Focused on the precise reproduction of the car in the play

The early model Altima with the sunroof thus acquired had been dressed up with wheels and various other parts according to the owner’s tastes at the time. However, Mr. Ichikawa’s preference was for a beautiful genuine article. Luckily, the genuine wheels were still available, so the wheels were returned to genuine and the car was delivered. From there, he started customizing his car with the goal of making it beautiful.

“The interior was not in a beautiful state, with some of the paint peeling off. Anyway, I wanted to bring it up to a state close to that of when it was new, so I polished it and repainted the interior, little by little, to bring it up to a beautiful condition.”

As he himself had remarked, he would not have been interested in the “AbuDeka” specification at first. However, two coincidences ignited Ichikawa’s heart and would determine his subsequent fate. The first. The interior was the same as the car in the film.

“The original color of this unit is pearl. The previous owner had repainted it in two tones of gold. Pearl and gold have the same interior combination, which is the interior of the AbuDeka’s car. And since only about 2,000 of the previous year’s 3000cc Altimas were sold, this brown interior is very rare.”

Another reason was the desired number.

“The number of the car in the play was ‘Yokohama 33 Mo 54-17’. I originally lived in Yokohama, so I could imagine that by using the desired number, the characters would be close to those of the car in the play. However, it just so happened that the “Mo” was removed! The three-digit part is the only part that can’t be done because of the era, but such a coincidence is impossible, isn’t it?　If this happens, we have no choice but to aim for the car specifications in the play.”

Specification changes as close as possible to the 1986 model

In addition, Ichikawa’s aim for the car’s specifications in the play is not just to reproduce the mats and audio system, with the addition of a patrol lamp, car phone, and radio. It also includes changing the specifications of his 1987 model and the 1986 model of the car in the play, and the different parts of the same early-model Leopard, to make them as close to the 1986 model as possible.

Detailed explanations of the door locks, lumbar support switch covers, speed limit chimes, painted lines on the inside of the doors, number plate angles, etc. will be provided along with photos, but according to Mr. Ichikawa, “We aimed to create a beautiful 1986-style car” and the result was the film production presentation of “The Abunai Deka Returns”, The car even had the honor of being lined up with the actors who appeared in the film.

“When Toru Nakamura saw this car, his comment was the highest praise I could receive. It was worth the effort to finish it so meticulously!”

And what was that compliment?

“When it’s reproduced this well, I’m beyond impressed and feel sick (laughs).”

translated by DeepL