Creative body modifications and wild engine conversions still remain a popular tuning option, some of which we never thought possible. An old-school Z with a VK45 V-8, a Nissan Pulsar with a turbocharged rotary, an SR20VE (latest generation, non-turbo SR motor) in a mid-engine Nissan March, and Esprit's Fairlady Z with an RB26DETT? Yes, please! Bomex had on display an S14 that had been retrofitted on both ends with body panels and lighting from an R34 Skyline GT-R! Not only was Blitz able to turbocharge a Prius hybrid, the tuner also doubled its efforts with an EJ20 twin-turbo kit. We also noted a Eunos Roadster from Ducks-Garden, which is based off the SR311 design and features extensive front and rear end restyling that widens the body nicely (check www.ducks-garden.co.jp for more info on how to find pricing for the conversion). Top Fuel Japan returned again in full form with its DC5 Type R Integra, the same one featured on our August '03 cover, but it now sports a silver carbon-fiber front end, not to mention a full array of performance adders for your Honda engine, including its new Cataratic, Power Neo Water Line, and Nano-Tec.
Other star cars worthy of mention include Nobuteru Taniguchi's new D1 sled, the HKS Altezza. But we've been there and done that; take another look at the cover of our Feb '05 issue. Also on hand at the Vertex booth was his new personal car, a red drift-prepped Aristo, which was tuned by HKS. Abel Ibarra and his Pro RWD RX-8 were big news at the Mazda booth. Hiranao Yokomaku of VeilSide turned out another stunner with his carbon-fiber/gunmetal Fortune FD3S RX-7. Old man Nads soiled his Depends at the sight of the Rocky Auto '71 Skyline GT-R complete with an RB20DET and a $48,000 price tag.
Most of the Japanese fans weren't sure what to make of JR Gitten's Falken Tires Mustang drifter, although they knew exactly what they wanted to do with Courtney Day, Mary J, and the rest of the USDM hotties Falken imported for the show. Our tastes, however, favored the sultry, saucy Signal Auto Show Up girl. Another big hit was the lingerie ladies in the House of Kolor booth. The mob around that booth was always 10-deep, and we could only assume it had something to do with their unpixilated privates.
There is one long-standing constant we've discovered about the Auto Salon: Rays Engineering owns the JDM tuner market, period. Even though the Volk Racing line of rollers is regarded as somewhat of an industry standard because of the high-quality construction and original designs, some tuners are just not satisfied with being one of the crowd. Enter the next big thing. At this year's show we spotted custom candy red anodized CE28s on the Traum Real Dream Chaser and GT-Vs on Ueno's new third-gen Vertex D1GP Soarer. If you want a set for your Civic, call Eddie at Mackin Industries. Yeah, right, unless you're a regular atop the D1GP podium, there's no way you can floss this bling, but maybe you can call Eddie and bug him anyway.
And Now, A Sneak PeekAt All the New ToysWhen you break it down, Tokyo Auto Salon is more than just a collection of cool cars and hot chicks with jacked up teeth. The main purpose for anyone to be here is for the overdose of cigarette smoke and the latest in performance gear for your wannabe D1 glory mobile.
Here are a handful of doozies we found particularly interesting.