Quest Fulfilled: The 20-Year Journey to Acquire a Nissan Gazelle
Did you know that the sibling of the Nissan S110 "Silvia" was the "Gazelle"? Here is the story of the owner, Mr. Sarutani, who has been searching for a turbo model of such a Gazelle for 20 years and finally obtained it. What kind of car is this model that he has admired since he was in junior high school?
Interview with STI’s New President: The BRZ Developer’s New Role at STI
Mr. Hiromi Tamou, the new president of STI, is a key person in the development of the first-generation BRZ. In this interview, we asked him what he would like to do at STI in his new position. He is a car enthusiast who says, "The response to the steering wheel is what is important," so we have high expectations for new developments.
Spirit of Microcars: A Deep Dive into the World of Mitsuoka K-3 Enthusiasts
As they say, "The Germans invented the car, the French turned it into a business, and the British play with it", and in the field of cars, Britain has long been a major hobby nation. One of the unique British car hobby cultures is the 'kit car' genre. So when you hear the word 'kit car', you first think of the UK, the home of the genre, but of course it is not exclusive to that country. In Japan, Mitsuoka Motor, well-known for its small cars, also sold kit cars.
Revving Up Commutes: A Rare Glimpse into the Honda ‘Life Light Van’
The Life Light Van is a derivative model of the Honda Life. This light van model is a rare vehicle with very few units produced. The owner, who uses such a Life Light Van for commuting, also owns several other Honda 360cc vehicles. What kind of a luxurious old car life is this?
Tailoring Your Ride: How a Jimny Became a Unique Blend of Classic Looks and Modern Performance
Ms. "maomao" switched from a Suzuki Hustler to a 2023 Suzuki Jimny. Her beloved car, equipped with DAMD's "The Roots" aero parts that have the atmosphere of the old Jimny, is the "XC" model with a 5-speed manual transmission. The reason why she chose it was because she wanted to drive an MT car. Why did she choose a Jimny among MT cars?
Mastering the Canvas: How One Enthusiast Transforms a Impreza WRX STi with Itasha Innovation
Cars with anime characters painted on the body are commonly known as "Itasha," and in recent years the Itasha community has been changing. While most painted cars have been Lancer Evolutions and Imprezas, what are the base cars of the 2025 era? Mr. "Doramata", who drives a Subaru "Impreza WRX STi", also talked about the current situation of Itashas. We also asked him about the specifications of his car.
The Customization Chronicles: Transforming a Jimny Sierra into a Personal Masterpiece
Ms. "KOTO" switched from a Daihatsu Copen to a 2023 Suzuki Jimny Sierra. After much deliberation about the economics of choice between the "Jimny" kei-car and the "Jimny Sierra" passenger car, she chose the Jimny Sierra as her beloved car, focusing on its visual appeal. Here is a car full of originality with customization in progress.
The Evolution of Passion: From Father to Son in a Nissan R32 GT-R
In 2024, the third year of the “RAYS Fan Meeting,” the venue was filled with cars with new and old RAYS wheels and their owners from all over Japan, who spent their time together under the fine weather, sharing their love for the same brand. Among the approximately 700 cars that participated in the event, we would like to introduce the Nissan R32 “Skyline GT-R,” which retains the atmosphere of that time.
The GR86 Journey: How a Father-Son Team Transformed a Stock Toyota into a Track-Ready Machine
The "Miyagi 86/BRZ Meeting" is where everyone from fully stock to tuned cars can gather. One person we saw at the event was Mr. Saito, who purchased a Toyota "GR86" because of its FR drivetrain, which is ideal for polishing driving techniques. He grew up with car-loving parents and had ordered parts for his car before he took delivery intending to drive it on the race circuit. We asked him to introduce his car, which he is very particular about.
Resilience of a Racer: How One Man Turned a Honda Kei-Truck into a Track Star
Mr. Nanasaki, who is introduced in this article, is one of those who got hooked on the charm of circuit driving with his beloved Honda Acty Truck. He started as a casual participant, but when it came time to race, his competitive nature came out and he immersed himself in tuning his car to go faster. Through his almost entirely hands-on tuning efforts, he completed a machine that exhibits powerful acceleration and sharp cornering performance that is hard to believe for a light truck.
The Journey of Restoration: Breathing New Life into a Classic Mitsubishi Colt 1000
The "Colt" has long been a symbolic car of Mitsubishi Motors. Since the Mitsubishi "500" was developed based on the national car concept, the displacement was increased with a full model change, and the name "Colt 600" was given to the car, which is still a familiar name today. Its successor, the Colt 1000, is owned by Mr. Sadao Yuzuki. We asked him how he acquired his beloved car.
The Weight of Heritage: Maintaining a GT-R for the Next Generation
In 2024, the third year of the “RAYS Fan Meeting,” the venue was again filled with cars with new and old RAYS wheels and their owners from all over Japan, who spent their time together under the fine weather, sharing their passion for the same brand. Among the approximately 700 cars that participated in the event, we would like to introduce the Nissan R33 “Skyline GT-R”, which has a strong presence.
From Classic to Legendary: The TE27 Sprinter Trueno’s Rally Evolution
There was once a car that was called "a wolf in sheep's clothing". It was Toyota's TE27 Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno. Both twins made their debut in March 1972. The Sprinter Treno, which was fully restored and brought back to life by Auto Advisor Stuff, a store in Aichi Prefecture, is a rally-spec car that recreates the heroic figure that was very active in the WRC at the time. We found out the secret behind its sparkling new look.
Freedom of Versatility: The Ideal Daily Porsche 911 Dakar
We tested the Porsche 911 Dakar, which has been tailored to be a "rally car" with its increased ride height and special suspension, over a long distance from Tokyo to Kyoto. With its high minimum ground clearance, it is easy to drive in town, and its driving performance is on par with the standard model.
Sophistication of Space: Lexus LM’s Latest 3-Row Addition
The long-awaited three-row, six-passenger "Version L" has been added to the Lexus LM luxury minivan. Developed with an emphasis on creating a relaxing interior environment that respects the personal touch of the occupants, Version L will be priced at 15 million yen, 5 million yen less than the "Executive" version.
Shift of Preference: Choosing the New Defender Over a Jeep
At the Land Rover Defender gathering, which attracts many unique vehicles, we spoke to one of the owners of the new Defender 110 about his car. Owner Mr. "Oaty" used to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee for about 10 years, so why did he decide to switch?
