0comments Ai Nihon 愛日本: Bosozoku Gang

Words by Matt Rus

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“Once you go bosozoku, you’ve turned your back on Japanese society and you’re given up on any kind of a ‘normal’ life.”
-Kazuhiro Hazuki, Narushino Specter gang

Kazuhiro Hazuki

Motorcycle gangs started in the United States in the late 40’s as servicemen returned from the war and formed clubs among themselves. In Japan the earliest motorcycle gangs formed in the 50’s and are referred to as bosozoku.

0comments Masahiko's VIP Odyssey

Words by Andrew Guy

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Modifying your car is a very personal pursuit, and whilst many people begin with an aim of going faster, cornering better or stopping quicker, just as many people do it to be noticed, and to stand out as driving something unique in a market increasingly dominated by a small number of popular cars. In many ways, this approach opens up even more options when it comes to picking your base car, because outright performance is no longer a concern. In fact, the more mundane the car is to begin with, the more rewarding it can be to transform it into something that looks tough as nails.

The pinnacle of this philosophy seems to be modifying minivans or ‘wagons’ as they are often known overseas. Whilst not so popular in Europe, this scene is huge in Japan and the US, and Masahiko Sagawa’s Honda Odyssey looks to be one of the best of the breed.

0comments ToyotaFest 2013

Words by Matt Rus

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While diehard Toyota fans fawned over JDM-spec All-Tracs and an origal 2000GT, this year's ToyotaFest had something to offer all import car fans. Just below the massive Queen Mary, hundreds of Toyota owners and enthusiasts gathered on Long Beach to admire a collection of vehicles that ranged from eclectic – like a perfectly original Cressida wagon, complete with wood panels – to mainstream Scion, Toyota and Lexus models that had been only slightly modified.

While there were dozens of cars worth mentioning at this year's ToyotaFest, the heart of the show was undoubtedly the Scion FR-S/Toyota 86. With numerous examples of these cars at the show, all of which were carefully customized, it's clear that this car is popular with both the public and the moneyed interests. Without any intended hyperbole, the car is shaping up to be a true classic.

0comments Takumi's WRX TypeRA Limited

Words by Matt Rus

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Good friends at Hashiriya.net shot this sick Takumi's Subaru Impreza STI ver5 WRX TypeRA Limited.

0comments 32. GTI-Treffen am Wörthersee 2013

Words by Matt Rus

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Being a petrolhead and not attend biggest GTI meet would be a crime. "GTI-Treffen am Wörthersee" is the largest Volkswagen and Audi car show in Europe (over 200.000 visitors) held in the lakeside town of Reifnitz every year since 1982. At the beginning this was 4-day meet from Wednesday until Saturday but nowadays the show last more than just 4 days. I went to see the happening this Saturday and although the official part is from 8th to 11th May, the crowd was indescribable.

With my crappy camera gear and the car not suitable for the show I went on 100km road trip over high mountain pass to Wörthersee lake. The idea was to record the road with my DSLR but I was already late so I decided I won't mount camera on the car.

The road up there is very twisted so the right car is a must, lol.