EVENTS: 2014 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 — Debut Builds

0083-BH2564_Nissan Skyline C110 bosozoku

With the Japanese Classic Car Show now officially 10 years old, it has become an event where people will wait to debut a build they’ve been working on in secrecy for years. Here are some of the best examples of cars that have either never before been seen or have been significantly reworked for a JCCS debut.  

0081-BH2631_Nissan Skyline C110 bosozoku

One of the most stunning first appearances was Patrick Soliman’s 1973 Nissan Skyline, probably the most faithful application of zokusha style we’ve seen outside of Japan. Rolling into position in the morning, it looked like it had emerged for a sunrise cruise straight outta Chiba.

From the racing jacket to the works style widebody covering 12-inch-wide Techno Phantoms, the car is steeped in speed tribe culture.

0084-JR1706_Nissan Skyline C110 bosozoku

Patrick’s kenmeri isn’t just for show, though. Under the hood lies an RB26DETT mated to a similar era Nissan 5-speed by way of an OS Giken clutch. A Precision Turbo 6262 with ceramic ball bearings and the standard R200 limited-slip diff round out the package.

Perhaps the most astonishing thing about the car is that underneath the candy apple paint job is the infamous Curry House Skyline. It was one vote away from winning the JNC award, but another car that could not be more different in style (to be revealed in a later installment) clinched it.

0076-BH2627_Nissan Skyline C10 0078-JR1710_Nissan Skyline C10

Another Skyline that has undergone a transformation is Marco Vargas’s 1972 Nissan Skyline. We snapped a quick pic of this very car seven years ago, when it was dark blue. Since then it has been repainted in the dark yellow color reminiscent of later GT-X models. Blacked out chrome bits and high-profile tires give it a pro-street muscle car look as opposed to tasteful classic.

0054-JR1581_Datsun 240Z Peter Brock

One of the more significant debuts was a 1971 Datsun 240Z tribute car unveiled by Peter Brock himself.  The BRE race team founder purchased it from the family of its original owner in April 2013. From there, the car was completely disassembled, media blasted, and every nut and bolt re-plated.

The engine was blueprinted, rebuilt and over-bored by .030 inches and everything else was freshened in some manner. The car, originally orange, was then re-painted in Toyota Super White and two-toned in silver with Brock’s trademark BRE stripes on front fender.

The car serves as a rolling showcase of the parts Brock designed to help him win two SCCA C Production class titles back in the early 1970s. The most recognizable pieces are the front air dam, also known as a BRE spook, and the rear spoiler used on the 1970 cars. BRE-designed aero side view mirrors and “Le Mans” wheels that pay homage to the original American Racing Libres finish out the continuation of a legacy born 44 years ago.

0059-BH3132_Datsun 510 Wagon Hot Wheels

John Williams’s red Datsun 510 is a regular at JCCS and many other shows, but this year he’s traded in his Radio Flyer and tiki theme for a 1:1 scale replica of the Hot Wheels Datsun 510 wagon that came out earlier this year. Not only did he make a replica of the JNC inkan that graces the Hot Wheels, he converted to a JDM Bluebird grille, added a front spoiler and removed his bumpers to bring it in line with the toy.

0107-BH3208_Nissan Skyline C10 0103-BH3207_Nissan Skyline C10

Those who attended JCCS last year may remember a blue Skyline GT-X that looked a bit awkward on white wheels. Eric Khamchan bought it, and transformed it into this mean, touring car-inspired hakosuka. Deep gunmetal Wats and a contrasting racing jacket for the headlights make it extra eye-catching.

0264-BH2588_Honda N600 0261-BH2779_Honda N600

This year had a staggering number of Hondas present, but one that stood way out was Rusty Smith’s 1971 N600. Most N-Series owners elect to keep their kei-sized cars stock, but Rusty has incorporated a bunch of old school zokusha styling cues to set it apart — fender mirrors, bolt-on flares, and a sweet set of Hayashi Command 500s.

0765-JR1601_Honda Accord 3g

On the complete opposite end of the custom Honda spectrum was Adan Reyes’ CA1 Accord sedan. Stanced hipster Honda heads are always coming up novel ways to show off their engine bays, and a hood stripped of its outer sheetmetal is certainly a first for JCCS. While stanced cars are controversial, doing it to a bread and butter sedan is a much better choice, least more original and less cringe-inducing, than when it’s done to, say, an S2000.

0397-BH3184_Nissan Skyline C10 SR20

This hakosuka is absolutely gorgeous, and the SR20 swap done by Vildini Motorsports is flawless. However, it used to be one of the cleanest, most original Skyline GT-X specimens we’ve ever seen, and in a rare light blue color too. For a while, it was on display in the showroom of Universal City Nissan, right along one of Los Angeles’s busiest thoroughfares for all to see.

0403-JR1687_Nissan Skyline C10 SR20

Now it’s another GT-R clone. A very well done clone, but a clone nonetheless. Slicing into those mint rear wheel arches must have been an especially gruesome sight. If the donor car had been less pristine, we’d love it wholeheartedly.

0836-BH3236_Toyota Corona MarkII X200837-BH3239_Toyota Corona MarkII X20

Kirk Hubbard recently purchased the Corona Mark II Wagon once owned by Toyota collector extraordinaire Joji Luz. The 1JZ-powered sleeper is now lowered and rides on a set of perfectly chosen Techno T-RVs.

0139-BH3182_Datsun 510 Hiraishi0140-BH2572_Datsun 510 Hiraishi

Kelvin Hiraishi’s S30 Fairlady Z and his brother Jeffrey’s Datsun 510 may look familiar to long-time JNC readers, but the news here is that Kelvin has since completely reworked the 510, gutting it of its rotary engine. Now in its place is at turbo SR20 sitting above a hybrid MR2 and 240SX steering rack. The installation looks factory perfect.

0008-BH3110_Mitsubishi Galant GTO GS-R

Last but not least, we had mentioned that JNC would have at our booth an iconic Japanese car that had never been shown before at JCCS. Here it is, our forum moderator Matt’s freshly restored Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO GS-R.

The GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) was a low roofline, ducktailed variant based on the New Galant (aka Dodge Colt in the States) which debuted at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show.

Matt’s car is a limited production R-spec equipped with factory wheel flares and front spoiler. The original 2.0 Astron motor was replaced with a 2.6 version to which Mikuni-Solex sidedraft carbs were bolted to. Appropriately, the car sits on Watanabe Type R wheels.

This GS-R is the result of a long, multi-year restoration. If you think parts for your Celica are hard to find, try trim for a 40-year-old Mitsu. Matt wants us to give shoutouts to Dave L, John R, Mikey C, James D & Mark D. for all their valuable help. These pictures simply do not do the car justice, so we’ll try to get John to do a proper photo shoot in the next few months.

The kyusha gods really did smile upon on us this JCCS, as were pleasantly surprised to be joined by a second GTO, which we’ll cover in a subsequent installment of our JCCS coverage. Stay tuned.

permalink.
This post is filed under: events and
tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

26 Responses to EVENTS: 2014 Japanese Classic Car Show, Part 01 — Debut Builds

  1. Invinciblejets says:

    Awesome coverage as always guys!!

    Love the gto gsr just so sexy and done soo right

  2. Nigel says:

    Yep, I miss being at JCCS this year…even more.
    (Any engine pics from the gold Hako) ?

  3. Kuroneko says:

    While cutting up a perfectly good GT-X to make a flavor-of-the-day GT-R wannabe, is perhaps excusable – as it could be reunited with its original surf-line we suppose – presenting it on wheels three sizes too large is just gauche.

    Looking forward to the rest of the pics and the commentary as it was a great day! Neko.

  4. JHMAB2 says:

    Dammit…I’ll be there next year for sure. That N600 is gorgeous! I think the Galant is my favourite of the bunch.

  5. R382 says:

    That yellow Hako is awesome. Always thought they’d look great in yellow, but haven’t seen many.

  6. Bart says:

    The Galant is wicked. Japanese “muscle” at it’s finest.

  7. cesariojpn says:

    “The BRE race team founder purchased it from the family of its original owner in April 2013. From there, the car was completely disassembled, media blasted, and every nut and bolt re-plated.”

    If the car was a basket case, then cool, it’s good to return a wreck to the road.

    If it was original and needed just a paint job and some cosmetics/service, then no, thats one less “original” car left on the roads nowadays. I’m guessing it the latter, seeing that it’s now a “shop car.”

    “This hakosuka is absolutely gorgeous, and the SR20 swap done by Vildini Motorsports is flawless. However, it used to be one of the cleanest, most original Skyline GT-X specimens we’ve ever seen, and in a rare light blue color too. For a while, it was on display in the showroom of Universal City Nissan, right along one of Los Angeles’s busiest thoroughfares for all to see.”

    …..well there goes more history down the drain!!

    • mister k says:

      in case you haven’t noticed this is what the japanese do with hakos
      always have always will. except for a few old men or museum pieces
      are you an old man?

      http://www.9tro.com/features/tuned-cars/nissan-skyline-gt-r-skyline-blue

      • Kuroneko says:

        I can understand how the MyFace people, and those in the US magazine scene can think this is so for Japan – as they are not here, get spoon-fed trends, and internet fads, lapping them up as ‘cool’. However, the situation in Japan is, and while it has not always been, different now. The internet, like, you know, like not real reality.

        The last few years has seen non-modified, stock GT-X cars appreciated, having money spent on them, and showing up in shows as popular. Not just HT, but also generic four-doors. This is a real shift.

        Kind of like seeing loligoth cosplayers from the US every weekend, down the street from my house in Harajuku. The locals left that scene many years ago, and yet those outside Japan still show up, looking to show off.

        We can only hope the Skyline take less time to re-calibrate. Here’s a meet from a month or so ago:

        http://www.flickr.com/photos/tokyo_scooter_stuff/14943597672/

        See ya here one day perhaps, on the road. Neko.

        • mister k says:

          coincidentally i did admire that rare, uncut hako on your photostream
          but alas i think of the thousands of young skyline otaku’s who’d love to flare it, slam it, and rb26 it
          same goes for the kentomarino

          • Kuroneko says:

            Truer words never been said… Pity! Kind of like the 356-world, where Karmann coupe, and a few coupe themselves gave their roof to become Speedster lookalikes. Simply because the Speedster was the ‘it’ car. Those driven by Beverly Hills 90250 fickleness wanted one, no matter what.

            The day a GT-X HT can stand-alone is well and truly here. The one above was easily one of the most popularly photographed & talked about cars the day I photographed it.

            Not only that, it was driven by one cool dude in his early ’20s. Neko.

  8. Kevin says:

    Great picks and great meeting JNC! It was a surreal experience to see so many mesmerizing cars in person. I definitely want to go back next year. Maybe with my MA61.

  9. Chris says:

    Love that Blue/green Hako
    If anyone could give a name or code for that paint colour I’d be most appreciative

  10. www.JDMjunkies.ch says:

    nice cars. best turnout since a few years. love the yellow Hako (something different than the usual White cars), and the galant is a rare sight too.. Those galant’s are way too underrated. they look seriously cool and are a lot of fun.. thanks for this post 🙂

  11. Iwakuni91 says:

    Anyone know what rims that that Accord of Reyes is sitting on? Me likey!

  12. Kev says:

    Matt’s GS-R is gorgeous!

  13. dickie says:

    Thanks for the coverage Ben. I’d love to see some of the cars that were rejected in favor of that bandwagon Accord or the cars whose originality has been forever lost to cloning attempts and badly proportioned wheel/tire combos.

    • wantyerknobbies says:

      Wet blanket representin’

    • Ben Hsu says:

      We’ll end with a parking lot segment, but I honestly have no idea which cars the organizers rejected. There was barely enough time to shoot the cars we wanted (too many people walking into your shot, waiting for proper lighting during the day, etc) that I’m afraid we skipped the worst examples completely.

      • Randy says:

        Man, that’s why I don’t even go to the big “custom car show” here, anymore. Tryin’ to get a couple of pix, and the herd roams through the shot. It’s like the mall on Black Friday…

        Great pix and article, though!

  14. Oracles says:

    Kirk’s Toyota Corona MarkII wagon has 1jz.

    Excellent coverage as always

  15. Dom says:

    Great write up, as always Ben. Wish we had something on par in the UK. Love your book too, my copy just turned up from Amazon 🙂 What I’m eagerly anticipating is the feature on Matt’s GTO – all things being equal, mine should be landing just before Christmas..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *