I got a couple of request to showcase some Vtec power from the Tokyo Auto Salon, so here they are! A collection of the Hondas i came across at the show. Let's start off with this car... oh wait... is it in the wrong section? Nope, this is an Odyssey sporting a custom BMW face. Bold World had a droppped Odyssey featuring a red carbon finish, as well as this black FD2. I was hoping to see more FD2s during the show but unfortunately, not many were to be found. A number of VIP-ed up Streams and Odysseys were on show.
Mugen, well know for their tuned up Hondas were sadly, not around for this year's show. Maybe they are busy working on the HSV and CR-Z. Hopefully they will be back for 2011. Honda's Modulo were present to showcase a few cars though. The Civic Type-R Euro. Pretty much the same Civic hatch the official dealer in Singapore has been bringing in. But for Japan, tweaks to the suspension and handling were supposedly made. Here is the Insight from Modulo featuring some funky wheel covers. J's Racing also prepared an Insight for the show with some eye candy too. Right next to the J's Racing Insight, we have their S2000 looking aggressive. Tamon Design were on hand to represent some Honda power too with their "Zaku" S2000. This AP1 really looked the part with a Tamon Design widebody kit, Rays wheels, stunning paintwork, and perfect stance. Cyber Sports had this insane CRX on display. Those green TEs sure look good on the white body. The powerplant inside this CRX is a B16B pushing out about 185horses. The interior was fully stripped out and roll caged as well. You can't imagine this car being anywhere else but on a racetrack. The 5Zigen Accord Euro R was also at the show. This car, like the CRX above is built for the tracks, this car in particular, is built for Time Attacks. I love that wild looking front hood wing (they call it the "Devil Wing") up front. This Euro-Rs K20B has been stroked up to 2.4litres with some Turbocharging added in more good measure. OH, there's some NOS too. Pretty serious stuff.
Ladies and Gentlemen, for the main event, we have some NSXs! I love the NSX. Hard to believe the first versions came out around 20 years ago in the 1990s. They still look stunning after all these years. Advance had a stunning yellow NSX on show coming with Individual Throttle Bodies on the engine. This Esprit NSX has had its internals heavily worked on, with it's V6 engine rotated to a longitudinal position and force fed with some Trust turbines. It pushes out over 500 horses. This beautiful red example came from Matrix. With a custom widebody from Sorcery. Bringing this post to a close, right next to the red NSX, we have Zero Force showcasing this matt, mad and wide NSX with the a super aggressive looking rear diffuser.
Picked this leaflet up whilst i was at Super Autobacs Shinonome. What a gorgeous machine the 2000GT is. Love the whole retro-ness of the advert too, you don't see stuff like this outside of Japan. View the trailer here.
Amidst the furry of Tokyo Auto Salon postings, i have not forgotten about the ongoing travelblogs of my 7-day automotive tour of Tokyo. After the less hectic schedule of day 3, day 4 was going to be another day jam-packed with cars from the Tokyo Auto Salon. The plan today was to cover any cars i might have missed out from the first day and to actually take the time to discover all the booths and what they have to offer instead of just running around. I was hoping to cover the carpark area of Makuhari Messe too, hearing stories of how the carpark is a show in itself. The winter mornings in Japan are rather cold, i grabbed a quick rice-ball from the convenience store just before i trekked to the train station. Taking the early train does have it's plus points though. You get to have a nice heated seat to rest your bum on, and you get to see the sunrise over the Bay. That's all sea touching the clouds right outside the train windows. The cross-winds tho, sound pretty terrifying. Taking the walk towards the Messe, a C110 GTR rumbled past right under the overpass, in fact, you can see quite a number of pretty hopped up cars cruising towards the show grounds. Coffee taken and press pass collected, it was time to re-enter car tuning mecca. I shall leave the highlights for future, more "themed" post. And just show you all the other itty bits which perked my interest as i walked through the show at a slightly slower pace. (I was still pretty knackered from my earlier visit)
I went over to the BBS stand and had a look at all the delectable goodies, and i was considering buying these BBS lug nuts. Fortunately for my bank account, i pulled myself away. How about some Forgiato wheels? Look at the Carbon on the rim. Not enough Carbon for you? Varis has a briefcase made of the exotic material. There were even Carbon chairs on display, if you could balance them, lifting the chair up with just one finger is easy.
D1 had an exhibition show right outside the show halls, it was absolutely packed! You can tell they are on a totally different level just watching the introduction demo. To see them LIVE is out of this World!
There were D1 cars on display spread across the entire outdoor venue. With cars from all the major drifters on show and sponsor tents hawking merchandise to the fans. (Yours truely included) Even an Advan-liveried Exige was present. Heading back into the hallways after the show, one could always do with a nice cold drink to unwind, TWS was on hand to help out. With a free drink Cafe set up, with attractive looking ladies behind the counters. I had a Coke and took some pictures around the booth whilst resting. I stumbled over to the URAS booth and whilst oogling at the stickers and merchandise, Nomuken came over and i had my press pass and a postcard signed. :) Towards the end of the day at the Tokyo Auto Salon, i was feeling totally broken and my legs, knees and feet were all hurting. I had spent 2 full days at the Auto Salon and i still did not finish combing through all the booths in the massive halls. I never even had the chance to cover the carpark area. It was just too taxing for the body even though the mind was willing.
As i walked back to the train station, i made a wish to come back to TAS again in the future. It was an eye opening experience for me, and i truely feel that everyone who has the slightest interest in cars must visit TAS at least once in their lifetime. It is really incredible.
As the train i was on pulled into Shinjuku Station, it was time for food! I have read about a 100year old Tempura joint not far from the East exit of the station, so off i went. It didn't take too long to find it, Funebashiya Honten. If you like Tempura and you are in Tokyo, this is the place to be. They dish out the freshest and least greasy tempura you can ever find. Ordering is quite simple since there are a couple of set menus to choose from, if you like, you can ask them to provide an english menu too. The people here are exceptionaly friendly, not just the staff, but the patrons too. A couple seated on my side helped to translate some of the items on the menu. This particular piece about is from their seasonal menu. I had 2 items, one was an oyster and another, shown above, is absolutely divine, bite into it and it just totally melts. What is it? Shirako. Google it and see if you can stomach it the next time you are there in winter. You will NOT regret it though. Unimaginably tasty. Drinks? I was just about to have some Biru when i thought, since i was in Japan, why not try some Sake~! They placed a glass into a wooden squarish container and filled it all the way up till it overflowed. No idea why but it felt "traditionalish". So i liked it. The people here are exceptionally friendly and the whole atmosphere is really nice and casualy. Some of the people here look like regulars. A couple at my side helped to translate some of the items on the menu and gave me tips on what i should try, they also loved Shirako, i met two funny chaps whilst finishing up my meal and we went for drinks at a small jazz pub. Turns out they do fashion designs for Muji and Uniqlo. A glass of Yamazaki later, we said our goodbyes and i took a taxi back to my hotel. What a great way to unwind and finish off day 4.
What will Day 5 bring? Studie Tokyo awaits! Don't miss it!
