He has enjoyed circuit driving at Autopolis since he was young

“Garage Active” is the only specialty store in Kyushu that offers unique style GT-R customization such as chassis and twin chassis. The shop is a one-stop shop that meets the needs of users with hard tuning, full restoration, and other services based on its many years of drag racing experience. We introduce some of the GT-R owners who share the company’s originality in machine design. This time, Mr. Akagi, who loves the R32 Nissan “Skyline GT-R” that continues to evolve with the introduction of modern technology, appears on the show.

The R32 GT-R was chosen to replace the Z33 FAIRLADY Z, which was never revived

Yoshiyuki Akagi has been driving a Nissan R32 “Skyline GT-R” for 15 years in 2024. 15 years ago, he went to Autopolis in his home prefecture of Oita, as usual, and was driving his then favorite car, a Z33 Nissan “Fairlady Z 380RS,” but he could not make the turn and crashed into a barrier. However, he was unable to make the turn and ran into a barrier.

Although his beloved car was not able to recover, he had enjoyed circuit driving as a hobby since he was young, and he could not think of quitting the car hobby. However, he could not find the car he wanted at the time, so he chose the R32 GT-R until the next car he was interested in came along. This was his first encounter with the shop.

Actually, Mr. Akagi purchased a new R32 GT-R right after its debut. At that time, he also enjoyed replacing the turbine, but unlike today, the store he went to at the time did not have a good understanding of the GT-R, and their tuning skills were not up to par, so the engine blew after about a year and he had to drop out. Perhaps because of this experience, he was not willing to drive the GT-R again.

He said that he preferred the R33 to the R32, but the fact that his favorite R32 was in good condition and had only 20,000 km since the engine overhaul was the deciding factor among the cars for sale in the store at the time. At the same time of purchase, the cooling system was strengthened and the suspension was freshened up.

The first car on the market with a wide body kit from Garage Active

When they went to the race track, they were shocked to find that the stock GT-R was slower than they had expected, so they immediately started tuning the engine, installing HKS forged pistons, replacing the turbine with an HKS GT2530, and using HKS’ full computer, F-CON Vpro, to control the engine. The performance was boosted to 550ps by using HKS’ full computer F-CON Vpro to control the turbine. In the future, they plan to further increase power by installing HKS’ V-cam, a variable valve timing system, and revamping the intake and exhaust systems.

Akagi’s R32 GT-R is also the first car on the market with a wide-body kit from Garage Active.

“Five years ago, I consulted with President Sakamoto about switching to an R35 as it had become damaged in various parts, but he told me, ‘You will definitely regret it, so if you buy an R35, you should not give up your R32 and get an additional car.”

He thought that restoration was the way to go, but even if he stripped and refreshed the current exterior panels, it would not be as beautiful as a new car. He decided to install a wide-body kit because he thought it would be better to use parts made with the latest technology. It is understandable to stick to the original. However, Mr. Akagi’s idea of customization is to evolve the car by using superior parts.

The all-white paint job with flake was one of them, and he decided on it after seeing the flake paint job on the demo car of Garage Active, which is always trying new things. At first glance, it appears to be a single color, but depending on the way the light hits it, it takes on a completely different look. He is in love with Garage Active’s machine makeup, which creates an overwhelming sense of presence despite its normal appearance.

His 15-year-old grandson has offered to take over the GT-R from him, but he has not yet received an offer from …….

The interior was replaced with a new dashboard that was dead stock six years ago, and blue accents are added in the Akagi style, including RECARO bucket seats. Incidentally, the seats were used in his former favorite car, a Z33 FAIRLADY Z.

Now that he is 65 years old, he has fewer opportunities to drive the R32 GT-R on the race circuit, and is more active in events with friends he met at Garage Active. Recently, my 15-year-old grandson has asked to inherit the GT-R, but I will not let him drive it until he is 20.

“I tell him that he has to be able to drive it properly,”

he says.

translated by DeepL