ya_boy_yeti says:

    Can anyone get this on print?? Id like to buy.

  5. Dimitry says:

    Any chance for a higher res picture? The ones you guys have on your ftp are really small and I really need this as a desktop =)

  6. brandon says:

    i seriously want to buy this. please put it up for sale.

  7. DesignerD says:

    I love this

  8. Kart22racer says:

    Will you be doing prints of this like the Fuji poster? If you did I would be first in line to get one!

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